WHAT DOES A SPATIAL DESIGNER DO AND WHY EMPLOY ONE?

WHAT DOES A SPATIAL DESIGNER DO AND WHY EMPLOY ONE?

In this issue, Ingrid Geldof, Chairperson of the Southern Region of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association, looks at what a Spatial Designer does,how they differ from other designers and why you may wish to employ one.

A Spatial Designer has a different set of skills from most architects, kitchen, bathroom and interior designers.Spatial Designers focus on a spaces shape, form, height, light, entry and exit points, then after consultation with the client, assess how it is best used.They find solutions which provide ease of movement, safety, as well as looking at the placement, scale and positioning of added objects of built in joinery, furniture and accessories.

If you are renovating or replacing your kitchen and use an experienced Spatial Designer you will receive advice on possibilities beyond what you may have considered.By looking at the home as a whole a Spatial Designer assesses the spaces to ascertain whether there may be opportunities to remove walls, relocate doors, windows and walls providing a far more beneficial result.They would consider how the kitchen flows on to living spaces, outdoor areas, laundries, sculleries and make suggestions as to how to improve the entire area.

Spatial Designers suggest such things as repositioning of furniture in a room which can alter the way it is used and transform the feel of the space, providing a much more pleasant and comfortable environment, possibly eliminating irritations or hindrances.It could be that they move things around in a kitchen to make the work flow logical, effortless and stress free.

For new home builders, spatial planners can be invaluable as they assess a home for its function, ensuring that rooms and spaces are proportionate, that existing or new furniture layouts work and that the practical rooms and areas of the home are designed to make life easy and stress free for the occupiers.

For example a Spatial Designer would ensure that bathroom doors, if left open, do not expose the toilet.That there are locations for practical elements in the home such as telephones and hidden ‘unload’ areas for keys/bag/mail, when you first arrive home. Inclusion of all sort of different storage ideas are also their forte. After assessment of the sketch plans of your new home a Spatial Designer, may also be able to save you money if they identify spaces which are too large or disproportionate.

A perceived disadvantage of using a spatial Designer would be that you could feel like you are doubling up on your design investment in a new home after you have already invested in the skills of an architect.You may also expect that your kitchen or bathroom designer may take care of spatial design. However, specialist Spatial Designers concentrate on the function of the home which may be overlooked by someone who is working on the big picture or on a specific area of the home.What a Spatial Designer focuses on are the areas which you live with every day of your life, the areas which can make or break the enjoyment of living in your ultimate dream home.

Essentially Specialist Spatial Designers such as Ingrid Geldof Design ensure that you are maximizing the potential of the home in every detail. If you wish to have your ultimate dream home not only look good but function to the max then ensure that your designer has experience and skills in these areas.