Whenever I enter a new contract with a client, I am always eager to get a scaled drawing down on paper – a floor plan – as soon as possible. That’s because it shows me what I can work with. When I know what I have to work with I can spot limitations and opportunities. These are actually two sides of the same coin: limitations shape the design opportunities available. And this is ALWAYS a good thing when it comes to interior design. AND this is what I mean by Reality is a Tape Measure.
The importance of accurate measurements in interior design cannot be overstated. It’s a skill, it’s an art, it is the foundation upon which all else, all your design decisions, will rest. You get this right, then a lot more will go right going forward. You get this wrong, you could be paying for a sizable return delivery fees, at the very least.
I say this often but it bears repeating, measure your space, measure your doorways, measure all the doorways, before buying a bulky item like a sofa, a refrigerator, or a washing machine. The reality check that happens when the purchased item does not fit is a memorable one. All of us who have done this are right now nodding our heads.
I don’t even want to tell you about a time that it happened to me. Because I feel defensive about it! It wasn’t all my fault! But as the interior designer, it was all my responsibility.
In a nutshell, the client wanted a specific refrigerator feature — a water dispenser — but there were no refrigerators available at the time, in her price range, that would fit in her small kitchen. I told her we would have to change the cabinet layout in order to make more room for the fridge, but I didn’t recommend it. BUT I had added a too-big fridge with a water dispenser feature to the spreadsheet of appliances to be purchased, along with the smaller fridge I wanted her to buy. She ended up buying the too-big one, forgetting (understandably) what I said about having to change the cabinetry layout. When the too-big fridge didn’t fit, she called. She was upset. I apologized for the confusion I had created. I should not have left that option on the spreadsheet without sufficient notations and reminders and warnings. I paid for the return delivery fees. She was also fully refunded for the fridge and then able to buy the correct one. That was a hard lesson. I hate making mistakes!
The reality check that happens when the purchased item does not fit is a memorable one. All of us who have done this are right now nodding our heads.
When you get the measurements right, especially in a tight space where you need to maximize storage, like a kitchen or a bathroom, it makes a world of difference. Cabinets are designed in 3” increments for this reason. But if you really know your dimensions, you can get them customized to your specifications.
At its best, the tape measure, the process of measuring your space, can uncover hidden potential. You identify underutilized or wasted areas. It’s the tape measure that shows you this. It’s also the scaled drawing and creating schematics that shows you the opportunities for creative storage solutions and alternative furniture arrangements.
The reality check, though, is crucial. Sometimes we have preconceived notions about our space. Often we think there’s more space than there is. Creating a set of accurate measurements can help you select appropriate scaled pieces for balanced proportions. And you can create visual interest through strategic placement and layout.
As you develop this skill, how to measure a space, you start to trust it as the first step in creative problem solving, space-efficient design, and experimenting with unique, personalized layouts.
Embrace the tape measure! (And also treat it gently. Retract it slowly so it doesn’t hit you in the face or break.)
There is something so satisfying about a clear-eyed view of a room's reality, enabling designers to make informed choices and create functional, beautiful spaces.
What do you think? Have you ever measured your space? What did you discover?
Subscribers! Scroll down for the link to my video, How to Measure the Room for how I do it. Get everything from the process of documentation to the art of wielding a tape measure at the link below.
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