I've had a few clients recently who have needed to come to terms with what their space will really feel like. I hear this often, that people cannot visualize how their space will look and feel, based on a floor plan. You know what? Sometimes, it's helpful to me, too, to get out the old tape measure and double check things AFTER I've done the floor plan, in the actual space. It is, after all, a "feeling" for space, that is put on paper. Therefore, it is important to "feel" the space in the front end however you can, before cabinetry is ordered.
It's funny that, while it's always at the forefront for me, the movement around the kitchen, I can't say that I'm ever nervous about how the kitchen will feel once it's installed. I mean, it's a huge risk. You're ordering expensive cabinetry in particular sizes where things have to flow and function and operate correctly for a variety of activities. I think it is because the path I use to get to a comfortable flow, works extremely well. It's an interesting phenomenon, having worked off of a floorplan, and then having the real cabinets begin to be put into place. It is the MOST exciting part of what I do, bar none. It is a real rush to see it come to life, for me! When I express enthusiasm to the client, it's for real, I'm as excited, or more so, than they are.
I put a large emphasis on what I call "negative space"...the space which is just space, air. But that "just space" includes the following: walkways, passageways around tables, islands, around appliances, how far appliances project when open, where are steps located, doorways, work flow, all the elements which project into the negative space. It's the negative space, which is extremely important. I mostly consider that first and then "back in" the design of the cabinetry. The negative space often tells the story of how a kitchen can be designed effectively. The first driving force are windows, doors and passageways into other rooms.
The fundamentals are designed in carefully, even engineered in, often, in my case always, to the 1/8 of an inch. However, that is only half the story. The clients really must be able to understand the new space.
Here's how the homeowner can visualize their floorplan so they feel confident it feels right:
These tips should be a constructive, efficient, way to get you closer to really understanding what your space AROUND your cabinetry and appliances will feel like. And, that's important. Once some of those exercises are done, you can feel even more confident and excited about your new, enhanced lifestyle to come. I really love this part!