May 13, 2024
Updated July 20, 2025
11 minute read
Space planning is the process of creating a layout for a space. It involves arranging furniture, equipment, and other objects to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. Space planning can be applied to a wide variety of spaces, from homes and offices to retail stores and warehouses.
Why Learn Space Planning?
There are many reasons why you might want to learn about space planning. If you're interested in interior design, space planning is an essential skill. It will help you to create layouts that are both functional and stylish. Space planning can also be helpful for people who are looking to maximize the potential of their own home or office space, or for those who need to plan for future moves or remodels.
How to Learn Space Planning
There are many ways to learn about space planning. You can take classes at a local community college or university, or you can find online courses and tutorials. There are also many books and articles available on the subject.
Here are a few of the online courses available that can teach you about space planning:
- How to Use Color Like a Pro
- Interior Design for your Modern Home: A Room by Room Guide
These courses can teach you the basics of space planning, including how to create floor plans, choose furniture, and arrange objects. They can also help you to develop your own personal style.
Careers in Space Planning
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Find a path to becoming a Space Planning. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/zt3bw0/space
Reading list
We've selected 24 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Space Planning.
A comprehensive reference for anthropometric and ergonomic data essential for effective space planning. provides standard dimensions and clearances for furniture and human activities within interior spaces. It crucial resource for ensuring designs are functional and comfortable for users and is considered a foundational text in interior design programs.
Often referred to as the 'Silver Bible,' this book is an extensive reference providing a vast array of data and details for planning residential and commercial interiors. It includes typical layouts, furniture dimensions, and architectural details, making it an invaluable tool for both students and practicing professionals.
Offers a step-by-step methodology for developing preliminary floor plans, particularly for commercial spaces. It's an excellent resource for beginners to grasp fundamental concepts, programming techniques, and considerations like building codes and environmental controls. It serves as a valuable learning tool and is often used in academic settings.
Serves as a comprehensive desk reference for interior designers, covering a wide range of topics including space planning, materials, finishes, and technical information. It's a practical guide for day-to-day use in professional practice and is valuable for students seeking a broad understanding of the field.
A comprehensive reference for architectural standards, details, and data, which includes significant information relevant to space planning, such as building codes, accessibility guidelines, and material specifications. It's a critical resource for ensuring designs are compliant and buildable.
Provides a comprehensive overview of space planning for interior designers, covering topics such as space analysis, furniture selection, and lighting. It is an excellent resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Provides a focused look at the specific considerations and processes involved in planning commercial office spaces. It covers topics such as client requirements, design concepts, layouts, and relevant codes, offering a practical guide for those interested in this particular area of space planning.
A fundamental text in architectural education, this book explores the basic elements of form, space, and order in design. While not exclusively about interior space planning, it provides a strong theoretical foundation for understanding how spaces are created, perceived, and organized. It's essential for gaining a broad understanding of spatial concepts.
An enduring classic that introduces the fundamental principles of architectural design, focusing on how form and space are organized and perceived. is essential for building a strong foundational understanding of spatial concepts relevant to all areas of space planning.
This influential book presents a collection of 253 'patterns' that describe common spatial problems and their solutions in the built environment, ranging from the scale of regions to individual rooms. While not solely focused on interior space planning, it provides a deep understanding of how to create functional and humane spaces, offering valuable insights for deepening one's understanding of spatial relationships and design principles.
Similar to its interior design counterpart, this book valuable reference for architects, including essential information on space planning within the broader context of architectural design and construction. It's useful for gaining a broader understanding of how space planning fits into the overall building process.
Focuses on space planning for green buildings. It covers a wide range of topics, including space allocation, furniture layout, and materials selection. It good choice for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Provides a clear and highly visual guide to building construction, explaining how different building components and systems come together. Understanding construction is vital for realistic and effective space planning, making thvaluable resource for deepening one's understanding of how spaces are physically realized.
Focuses on space planning for museums. It covers a wide range of topics, including space allocation, furniture layout, and materials selection. It good choice for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Focuses on space planning for transportation facilities. It covers a wide range of topics, including space allocation, furniture layout, and materials selection. It good choice for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Focuses on space planning for retail stores. It covers a wide range of topics, including space allocation, furniture layout, and materials selection. It good choice for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Focuses on space planning for industrial facilities. It covers a wide range of topics, including space allocation, furniture layout, and materials selection. It good choice for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Jan Gehl's work focuses on creating cities that are on a human scale and prioritize pedestrian life. offers insights into how the design of public spaces impacts human behavior and quality of life, providing a contemporary perspective on people-centered space planning.
Takes a broader view of space planning within the context of facilities management, covering topics such as site selection, layout, and material handling. It's a valuable resource for those interested in the planning of larger-scale facilities and provides a more in-depth understanding of the logistical and operational aspects of space.
A highly influential classic in urban planning and sociology, this book critiques conventional urban planning and emphasizes the importance of vibrant, human-scale neighborhoods. Its focus on how people use and interact with urban space provides valuable context for understanding the broader impact of space planning decisions.
This philosophical work explores the emotional and psychological impact of spaces on individuals. While not a practical guide to space planning, it offers a profound meditation on the human experience of space, enriching one's understanding of the qualitative aspects of design. It is considered a classic in architectural theory.
Delving into the psychological and social aspects of designing for isolated and confined environments, this book offers a deeper understanding of habitability. It's relevant to contemporary space planning by highlighting the importance of human well-being in design, even in extreme conditions.
Explores space planning in extreme environments, specifically for extraterrestrial habitats. While a niche topic, it provides fascinating insights into the fundamental principles of designing for human needs under severe constraints, offering a unique perspective on contemporary challenges in space planning.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/zt3bw0/space
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