Guaranteeing a Great Space Plan

Larry Myer, Retail Consultant
F.C. Dadson, Inc.

As with most things, space planning requires, well, some planning. Even the best planners and architects can’t magic up the perfect layout for your space without first having all the necessary pieces. For a first-time business or franchise owner, knowing what those pieces are and where to find them can be difficult. What exactly should I measure? What the heck is a reflected ceiling? Equipment specifications, what?! Take a deep breath and read on for some practical bits of information that will help you get the space planning process running smoothly.

Taking Measurements
Just as a perfect-fitting suit relies heavily on a tailor taking proper measurements, a space planner needs accurate measurements to ensure the best use of space. Depending on who is doing your layout, they may offer to send a staff member out to take these measurements. While the piece of mind knowing that a professional is doing the job might be enough, often the price for this service is a stretch to justify. But really all that’s needed is a partner to help, a trusty tape measure, and a can-do attitude.

One of the first things you’ll want to measure is often referred to as the “inside dimension” of each room in your location. It sounds a little technical, but I assure you it’s fairly easy to get. Start at the front wall of your room and measure to the back wall. Repeat from side to side. These numbers are your rooms’ inside dimensions.

Where it gets a little tricky is when your room contains permanent obstacles like support columns, wall bump outs, and electrical/mechanical equipment that can’t be moved. Even so, noting their location is pretty easy. For columns and obstructions that stand away from the exterior walls, measure out from the nearest wall to the base of the structure in both directions and measure the size of the column. For wall bump outs, measure their location from the nearest corner as well as record the depth and width for each bump out. For wall-mounted obstacles, measure their location on the wall, including their overall size and height from the floor.

But what about the doors and windows, you ask? Yes, you’ll need to measure these as well, but they are just as simple as the inside dimension was to cover. Run your tape measure from the nearest corner of the room and measure up to the finished door frame or window sill. (Be sure to note which corner you started at in your records!) Then measure both the height and the width of the openings. To finish up the windows, take note of how high the windows are from the floor.

Most rooms can be covered using the above methods for measuring. There is one exception, however, and that’s the bathroom. After measuring the inside dimension of the room, you’ll also want to measure the location of the sink and toilet in relation to the walls. This can be done by starting your tape measure at a wall and measuring to the approximate center of either fixture. Take note of their heights (i.e., floor to bottom of sink and floor to top of seat) as well, so the planner can decide whether the current set-up is ADA-complaint or if updates need to be made.

Reflected Ceilings, In A Nutshell
Inside dimension might seem a little sci-fi, but I think reflected ceiling really should take the title of most-confusing space planning term. I mean, what is it? A mirrored ceiling? Well, actually, that’s not too far off. Simply put, imagine hovering above your space and looking down through the ceiling to the floor. Installed about a foot from the ceiling is a big mirror, so instead of seeing the floor, you see the reflection of the ceiling. What you are looking at is the reflected ceiling and why your ceiling gets drawn from that way is this: from that point of view, both the ceiling and floor plan maintain the same orientation –or both drawings are done as if you are looking down into the space.

The reflected ceiling will note the location of light fixtures as well as soffits and other changes in ceiling height. To get started, the planner will first need to know whether there is an existing ceiling in place or if a new one will be going in. In the case of an existing ceiling, he or she will need to know the height of the ceiling and the height and size of any soffits or drops in the ceiling. If there is a ceiling grid with paneling installed, you may also be asked to measure from the center of the grid out to the nearest wall in both directions as well as the size of each grid panel. For new ceilings, it’s helpful to note any mechanical duct work or ceiling joists and their location and size.

Specifying Equipment
With the space measured, you can move onto the fun stuff of deciding what to fill it with. For food service operators, your locations not only contain cabinetry and furniture, it also contains equipment and your planner needs to know just what you are going to be bringing into the space. If you are working with an equipment house, this information can generally be provided by them. If you’re doing the research yourself, here are a few things your planner will need to know about the equipment you’re going to use: the product’s name, manufacturer’s model number, and the manufacturer’s product detail page, or cut sheet. Most websites will provide the name and model number, but you may need to refer to the manufacturers’ sites or contact them directly to get the product details.

Take a Picture
If you are ever feeling unsure that you are measuring and recording things properly, take a picture of it. In fact, some planners may ask you to provide photos of the site as the visuals will help them get a better feel for the space. Digital photos seem to work the best because they can be sent quickly and are of higher-quality than most developed film can produce. If digital isn’t an option, consider getting a photo CD made along with your prints. CDs are generally cheaper to send and are easier to store, helping to keep things organized.

Space planning does require careful planning and that exactness could leave any new business owner or franchisee a little unsure of their ability to get the process going. Hopefully this article has helped you feel a little more comfortable with your role in the planning. All the measurements and terminology can be a lot to swallow (and I hate to say there is even more than explained here), but, taken step-by-step, are one-hundred percent manageable; and if you still aren’t sure, just ask. Most planners are more than willing to help clear up any confusion.

Larry Myer is a Retail Consultant for F.C. Dadson, Inc., a nationwide fixture management company. The company offers space/floor planning and conceptual design, graphics, POP displays, trade show exhibits, turn-key fixture design and manufacturing along with nationwide installation.

To learn more about F.C. Dadson, Inc., click here. You can reach their national sales consultants at (800) 728-0338 or visit them on the web at: www.fcdadson.com.