How to support routine by adapting the spatial layout of your home
31 March 2025
BY NEUROKIND DESIGN
The Research
Having a strong sense of routine can bring comfort and stability to all our lives, especially for those who are neurodivergent. Autistic individuals, for example, thrive in the predictability of knowing the sequence of events that will happen each morning, afternoon, and evening, leaving fewer chances for unwelcome surprises. Likewise, following routine can provide autistic individuals with a greater sense of control within their environment and, in turn, reduce experiences of stress, anxiety, and sensory overload.[i]
The spatial layout of the physical environment has a crucial role to play when it comes to supporting, or hindering, the completion of everyday tasks and activities. For example, compartmentalising space into smaller, separate, task defined areas can be of great benefit for those who thrive on routine. This is because breaking down large spaces into smaller zones helps limit the amount and variety of sensory stimuli one engages with while completing tasks - reducing the likelihood of experiencing sensory overload. It also reduces visual distractions in the occupant’s peripheral vision- helping to maintain focus on the task at hand.
A study by architect and researcher, Magda Mostafa, explored how reorganising a primary school classroom to promote routine impacted behavioural indicators conducive to autistic student’s learning (attention span, response time, and behavioural temperament). [ii] Rearrangement of the classroom involved compartmentalising the classroom space into smaller, separate and defined areas, whereby one singular learning activity is carried out in its own designated station. Bookshelves, tables, and chairs, for instance, were strategically placed to restrict views to adjacent activity areas and maintain the children’s focus on their own activity area. The sequence of spaces also included an ‘escape space’ whereby students can re-calibrate in time of ‘sensory imbalance’.
The study found that, following the reorganisation of the classroom to promote routine, students exhibited an increase in attention span, and a decrease in response time - meaning it took less time for students to respond when addressed by educators. Specifically, the student’s median attention span increased from 13.5 to 30 seconds, and response time decreased from 11 to 3.5 seconds, over the course of twelve weeks.
In knowing that organising the spatial planning of the classroom environment to support routine has a benefit of improving the task performance of autistic students, how can we apply this same thinking within the home environment to better support those who thrive on routine? Here, we will explore how the spatial layout of your home can be adapted to encourage the compartmentalisation of tasks and activities and, in turn, support a stronger sense of routine. [1]
1. Firstly, consider if your home is being used too multi-functionally.
In knowing the benefits of compartmentalising space into separated, task defined areas, one might argue that the modern preference for open-plan living, where we cook, dine, talk, watch tv, and more, all in the one space, may not be so ideal for neurodivergent dwellers who thrive on routine. The spatial layout of our homes is becoming increasingly open and less defined, likewise blurring the boundaries between spaces and their intended functions. A typical modern living area, for example, comprises a kitchen, living room and dining room all within one open space, with little to no barriers in between.
In addition to the trend towards open-plan living, research suggests that we are increasingly utilising rooms in our home for tasks and activities beyond their intended use. For example, a study by Demet Dincer, and colleagues, investigating how Australians use their sleep environments found that 50% of respondents either sometimes or always use their bed for studying, working or eating – and a quarter of these respondents also reported to have trouble sleeping.[iii] This study highlights the potential disruption to healthy routines that can occur when a single room serves as a multi-functional space, rather than compartmentalising activities into separate, task-specific areas.
Take a moment to consider your own home environment. Think about which spaces you use in a multi-functional way that may be disrupting your sense of routine. Additionally, reflect on the activities that make up your daily routine and consider whether breaking down the spatial layout of your home into more distinct zones – each designed to support a specific task or function- may benefit you. This might involve setting up a dedicated space for your favourite relaxation activities, such as yoga or reading, or creating a private home-office where you can focus effectively. Ultimately, aim to establish a sequence of several areas each defined for a specific function rather than using one space for multiple activities.
2. Implement visual barriers to define zones.
If you have an open-plan living space that you feel is too open, or any other areas within your home in need of clearer zoning, consider implementing barriers between spaces to define areas of different functions. These could be moveable elements that are quick and easy to incorporate, such as moveable room dividers, curtains, or positioning plants to minimise views to adjacent spaces.
You could also consider implementing more permanent, structural changes to help create distinct task zones within your home. First and foremost, it’s important to note that we’re not suggesting that the concept of open-plan living should be abandoned and replaced with a maze of solid walls to divide floorplans. Instead, there are alternative ways to adapt the home to establish clear zoning and support those who thrive from the physical manifestation of routine in their environment. For example, you could incorporate built-in room dividers or open shelving that allow light to pass through and maintain a sense of openness, whilst creating stronger zoning and a stronger visual and physical sense of separation between different task/activity areas. Another strategy for zoning spaces within the home is implementing bi-fold doors in which you can flex between having a large open space, or two separate spaces, as needed.
3. Position quiet spaces away from active ones.
Aim to position quiet spaces used for restful or concentrative activities away from spaces used for livelier and noisier activities. Our homes are rarely ever occupied by just one person and, consequently, if multiple people are doing different activities in the home at one time, those noisier tasks may impede upon the quieter ones if approximated too closely together. For example, if you have children of varying ages and require both a play space as well as a homework/study area in your home, aim to position these spaces as far away from each other as possible.
If you are limited in your ability to separate certain spaces away from one another, or live within a particularly small floor plan, aim to optimise the sound absorption of the rooms in your homes to minimise sound reverberating from one space to another. You can learn how to reduce noise levels and enhance the acoustic performance of your home by visiting the ‘sound’ blog posts located within our knowledge base.
Image credit: Tiffany Claire @mrstiffanyclaire
Aim to locate quiet and active spaces at opposing ends of the home, or as far from one another as possible.
Image credit: Bibbelotte
If you’d like to learn more about how to support routine by adapting the spatial planning within your home, get in touch with us today, we’d like to hear from you!
Endnote:
[1] We recognise that environments are rarely occupied by one, and some of the strategies we suggest may not address opposing needs. However they are intended to inform, empower and create conversations about how neurodivergence can be supported and celebrated in our physical environments. In the case of differing sensory needs in environments occupied by multiple people, we recommend prioritising adaptability, control and flexibility as much as possible.
References:
[i] Collis, Emma, Elizabeth Dark, Alisa Russell, and Mark Brosnan. 2024. “Self-Report of Restricted Repetitive Behaviours in Autistic Adults: A Systematic Review.” Autism in Adulthood. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0111
[ii] Mostafa, Magda. 2008. “An Architecture for Autism: Concepts of Design Intervention for the Autistic User.” International Journal of Architectural Research Archnet-IJAR. 2 (1): 189-211. https://doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v2i1.182
[iii] Dincer, Demet, Christian Tietz, and Karem Dalci. 2023. “An investigation into sleep environment as multi-functional space.” Buildings 13 (2): 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020406
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