Published by Maison de Méthode
We often think of “user experience” as something that lives behind a screen, menus, buttons, apps. But user experience doesn’t end at the edge of a device. It continues into the real world, through the spaces we inhabit, the way we move through them, and how they make us feel.
At Maison de Méthode, we focus on spatial UX, a practice that brings behavioral research into physical environments. It’s about more than interior design or layout. It’s about understanding how people experience space on a sensory, emotional, and practical level.
So, what exactly is Spatial UX?
Spatial UX is the study and design of user experiences in physical spaces, such as a boutique hotel, spa, gallery, or retail store. It draws from behavioral psychology, environmental design, and user-centered research to uncover how people:
- Navigate and interpret spaces
- React to lighting, sound, signage, and spatial flow
- Form emotional impressions that shape satisfaction and memory
Think of the last time you entered a beautifully designed space but couldn’t find the bathroom. Or the lighting felt off. Or the check-in process was unclear. These small moments shape our experience, and ultimately, how we remember a brand.
Why it matters
In a world where design is increasingly curated, guests and customers have come to expect more than aesthetic appeal, they want spaces that feel good to be in. When the flow feels natural, when transitions are intuitive, when the atmosphere aligns with the intention of the space, we feel something deeper: clarity, comfort, trust.
Good spatial UX isn’t just about usability. It’s about resonance.
What we do at Maison de Méthode
Our studio offers services like:
- Mini Spatial Audits — Quick assessments of how your space performs
- Behavioral Journey Mapping — Understanding user flow, friction, and feeling
- Full Research Sprints — Comprehensive studies that turn insight into design direction
Each project is tailored. Every observation is grounded in how people actually experience space, not just how it was intended to be used.
Who we work with
We partner with design-forward brands: boutique hotels, wellness studios, creative workspaces, curated retail, and beyond. If your space is meant to be felt, explored, or remembered, spatial UX can elevate it.
Curious to learn more?
This is the first of many field notes, case studies, and insights we’ll be sharing. Follow along as we explore how the spaces we design shape the stories we live.
If you’d like to start a conversation about your space, Reach out here.
Until next time,
Maison de Méthode
