Guidelines for Living Space

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Guidelines for Living Space

• How to Design the Living Areas

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OBJECTIVES

• Discuss the location of living rooms and dining
  rooms
• Evaluate floor plans for living space
• Design living and dining space
• List the appropriate square footage of living and
  dining rooms

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Living Space
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Living Space

• The living area serves 2 groupsfamily members
  and guest
• They are places for conversation,
  recreation,dining, entertaining, enjoying hobbies
  and relaxing

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Location Living room

• Usually is the main focal point of the front or
  back of the house
• The view you have out the front or back may
  determine where in the house it is located
• Noise level in the surrounding outside area may
  determine its location

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Location

• Its best to have an entry way or foyer so one
  does not enter straight into the living area
• If there is a separate dining room, it should be
  adjacent to the living room
• A formal living room should be away from interior
  noises as well (kitchen)
• It should be away from the bedrooms so the
  activities of the living area does not disturb
  bedrooms

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Size and Arrangement

• Will be determined
• By the number of people who use it
• How it will be used
• The furniture and the size of the other rooms
• The living room is one of the largest rooms in
  the house

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Size and Arrangement

• If there is an adjacent patio, porch, deck or
  balcony the size will be affected
• Can make a room look larger, more open and extend
  the use

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Size and Arrangement

• The main furniture grouping in a living room is
  call the primary conversation area
• Will usually be in a circular shape
• Primary conv. Area should be a t least an 8-10 ft
  circle

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Size and Arrangement

• The room should be at least 10 to 14 ft to
  accommodate the conv. circle
• If the room is larger than 14 ft, you can have a
  secondary furniture grouping
• This usually is small for reading etc., small
  group conversation

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Dining Rooms
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Living SpaceDining Room

• Houses can have 1 or 2 dining rooms
• An informal dining area in the kitchen (or
  kitchen nook), or combined with living room
• Formal stand alone room

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Dining Rooms

• To have a separate formal dining area will depend
  on the family lifestyle
• The primary purpose is to eat, can be used for
  other purposes
• There are 2 basic types of dining rooms1)
  closed2) open

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Dining Rooms

• Closed is a separate room from the living room
  and kitchen
• Open is an extension of the living room or
  kitchen

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Location

• The dining room should be next to the kitchen and
  near the living room(look at floor plan 3-10
  page 46)

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Size and Arrangement

• The minimum size needed for a dining area for 4
  people is 80 sq ft
• A room of a 120 sq ft can seat 4 and have room
  for a buffet

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Size and Arrangement

• A room of 180 sq ft can seat 4-8 and have a
  buffet and hutch(page 47 3-11)
• Approximately 3 ft of table length for each
  seated person

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Size and Arrangement

• At least 32 in of space is needed between the
  table edge and the wall(page 47 3-12)
• About 36-44 in. is needed to walk around seated
  persons to serve food

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Family rooms
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Family Rooms

• Having a family room and living room allows for
  active and passive activities
• When have both rooms, living room is passive and
  family room is active
• Family rooms are more informal in their decor

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Family rooms

• Other names great, media, play, recreation, etc.
• If there is no living room, the family room
  becomes the center focus of the house
• Located near the kitchen
• Want a relaxed open atmosphere

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Location

• There is not set rule for placement
• Many people turn basements or attics into family
  rooms
• Basements are large and control noise level

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Location

• May want it next to the kitchen, then everyone
  can participate
• May want it located next to outdoor activity
  areas, such as pool or patio
• (look at page 48 49 3-13 3-14)

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Size Arrangement

• Size will depend on the number of family members
  and activities
• A space of 12x16 is the minimum
• Need to consider storage areas this is a must
  for certain types of activities

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Size Arrangement

• Furniture should be durable, comfortable and
  serviceable
• Floor surfaces are important to consider for the
  type of activity

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Outdoor
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Patios Decks

• Constructed at grade level
• Materials should be durable, withstand outdoor
  climate
• Be categorized into 3 areas Play, Living, and
  Quiet

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Patios Decks

• Play patio located near the family room
  active play
• Living Patio located near the living room
  usually the largest of the 3 types if used for
  eating needs to be near the kitchen

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Patios Decks

• Quiet patio located near the quiet side of the
  homeusually around the bedroomsused for
  relaxing, reading, sleeping, etc.

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Porches

• Similar in use as to patios and decks
• They differ from patios in that they are raised
  above ground and are covered

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Porches

• Often located in front of main entrance
• Provides shelter and protects the entrance from
  the elements
• Shape and size should fit the dwelling

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Courts

• Taken from early Spanish designs
• Resemble patios but they are partially or
  completely enclosed by a wall
• Used for relaxing, outside dining, etc.
• Usually found where climates are very mild

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Veranda

• Located one story above ground level
• Is usually covered
• Usually will have a porch under it