Guidelines for Living Space

How to Design the Living Areas

• 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

Living Space

Living Space• The living area serves 2 groups:

family members and guest• They are places for conversation,

recreation,dining, entertaining, enjoying hobbies and relaxing

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

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

Size and Arrangement

Will be determined:By the number of

people who use itHow it will be usedThe furniture and the

size of the other roomsThe living room is one

of the largest rooms in the house

Size and Arrangemento If there is an

adjacent patio, porch, deck or balcony the size will be affected

o Can make a room look larger, more open and extend the use

Size and Arrangement

o The main furniture grouping in a living room is call the primary conversation area

o Will usually be in a circular shape

o Primary conv. Area should be a t least an 8-10 ft circle

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

Dining Rooms

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

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 rooms

1) closed2) open

Dining Rooms• Closed – is a

separate room from the living room and kitchen

• Open – is an extension of the living room or kitchen

Location• The dining

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

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

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

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

Family rooms

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

Family roomsOther 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

Location• There is not set rule for placement• Many people turn basements or

attics into family rooms• Basements are large and control

noise level

Locationo May want it next to the kitchen,

then everyone can participateo May want it located next to

outdoor activity areas, such as pool or patio

o (look at page 48 & 49 – 3-13 &3-14)

Size & Arrangement

• Size will depend on the number of family members and activities

• A space of 12’x16’ is the minimum

• Need to consider storage areas – this is a must for certain types of activities

Size & Arrangement

• Furniture should be durable, comfortable and serviceable

• Floor surfaces are important to consider for the type of activity

Outdoor

Patios & Decks• Constructed at

grade level• Materials should be

durable, withstand outdoor climate

• Be categorized into 3 areas: Play, Living, and Quiet

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

Patios & Decks• Quiet patio – located

near the quiet side of the homeusually around the bedroomsused for relaxing, reading, sleeping, etc.

Porches• Similar in use as

to patios and decks

• They differ from patios in that they are raised above ground and are covered

Porches• Often located in

front of main entrance

• Provides shelter and protects the entrance from the elements

• Shape and size should fit the dwelling

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

Veranda• Located one

story above ground level

• Is usually covered

• Usually will have a porch under it