guidelines for living space how to design the living areas
TRANSCRIPT
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