Room Planning Living Area

Comprising approximately 1/3 of the house Living Room Dining Room Foyer Recreation or Family Room Special-purpose rooms Closed or traditional plans Open plans Combination plans

Living Area Important questions What furniture is planned for this room? How often will the room be used? How many people are expected to use the room at any one time? How many functions are combined in this one room? Is it a multipurpose room? Is the living room size in proportion to the remainder of the house?

Living Area Living room should not be such that a natural traffic pattern will be established through it to other parts of the house. Slightly raising or lowering the living room, helps to discourage “thur traffic” If possible, the living room should be positioned at grade level.

Living Area Main entrance should not open directly into the Living Room Consider the view Consider the orientation for comfort and energy conservation Large windows/sliding doors helps with “spaciousness” Living room should be used

Living Area Dining and entertaining are closely related Open/closed plans Informal divider Living areas should be exciting, colorful, inviting Exterior walls should not be broken with too many small windows and doors

Living Area Typical dining room furniture includes: table, chairs, buffet, china closet, server or cart Pleasant outdoor vantage point or orientation to other rooms Dining room location is important, should be adjacent to the kitchen

Living Area Entryway and Foyer Three types of entryways: main entry, service entry and special-purpose entry Main entry should be centrally located Protection from the weather is a major consideration in the entryway design

Living Area Family recreation room Den Family room Range greatly in size and design Special-Purpose Rooms Patios, Porches, and Courts