1. Planning Living Areas

2. Living areas: places in the home for family members to relax, entertain guests, dine, and meet together.
They are areas for conversation, meals, company recreation, and hobbies
Rooms include: living, dining, and family rooms along with rooms used for specialized activities (study den, library, music room, etc.)
Living areas of a home serve two groups of people: Household members and guests
Living Areas

3. May be used as a conversation area, TV room, or place to entertain guests.
Reading, listening to music, playing indoor games, and pursuing hobbies are some other activities that may take place in the living room.
Living Rooms

4. The living room in newly built homes is often located in the front or back of the home.
It should not serve as a main circulation route into and through the home.
Moving the living room to a second level is one way to eliminate this.
The living room should be located:
Near or adjacent to the dining room since dining and entertaining go hand-in-hand.
Away from bedrooms to allow family members to sleep while other are participating in living room activities.
Location

5. Size depends on number of people who will use it, how and when it will be used, the furniture intended, and the size of the other rooms.
Secondary furniture grouping is a smaller conversation area that seats 2-3 people.
Size

6. Requires an area for conversation which is called the primary conversation area.
This area occupies a circular shape 8-10ft. in diameter, therefore the room needs to be ft. wide.
A living room ft. long can easily accommodate a primary conversation area and circulation.

7. A well planned living room avoids circulation across conversation areas.
Doorways located at the ends of the room allow traffic to stay out of conversation area.
No one should have to walk through a conversation seating area from one room to another.
Arrangement

8. Many homes today have two dining areas, an informal area in the kitchen and a formal one in the dining room.
Closed Plan: little sharing or activities takes place between living areas because the rooms are closed off to one another.
Open Plan: There are few walls to encourage a sharing of activities across the space.
Dining Rooms

9. Needs to be located near the kitchen to permit the movement of food at serving time.
Should also be near the living room so guests can move easily to the dining room.
Location

10. Size of the dining room is determined by number of people that will be served at one time, the furniture intended, and the amount of space needed for circulation.
Space requirements:
4 people=80 sq. ft.
4 people+buffet=120 sq. ft.
4-8 people+hutch+buffet=180 sq. ft.
Size

11. 2 ft. of table length should be allowed for each seated person.
A rectangular table measuring 3 ½ by 5 ½ ft. seats 4-6 people.
32 in. is required between edge of table and wall in order to get in and out of chairs.
36 to 44 in. allows enough space for walking around seated guests.
Arrangement

12. Can be used for games, hobbies, dancing, exercising, and active play.
Typically have more informal décor and durable, easily maintained furniture when compared to a living room.
Aka great rooms, media rooms, playrooms, recreation rooms, and multipurpose rooms.
Family Rooms

13. Many basements and attics have been converted into family rooms because they are large and able to contain noise well.
When combined with the kitchen, it becomes a great room.
Location

14. The ideal size for a family room depends on the activities planned for it and the number of people who will use it.
A minimum space of 12 by 16 ft. is recommended.
Storage room needs to be considered in family rooms.
Size

15. Furniture should be comfortable as well as durable and serviceable.
A sturdy table with comfy chairs can serve as an area for game playing, dining, or other hobbies.
Floors, too, should be durable, easy to clean, and suitable for activities.
Arrangement

16. Main entry: opens to the living area of the house, often a foyer.
First impression of the home.
Usually located near the center of the house.
Opens to the living area of the house, often a foyer.
Foyer: an entry hall that functions as a place to greet guests and, in colder climates, remove coats and boots.
Entry closets are convenient for storing coats, hats, gloves, umbrellas, and other outdoor accessories.
Entryways

17. Special-purpose entry: provides access to patios, decks, and courts.
The floor should be durable, water- and soil-resistant, and easy to clean.
Slate, ceramic tile, asphalt tile, and vinyl floor coverings are popular and durable floor treatments.
Special-purpose entry: provides access to patios, decks, and courts.
Sliding glass doors and French doors are often use for this type of entry.

18. Patios, Porches, and Courts
Extend living areas of a home to the outdoors.
May be used for conversation, relaxing, playing, entertaining, dining, and cooking.
Patios, Porches, and Courts

19. Patio: An outdoor extension of a home’s living area usually built at grade level, but not structurally connected to the house.
Grade level: the level of the land surrounding the building.
Brick, concrete, stone, and redwood are materials often used for patios.
Patios

20. Play patios: usually located adjacent to a family room or service area to provide an area for play activities.
Living patios: located near the living areas of the home: living room, dining room, and family room.
Largest
Quiet patios: located on the quiet side of the house, near the bedrooms. They are used for relaxing, reading, and even sleeping.

21. If the patio is going to be used for dining, access to the kitchen and dining room is necessary.
An in-ground pool becomes an extension of the patio.
Sun exposure should be considered when deciding on placement of a patio.

22. Porch: is an outdoor extension of a home’s living area that is structurally connected to the house, built above grade level, and covered by a roof.
Deck: Uncovered porch.
Verandas: Porches built high off the ground.
Porches

23. Usually located in the front of the main entrance to provide shelter for guests and protection for the entry.
Screens, glass, or railings enclose some porches.
Shape and size should fit the design of the dwelling.

24. Court: Patio-like structure that is partially or completely enclosed by walls.
Inspired by early Spanish architecture.
Use for relaxing, entertaining, and dining.
More common in warm climates where heating is not a major consideration.
Courts

25. Adaptations for Special Needs
Living rooms should be at grade level so elderly and people who use wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or brace can move easily.
Doorways should be at least 34” wide for wheelchairs.
Ramps on patios, porches, and courts make the accessible to all.
Ramps should be sloped between 1:12 and 1:20.
Doors with lever handles make it easier for children and handicapped people to use rather than a knob.
Adaptations for Special Needs