Chapter 7
Indoor Living Areas
Living areas
Where entertainment, relaxation, dining,
recreation is to be done.
Normally located on the first floor adjacent to
the foyer
Divided into smaller areas that serve specific
purposes.
Living Room
Dining Room
Family Room
Recreation Room
Open Plan
Not Always separated by a partition
Some separation but not total separation of rooms
– Ex: An atrium (indoor garden)
Closed Plan
Complete separation of rooms by partitions
Combined Plans
Use of both open and closed plans
Ex: May have a closed, formal living room and an open plan
living area which functions as the great room
Living Room
Center living area in most homes
Function
– Needs to be designed in relation to its functions and
activities
– Should be planned as an intergral part of the home for
family and guests
Location
– Should have direct access to the dining room and entry
Orientation
– Take full advantage of the position of the sun and the most
attractive view
– Primarily used in the afternoon and evening so should be located
to receive the afternoon sun.
Decor
– Pattern of decoration
– Depends on the styles and tastes of residents
– Walls
• Placement of windows, doors, fireplaces, etc is critical
• Should be consistent with the many materials available
Windows
– Two main purposes
• Light
• View
Fireplaces
– Primary Uses
• Heat
• Decoration
• Partition
Floors
– Reinforced and blend in with the color scheme and texture
– Use of wood, floor carpets, etc. are appropriate for living room
use
Ceilings
– Most conventional ceilings are covered with plaster (also called
gypsum)
• Laminated Beams
• Hardwood
• Masonry
Lighting
General
Illuminating entire room with ceiling fixtures or wall
lights
Local
Used for specific areas
Table lamps,floor lamps,etc.
Decorative
Used to improve the appearance of a room or create a
mood
Size and shape
Furniture size should be established before the living
room size is established
Templates
Used with a floor plan to plan the placement of furniture before
room sizes are determined
Dining Room
Function and location
Provides family and guests to eat in formal or
informal situations
Separate dining area should seat 6-12 people
Should be adjacent to the kitchen
Serving wall
– An opening in the wall for passing food through from the
kitchen
Decor
Should blend with the remainder of the house
Controlled lighting to provide appropriate
atmosphere
– Controlled by a rheostat (also called a dimmer switch)
Size and Shape
Determined by the size of the family and amount of
furniture
Minimum if 2’ should be allowed between a chair
and wall or other furniture when the chair is pulled
out
Recommended distance between center of chairs is
2’-3”
Family Room
Function and location
Provides facilities for family centered activities
Should be designed to be flexible to families needs
Usually located adjacent to the kitchen
Recreation Room
Also called a game room
Not a special purpose room
Usually located in the basement