Planning Living Areas

ObjectivesAfter studying this chapter, you will be able to� list the rooms and activities involved in the

living areas of a house.

� judge the appropriateness of a living room fora family according to its location, size, andarrangement.

� identify a dining room that meets the size andlocation needs of a specific family.

� determine the appropriateness of a familyroom’s location, size, and arrangement for afamily.

� recognize various types of entrywaysaccording to purpose and location.

� list possible uses and styles of patios, porches,and courts.

� identify living-area requirements for individualswith special needs.

Key Terms

The living areas of a home serve two groups ofpeople: household members and guests. Livingareas are places in the home for family members torelax, entertain guests, dine, and meet together.They are areas devoted to conversation, meals,company, recreation, and hobbies, such as theliving room, dining room, family room. Several more“rooms” constitute the living areas of a home,including the entryway, foyer, patio, and porch, 3-1.

42

Chapter 3Planning Living Areas

California Redwood Association

3-1 This private porch provides a pleasant area forrelaxing and entertaining guests.

living areasclosed planopen planmain entryfoyerspecial-purpose entry

patiograde levelporchdeckcourt

43Chapter 3 Planning Living Areas

Rooms used for specialized activities areconsidered part of the living area. Such specialrooms may include a study den, library, music room,and special hobby room. The number and types ofrooms in living areas are determined by householdsize, lifestyle, and budget.

Living RoomsThe center of activity for many households is

the living room. It may be used as a conversationarea, TV room, or place to entertain guests,depending on the specific occasion. Reading,listening to music, playing indoor games, andpursuing hobbies are some of the other activitiesthat may take place in the living room. The lifestyleof the household helps to determine the livingroom’s location, size, arrangement, and functions.

LocationThe living room in a newly built home is often

located in the front or back of the home, depending

on individual preference and the building site. Ifsome parts of the building site are visually morepleasing than others, you may want to locate theliving room so it overlooks the best view.

The location of the living room refers not only tothe room’s location on the building site, but also toits relation to the main entry and other rooms in thehome. A living room should not serve as a maincirculation route into and through the home. Toavoid traffic directly into the living room, have themain entry open into a foyer or hallway, 3-2. Achange in floor level can also help set the livingroom apart and eliminate heavy traffic through it.

Since entertaining and dining are two activitiesthat often go together, the living room should belocated near or adjacent to the dining room. Acombined living room and dining room is sometimesplanned to serve both entertaining and diningpurposes. A screen, flower planter, dwarf wall, furni-ture arrangement, or fireplace can be used to sepa-rate the two areas. A change in floor levels can alsoset apart the two rooms.

3 CAR GARAGE

BED 311' × 10'

BATH 1

BED 211' × 12'

BA

TH 2

BED 116' × 16'

FAMILY

18' × 20'

KITCHEN

11' × 21'

DINING

12' × 16'

LIVING

18' × 22'

BA

TH 3

UT

ILIT

Y

FOYER

BED 411' × 15'

BA

R

3-2 A foyer at the main entry prevents constant traffic through the living room.

This sample chapter is for review purposes only. Copyright © The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Part One Housing and Space Planning44

Another factor to consider in the location of theliving room is noise. The living room should belocated so noise from the kitchen does not interferewith quiet activities in the living room. On the otherhand, the living room should be located away frombedrooms so living room activities will not disturbfamily members using the sleeping area.

Size and ArrangementLiving rooms are designed in a variety of sizes

and shapes. The ideal size of a living room is deter-mined by the number of people who will use it, howand when it will be used, the furniture intended, andthe size of the other rooms. Another factor that mayinfluence the ideal size of a living room is the pres-ence of an adjacent patio, porch, deck, or balcony.This added space can make a room appear moreopen and extend the use of the room.

Every living room requires an area for conversa-tion. The dominant furniture grouping in the livingroom is called the primary conversation area, 3-3.This area occupies a circular shape, 8 to 10 ft. indiameter.

To accommodate an 8 to 10 ft. conversation circle,a living room needs to be 10 to 14 ft. wide. Living roomwidths greater than 14 ft. can be difficult to decorate.The solution is to use the extra space for circulationalong one side of the room or for a secondary furni-ture grouping, 3-4. A secondary furniture grouping

may consist of a small conversation area that seatstwo or three people. On the other hand, it may containa piano, desk, or reading chair for one person, 3-5.(For common sizes of living room furniture, see A-7 ofthe Appendix.)

The ideal living room space allows enough areafor the desired number of conversation circles andtraffic. A length of 16 to 18 ft. is sufficient for aseated conversation area. A living room 18 to 22 ft.long can easily accommodate a primary conversa-tion area and a secondary furniture grouping. Bothexamples allow enough space for people to movearound easily.

A well-planned living room avoids circulationacross conversation areas. Circulation problems canbe avoided by strategically locating entrances. Forexample, in 3-6, two doorways are located at oneend of the room, and the other doorway is located inthe middle of the opposite wall. This causes circula-tion to pass across the living room, interfering withconversation and/or television viewing. In 3-7, thedoorways are located at one end of the room socirculation passes along the unoccupied side.

If a living room has a fireplace, it should belocated within view of the people seated in theconversation circle, 3-8. There should be no trafficbetween the fireplace and conversation circle.

Dining RoomsMany homes built today provide at least two dining

areas: an informal area in the kitchen and a moreformal one in the dining room. Having a room set aside

WCI Communities, Inc.

3-3 The seating in this living room defines theprimary conversation area.

3-4 To accommodate circulation and a secondaryfurniture grouping, a living room width greater than14 ft. is generally needed.


3-5 This secondary furniture grouping allows an area for games away from the main conver-sation circle.

3-6 Poorly placed doors make it difficult to arrange agood conversation circle, one that is not interruptedby a circulation path.

3-7 Well-placed living room entrances allow a directcirculation path that does not interfere with theconversation circle.

for dining is both functional and relaxing for manyhouseholds. The decision to plan a separate diningroom depends on the lifestyle of household members.

The primary purpose of a dining room is to setaside a place for eating, but it may serve other

purposes. A dining room may be used to display ahousehold member’s special interest, such as acollection of unusual seashells or beautiful house-plants. Such displays make interesting topics fordinner conversation.


In an open plan, rooms in the living area useminimal walls to encourage a sharing of activitiesacross the space. The rooms are not closed offfrom each other. The dining area in an open plan isan extension of the living room or kitchen, 3-9. Ahome tends to appear more spacious with an openplan because there are fewer walls to divide thespace.

LocationThe dining room needs to be near the kitchen to

permit the movement of food at serving time. Itshould also be near the living room so guests canmove easily to the dining room. Therefore, an ideallocation for the dining room is between the livingroom and kitchen. See 3-10.

Size and ArrangementThe ideal size for a dining room is determined

by the number of people to be served at one time,the furniture intended, and the amount of spaceneeded for circulation.

The minimum-size dining area for four people is80 sq. ft. A dining room averaging 120 sq. ft. cancomfortably seat four people and provide space fora buffet. A dining room measuring 180 sq. ft. seatsfour to eight people and has space for a hutch anda buffet, 3-11. A dining room over 200 sq. ft. isconsidered very large, with room for several piecesof furniture.

Manufactured Housing Institute

3-8 A fireplace can become the focal point of aconversation circle.

WCI Communities, Inc.

3-9 The open dining room plan gives a home a more spacious appearance.

There are two basic types of space designplans that apply to dining rooms—closed and open.In a closed plan, rooms in the living area are basi-cally cubicles that permit little sharing of activitiesbetween rooms. The dining room in a closed plan isset apart from the living room or kitchen.


The basic pieces of dining room furniture are atable and chairs. The household size, number ofguests, and size of the dining space are the factorsthat determine the size and shape of the table.Approximately 2 ft. of table length should be allowedfor each seated person. A rectangular table measuring3½ by 5½ ft. seats four to six people.

The required space for dining room chairsvaries with chair sizes and styles. Large chairs andarmchairs require more space. To easily move intoand out of average-size chairs, there should be atleast 32 in. of space between the table edge and thewall, buffet, or hutch behind. More space, about 36

to 44 in., allows enough space for walking aroundseated guests to serve food. See 3-12.

Other possible furniture pieces in the dining roomare buffets, hutches, corner cabinets, and servingcarts. They provide space for food and storage.Serving carts move wherever needed and take verylittle floor and wall space.

Family RoomsMany households need space for action-

oriented pursuits. Having a family room in additionto a living room makes possible the separation of

GARAGE

23'-4" × 23'-4"

ST

OR

AG

E

LAV.

MUD ROOM

W. D.

Cl.B.C

.

FAMILY ROOM

17'-4" × 12'-0"

NOOK

9'-4" × 6'-0"

FOYERHALL

BA

TH 1

BA

TH 2

LIVING ROOM

16'-0" × 22'-6"

MASTER BEDRM.

16'-3" × 15'-8"

BEDROOM

10'-4" × 13'-4"BEDROOM

12'-0" × 10'-0"64'-0

"

FR. RMPLANTER D

N. 2

-4"

CL.

30'-0

"

WOODBOX

CLOSET

QUIET PATIO

COV. PORCH

68'-0"

PATIO

D.W.

RAN.

50'-0"

PLANTER

DINING ROOM

12'-0" × 13'-6"DN. 2-4"

CLO

SE

T

CLO

SE

T

LIN.

KITCHEN

11'-4" × 12'-0"

3-10 In this floor plan, the dining room is conveniently located between the living room and kitchen.


3-11 This medium-size dining room has ample space for a large dining room table, hutch,and buffet.

42" × 72" TABLE

BUFFET

HUTCH

14'-0"

44"36"

11'-8"

36"

36"

3-12 Ample clearance space for seating and service should be allowed around a dining room table.


Sauder Woodworking Co.

3-13 The family room may be used for special activities, such as hobbies or crafts. Familyrooms generally have more casual furnishings than living rooms.

active and passive activities. The living room can beused for conversation, reading, studying, listening,and TV viewing, while the family room can be thecenter for games, hobbies, dancing, exercising, andactive play. Family rooms are distinguished fromliving rooms by informal decor and durable, easilymaintained furniture.

Family rooms are also called great rooms,media rooms, playrooms, recreation rooms, andmultipurpose rooms. See 3-13. With familiesincreasingly interested in making their homes arefuge as well as a place for fun and entertainment,the size of family rooms is progressively increasing.In fact, family rooms are replacing living rooms alto-

gether in some homes. In such cases, the familyroom is located centrally and often opens to thekitchen, allowing those working in the kitchen tocommunicate easily with the rest of the family. Acentralized family room also facilitates the casualstyle of entertaining that is common today; it permitsguests to socialize and participate in the foodpreparation together.

LocationNo set rules exist for the location of family rooms.

In some homes, the family room is separated from therest of the home. For example, many basements and


attics are converted into family rooms. Basements areoften good locations for family rooms because theyare usually large enough for a variety of activities.Basements also tend to contain noise well.

Family rooms can also be placed to provide anextension to living or service areas. For example,locating the family room near the living roomprovides overflow space. Locating the family roomby the kitchen allows those preparing meals toshare in family room activities. In some homes, thefamily room is combined with the kitchen and iscalled a great room. See 3-14. A family room mayalso be located near a pool or outdoor recreationarea. This provides a convenient arrangement forentertaining outdoors while providing accommoda-tions close to the outdoor activities for guests whoprefer being indoors.

Size and ArrangementThe ideal size for a family room depends on the

activities planned for it and the number of peoplewho will use it. A minimum space of 12 by 16 ft. isrecommended.

An important consideration for family roomsis storage, which is definitely needed for themany items that are used there. Storage unitscan be arranged to form a room divider that

separates an activity area from the remainder ofthe room.

Furniture for family rooms should be comfort-able as well as durable and serviceable. A sturdytable with comfortable chairs could serve as an areafor game playing, dining, or a variety of hobbies.

Floors, too, need to be durable, easy to clean,and suitable for activities. If noise or warmth is aconsideration, carpeting may be practical.

EntrywaysEntryways control circulation to different parts of

a home. From the entryway, people should be ableto move to other parts of the home without inter-fering with activities in any area. Careful planning ofentryways adds to the convenience and comfortthat a family derives from the home. There are threebasic types of entryways: main or guest entries,special-purpose entries, and service entries.(Service entries are discussed in Chapter 5,“Planning Service and Work Areas.”)

The main entry opens to the living area of thehouse, often a foyer. It is the part of the home thatmost guests see first. An attractive main entrywelcomes guests into a home and makes a goodfirst impression.

To establish better circulation patterns inside ahome, the main entry is usually located near thecenter of the dwelling. The floor plan in 3-15 showshow a well-located main entry provides access tovarious areas of a home.

A main entry that opens into a foyer is preferredover one that opens directly into a living room. Afoyer is an entry hall that functions as a place togreet guests and, in colder climates, remove coatsand boots, 3-16. The foyer lends privacy to thevisitor and household.

The size of the dwelling and the number ofpeople using the entry determine the space itneeds. The minimum space required for one personto fully open a door is 3 by 5 ft., but 5 by 7 ft. is moreconvenient and comfortable. The minimum foyersize is 6 ft. square, not including closet space.

An entry closet is convenient for storing coats,hats, gloves, umbrellas, and other outdoor acces-sories. The minimum closet size is 2 by 3 ft., but acloset that is 2½ ft. deep and 4 ft. wide is more desir-able. For convenience and easy access, the closetshould be located 4 to 5 ft. from the doorknob side ofthe door, not directly behind the door.

The floor at the entry of the house should bedurable, water- and soil-resistant, and easy toclean. Slate, ceramic tile, asphalt tile, and vinyl floor3-14 In homes with an open design plan, the family

room is often an extension of the kitchen.


coverings are popular and durable floor treatments.If carpeting is used, select a tight weave that is easyto vacuum. A doormat outside the door for cleaningshoes and boots reduces the amount of dirt carriedindoors.

A special-purpose entry provides access topatios, decks, and courts. See 3-17. Sliding glassdoors and French doors are often used for this typeof entry. Special-purpose entries extend the use ofthe room to outdoor areas and make the roomappear more spacious. Since these entries areinfrequently used, usually by just one person at atime, less clearance space may be needed.

Patios, Porches,and Courts

Patios, porches, and courts extend the livingareas of a home to the outdoors. They may be usedfor conversation, relaxing, playing, entertaining,dining, and cooking. The intended purpose of thespace and the size of the home determine the design,size, and location of patios, porches, and courts.

WE

T B

AR

LIN

.

CLO.CLO.

CLO.DRESSING BATH #1

BA

TH #

2

MASTER BR.

12'-4" × 13'-8"

BED RM. #212'-4" × 11'-4"

BED RM. #311'-0" × 10'-1"

LIVING RM.17'-0" × 13'-6"

DINING RM.11'-6" × 11'-0"

FAMILY RM.13'-8" × 19'-6"

NOOK

10'-0" × 10'-6"

70'-0"

KITCHEN

10'-6" × 11'-0"

RA

NG

E

REF. BC

FUR.

WHMUD RM. &LAUNDRY

WD

TU

B

LAV.

GARAGE

21'-8" × 22'-0"34'-0

"

CLO

.

GU

ES

T

FOYER

ENTRY

3-15 A centrally located main entry helps to establish good circulation patterns throughout a house.

Therma-Tru Corporation

3-16 The main entry opens into a foyer that providesample space for greeting visitors.


PatiosA patio is an outdoor extension of a home’s living

area usually built at grade level, but not structurallyconnected to the house. Grade level is the level ofthe land surrounding the building. Patio materialsshould be durable and maintenance free. Brick,concrete, stone, and redwood are among the mate-rials often used, 3-18. Patios can be categorized byfunction as play, living, and quiet patios.

� Play patios are usually located adjacent to afamily room or service area to provide an areafor play activities.

� Living patios are located near the living areas ofthe home: the living room, dining room, andfamily room.

� Quiet patios are located on the quiet side of thedwelling, near the bedrooms. They are used forrelaxing, reading, and even sleeping.

If the patio will be used for dining, access to thekitchen or dining room is necessary, 3-19. The livingpatio is usually the largest of the three types ofpatios and may be connected to, or serve as, a playpatio as well.

Patios vary in size and shape. The size of thepatio is determined by the activities planned for thearea, the equipment and furnishings needed, andthe size of the home. When an in-ground pool isdesigned for a home, it becomes an extension ofthe patio, 3-20.

States Industries Inc.

3-17 A special-purpose entry may provide access toa private garden or patio.

Marvin Windows and Doors

3-18 This brick patio is very durable and maintenancefree.

Brown Jordan Co.

3-19 A patio adjacent to the kitchen is convenient foroutdoor dining.


The view as well as exposure to the sun shouldbe considered in the design and planning of a patio.In cool climates, the sun is a desirable factor so thepatio should be placed on the south side of thehome. In warm climates, shade is preferred.Consequently, the patio should be placed on thenorth side of the dwelling.

PorchesLike patios, porches vary in shape, size, and

purpose. A porch is an outdoor extension of a

home’s living area that is structurally connected tothe house, built above grade level, and covered by aroof. See 3-21. An uncovered porch is called a deck.Porches built high off the ground are called verandasor balconies, 3-22. Screens, glass, or railings enclosesome porches.

Porches are often located in front of the mainentrance to provide shelter for guests and protectionfor the entry. A dining porch can be located off thekitchen or dining room.

The shape and size of a porch should fit thedesign of the dwelling. The lines and proportions of

3-20 A pool can be the center of activity for a patio.

3-21 The porch on this traditional home is a central design feature.

3-22 A veranda is generally located one story abovethe ground.


the porch should complement the lines of thehouse. A porch planned with the overall design ofthe house in mind appears as part of the houserather than a “tacked-on” addition.

CourtsCourts were an important part of early Spanish

architecture and are still designed for homes today. Acourt is a patio-like structure that is partially orcompletely enclosed by walls. Courts are used for thesame purposes as patios and porches: relaxing, enter-taining, and dining. Courts are more prevalent in warmclimates where heating is not a major consideration.

Adaptations for Special Needs

Attention to certain details can make the livingarea of the house accessible to everyone in thehousehold, including small children, the elderly, andindividuals with physical disabilities.

Living and Family RoomsPlacing the living areas at grade level enables

people who use wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, orbraces to easily move indoors, outdoors, andthroughout the living space. Clearances at least 4 to5 ft. wide should be allowed around furniture topermit turnaround space for a wheelchair, 3-23.Seats and cushions should be firm to provide thesupport needed by individuals in wheelchairs totransfer easily to a sofa or chair. Power-operated,elevating chairs are available to raise and tilt theseat forward, which helps people with weak legmuscles to a standing position.

Dining RoomsClearance for wheelchair armrests and suffi-

cient leg space are the two primary conditions formaking a dining room accessible to disabled familymembers and guests. Tables with widely spacedlegs or pedestal supports provide the open legroomneeded. A space at least 32 in. wide is necessaryfor guiding a wheelchair between furniture pieces oraround furniture near walls.

In frequently used dining areas, flooring shouldbe durable to withstand daily wear. Nonslip, hard-surface floors or low-pile carpeting are goodchoices for areas used by children, the elderly, ordisabled individuals.

Entryways and FoyersEntryways and foyers large enough to permit

the door to open fully are needed to comfortablyaccommodate people with disabilities who use awheelchair, crutches, or another aid. There shouldbe 12 to 18 in. of space on the doorknob side of theentry and foyer to allow maneuvering room for theaids. Doors with lever handles instead of knobs areeasier for everyone to open.

In wheelchair-accessible homes, the entry doorshould be at least 34 in. wide. This provides spacefor the wheelchair plus enough room for a person’sarms to turn the wheels.

Patios, Porches, and CourtsStairs present an insurmountable challenge to

most physically disabled individuals. Consequently,elevated patios, porches, and courts are off-limits tothem unless a gently sloping ramp provides accessto the area. A ramp with a slope between 1:12 and1:20 should be planned.

3-23 Allowing living and dining spaces to flowtogether in an open arrangement suits today’s casuallifestyle and provides maneuvering space for a familymember with a wheelchair or walker.


Chapter SummaryThe living areas of a home serve two groups of

people: household members and guests.The centerof activity for many households is the living room,where family members enjoy TV, conversation, andentertaining guests.The location, size, and arrange-ment of the living room should accommodate thelifestyle of the household members. Dining areascan be formal or informal, and many homes haveboth. The size of the living and dining rooms shouldbe large enough to comfortably seat everyone thatuses them.

Family rooms allow action-oriented pursuits andcan be used for dancing, hobbies, music, or games.A family room should be located away from the quietarea of the home. Size and arrangement should beconsidered for maximum usefulness.

Main entryways and foyers control circulation toother parts of the house. The design considerationsfor these areas include size, location, floor cover-ings, decor, and enough storage for coats andboots. Other types of entries provide access topatios, decks, terraces, or porches that extend thehome’s living space outdoors. Attention to certaindetails can make the entire living area accessible toall household members and guests.

Review Questions1. What activities take place in the living areas of

a home?

2. What rooms are included in a home’s livingareas?

3. How can circulation through a living room beminimized?

4. What items are usually placed in a secondaryfurniture grouping?

5. Why is it desirable to place the living roomdoor(s) at one end of the room?

6. Should a closed or open plan be used for adining room in a small home? Explain.

7. What is the ideal location for a dining room in ahouse?

8. What minimum size is recommended for adining room for a family of three? of six?

9. What locations in a home are good for a familyroom?

10. What type of furniture is appropriate for afamily room?

11. Where should the main entry of a house belocated? Explain.

12. Which side of the house is the best location fora porch or patio in Texas? in Minnesota?

13. How much space is needed around furniturefor wheelchairs to maneuver?

14. What types of flooring are recommended indining rooms used by children or disabled orelderly members?


Suggested Activities1. Using available sources, collect photos of

rooms commonly associated with the livingarea of a residence. Be sure to identify theroom or area that is represented in each photo.

2. Sketch an ideal living room for your family, andindicate how adjacent rooms connect to it.Explain the features, size, and arrangement ofitems you would plan for this room.

3. Create a floor plan for a dining room that willseat eight people and hold a china cabinet andbuffet or hutch.

4. Plan a family or recreation room that allowsfamily members to pursue their favorite individualand group hobbies. Identify the room’s dimen-sions, furniture pieces, and other equipment.

5. List the considerations to make beforedesigning a main entryway. Explain why eachconsideration is important.

6. Collect photos of patios, porches, and courtsthat you feel are attractive, functional, safe, andeasy to maintain. Display them to the class.

7. Interview a person who has a physicaldisability to learn what types of housingfeatures cause the greatest barriers to livingindependently in their homes.

Internet ResourcesArchitectural Digest Magazine

archdigest.com

Armstrong World Industries, Inc.armstrong.com

HomeCrest Cabinetryhomecrestcab.com

James Hardie® Building Products, Inc.jameshardie.com

Marvin Windows and Doorsmarvin.com

National Gypsum Companynationalgypsum.com

Owens Corningowenscorning.com

Schulte Corporation, a manufacturer of storage solutions

schultestorage.com

Note: Web addresses may have changed sincepublication. For some entries, reaching the correctWeb site may require keying www. into theaddress.

Documents

Planning Living Areas