1. Room Relationships and Sizes
Chapter 8
Room Relationships and Sizes

2. The Floor Plan The number of inhabitants The ages and sex of children
Future plans to add on to the dwelling
A list of general family activities to be done in the home
Entertainment habits
Desired number of bedrooms and baths
Planned length of stay in the residence
Live-in guests or requirements for people with disabilities
The budget for the house
The style of the home

3. Living Areas
Living areas consist of the living, dining, and family rooms, den, and nook.
The rooms or areas of the house where family and friends will spend most of their leisure time.
Rooms should be clustered together close to the entry.

4. Entries Two points of entry Main entry to draw guests into the house
Service entry that is used by the family for access between the garage, yards, and service areas

5. Main Entry
Provides an outside focal point to draw guests to the front door
Serves as a hub for traffic to the living areas
A raised ceiling is a common accent for accenting the front door.
Single entry doors are usually 3’ wide
Larger homes may have doors that are 42” or 48” wide
Double doors are typically 5’ or 6’ wide
Single and double doors are usually 6’-8” but are also available in 8’ and custom heights.
Second major consideration is the weather
Direct sunlight, rain, snow and wind

6. Foyer
Ideal entry will open into a foyer rather than directly into one of the living areas
Provides a place to
Welcome and say goodbye to guests
Provides a place to put on and remove weather related clothing
Should provide access to a closet for seasonal clothing
Provide access to each area of the home
A small foyer with tall ceilings will create the feeling of an elevator shaft

7. Service Entry
Links the garage, kitchen, utility room, bathrooms, and patios or decks
Typically the family’s main entrance

8. Living Room
The purpose will vary depending on the size of the home and the preference of the owner
How will the room be used?
How many people will use it?
How often will it be used?
What type and size furniture will be placed in it?
Rectangular rooms are easier to plan for furniture arrangments
Minimum of 12’ x 14’
An area of approximately 9’ in diameter should provide for primary seating arrangement

9. Family Room Most used area of the house
Used to watch television, informal entertaining, sorting laundry, playing pool, or eating.
Should be separate from living room, but still be close enough to have access to the living and dining rooms for entertaining
Should be near the kitchen
13’ x 16’ minimum

10. Dining Room Often part of, or adjoining the living area
For formal dining, the area will be near but separate from the living room – minimum 11’ x 14’
Should be near the kitchen without providing a direct view of the kitchen work areas
Casual dining as small as 9’ x 11’ if open to another area
Allow a minimum of 32” from table edge to any wall or piece of furniture for chairs and minimal passage area
Allow 42” for walking around a chair when it is occupied

11. Nook
Breakfast area – is where the family will eat most meals and snacks
Dining room becomes an area for formal eating only
Should be near the kitchen and family room

12. Den, Study, or Office
Typically located near the entrance or the living room
Serves as a buffer between the living and sleeping areas

13. Home Theatres
Usually unfinished space or a bonus room above the garage
Points to consider
Size and type of television or screen
The number of viewers
Type of seating
Space should be provided for snack preparation

14. Sleeping Areas
Should be placed away from the noise of the living and service areas and out of the normal traffic patterns
The arrangement of bedrooms will vary greatly depending on the needs of the family
Common arrangements – placing all bedrooms together, or placing the master bedroom separate from the kid’s bedroom
Common to plan a bedroom-living unit for long term care of a live-in relative
Generally located near a bathroom
Keep bathroom plumbing away from bedrooms

15. Bedrooms
Function best on the southeast side of the house to bring morning sunlight into the rooms.
2 story houses – Bedrooms are placed upstairs away from the living areas
Provides quiet sleeping areas
Bedrooms can often be heated by the natural convection of heat rising from living areas.
A window or door to the outside must be provided in each sleeping area for emergency evacuation.

16. The national Building Code requires a minimum of 70 feet for bedrooms.
Each room should have space for a twin bed, a bedside table, and a dresser.
Plan for 24” on each side of the bed
Plan for 36” in front of dressers
Approximately 12’ x 14’ room

17. Master Bedroom Serves as a bedroom, sitting area, and bathing area
Provide room for a queen or king bed, room for a fireplace, sitting area, direct access to a closet, and bathing areas, and access to a private deck or balcony.
Should be at least 12’ x 14’ with additional closet area.
Think about window placement went planning bedrooms in relation to the location of the bed.

18. Closets Recommended 48” of closet space for males
Recommended 72” of closet space for females.
Minimum closet depth is 24”. 30” is preferred.
Can be used as a noise buffer between rooms.
Master bedrooms have walk in closets. Minimum of 6’ x 6’

19. Service Area
The service area consists of the bathroom, kitchen, utility room and garage.
Three of the four areas have plumbing.
Consider grouping these areas together because of the plumbing needs and because of noise.

20. Bathrooms
Bathrooms are often reached by a short hallway apart from the living room to provide privacy.
Options for bathrooms include
Half-bath – Has a lavatory and a toilet
Three –Quarter Bath – Has a shower, toilet, and a lavatory.
Full Bath – Has a lavatory, toilet, and a tub/shower combo
Bathroom Suite – includes the features of a full bath with a separate tub and shower.
If windows are places around a tub or spa the glass must me tempered.

21. Bathroom
The style of house affects the number and location of bathrooms
When a residence has two or more baths, they are often placed back to back or above each other to reduce plumbing costs.
Families with small children must have a tub.

22. Kitchen
Used not only for meal preparation, but often includes areas for eating, working and laundry.
Should be located near the dinning room, family room, utility room, and garage.
For a family with young children, the kitchen should have a view of indoor and outdoor play areas.