1. Room Relationships and Sizes
Chapter 10
Room Relationships and Sizes

2. Introduction
Architecture probably has more amateur experts than any other field
Wide exposure to houses causes many people to feel that they can design their own
Wide media exposure and availability of home improvement retail stores have produced educated consumers with an increased sensitivity to design

3. The Floor Plan Important considerations: Number of inhabitants
Ages and gender of children
Future plans to add on
General activities
Entertainment habits
Desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Kitchen appliances desired

4. The Floor Plan (cont’d.)
Important considerations (cont’d.):
Planned length of stay in the residence
Live-in guests or requirements for people with disabilities
Budget for the home
Style of the home
Neighborhood covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R)

5. Living Area Entries Serve as a transition point Main entry Foyer
Service entry

6. Living Area (cont’d.) Living room Points to consider:
How the room will be used
How many people will use it
How often it will be used
Type and size of furniture that will be placed in it
Placement

8. Living Area (cont’d.) Family room
Probably the most used area of a house
Multipurpose area
Needs to be separated from living room and kitchen, but close enough for easy access
Sizes vary

9. Living Area (cont’d.) Dining room Nook
Often part of, or adjoining, the living area
For more formal eating: near, but separate, from living area
Should be near the kitchen
Nook
Where meals and snacks will be eaten
Should be near kitchen and family room

10. Living Area (cont’d.) Den/study/office Home theaters
Located off the entry and near the living room
Buffer between living and sleeping areas
Office size depends on equipment and number of clients
Home theaters
Points to consider are size and type of television, number of viewers, and seating

11. Sleeping Area
Age, gender, and number of children determine the number of bedrooms
May be shared, but separate rooms are ideal
Each room should have space for:
Sleeping and relaxation
Study
Storage
Dressing

12. Sleeping Area (cont’d.)
Bedrooms
Placed away from noise and out of normal traffic patterns
Number depends on family size and ages of children
Minimum of two should be provided
Arrangements and sizes vary
Master suites serve as a bedroom, sitting area, and bathing area

13. Sleeping Area (cont’d.)
Closets
Building codes do not require bedroom closets
Six feet should be considered the practical minimum for resale for shelf-and-pole system
Minimum depth is 24″
30″ keeps clothes from wrinkling
Walk-in closets
Minimum of 6′ x 6′
Contains a pole, shelves, baskets, drawers, etc.

15. Service Areas Bathrooms
Reached by short hallway, apart from living areas
Access should not require passing through living or sleeping areas
Types:
Half-bath
Three-quarter bath
Full bath and bathroom suite

17. Service Areas (cont’d.)
Kitchen
Serves for meal preparation and often includes areas for eating, working, and laundry
Considerations:
Kitchen work areas
Work triangle
Counter arrangements
Counter and cabinet size
Appliances

19. Service Areas (cont’d.)
Wine cellar
For most a cabinet or under-cabinet rack is adequate for wine storage
In custom homes, a special room may be requested
Utility room
Includes space for washing, drying, folding, mending, ironing, and storing clothes

20. Service Areas (cont’d.)
Bonus room
High-pitched roof homes often have space above that can be converted
Exercise center
Ranges
Spare bedroom storing an exercise bike to an in-house weight room or gymnasium
Garage or carport
Location depends on site

21. Traffic Patterns Interior traffic
Traffic flow is the route that people follow as they move from one area to another
Interior hallways
Traffic between floor levels

22. Traffic Patterns (cont’d.)
Traffic flow between interior and exterior areas
Well-planned homes expand inside living areas to outside
Courtyards
Patios and decks
Balconies
Porches
Sunrooms or solarium