Living Areas& Furniture Arrangement

Furniture Arrangement• The ideal diameter for

the primary conversation area:– 8-12 feet

• When you have a Large Space:– Secondary furniture

grouping: Seating for 2-3 people, a piano, a desk or a chair for one person

Furniture Arrangement

• When you have a Small Space: – Living and other areas can be combined.– Bedroom can serve as an office, dressing

room, reading room, etc.

Furniture Arrangement• Mechanical & architectural

functions that must be considered when placing furniture:

• Air circulation vents, doors, windows, electrical outlets, phone jacks, television cables or antenna lines, fireplaces, and stairs

• Control the flow of traffic by placing furniture at key locations to direct traffic flow or restrict or redirect traffic.

Furniture Arrangement• Furniture, doors,

windows, and fireplaces should be balanced.

• Do not overcrowd the room with furniture

• Group furniture around a focal point

• Groupings for seating arrangements:– Straight line, L-

shaped, U-shaped, Box shaped, Parallel

Living Rooms• Should not serve as a

main circulation route into and through the home.

• Instead of the front door entering into the living room, have it open into a foyer or hallway.

• Should be next to the dining room.

• No traffic should come between the conversation circle and fire place. Bad Example

Family Room• This informal room

allows for games, hobbies, dancing, exercising, etc.

• Other names: great rooms, media room, play room, rec. room, and multi-purpose room.

Dining Room• Informal-In kitchen• Formal-Separate area for

more formal dining.• Closed plan- Set apart from

living room and kitchen.• Open Plan-An extension to

living room or kitchen.

Entryways• The main entry makes

a first impression.• It controls circulation

to different parts of a home.

• The floors in the entryway should be durable, water and soil resistant, and easy to clean.

Patios, Porches, and Courts• They extend the living areas of a home to the

outdoors.• May be used for conversation, relaxing, playing,

entertaining, dining, and cooking.

Adaptations for Special Needs

• Living areas and bed rooms should be on main levels.

• 4-5 ft. should be allowed around furniture.