DESIGNING A LIVING ROOM | PLANNING

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The Living room is the space where guests are entertained and where one makes the first impression. In many houses, it is also a kind of Family room, where the family sits toge ther to watch TV or have discussions or just to play cards or other board games.

WHAT ARE THE PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A LIVING ROOM?
The principal factors to be considered in planning the Living Room are:

1. Number of persons to be seated or entertained.
2. Seating arrangement.
3. Size of Furniture
4. Space allowance for furniture.
5. Space around the furniture for passage and accessing.
6. Traffic Passage between Main door and doors leading to other rooms.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL PIECES OF FURNITURE IN A LIVING ROOM?

A living Room has furniture for seating, conversation and viewing TV. Generally in most houses, there will be the main, primary conversation group and a smaller, secondary conversation group.The typical pieces of furniture and the sizes in a Living room have been listed here.  However furniture sizes may vary slightly.

1. Sofas – Two Seater Sofas- 4′6″ x 2′6″, Three Seater Sofas -7′0″ x 3′0″ or 6′6″ x 2′6″ and Single Seater Sofa – 2′6″x2′6″ or 2′3″x2′3″
2. Armchairs – 2′0″ x 2′4″, 2′3″ x 2′4″etc
3. Sofa-cum-bed or Divan – 2′6″x7′0″
4. Centre Table - Rectangular- 2′0″ x 1′3″, 3′0″ x 2′0″ etc
5. Circular- 3′0″ dia., 2′6″ dia.
6. Side Table - Square- 1′8″x1′8″, 1′6″x1′6″ Circular- 2′0″  dia, 1′8″ dia.
7. Lamps
8. Show Case or TV/Music Unit – 4′0″ to 5′0″ in length and around 1′6″ wide.
9. Bookcase
10. Card Table – 3′0″ x  3′0″
11. Piano - Grand – 9′0″ x 5′0″, 7′0″ x 5′0″, 6′0″ x 5′0″, 5′6″x5′0″.
12. Piano – Rectangular – 5′0″ x 2′0″, 4′8″ x 1′7″

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC SPACE ALLOWANCES IN A LIVING ROOM?

When designing, adequate floor space should be provided for the furniture groupings so as to allow for easy movement around the furniture and allow comfortable conversation. Planners have established the minimum distances for comfortable movement as well as the maximum distance for comfortable conversations. They are listed below:

1. A minimum of 5′0″ between opposite sofas and a maximum of 6′0″ for comfortable conversation.
2. A minimum space of 2′0″ for circulation between tall furniture.
3. At least 1′6″  for circulation between low furniture.
4. A minimum of 3′0″ behind an occupied chair, to permit a person to pass by.
5. At least 5′0″ distance between the TV and the seating for comfortable viewing.
6. Seating arranged around a 10′0″ diameter circle makes a comfortable grouping for conversation.

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM CLEARANCES IN A LIVING ROOM?

Traffic tolerances in a Living room are important, since a number of people use this room and narrow lanes between furniture groups are uncomfortable. Some basic minimum clearances must be considered:

1. The traffic lane between the main entrance to the major seating group should be at least 3′4″ though preferably 4′6″. For bigger rooms, it is advisable to have a even wider traffic lane.
2. There should be no through traffic in between furniture groups, so that one does not have to walk through the group to go to another room.
3. The main traffic lane through the room should be a minimum of 3′4″though 4′6″ is preferred.

WHAT ARE THE IDEAL POSITIONS OF DOORS AND WINDOWS IN A LIVING ROOM?

Door openings in a Living room should be located so as to give enough wall space for the furniture arrangements.

1. It is preferable to have the main entrance door directly opposite the door leading to the other rooms, as the main traffic lane can be short and space is not wasted for movement.
2. It is even better if the Main door and the door leading to the other rooms are close to each other in one corner of the living room, as the rest of the room can be used for the furniture and space for movement is reduced considerably.
3. Windows should be located so that a seating arrangement can face the window, since looking out while having a conversation is quite interesting.
4. There should be convenient access to the windows to enable easy opening and drawing of curtains. Also furniture should not block the windows.
5. The TV position should be fixed such that it is not opposite a window, as the TV screen will reflect the light from the window.

WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION OF A LIVING ROOM?

The Location of a Living room depends on factors like the main Road, the Foyer, the main entrance door, orientation etc. For Vastu tips on the best location for a Living Room go to:

• Vastu guidelines | Living Rooms.

Related Topic:

• DESIGNING A LIVING ROOM | SIZES
• DESIGNING OTHER ROOMS

March 10th, 2009  

5 Responses to “DESIGNING A LIVING ROOM | PLANNING”

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