FUNCTION BY
DESIGN TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR LIVING SPACE
BY ROBYN GOSS BENNAI
C
reating or redesigning a room requires a thoughtful assessment of how you will function in that space. As with any good design, a well-planned foundation will help make the design process go much more smoothly and decrease the chances of running into issues mid-way through, which can be both frustrating and expensive. There are many ways to approach the design process, but determining the function(s) of the space should always come first. Answering the question of who, what, when, where, and why will help determine how to design it. Here is a list to get you started considering the function of the space and some examples of how to do that.
sider replacing ceiling lights with wall lights or lamps to draw the eye down. SEATING: Determining seating needs may seem like an easy task, but it still requires forethought. For living rooms, determine how many people need to have a place to sit. If you desire seating arrangements that accommodate conversations as opposed to watching TV, you may want to include more individual chairs versus a sofa. For eating areas, if you have a leaf for your dining room table that you will use for special occasions, consider where the extra seating will go when the table isn’t extended. You also want to decide on seating options for places like a bedroom, where you may want to have a chair for reading or watching TV.
LAYOUT: The layout of a room is determined by the size and use of the space. You should consider who is using the space, when they will use it, and why they are using it when determining the best layout. Here are some examples of user experience that can impact the space planning of a room: – What will the flow of traffic be? If the room is centrally located in the house (such is often the case with the living room), arrange the furniture so people can move through it without interrupting a conversation, the view of a television, or any other activity happening in that room. – When a room is being used for more utilitarian purposes, such as an office, verify the items that are often used are easily accessible. – In a bedroom, consider the direction in which the doors to a closet or a bathroom open to ensure they don’t interfere with furniture placement. – If in a space there is an activity that requires concentration, determine how you can best achieve this environment. LIGHTING: Lighting shouldn’t be an afterthought when designing a space. The glare from natural light will impact where to place a computer screen or a TV. The room’s natural light can also help determine the type of window treatments you use. Make sure you have enough light fixtures to accommodate activities for that room as well. Take into account how lighting impacts the overall aesthetics of a room; e.g. if you have low ceilings, con58
CIRCA Magazine
| July • August • September 2022
|
circamagazine.com
