Room Layouts 102

Further to the blog "Room Layouts 101 - Feb 26, 2025" comes the next chapter in this extensive topic covering room layouts. Now that you have the sizes covered, let's cover the plan configuration and what goes where and why.

Let's avoid all the obvious "rules of thumb" and work through more developed concepts for room layouts. I am a firm believer that critical spaces should have buffers and linking rooms to allow for the best style of living. This belief is tied to the concept that technology is such a big part of how we live and interact in our home and we need separation from the screen before we go to bed to facilitate good sleep patterns.

Most families now have phones, tablets or laptops at arms reach most of the time now. I believe that the main living spaces should be set up to allow the family to interact and communicate and be together, while fostering this internet lifestyle we lead. Later on, we transition to the bedroom, via a quiet space. One where you can sit down, put the device down and read a book or relax with a drink and disconnect. Then, after 30 - 60 mins or so of this, you will be able to go to sleep without the activity levels of your brain being stimulated.

So, how does this work in the home. Simple, the secondary bedrooms should cluster around a shared lounge\rumpus room\breakout space. The master should have a retreat lounge, or if this is outside budget, a walk-in robe with a small sitting space or increased master size to allow a lounge chair in the corners can facilitate this. It's all about reducing the activity levels to assist with sleep.

On other points. Cluster wet areas together for economy and simplicity of installation. This allows the plumbing and drainage system to be more efficient and reduces ongoing maintenance and repair costs.

Use wet areas, cupboards, linen closets and wardrobes to create acoustic barriers to living spaces. The more separation and walls you can put between bedrooms and living, the better the kids will sleep when the TV is on. A secondary bedroom next to a lounge is a lifestyle problem.

Plan your layout of the house to tell a story, from entry to outdoor living. Lay out the spaces in a way that makes sense and allows separation to the private bedrooms. An entry where you have to walk the length of the house past all the bedrooms is a "spec house" solution and is not appropriate for a home of distinction.

Entries should be placed with a direct link to the outdoor living (in most cases). The reason for this is that if you are entertaining outside, you should have a direct observation line to the entry and guests should be able to understand where to go the moment they walk through the door. Its ok to have an airlock at the entry as the doors to this space can be left open while entertaining. That's it for this round.

Signing off,

Revell