PRIVATE ROOMS
The sharing space is not restricted to the interior of the structure. It includes multipurpose rooms, offices, patios, decks, terraces, gardens, among others. These areas are designed for all activities not emcompassed in the sleeping and service areas.
We can mainly categorized rooms in two types, private and shared. I will walk you through the most comon private and shared spaces, and the most important components of both.
Components of a bedroom
Bedrooms in a house are so important that they can categorize the type of house! In most localities, three-bedroom houses have the greatest sale potential. if the house has more than one level, grouping bedrooms together in a separate level of the house allows more privacy. You can even separate the master bedroom from the rest to provide even more privacy.
Doors and Windows
Each bedroom must have an entry door. Interior doors are usually 1 3/8" thick and 6'-8" high. The minimun recomended bedroom door width is 2'-6".
When thinking of doors, it is important to consider furniture size, specially when the bedroom is adjacent to a hall.
The door should swing into the bedroom. Locating the door next to a corner usually minimizes wasted space. To further conserve space, pocket or sliding doors can be used.
An ideal Bedroom will have windows in two walls. If the bedrooms are in first level, ribbon wondows (wide and short) can add privacy.
Closets
The closet space recommended by the FHA is a minimun of:
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4 linear feet of closet rod space for a man
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6 for a women with a minimum depth of two feet.
Door options:
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Sliding
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bi-fold
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Accordion
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Flush
Closets are often located near the entrance for easy access.
Usually they are also located in interior walls to provide insulation between rooms
Bathrooms
Bathroms should be located near the bedroom and leaving areas of the house. Usually the desig of the house indicates the number of bathrooms. houses can also have a half bath, which does not have all three major fixtures (usually only a water closet and a lavatory).
When thinking of bathrooms, be aware of flooring material, as materials that become slick when wet can be dangerous. A two-story and a split-level house requires at least 1 1/2 bathrooms--a full bathroom near the bedroom and a half near the living room.
Remember:
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Inhabitants should not be required to go through another room to reach the bathroom.
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A minimum size bath must be around 5'x8'. However, a family bath might require more countertop and storage space than a guest bath.
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A bathroom must have ventilation! (can be provided by windows or an exhaust fan. Windows should be placed to produce maximum privacy.
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Electrical switches should be placed so that they cannot be reached from the tub! And ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) should be used in the bathroom.
Always keep in mind:
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Each bedroom should have their own access to the hall.
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The recomended minimun size by the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is considered to be 100 square feet.
SHARED SPACES
Living Room
A house living room may have as few as 150 square feet. An Average size room has around 250 square feet.
For maxmun confort and energy conservation, consider the orientation of the living room when designing it. In warm climates, using a northern orientation could help keeping the area cool. The north side is usually shaded and cool, while the south ride receives sun almost constantly.
When planning on a living room, ask these questions:
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What furniture is planned for this particular room?
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How often will the room be used?
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How many people are expected to use the room at one time?
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How many functions are combined in this one room?
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Is the living room size in proportion to the remainder of the house?