Living Area Layout - Dilemma

8 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi we're currently about to move into a new place, which is as yet entirely empty. The house features a sizeable living/dining area, of the layout & dimensions below So far, we have only agreed to place a sofa set in the are designated as 'living' area in the plan below The main questions which we have debating for weeks (in fact months now) are 1) whether or not we should include a dry kitchen, and 2) where to place the dining table. One line of thinking is to give up a dry kitchen altogether, and have the dining table placed in the area designated as 'dry kitchen below' The other alternative is to install a dry kitchen in the designated area. However, this leaves the question of where to place the dining table/area. I would like to avoid placing it in the visual field entrance door area, as this will look as it blocks the entrance somehow. Renovation is to start in less than two weeks, and we're nowhere near a conclusion. Any thoughts will be most appreciated.

Featured Answer

PRO

SUGARBAKERS

7 years ago

Hi Dagobert Duck (interesting name),

I am assuming that this is a townhouse in Asia, as you mention the dry kitchen and wet kitchen (terms used mostly in Singapore) and also from the visible lift on the plan that you shared.

I would definitly advice you to keep the dry kitchen and place the dining table close to the dry kitchen or close to the bay window on the left. The space here is rather large and can easily accommodate a regular 2 metre table with 8 chairs. If you are concerned about the view of dining table as you enter the house, you could always place a round table near the entrance to block off the view.

I agree with Elaine about placing the furniture away from walls. Place a bunch of fresh flowers or art/sculpture above the round table like in a hotel entrance. So the the first view you see when you enter the house is the table with flowers.

Its difficult to give you any further advice as we have no idea what your final vision of the place is?

Feel free to contact us in Singapore if you need further advice?

Hope you will have the home of your dreams soon.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
8 years ago
I'm afraid I know nothing about dry/wet kitchens. If possible, switch living and dining areas. I personally prefer a larger living area than dining, but that's personal preference. Float both dining set and living arrangement in their areas. I like to have a lot of "elbow room"! Measure twice - buy once! In living area, use lighting as follows: a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner. Apartment Therapy says distance between walls and dining room table need to be at least 36". Seats on all sides need to be able to slide out easily. Between dining room entrance - 48" to allow people to enter and exit with ease. In the living room, at least 3.5 feet between seating, and 18 inches between sofa and coffee table. 7 feet between tv and seating. In my opinion, rug needs to be under entire seating area.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dimensions-to-follow-proper-furniture-spacing-basics-149156
Dagobert Duck
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Many thanks Elaine, appreciated. For further clarification: wet kitchen is a kitchen in the traditional sense (ie where all the food preparation is to take place), it includes all relevant appliances (fridge, oven, dish washing etc). As for the 'dry kitchen', the proposed design is really an island + stools, as well as a cabinet including wine cooler. So if we were to place the dining table in the area designated for the dry kitchen, we would effectively abandon the idea of a bar counter.

Btw: may I clarify what you mean by 'floating' the dining set & living arrangement, respectively?
0
Related Discussions
What is a good furniture layout for this awkward open living room?
Q
Comments (2)
Hello Cody, If the TV isn't going on the mantle wall than the only other available wall is the 13'5" wall. You might think about moving the TV to this wall and balancing it with art or plants. Your sofa can be turned with its back to the entrance/stairs and a small console table can be placed behind it to act as a visual stop. Your chair can be placed where the sofa currently sits or you could add a pair of new chairs to this area near the stair alcove which would create a smaller seating cluster there. Small benches could be placed in front of the fire for additional seating, when and if necessary. This one is a challenge, but if you don't mind the TV as focal point and the sofa perpendicular to the fireplace, this could work. Best of luck with your decorating and please let us know if we can be of assistance, Elizabeth Cabell, ASID, CID Cabell Design Studio
...See More
Need help on the furniture layout for open plan living room
Q
Comments (9)
Thanks for your comments, its great to discuss with houzers! You are so right @decoenthusiaste the view is beautiful and one reason why I chose the apartment. the room is longer than it is wide, and I wanted the kitchen/bar to be included in the seating so the attached pic is how I was planning to lay it out. @cdrdesign I can't/change the table, its a gorgeous mahogany piece I had custom made and one I see keeping for some years yet! I dont plan a TV in this room, will put it in another room. This room in for living and entertaining guests. Sorry I dont have layout software, so you will have to make do with my scribbles using powerpoint! Could really do with help on choosing the light fitting in place of the central fan- what would look nice here or should I wait till the furniture gets here to choose the light to match?
...See More
Need help for kitchen layout please!
Q
Comments (8)
Hi Rhonda, i also recently redid my terrace and installed a wet and dry island in my kitchen. As for your floor plan, if you're willing to consider tearing down the maid's room and moving it to the back, it will free up a lot of space for your dry kitchen/dining area. A bit unconventional, but you can also install the island in between the 2 pillars that are in the center. You can then install pot racks or wine glass holders on top of your island. Enjoy the journey and keep calm. :) Charlene More info
...See More
living room layout ideas
Q
Comments (3)
Dear Nicholas, firstly when will you be collect your house key for your BTO Flat. Are you looking for interior Designer or Contractor to renovate your house. Before that ask yourself, whether is the house you collecting, is it a standard or Premium flat?. How much Budget are you intending to spend on your house renovation. You have all these answer, I can give you some advise Q1: as for your sofa, how many seater sofa would you be intending to getting for your new house?. Q2: are you okay, if we do a half-wall TV Console?. Q3: How many seater of Dining Table are you intending to be getting & do you want to have excessive walking space around the area?.
...See More
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
8 years ago
What I mean by floating is don't have any of the furniture back along the walls - have them in the middle of the room as much as possible. That allows for the best conversation. In other words, if the seating arrangement is to far apart, conversation is not intimate and close. You end up yelling to have a conversation, which is not at all the goal of a living room! So, in the dining room, have the dining set in the middle of that area, and in the living room, have the seating arrangement in the middle of that area. Don't forget the all important details that make the house a home. I like large art for the walls, throws on the couch, accessories such as sculpture, real flowers, etc. They are conversation pieces for guests, and personal mementos for you!
0
Dagobert Duck
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you. So is it fair to say that you would skip the kitchen island? in this case, you could place the dining table in the 'dry kitchen area' and are left with a massive space (comprised of the 'dining' and 'living area'), the question is though how to fill up this space (apart from a sofa set...)
0
PRO
FASE Design Studio
7 years ago
Hi there Dagobert Duck,

I would suggest an interesting screen when you enter the main entrance and you can put your dining table behind it so that it becomes a semi private dining space. The screen can also be an interesting conversation piece to the space.
Cherrypick Consulting
7 years ago
Being a lay person, I can't really decipher where your entrance is. But if you believe in geomancy, I learned a few tricks recently as I am also moving my house :

1) your dining area should not be immediately visible the moment you enter your main door ;

2) the sofa should be against the longest and strongest wall of the house ;

3) the stove location and direction should be based on the female owner of the house while the living is based on the male ;

4) Lastly, the main door should be the widest. So make sure the entrance to kitchen is not wider than that.

Hope this helps in anyway.
0
Gary Sharp
7 years ago
don't forget when arranging the inside what happens outside is important too.. are the good views, are there bad views,, what is the orientation.. where is the sun,, where is the breeze.. where is the storm...
0

More Discussions

Unleashing Creativity

How do I modernise home?

Singapore

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.

Living Area Layout - Dilemma

SUGARBAKERS

Comments (8)

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

Dagobert Duck
Original Author

Related Discussions

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

Dagobert Duck
Original Author

FASE Design Studio

Cherrypick Consulting

Gary Sharp

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Living Area Layout - Dilemma

SUGARBAKERS

Comments (8)

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

Dagobert DuckOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

Dagobert DuckOriginal Author

FASE Design Studio

Cherrypick Consulting

Gary Sharp

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Dagobert Duck
Original Author

Dagobert Duck
Original Author