Sleeping Area
Usually about one-third of the house is
dedicated to the sleeping area. This area
includes bedrooms, baths, dressing rooms, and
nurseries. Normally, the sleeping area is in a
quiet part of the house away from traffic and
other noise. If possible, the sleeping area should
have a south or southwest orientation so that it
may take advantage of cool summer breezes,
which usually prevail from this direction.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are so important that houses are
frequently categorized by the number they
contain, such as “two-bedroom,” “three-
bedroom,” or “four-bedroom.” The size of the
family usually determines the number of
bedrooms needed. Ideally, each person would
have their own bedroom. In the case of a
couple with no children living at home, at least
two bedrooms are desirable. The second
bedroom could be used as a guest room and
for other activities when there are no guests,
Figure 7-3. A home with only one bedroom
may be difficult to sell. Three-bedroom homes
usually have the greatest sales potential. A
three-bedroom home can provide enough
space for a family of four. It may be wise to
include an extra bedroom in the plan that can
be used for other purposes until needed,
Figure 7-4. It is usually more economical to
add an extra room at the outset rather than
expand later.
Grouping bedrooms together in a separate
wing or level of the house affords solitude and
privacy, Figure 7-5. A plan called the split
bedroom plan separates the master bedroom
from the remaining bedrooms to provide even
greater privacy. Another plan might have a
bedroom in another area of the home for an
employee, live-in relative, or overnight guests.
Each bedroom should have its own access to
the hall. An attempt should be made to place
each bedroom close to a bathroom. Some
bedrooms may have their own private baths.
A bedroom used by an older or handicapped
person is more convenient if it contains its
own bath.
Size and Furniture
One of the first problems in designing a
bedroom is determining its size. How big is a
“large” bedroom? How little is a “small”
bedroom? The Federal Housing Administration
(FHA) recommends 100 square feet as the
minimum size. A small bedroom is shown in
Figure 7-6. It has 99 square feet and the bare
essentials in furniture. An average-size bedroom
contains between 125 and 175 square feet,
Figure 7-7. Such a room provides ample space
for a double or twin bed, chest of drawers,
Chapter 7 Room Planning—Sleeping Area and Bath Facilities
131
Figure 7-3. This personalized bedroom provides
mirrored doors so the young ballerina can practice.
(Stanley Hardware)
Figure 7-4. An extra bedroom may be used as a
den or for guests. (E. Uecker, Radiant Heat, Inc.)