Psychologically, the family room lay out is believed to have influence over relations family closeness. Therefore, it needs careful consideration in designing. This is in order that space can perform its role as a forum for family members with optimal communication.
Each family has different leisure activities. Family room should represent the habits and needs of families when they gather and relax. Before we design to create a comfortable family room, we must first understand the function of the actual living room, so that space becomes a cozy corner (comfortable) and a favorite gathering place for families.
The problems facing for the space with a size of less than 16m2, or more than 30m2 is basically the same. Both face the problem of how to be comfortable and accommodate the activities that suit your needs.
Basic Functions
In Japan, family room is a drinking tea room (cha sit-shu), which has the highest hierarchy in the house. In the Middle East, space where a family gathering is divided into two, namely the space for women (birun) and space for men (anderun). In the west, in addition to the family room as a place to relax, also serves as a place to receive guests.
According eastern culture, family room functions is a place to hang out and relax for a member of the family. Previously, this space consists only lined of chairs and tables, used to sit down to chat. In accordance with the times, family room has an additional function, namely as a means of entertainment, such as listening to music and watch TV.
For families who have toddlers who need larger space to move, living rooms are often designed in such a way that it can become children’s play area. Furniture in this area combined with the toys that don’t reduce the functionality of the actual living room.
Quite often, the family room used also as study room or space to do hobbies activities (music room, sewing, or painting). Young or old people don’t have a special room to conduct their daily activities. In addition, the efficiency of land also cause the family room used as a space to carry out various activities.
The pattern of life that is not formal, which took place in major cities, causing the family room also experienced a shift from the initial function. It used to receive guests, close relatives, and coworkers. This space is often also used for a small party, like a social gathering or a celebration of feast day or New Year.
On the other hand, the busyness of life in big cities tend to make the family room can not function as originally designed. Sometimes this room is only used as a temporary haven. Residents already have their own busyness. In the private rooms they have available facilities that meet their respective needs.
In the case above, the living room is not functioning properly. Designed and is in the house just as “decoration”, almost never used. The main purpose of space to gather is not used because there is no time for that, especially if family members are grown.
Well, how do you want to determine the function of your living room? Again, you should first define your needs and your family.
