09/09/2026
The Anatomy of a Dwelling Unit
The living room and kitchen must be carefully proportioned in relation to one another. Ideally, these spaces should be allocated on a 50/50 basis, although the living room can be slightly larger. The kitchen should never exceed the living room in size.
There is always a push and pull between the importance of these two rooms. However, when the living room is compromised to enlarge the kitchen, the functionality of the home suffers. If residents cannot comfortably live in the living room, the design has failed.
The living room typically occupies the most desirable location within the unit. Whether overlooking a city skyline, courtyard, water feature, or natural landscape, the best views are often reserved for this space, emphasizing its significance as the primary gathering area of the home.
Furniture has evolved considerably over the years. Sofas are larger, televisions have increased in size, and residents expect greater comfort. Today's living rooms should accommodate an eight-foot sofa, making uninterrupted wall space a premium for both seating and television placement.
Bedroom doors opening directly into the living area present additional challenges. Not only can television noise easily travel into sleeping spaces, but door locations often disrupt furniture arrangements. In one apartment, we were forced to float a sofa perpendicular between two bedroom doors because there was no other viable placement option. While creative solutions can work, they are rarely ideal.
The relationship between the sofa and television wall is equally important. Adequate depth must be provided for the sofa, cocktail table, and entertainment console. As a general guideline, the ideal viewing distance is approximately 1.5 to 2 times the diagonal dimension of the television screen. For most households, this results in a preferred viewing distance of approximately six to eight feet.
Circulation must also be carefully considered. In many apartment layouts, access to the patio or balcony occurs through the living room. Designers must ensure that pathways to exterior spaces do not interfere with seating arrangements or diminish the functionality of the room.
Ultimately, the living room remains the emotional center of the apartment. It is where residents gather, entertain, relax, and enjoy the views that define their home. Designing this space properly is not a luxury—it is essential.
-
-
-
