The family room in this design is approximately 14′ wide by 17′ deep.  Some of you probably think that this is way too small!!  Just how large should a family room be?   Rather than the actual size of the room, it’s often more important to take a look at  a few other factors such as:

• Where the windows are located.
• The furniture you will be placing in the room.
• And, probably most important, how does the “traffic” flow in the room?  In other words, is there a door to the rear yard located in the family room that requires all traffic to walk “through” the room? Or, is there a door that opens to a bedroom from the family room? (you’d be surprised how many plans have  the master bedroom opening directly from the family room…saves some hallway, but compromises privacy and requires more “traffic” space in the family room).

Back to this design.

• Notice that the door to the rear yard opens into the dining/gallery area. No traffic walking “through” the family room
• The furniture arranges in a very logical manner, allowing everyone to focus on the fireplace and the television.
• The windows have been located along the walls to allow for an abundance of natural light, while still leaving room for the sofa.

Take a look at the interior sketches and you’ll see how comfortable the furniture is arranged.  Adding more width or depth to the room really accomplishes very little…except adding some square footage and cost!

I’m currently creating designs for several New Urban developments.  Often referred to as Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs),  they are based on a of philosophy creating walkable, human-scaled neighborhoods that encourage true community.

Typically, the lot sizes are rather narrow and the garages enter from a rear alley.  The lot for this particular design is actually slightly wider than most.  At 65′, there’s enough room to create a side yard . The homes in these neighborhoods are usually placed closer to the front street (10′ to 15′).  Spacious front porches encourage the residents to spend time at the front of their homes.  The arbor and picket fence allow a portion of the side yard to become a semi-private garden area.

This preliminary sketch addressed the requirements for a golf course view lot with an existing large oak tree.  Our solution involved creating a floor plan that “wrapped around” the oak tree, creating a courtyard.  At the same time, expansive windows allow almost unobstructed views from the family room, dining area, and kitchen.

The exterior features a combination of stone and stucco with very subtle use of brick detailing.  By splitting the garages, three cars are accommodated without creating an overwhelmingly large structure.

Larry W. Garnett, FAIBD

The demands of managing a household, raising children, and dealing with the requirements of our jobs create challenges for us all.  Probably the most stressful aspect of our busy lives relates directly to the lack of time available for organizing daily affairs.  A dedicated area that offers a place to organize the numerous obligations and tasks becomes a welcome addition to any home.

More than a home office - While such an area should provide enough room for a computer, telephone, and desk space, it’s much more than just a small home office.  With file drawers, storage space for craft materials, bookshelves, and mail sorting, this really becomes a family Resource Center.   Usually located near the kitchen, it can be a place where children complete their homework while parents keep a watchful eye on their web surfing.  However, some prefer a more secluded location where they can “get away” to work on a special project.

Thoughtful design and innovative cabinetry can conceal most of the “clutter” related to these areas. If possible, adding a window for natural light and a view to the yard can certainly create a more pleasant space and prevent the area from appearing more like a closet with a desk. File drawers should be designed to accommodate letter and legal size folders.  Special drawers can conceal a printer and scanner, keeping them off the desktop.  Several mail slots help organize mail.  Don’t forget room for a paper shredder and wastebasket for the junk mail.

Command Central – Virtually all homeowners require a place to pay bills, sort mail, and organize daily tasks. Just think about the complexity of our lives and the massive amounts of confidential information we receive every day. Most people just don’t want this information stacked on the kitchen counter or even the small kitchen desk anymore.  This area really becomes “command central” in most homes.  I’ve been including Resource Centers in the majority of my designs for the past several years.  Most clients tell me this area has become one of the most appreciated features of their new home. For more information regarding this particular design, click here.

For several years I’ve been creating designs that feature “casitas”…which are detached rooms that offer a great deal of flexibility. Many people find them to be the ideal home office while others have discovered their value as living quarters for an elderly parent (have you checked on the prices for care facilities and nursing homes lately? If not, you’ll likely be overwhelmed.)

Although everyone seems to have a use for these secluded areas, they are a bit more costly to build simply because they are detached (more walls and material required). Considering this, I’ve sketched a design that incorporates several of the features of a “casita” while economizing the cost.

This plan offers a “guest quarters” that comes very close to maintaining the privacy and character of the detached “casita.” Note the optional French doors opening to the front porch. This allows direct access for guests without ever entering the main home.

I included a couple of variations to show how the space could also be used as a home office (again the porch access is important) and a game area/media room.

For those interested in the idea of a “casita,” I’ll present some of those ideas later. I’ll also talk more about the “Resource Center” (desk, in the hallway) and the value of a “drop zone” (a dedicated place to “drop” the mail, keys and cell phones).

Design Sketchbook has been created as a forum for some of our latest home design ideas and inspirations. We’ll be presenting these ideas and sketches with the hope that there will be feedback – both positive and negative – that will help us to refine the designs. We’ll also be posting various “design tips” to help those who are in the process of creating their own home design.