Lesson 1: The Five Basic Factors
Function
Consider who is going to use the room, what their needs are, what its purpose is. It is sometimes misleading to call a room a "living room" if it is seldom used except for entertaining visitors. Perhaps it needs to be called the "parlor" as in olden days.
The basics of each room's function are simple:
A bedroom must have a bed of adequate size, a nightstand or table beside it (or on either side if two people use the bed), a dresser or chest of drawers for storage, and a chair or bench. A closet or armoire is a necessity as well. These are the basics. You might add a desk if homework must be done here, a toy chest and changing table if it is a nursery, and bookshelves. Remembering that the primary function of the bedroom is to provide a place to sleep, everything else in the room is to add convenience and increase comfort.
A dining room or breakfast room must have a table of sufficient size to accommodate the largest number of daily users, with expansion possibilities if it is also used for occasional larger gatherings. There must be enough seating for the daily users, and perhaps extra seating (which may be stored elsewhere when not needed). These are the basics, because the primary function of the room is to provide a place to have meals. You may want to have a server, a buffet, or a side table to hold serving dishes, or for linen storage.
The function of a family room/den/game room is to provide a more casual gathering place for the family's informal activities. This might include playing games, watching TV, or working on the family computer. Provide comfortable seating and those extras that make the room a warm place to come together, and you've fulfilled its function.
Practical considerations are as important as aesthetics if a room is going to look good and be used with pleasure by you and your family. A poorly designed room is usually a room that does not fulfill its function well.
