ᐅ Two Living and Dining Room Layouts: Which One Do You Prefer?
Created on: 25 Aug 2019 18:09
M
matze007
Hello everyone,
Our floor plan is basically set, but we are still undecided about how exactly to design our living/dining area. Therefore, I would like to involve you in the decision-making process and present both layouts to you.
A brief background: Our building plot has an unobstructed view to the south – so we look out onto "pure nature." From the beginning, it was very important for us to bring this natural scenery into the house through large windows.
Based on these criteria, we developed "Option 1":
- The south side (at the top of the plan) features a large window front to create an open feel
- When sitting on the sofa, you can either look directly at the TV opposite…
- …or alternatively enjoy a pleasant view to the south and, thanks to the corner glazing, even toward the southwest
We really like this design, but it has the downside that the sofa has to be positioned across the room. So when walking from the kitchen into the living room, you first walk around the table, then along the sofa, and finally sit down on the couch.
The big question we have is: Is this layout practical, or will the walking around become annoying quickly? Also, the distances from the dining table to the wall and sofa are acceptable but not very spacious. This creates a narrow spot in the room, which is a bit unfortunate.
From these considerations, "Option 2" emerged (it has not been reviewed by an architect and was only edited using an image editing program):
- The sofa is moved, and the TV wall is shifted to the south side
- This makes the room feel significantly more open, but it comes with some disadvantages
In our opinion, the drawbacks are: The view to the south is heavily limited by the wall. To the west (on the right), the view from the sofa is almost completely blocked. The corner glazing may still be visible when standing in the room or sitting at the dining table, but no longer from the sofa. This significantly reduces our aim of "bringing nature into the house." Also, the western sun can now shine directly on the TV, which may be annoying.
Now we are asking ourselves: Which option is better – will the sofa positioned across the room and the narrower/less convenient walking routes in Option 1 bother us so much that Option 2 is preferable, even though it obstructs the green view somewhat?
We know you can only answer this question to a limited extent – but perhaps you have a spontaneous opinion or a “clear favorite”? We would appreciate your input.
There is also a mini-survey by the way
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
matze007
Our floor plan is basically set, but we are still undecided about how exactly to design our living/dining area. Therefore, I would like to involve you in the decision-making process and present both layouts to you.
A brief background: Our building plot has an unobstructed view to the south – so we look out onto "pure nature." From the beginning, it was very important for us to bring this natural scenery into the house through large windows.
Based on these criteria, we developed "Option 1":
- The south side (at the top of the plan) features a large window front to create an open feel
- When sitting on the sofa, you can either look directly at the TV opposite…
- …or alternatively enjoy a pleasant view to the south and, thanks to the corner glazing, even toward the southwest
We really like this design, but it has the downside that the sofa has to be positioned across the room. So when walking from the kitchen into the living room, you first walk around the table, then along the sofa, and finally sit down on the couch.
The big question we have is: Is this layout practical, or will the walking around become annoying quickly? Also, the distances from the dining table to the wall and sofa are acceptable but not very spacious. This creates a narrow spot in the room, which is a bit unfortunate.
From these considerations, "Option 2" emerged (it has not been reviewed by an architect and was only edited using an image editing program):
- The sofa is moved, and the TV wall is shifted to the south side
- This makes the room feel significantly more open, but it comes with some disadvantages
In our opinion, the drawbacks are: The view to the south is heavily limited by the wall. To the west (on the right), the view from the sofa is almost completely blocked. The corner glazing may still be visible when standing in the room or sitting at the dining table, but no longer from the sofa. This significantly reduces our aim of "bringing nature into the house." Also, the western sun can now shine directly on the TV, which may be annoying.
Now we are asking ourselves: Which option is better – will the sofa positioned across the room and the narrower/less convenient walking routes in Option 1 bother us so much that Option 2 is preferable, even though it obstructs the green view somewhat?
We know you can only answer this question to a limited extent – but perhaps you have a spontaneous opinion or a “clear favorite”? We would appreciate your input.
There is also a mini-survey by the way
Thank you very much!
Best regards,
matze007
Wow, thank you very much for your input!
In option 1, sitting on the long sofa section means you have to turn your head to look south, but thanks to the corner glazing, you get a nice view toward the southwest. We thought this could be quite appealing since you’re not just looking in one direction.
Narrower than 2.50 m (98 inches) is unfortunately not possible. That’s the absolute minimum.
Bookstar schrieb:@Bookstar - Why do you think our concerns are unfounded?
Definitely option 1. Your concerns about walking distance are completely unfounded.
kbt09 schrieb:@kbt09 - With option 2, the table would be more flexible in terms of placement. If we chose option 2, the table would likely shift a bit toward the living room. Unfortunately, only option 1 offers very little room for adjustment.
In both options, the table seems too close to the kitchen passage, which makes the route from kitchen to terrace not ideal.
If you sit on the long sofa section in option 1, you can’t really look south well. Would it be possible to reduce the 250 cm (98 inches) TV wall to 150 to 180 cm (59 to 71 inches) in option 2?
In option 1, sitting on the long sofa section means you have to turn your head to look south, but thanks to the corner glazing, you get a nice view toward the southwest. We thought this could be quite appealing since you’re not just looking in one direction.
Narrower than 2.50 m (98 inches) is unfortunately not possible. That’s the absolute minimum.
kaho674 schrieb:
I would choose option 2 if I had to. Possibly option 3 as well:
haydee schrieb:
Definitely option 3.
face26 schrieb:@kaho674 | @haydee | @face26 - We had also considered that option. If the sofa is positioned on that side, however, you would be looking east… The view there is not quite as attractive or expansive as toward the south and west. Otherwise, that would probably be our favorite option as well. Which one would you prefer based on these points?
Buy a different sofa!
Option 3 is still the best.
I don’t like option 1 at all.
How about option 3 but move the TV wall completely according to the floor plan? And have an isosceles sofa,
I am in favor of option 2.
Our situation is similar, but we only look out onto our beautiful garden, not into the distance.
Reason: You don't usually sit on the sofa and gaze far away at nature. Of course, you might glance outside briefly, but it’s nothing significant. Once you’re settled on the sofa, you tend to watch TV, read the newspaper, or do something similar. If you want to look outside, enjoy the view, or observe nature, you go to the window, step onto the property, or sit on the terrace or at the dining area.
You already have that open “pleasure” thanks to the dining area. That should be enough.
Therefore -> option 2
Our situation is similar, but we only look out onto our beautiful garden, not into the distance.
Reason: You don't usually sit on the sofa and gaze far away at nature. Of course, you might glance outside briefly, but it’s nothing significant. Once you’re settled on the sofa, you tend to watch TV, read the newspaper, or do something similar. If you want to look outside, enjoy the view, or observe nature, you go to the window, step onto the property, or sit on the terrace or at the dining area.
You already have that open “pleasure” thanks to the dining area. That should be enough.
Therefore -> option 2
matze007 schrieb:
What would be your favorite option from this perspective? No one is stopping you from turning your head.
Again? Fixed sofa? Otherwise, isosceles triangle. You watch TV and don’t look outside, or you look outside and don’t watch TV... if in doubt, change the seating position.
I know someone who has a corner window facing the same direction. Floor-to-ceiling glass with no visible frames. He placed the TV on a very lightweight stand right in the glazed corner. Nothing else. It works, but it wasn’t a cheap solution.
Similar topics