Is it important to separate living space from the bedrooms?

October 17, 2015 5:03 AM

I live in a mid-size apartment (1,313 sq ft). The current layout of the apartment consists of a large square-shaped living/dining area, and doors along one wall leading to the bedrooms. I'm thinking of adding a full height shelf in order to create a corridor leading to the bedrooms, in order to add more separation between the two areas. But this will cut down on the spaciousness and openness of my living area. Is it worth it? Are there any architectural/design concepts that I can look at to help me decide?

The layout of my apartment is like this. The three doors along the top are to the bedrooms, and the enclosed space at the right is the balcony. The shelf I'm thinking of adding will be the box in blue, and be used for storage.

Right now, our living area is one large space, with a dining table at one end, and the sofa at another end. We enjoy the feeling of openness we have, since the space feels big and not cramped up. Adding the shelf will probably detract from this a bit, since it will essentially move a wall inwards by at least 1.35m and possibly more.

I don't really have the words to explain why I want to do this, other than I feel like its better to have a bit of a transition space from the bedrooms into the "public" living area. Particularly when there are guests around, it can feel a bit awkward to be in your room and unable to say go to the washroom without opening a door and have everybody look your way. We also have a young kid, and I'm suspecting that in the future being just one door away from the living room where mum and dad are watching TV will be too much of a temptation for him to stay put in bed. And when he's older he probably would appreciate more privacy. I think.

Is there any research that suggests its a good idea to separate these two spaces? I'd imagine its something architects and interior designers are familiar with, but I'm drawing a blank on Google. I know that ultimately it's my house and I should just do what I want, but I would like to make a more informed decision.

posted by destrius to Home & Garden (13 answers total)

I don't know anything about the science/art of using space, but have you considered a shoji? That way you could add and remove a separator when you need it.
posted by deathpanels at 5:39 AM on October 17, 2015

Response by poster: We did contemplate putting up a screen before, but in the end settled on a shelf because we need the storage space too.
posted by destrius at 5:40 AM on October 17, 2015

I love the idea and would do it if I were you. I like privacy around the bedroom doors as well. And the added shelf space will be useful and done well, could look fabulous. Just be sure you anchor them well in case your little one likes to climb when they get bigger.
posted by pearlybob at 6:31 AM on October 17, 2015 [3 favorites]

Where is the bathroom? I get what you say about keeping the more private spaces (bedrooms) divided from the public spaces (living and dining rooms), but I think I'd only bother if the bathroom was also behind the divider.

But either way: it's your home, and to heck with what architects or fancy interior designers might say: do what makes you feel comfortable in your own home.
posted by easily confused at 6:35 AM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Threshold Spaces: Transitions in Architecture. Analysis and Design Tools seems to have relevant analysis.

Some analysis uses connectivity graphs (eg section 4.3.2.1). Quote from this work:

Most living rooms are now through-passage-rooms and do therefore not have the potential for rest and quiet activities as is the case for the living rooms of the typical pre-1950 apartment.

Terms to search for: neutral space, circulation space, corridor, hall, threshold, connectivity graph, room sequences, vestibule.
posted by andrewcooke at 7:59 AM on October 17, 2015 [7 favorites]

This is just anecdote but I feel exactly the same way. The reason I love my current condo layout is because it has a hallway that leads to the bedrooms, rather than having them open directly off the living spaces as most condos do. It's "wasted" space to some, because it's square footage that you can't directly use, but I love it so, so much more.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:02 AM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Architect here: Do it! It's a great idea. Tips- keep the shelving open so that the hall doesn't feel like a tunnel. Even if you can technically see through the shelf to hallway it will still feel way more private/screened. You could look at half/half like THIS

Tip two - watch out for light layout in the ceiling! If your screening shelf doesn't align or starts blocking lights consider keepin the height of it 1' to 2' shorter than the ceiling.

Overall I think you're on to something. Definitely agree with how you pulled the divider away from the balcony. Good luck!
posted by KMoney at 8:07 AM on October 17, 2015 [6 favorites]

It's a great idea - specially if the shelves can help you declutter the rest of the spaces in your home. Do it!
posted by mumimor at 8:58 AM on October 17, 2015

One common solution seems to be using open shelving like the Ikea Kallax (formerly Expedit), which gives you visual separation but isn't a solid wall. Even if you are going to build something yourself, you might search around for photos of these shelves to see how folks have done just what you have in mind. For example.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:02 AM on October 17, 2015

Depending on how much coverage you want, you might like to consider a stepped tansu chest.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:22 AM on October 17, 2015

I would definitely do it if this were my house. If you have guests over there's no way for someone (probably your kid in this scenario) to go from the bedroom to the bathroom without seeing/disturbing/interacting with your guests, which could be awkward. Plus guests can see straight into your messy bedroom unless you keep the door closed. I think even a chest-height shelf would work fine, it doesn't have to go all the way to the ceiling.
posted by lollymccatburglar at 11:30 AM on October 17, 2015

Best answer: If you do put up tall shelves, I would consider having the shelving part face the hallway, rather than the living room. The reason I say this is that one wall of our living room is lined with tall
bookshelves, in which we keep lots of books, and as much as I love the literary ambiance, sometimes I wish we wish didn't have it, because it looks busy and clutter-y. If you turn the bookshelves towards the hallway and put paneling on the back or something, you will be able to hang just a picture or two and and it will be much more visually calm. And all your storage clutter can be hidden in the hallway.
posted by molasses at 11:50 AM on October 17, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks all! The current plan is for the shelving part to face the hallway, as molasses suggested, probably with a sliding door to keep things neat. We would rather not do fully open shelving because the storage boxes will probably look too cluttery, but are thinking of doing some kind of translucent glass/acrylic on both sides. As for lighting, we're going to redo some of the lights, so that's not an issue.

I think threshold space is precisely the concept I'm looking for, thanks for the pointers to that! Although its not necessary I do like to geek out a bit on any project I embark on and its always fun to read up a bit more deeply on a topic.

Anyway I do have a feeling there's a certain level of psychology involved in this; I tend to see this space separation as a lot more important to me than my wife does, and I'm a lot more introverted than her. Perhaps introverted people need that kind of space in order to feel more comfortable. That's probably the same reason why I like to go on vacations to lonely, empty places with nobody around for miles.
posted by destrius at 7:10 PM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]