Small homes and studios
Living zone Circulation Design for Small homes and studios
Give people and equipment a route that remains usable during normal work, arrivals and cleaning.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Map separately who enters, what they carry and where they turn or pause.
- Move stopping points out of through routes, especially beside doors and intersections.
- Put the largest regularly moved item on the plan and trace the full trip, including both ends.
Worked example
Guests entering the home pass between the sofa and the person watching television.
Shift the seating group toward a wall and define a direct entry route that does not cross the screen or conversation zone.
How to test it
Run two movements at once during the test walk. Note which person must stop, reverse or step into another activity.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Anchor seating on a wall and preserve a central route; use a movable table rather than fixed dividers.
- Detail
- Choose a sofa with hidden storage and a rug to mark the lounge footprint.
- Trade-off
- A larger sofa improves comfort but limits hosting and sleeping flexibility.
- Mock furniture footprints with tape
- Check clear route to windows and entry
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