Small homes and studios

Living zone Services and Power Planning for Small homes and studios

Locate the equipment first, then coordinate outlets, switches and maintenance access with the relevant trades.

Explore the ideas
Living room with green and rust-colored seating around a low coffee table
Living room inspiration: conversation seating with a clear central table.

Walkthrough checklist

  1. Make a schedule of fixed and portable equipment and note where each will actually be used.
  2. Overlay service routes and outlets on the furniture drawings before approving joinery.
  3. Keep shutoffs and frequently serviced connections reachable and have the relevant specialist verify the provision.
Worked example

The planned sofa position leaves floor lamps and chargers dependent on a cable crossing the walkway.

Overlay furniture and device locations before approving outlet positions; keep cords out of the entry and balcony paths.

How to test it

Check locations against the final furniture and appliance drawings before walls or cabinets are closed.

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
Living room with a television wall, wood shelving and a glass partition
Living room inspiration: media storage beside a glazed divider.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Living room arranged with an L-shaped sofa and wall shelving
Living room inspiration: seating grouped around a shared focal point.
Open living and dining area with a wood partition and television unit
Living room inspiration: a visual boundary between shared zones.

Related design guides

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