Living & Dining Areas

Purpose

Living & Dining Areas provide comfortable, functional and flexible spaces for everyday living, dining, relaxation and social interaction within staff residences. These spaces should support individual and family activities while promoting wellbeing, comfort and a positive residential environment.

 

Design Objectives

Living & Dining Areas should:

• Provide comfortable and functional spaces for daily living activities.

• Support dining, relaxation, entertainment and social interaction.

• Accommodate a range of household sizes and occupancy needs.

• Promote natural light, ventilation and thermal comfort.

• Provide flexibility for different furniture layouts and uses.

• Encourage connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

• Incorporate durable, maintainable and fit-for-purpose finishes.

• Support accessibility and ease of movement throughout the residence.

• Provide appropriate access to power, data and media connections.

• Contribute to a welcoming and homelike residential environment.

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Typical Furniture & Equipment

A standard living and dining area should typically include:

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Living Area

• Sofa or lounge suite

• Occasional chairs

• Coffee table

• Side table(s)

• Television and media unit

• Bookshelves or storage units

• Floor or table lamps

• Curtains or blinds

• Power outlets and charging points

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Dining Area

• Dining table

• Dining chairs

• Sideboard or buffet cabinet (where applicable)

• Display shelving or storage unit

• Lighting above dining area

• Power outlets.