Zoning of the home

Recommendation 30
Create zones in the home with specific functions

Chapter (theme)
Architectural spaces (zoning)

Because of
sensory sensitivity, Central coherence, executive limitations

In order to
prevent or reduce sensory over-stimulation and limited oversight and overview

Elaboration
At first glance, zoning seems unnecessary for singles who live independently, since they can do whatever they want, wherever they want to do it. However, aside from the implicit social limitations, it is essential to maintain a personal overview of the space because of executive limitations (among which regulation, planning and short-term memory).
It’s advisable to attribute clear functions to rooms and other spaces, indicating ‘this activity belongs here.’ The TV-room or area is for watching TV and perhaps for video-games, the kitchen is for preparing food, the hobby room is for hobbies and so on.

It is advisable to mark these spaces visually in the use of color and/or light and possibly in other ways, such as the materials used.

In case one has a limited number of rooms (e.g. one or two) such markings acquire a different character. For example, with the aid of cupboards, different flooring or rugs and/or seating heights, area’s can be differentiated clearly and simply.

It’s also important to separate high stimulus areas such as the TV, and the exercise room from low-stimulus areas such as reading or relax-spaces. If possible, a corridor or transitional zone affords opportunities for shifting and for the senses to prepare for different stimuli levels.

Zoning is intended to accomplish sufficient personal overview and the avoidance of clutter and chaos.

error: