Types of room in buildings
According to Approved Document B, a room is ‘an enclosed space within a building that is not used solely as a circulation space.’ This differentiates a room from spaces such as hallways, corridors, stairs, landings, and so on.
In a domestic context, the most common types of rooms include:
- Kitchen: Intended for the preparation (and perhaps also consumption) of food. (Some houses may include a pantry which is used for storing food.)
- Bedroom: Intended for sleeping, storing clothes, etc.
- Bathroom: Contains a bath and/or shower, and can include sanitary accommodation.
- Dining room: For communal eating and socializing.
- Dual activity rooms, such as an open plan kitchen / diner.
- Living room/lounge: A social room for relaxation.
- Study: For work and administrative tasks.
- Laundry room: For washing and ironing laundry (can also be referred to as a utility room). Dwellings in Scotland may have a drying room.
- Toilet: Separate room containing a toilet and usually a sink.
- Shower room: Separate room containing a shower and sometimes a sink.
- Box room: A small room that may serve as a child’s bedroom, playroom, or storage room.
Other spaces in domestic buildings may not be considered to be rooms, including:
- Attic/loft.
- Basement/cellar.
- Porch.
- Garage.
- Conservatory.
- Home office.
Larger houses may include other types of room such as:
- Ballroom: A large room for socializing and entertaining (often dual purpose with a large dining room).
- Drawing room: A smaller room for socializing, holding meetings, and so on.
- Library: For storing books and other documents.
- Theatre/cinema room: For entertainment.
- Billiard/games room: For playing games such as snooker, pool, and so on.
- Nursery: A bedroom intended for babies or young children.
- Sunroom: A room with a glass roof (and usually glass walls).
In the context of flats, studios, or apartments, one main room may serve more than one purpose, i.e. a kitchen space may be included in the same room as a living room or dining room.
Bedrooms are often described as being a ‘single room’ or ‘double room’. A single room contains enough space for a single bed and is intended for one occupant, whereas a double room contains enough space for a double bed and could be used by two occupants.
Other types of rooms are determined by the type of building and the particular function that is required. For example, an office building may include; receptions, offices, meeting rooms, storage rooms, conference rooms, restaurants, cafeterias, coffee rooms, toilets, common rooms, plant rooms, cleaners rooms, ICT rooms, gyms, and so on.
Other types of building may include very specialist rooms, such as operating theatres, auditoriums, galleries, clean rooms, waiting rooms, classrooms, lecture theatres, and so on.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
The story of this knowledge quarter building.
In ecology, in hydrology, in biology and in architecture.
Creating environments that promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
UK cases of neutral current diversion
Research project looks for example contributions.
Overstocking and macro-economics cause a decline.
The 2024 update of the Common Assessment Standard
Demonstrating organisational capability’ to fulfil roles under the Building Safety Act.
56 recommendations for a better built environment
Published by the CIC ahead of the King’s Speech.
SkillELECTRIC Top 8 Competitors Named
in annual search for the UK’s best student electrician.
CIOB Diversity and Inclusion technical information sheet
Step-by-step guide on implementing D and I practices.
Conservation and the Indian City. Book review.
Reversibility in conservation ethics
Learning from painting conservation.
Where It's AT Podcast launched!
New CIAT Architectural Technology Podcast goes live.