By Marcos de Guzman Jr.
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–Do you believe that the design of a house can affect the relationships between family members?

Most definitely. While it is true that the basic function of a house is shelter, proper design can actually bring families closer and enhance relationships. The size of the house is not as important as its functionality. When planning to build or improve your home, consider these tips, which have been known to inspire family interaction.

Living room

The living room, which I would rather call the family room, is the place wherein the members can stay, play or even pray together.

In designer houses, it is not fashionable to have a TV set in the living room. However, in the average house, this is where the entertainment center is found. Just ensure that the TV set is not the sole focal point of the room and that other activities can take place there simultaneously.

Dining room

The dining room must be situated in one of the most comfortable spots in the house. Do not put TV sets in this area. Mealtime is the best opportunity to hold family discussion, so keep this family time focused.

Try to include a place for a breakfast caddy where oven toasters, microwave ovens, coffee makers and water dispensers can be stored, near the actual dining area. This will teach the children to help themselves, instead of relying on other persons to do things for them.

Kitchen

The kitchen must be properly planned for time and motion efficiency. If planned well, this may be the best area in the house where the kids can learn how to organize. A neat and functional kitchen may also arouse the children’s interest in cooking.

It would be great to have a double bowl kitchen sink that two people can use simultaneously. Instead of having one kitchen faucet that swivels, install two separate faucets. This type of sink will enable siblings to share the responsibility of washing dishes, which could make the task more enjoyable.

Bedroom

Do not put a TV set inside your bedroom. This will allow the couple more time to talk to each other and more time for intimacy.

Although many people have workstations inside the bedroom, it is advisable to have this in a separate area or tucked away in a corner where it will not distinctly remind you of daily activities and problems, thus affecting your sleep or your attention to your spouse. However, it is all right to have a small writing desk for your journal or short reminders.

Some people like to put a refrigerator inside their bedroom, just like in hotels, but this is not always a good idea. It is much better to share meals with the other members of the family rather than eating by yourself. Having food so close at hand can be too much temptation.

It is nice to have positive mental attitude triggering mechanisms inside your room. It could be in the form of your family pictures, children’s photos, or pleasant souvenirs from your trips. It can be a picture of religious devotion or a holy icon.

It is not necessary to give each of your children his own room. It is important, however, to give each one of them his own space. Siblings of the same gender can share one big room with their own area defined with a divider of sorts for a little privacy. This enables them to interact even while keeping their own space. The bigger room also allows for better ventilation and can be more economical to cool.

On the other hand, giving them their own rooms would create too much individualism and will rob them of the opportunity to mingle and communicate. Make sure that lighting is designed carefully, such that each person can get as much or as little as he needs.

Bathroom

A good time to plan your day could be in the toilet, since it is often the first place you go in the morning. Make enough room in front of the mirror for the couple to use it simultaneously.

You do not need two washbasins; one will do, as long as there is sufficient space for a second person. This translates to approximately an additional 15 minutes of available time for spouses to communicate, which is vital if the spouses are always in a hurry every morning.

Common spaces

If possible, it is better to have a common study area that is comfortable and free of distractions, meaning no TV and no PlayStation. A computer may be placed but strict guidelines when it comes to games and entertainment must be imposed.

It is ideal to have only one TV set per home. This ensures that the family members can watch shows together. It likewise allows the family to learn the art of negotiation and reciprocity. Later in life, this skill could prove useful, especially if they decide to go into business together.

It would be nice to have a space in the house to store your books and reading materials, with well-lit corners to sit and read. This is one activity that must be encouraged in kids early on. Children’s books should be placed within the child’s reach, while any adult books should be kept away or on higher shelves.

These are just a few points that can be considered in designing or renovating a home with family togetherness as the main objective in mind. With careful thought, you can come up with other clever ways to help turn your house into a home with a soul.