Designing the Home for Children

A Need-Based Approach

Abstract

Using residential autobiographies based upon childhood recollections of significant experiences, seven needs were identified as being particularly important for children in the home environment: territoriality, environmental manipulation, privacy, nurturance, identity, stimulation, and sociability. These needs were used to generate guidelines for the design of children's bedrooms, playrooms, and communal areas. In general, a child-oriented, family-centered approach to residential interior design is recommended.