Architecture
Lessons in Architecture: Why Sightlines Matter
Now you see it, now you don't! Why it pays to factor in sightlines when planning a house
When you’re sitting or walking through your home there are views you do want to see, and spaces you don’t. The garden, for example, is a view you want; the powder room is a view you don’t. That’s why sightlines matter. A sightline is a hypothetical line from your eye to what can be seen in front of you. And when it comes to the design of a house, there are good and bad sightlines. Essentially, good sightlines bring pleasant and advantageous views into focus while concealing private spaces as much as possible. So here’s what you need to know about sightlines.
They allow you to keep an eye on the kids and guests
An open-plan space naturally lends itself to more open sightlines. But even in smaller homes or more enclosed spaces, sightlines from one room to another can help you keep an eye on kids or to more easily socialise with family, friends and guests.
In this house, the openness of the kitchen, dining and outside area means there is an open sightline throughout. The kids can play in sight of mum and dad, or guests can socialise while in view of the
hosts.
An open-plan space naturally lends itself to more open sightlines. But even in smaller homes or more enclosed spaces, sightlines from one room to another can help you keep an eye on kids or to more easily socialise with family, friends and guests.
In this house, the openness of the kitchen, dining and outside area means there is an open sightline throughout. The kids can play in sight of mum and dad, or guests can socialise while in view of the
hosts.
They enable better communication through the home
Lines of sight could also be regarded as lines of communication. Having a clear view through various spaces, such as the kitchen, dining and living area, allows residents to be in different but related parts of a house while still being able to see and easily communicate with one another.
See more open-plan spaces
Lines of sight could also be regarded as lines of communication. Having a clear view through various spaces, such as the kitchen, dining and living area, allows residents to be in different but related parts of a house while still being able to see and easily communicate with one another.
See more open-plan spaces
Limiting lines of sight increases privacy of bedrooms and bathrooms
There are some instances when you don’t want an open sightline, for example from the hallway through the master bedroom and into the master bathroom. Configuring spaces to limit this line of sight increases privacy and comfort and improves the ability to be carefree.
There are some instances when you don’t want an open sightline, for example from the hallway through the master bedroom and into the master bathroom. Configuring spaces to limit this line of sight increases privacy and comfort and improves the ability to be carefree.
Sightlines to Consider
Through the hallway
Hallways create a natural sight line because they guide your eye from one space to another. A hallway with a window or door at the end is an appealing sightline – a glass window or door draws the eye towards natural light, and a solid door promotes a sense of symmetry.
Through the hallway
Hallways create a natural sight line because they guide your eye from one space to another. A hallway with a window or door at the end is an appealing sightline – a glass window or door draws the eye towards natural light, and a solid door promotes a sense of symmetry.
If there is a wall at the end of the sightline, consider how you arrange furniture, decorative objects or artworks in order to create visual interest and draw the eye through the space.
When you look down a hallway there are some things you might not want to see. The kitchen sink is one – who wants an eyeful of dirty dishes?
The television might be another, so that your viewing habits aren’t on show when visitors come to your door.
Taking measures to interrupt sightlines like these is worth doing in the planning stages – they’re harder to undo once a home has been designed and built.
Take the focus off the TV
Taking measures to interrupt sightlines like these is worth doing in the planning stages – they’re harder to undo once a home has been designed and built.
Take the focus off the TV
Through open-plan spaces
Aligning architectural and furniture features in an open-plan space not only creates a clear line of sight, but also a clear passage for movement.
While this space does not have a closed-in hallway, there is still an obvious line of movement past the kitchen as the eye is drawn to the glass doors and view of the surrounding environment at the end of the room.
Aligning architectural and furniture features in an open-plan space not only creates a clear line of sight, but also a clear passage for movement.
While this space does not have a closed-in hallway, there is still an obvious line of movement past the kitchen as the eye is drawn to the glass doors and view of the surrounding environment at the end of the room.
Similarly, this open-plan space has a sightline from the entrance through a bar area, past the kitchen and into the dining area at the rear.
From the kitchen to the television
By having a sightline from the kitchen to the television, those in the kitchen preparing, cooking, or cleaning can still catch up on the news or stay tuned in to entertainment. Or if family or friends are watching television, then those in the kitchen can still be part of the action.
By having a sightline from the kitchen to the television, those in the kitchen preparing, cooking, or cleaning can still catch up on the news or stay tuned in to entertainment. Or if family or friends are watching television, then those in the kitchen can still be part of the action.
To conceal bedrooms and bathrooms
Sightlines are also about what you can’t see, and generally bedrooms and bathrooms shouldn’t be visible from public areas, if possible.
It can be hard to conceal private spaces or to improve sightlines in a small house or apartment, but it can be achieved with smart solutions. This apartment has a three-quarter wall that extends in front of the master bedroom so that its entrance can’t be seen from the living room.
Sightlines are also about what you can’t see, and generally bedrooms and bathrooms shouldn’t be visible from public areas, if possible.
It can be hard to conceal private spaces or to improve sightlines in a small house or apartment, but it can be achieved with smart solutions. This apartment has a three-quarter wall that extends in front of the master bedroom so that its entrance can’t be seen from the living room.
Conceal the toilet
A sightline into a bathroom or powder room can be improved by positioning the toilet out of sight, and installing the vanity or sink in the line of sight.
A sightline into a bathroom or powder room can be improved by positioning the toilet out of sight, and installing the vanity or sink in the line of sight.
Obstruct neighbours’ view
Since you don’t need neighbours having prime viewing into your bedroom or bathroom, their sightlines should be obstructed as much as possible. This can be done by strategically positioning windows either higher up the wall or asymmetrically so that walls or doors block their view.
Window wizardry: 7 clever approaches to privacy
Since you don’t need neighbours having prime viewing into your bedroom or bathroom, their sightlines should be obstructed as much as possible. This can be done by strategically positioning windows either higher up the wall or asymmetrically so that walls or doors block their view.
Window wizardry: 7 clever approaches to privacy
This can likewise apply outside, particularly in areas where two-, three- and four-storey houses dominate. This house has a breeze block screen at the end of the swimming pool to create greater privacy from the neighbours.
Vertical sightlines
Sightlines are not only horizontal, but vertical. Being able to see the tops of trees, mountains or the city skyline can enhance the view from a house and its connection the outside world. Clerestory windows are one way to increase vertical sightlines, as well as to allow more natural light to filter into a space.
What an open-plan addition can do for your old house
Sightlines are not only horizontal, but vertical. Being able to see the tops of trees, mountains or the city skyline can enhance the view from a house and its connection the outside world. Clerestory windows are one way to increase vertical sightlines, as well as to allow more natural light to filter into a space.
What an open-plan addition can do for your old house
Final Tips
When planning a house layout, take time to consider sightlines. Lay a straight edge or draw a straight line through rooms to see what is visible from certain points in the house. And don’t forget the mirrors (especially in bathrooms and powder rooms); ensure the reflected view also contributes to an advantageous and pleasant sightline.
Your turn
Which sightline do you wish you could erase at your house? Tell us in the Comments section.
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When planning a house layout, take time to consider sightlines. Lay a straight edge or draw a straight line through rooms to see what is visible from certain points in the house. And don’t forget the mirrors (especially in bathrooms and powder rooms); ensure the reflected view also contributes to an advantageous and pleasant sightline.
Your turn
Which sightline do you wish you could erase at your house? Tell us in the Comments section.
More
Read more architecture stories
They make a home feel open and airy
Views from one space to another can enhance the sense of openness and flow. By creating interior views from one space through another and then to the outdoors, a house can feel larger than it actually is. And as the windows or glass doors at the end of a sightline let in natural light, your eye is drawn towards them.
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