A midcentury design staple, sunken living rooms are making a comeback.
Heres what to know about these recessed rooms.
These sunken spaces are designed as intimate gathering areas insideopen-concept floor plans.
Credit:Racinowski Design Studio
But the design element dates back much further.
Racinowski Design Studio
Its generally recognized that Bruce Goff designed the first modern sunken living room in 1927.
Architects likeEero Saarinen picked up the lounge pit designin the 1950s.
Credit:Bongkarn Thanyakij / Getty Images
Initial popularity tapered in the 1970s, but the design element is attracting interest again.
Current furniture styles are another factor supporting a renewed interest in sunken living rooms.
The midcentury furniture revival feels right at home in a sunken living room.
Young Realty & Associates.
However, conversation pits stay in place when it comes to older homes.
So can you add a sunken living room to an existing home?
Possibly, but it’s not easy.
Adding a sunken living room could requirealtering the foundation, which is not easy.
Ahome additionis an ideal opportunity to incorporate a sunken space.
“I love to point out a sunken room or living space to buyers.
Conversation pits offer more character than boxy walls and traditional, flat topography of a level floor plan.
Lowered floors help a space feel more open, and theceilings seem higher.
Custom bench or sofa seating is one example;wooden bookshelves or storageis another.
This can be a significant cost, but it’s not required.
In addition, these spaces aren’t terribly flexible.
The biggest concerns with conversation pits and sunken living rooms aresafety and accessibility.
The recess is a tripping hazard.
A sunken living room in the middle of a larger space is especially unexpected.
A recessed space amid a high-traffic area can also increase the likelihood of tripping.
Ideally, a sunken living room feature would be located outsidebusy traffic flow.
Using different flooring materials or colors to distinguish between levels can help make a recessed area more noticeable.
Conversation pits are not a universal-design-friendly feature.
