The purpose of this study was to provide basic information about design guidelines of activity areas in elderly nursing facilities. For the study, the activity areas of 44 facilities in Korea were investigated to categorize their spatial compositions and forms, and then a case study about 19 facilities was conducted to analyse their hierarchical characteristics. The results of the study were as follows: First, the major type of spatial composition among 44 research facilities was concentration, but compartment type was the main among unit-care facilities. By the year, all the types of spatial composition were evenly distributed during recent five years, while concentration type was about 40% before 2003. Second, the major form of activity areas was hall or corridor extension for large group. But there was more alcove or separation form among small group spaces. Third, in the case analysis about hierarchical characteristics, hall and corridor extension form met the requirements of accessibility and openness of public and semi-public areas. On the other hand, separation form had a problem in satisfying both requirements. The semi-private areas, which were around the elderly bedrooms and the elderly were able to watch activities in, were not sufficient in many facilities. Fourth, the division of public and semi-public area was mainly by furniture, and the individuality of semi-private area was defined by dead-end place and corner seats of the window or the corridor. The diversity of semi-private area was likely to be appeared in connection or distribution type. On the basis of the results, the basic design guidelines for activity areas in elderly nursing facilities could be suggested as follows: On the whole, connection or distribution type in spatial composition is more efficient for hierarchical flow than concentration or compartment type is, especially in Korean facilities having many elderly residents per floor. In detail, the design of public and semi-public area should be focused on their openness and accessibility. The recommended forms of activity areas were hall or corridor extension in public area, and living room, corridor extension, or large corridor in semi-public area to effectively function as large or small group spaces. In semi-private areas, the spatial diversity and individuality should be considered.