Thanks everyone. I think we are going to extend the hallway into the utility as this is the cheapest option and the utility needs doing anyway. We are going to remove some of the cupboards, so that the pushchair can go in the space created and move the sofa to block the playroom door... then we can test it out for a few weeks. I've reorganised the kitchen cupboards, moved the microwave and the plates etc and its made a big difference already to how the kitchen feels. Feeling positive :)

Hi Rosey, Hope these answers help: There are plenty of different ways you could redesign the space so it would be good to get really clear on what you want to base designs on. For the drains this is not that unusual, and is likely to mean that it is a shared drain, so it's owned by your water utility company. This might be worth checking. Yes any raised external platform / patio would need planning permission and may be refused on the grounds of overlooking and reducing the neighbours privacy. I am running my Free 5 Day Get Ready to Redesign Challenge in a few weeks. You will find this useful because I created it to help people in the situation that you are in - feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start. So if you'd like to join in that you can do that here: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/readytoredesign.html I hope this helps! Jane, i-architect.co.uk

We have an architect and we are trying to get to the developed design stage of an extension/renovation project. Anyway, we are now happy with most of the design but struggling with the First floor layout. Because the house is not very deep it leaves little options. We currently have 2 good size bedrooms, a very small bathroom and seperate toilet, and a box room. What we want is a 2 ensuite bedrooms one of which, the master bedroom with an open concept bath feature within the room. (controversial to some). And a linen cupboard. The new stair way also eats into more space than our current one. We feel that although limited, the floor space is there to have what we want. ***We have river views looking out from bedroom 1 and street view bed 2 so we would not want to swap them round.*** We just need some nifty/clever design solutions. Is it possible to consult an interior architect for a second pair of professional eyes on the layout? Will this be an insult to my current architect? This is the latest plan after we realised we could have a bath we rarely use as a feature in our room. So we asked to do away with the family bathroom and have ensuite instead with the master having a bath feature. Looking at this design we still have to eat in to bedroom 2 with corridor. The family bathroom, they have included but maybe this is better than ensuite in bed 2? But theres no linen cupboard.. And bed 2 is very narrow and dont think would fit a double. Our current tiny bathroom is located in the bottom left so I thought having our ensuite here would make sense. Possibly steal some more space in order to give bedroom 2 enough for a double bed.? I know we are really limited here so any off the wall ideas would be really welcome!!! :D

Hi Dave, What a lot of doors but not a problem. I would keep the walkway between the doors clear if you do decide to go for an island but there might not be space. I would put your tall storage on the long wall because this will be out of the way of people walking through to the garden. If you're able to make the hallway door slightly narrower to get the 600mm width on the currently 550mm door then thats fabulous, if not, you could go for a breakfront (set back the first cupboard then pull out out the centre ones) or go for a freestanding tall block. All depends on the look you're going for. Then I would put a seating area by the window and use the rest for prep space, sink and hob. If you want to bounce some ideas around together in a no obligation zoom chat, feel free to get in touch www.thekitchenladyuk.co.uk Good luck Emily