Extension - how to use the space?
Hi
This is the floorplan of the back of our house & current room sizes. The utility & playroom are not shown to scale on the plan. (At the front of the house is the living room, playroom, cloakroom, hallway & stairs).
We are going to knock the conservatory down & extend 6m out across the full width (planning permission required as the house already has a double story side extension). The house is s/w facing. We are semi-detached & the party wall is where the current kitchen is. I'd like to create a kitchen/diner/family room with ample space for 2 adults & 3 kids (aged 8, 5 & 5) & for entertaining. Also, a study or study area for when my husband works from home. How would you use this space? Ideally the kitchen (would like an island with 5 stools) could be placed in the extension next to the utility but there it could be harder seeing what the little bugg@rs are doing! Where the current kitchen/diner is may feel a bit dark so would put extra lighting there. The chimney in the kitchen is for the fire in the living room. Any ideas?
Many thanks :)
Comments (13)
LTS
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
Jonathan
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Extension Layout Advice - how would you use our space?!
Comments (10)Hi all, A few of you are right, there is currently a doorway from the hall into the playroom, but my husband didn't want two doors into that room! He thinks we won't use both but I have a feeling that, again, I should've stuck with my original idea of having both doors. So, thanks for your thoughts on this - I think we'll be keeping both doors! We did play with the idea of having the utility betwen the playroom and kitchen, or indeed the other side of the house (as you have done jonathanb1972) but the utility room wall is load bearing and because of other work we are having done, we are already having a lot of steels = costs! although it's is a great layout, we couldnt justify the extra expense of also moving soil pipe etc. I should've said that where the shower room will go is already a toilet so we'll just upgrade that. I am wondering now whether to move the french doors over to be near the dining area and have the lounge/living area more snug-like. As you can imagine my husband just wants me to stick with an idea so he can get on with things, but usually when I am not sure, it's because something isn't right - it's just a case of working out what that is, then ta-da! it all drops into place! I think it must be some sort of sixth sense or something, which can be annoying, but when it works, it's great!!...See Moreadvice on how to best use the existing extension instead of extending
Comments (24)The first one is the cheapest as it utilises the building as it is with no extension. It does use the space well, You have to weigh up what you need with what you want. The first one doesn't give the extra storage for coats, shoes etc and blocks the Hallway front to back, which is always good in a house, as it makes it feel roomy. Given your budget of 90K i'd choose the second one, as it's just a much better layout. You open your front door and can see through in to the garden with the doors open. There's a load of storage. The bathroom is bigger, the Utility is bigger etc. I would always encourage people to take their designs to local Estate Agents and run them past them. You need to check that you're adding value, not over extending and that you're not spending more than the house will be worth....See MoreBest use of extension space?
Comments (8)Hello, I think the comments above are all good points to consider. I find bar stools are breakfast bars are one of those things that seem like a good idea but will be under used. I have a preschooler and a toddler and I would suggest that a good family dining space in the kitchen will be a lot more used than an area with high stools. A separate dining room does seem like a nice idea but I think it is probably a luxury that doesn't make sense with the space you have. Try to really imagine how you use the space and keep a track of where you spend time now. It would probably be worth consulting an interior designer or kitchen designer to get some ideas. It doesn't always cost as much as you might think and can save you making decisions you might regret. Good luck with the project, it looks really exciting....See MoreUnsure how to use the new space effectively
Comments (3)Hi Sarah, deciding how to best use a new space like this is always a challenge and there are lots of different factors to consider. I have recently done a blog post on this if you would like to check it out, hopefully it will give you some helpful hints and tips! https://www.hannahhopkinsinteriors.com/blog I would want to move the kitchen more into the new space as this is where there looks to be the most natural light. I can explore different layout options for you as part of my e-design package so let me know if you would like any further details. Regards, Hannah...See MoreLTS
8 years agoLTS
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoThank you very much. I'm just toying up different options at the moment as have yet to hire an architect etc. Am sure I may be knocking on OnePlan's door in due course!
Yes we do have a loo by the front door & don't really want to move it as it has a useful window (for my 2 boys & hubby!)...this plan shows one of the designs (there were many!) we were thinking of doing before we decided to knock down the conservatory & do an extension. It shows the rest of the house & I should have posted it before. I like your island idea, that would be very sociable where the stools are. Thanks again for your help, you've given me lots to think about....
PROOnePlan
8 years agoLTS
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago- PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago LTS
8 years agoLTS
8 years agoLTS
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoHi. We've had a couple of architects round. One said we should be able to extend up to 6m across the back of the house. The other said he didn't think we would get planning over 3m on the boundary of our semi-detached neighbours because of loss of light & suggested the layout below (shown in red). He said we could try for more, obviously. Looking at the layout I think the kitchen should go next to the utility but am struggling with placement of the dining table & family area. If the family area was in the old kitchen/dining space (as you enter the room from the hall) then any TV there would be competing against the kids TV/noise from the playroom. If the dining table went there it would be quite dark so would need extra lighting & also a walk away from the kitchen. And then of course my husband wants a study for the 2-3 days he works from home per month. I feel this is a waste of space as he doesn't work from home that regularly. Any of your wonderful ideas?
Jonathan
8 years agoYou might want to investigate the cost for building the office in the garden...it might be more cost effective than an equivalent house extension..... But try to give your husband his own space somewhere.
LTS
8 years ago
Jonathan