skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Design Dilemma
jlauricourt

Reconfigure Layout

Jen Lance
7 years ago
My husband and I have bought a bungalow (UK) and would like to reconfigure the layout to an open plan style. We plan to extend at the rear to accommodate a new kitchen and dining room and in the future plan a 2 bedroom loft conversion. Would just like some advice on utilising the space downstairs in the best possible way. Please see my mock up design of our ideas. We thought making the ground floor a 2 bedroom would create more space with intention of later on creating more room in the loft. My concern though would be an awkward living area space. Please help!
Featured Answer
  • Victoria
    7 years ago
    Bear in mind, in the UK any stair with a drop of over 600mm must have a handrail of at least 900mm height and balustrading must either be solid or have gaps small enough to prevent the passage of a 100mm sphere. Open staircases not permissible. Also, there are restrictions on minimum headroom etc. It is important to sort the future stair location first.

    Comments (34)

    • lynnrc
      7 years ago

      If you can move the staircase to the left of the front door then move the bathroom to start from the back of staircase (you may need a turn on the staircase for it to work) then the bedroom you currently have after the stairs next to the bedroom you have on the right - then that bedroom has the bathroom opposite

    • Jonathan
      7 years ago
      Is there room to extend at the side?

    • Related Discussions

      Reconfigure Layout

      Q

      Comments (1)
      I would build the extension..... You will still have the option of loft extension later in fact the extension will make the roof space bigger. Extensions cost around £1500 per square meter. The extra you can put on the side will depend on how big the plot is and how far your budget will stretch. When you know how much you will likely build on consider a space planner to work out the configuration that you need..... For instance you might need a place to work, a garage, an oversized shower, room for a grand piano......etc. There are professionals on this site who can give you a range of options for a reasonable hourly rate. Personally I think you should be careful that the extension does not spoil the look of the house - so perhaps the extension should start at bed two (rather than bed 3) Lastly you might want to vault the ceilings in some of the rooms to increase the feeling of space
      ...See More

      How to reconfigure the layout from 3 to 4 bedrooms

      Q

      Comments (15)
      Yes the idea is to make better use of the space, even an utility room may work, as I said I find it a waste to have that size of bathroom. One of my concerns is that the wall between the bedroom and bathroom may be a bearing wall, something I need to find out. Here is the plan with the dimensions, sorry handwritten:
      ...See More

      Help with reconfiguring layout

      Q

      Comments (4)
      Do you need the downstairs shower room or would a toilet suffice? Same for the 'bedroom'. I'd say if budget allows, change the back entirely. Here an idea: Kitchen becomes toilet and utility (with side entrance). Conservatory, shower room and utility closet removed. Either creating a large open plan kitchen diner, or return the 4th bedroom/study (dotted line) and have a slightly smaller yet still bright kitchen diner. (to return a favour paypal.me/rinkedit)
      ...See More

      Reconfigure Ground Floor Layout

      Q

      Comments (5)
      Thanks Jonathan - like the look of this although forgot to mention that the property is Semi-detached so no windows available on the right side so would need to open the garage up in its entirety to achieve this (would give a big study/family area though!)
      ...See More
    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Hi Lynn, thank you very much for your response. I've done a quick of what I think you mean. is this what you mean?
    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      unfortunately not Johnathan as we have a shared drive with the neighbour to the left.
    • PRO
      OnePlan
      7 years ago
      Is the a roof pic so we can see where any stairs need to finish at ? ( ie the highest point )
      As getting the stairs in a good spot first might be a good start ?!
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      It might be better to view the space for now as two halves.. So bedrooms are not sitting where living space and kitchen would naturally flow given an open plan configuration, but separate. So divide the living space with living/kitchen and dining to the rear or opening onto garden for entertaining. Then the bedroom sections could perhaps either turn into other functions later on such as a study/office or simply be opened up to join the living area.

      Consider the idea of open stairs (not boxed in) and or floating stairs so that rather than just form function they can form part of the aesthetics of the space internally..So they need to be considered early on in any design process. You may also have to incorporate other safety aspects to meet regs. This though should not deter the idea of innovation..

      You could also look at them from a bolder architectural element and actually situate them as a divide through the space going upwards into the eventual loft area. Working with a structural engineer could determine how much play you have with situation to be in line with regulations but I rather feel it could be fantastic. The images are to give you an idea about what is possible and interesting and which could be adapted to suit the home you have.. : ))

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      hi AJ Interior, so do you mean split the lounge and have kitchen and lounge at the front of the house? I did like the idea of having a hallway down.
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      Well not exactly.. as did you mention open plan? It's an idea but I saw you going from living to dining... kitchen and out to the garden.. So bedrooms area separate from the living/kitchen and dining areas. So probably if garden at the back, have bedrooms at the front.. : ))

    • PRO
      OnePlan
      7 years ago
      Other things to consider are the way the home sits - ie in relation to the sun during the day - NESW etc - as if you like to awaken with the sun pouring into your bedroom then that dictates where to put the bedroom too!

      Maybe start off by speaking to a credible professional who can guide you through the process and viable options ( ie that are within planning and build regs) ... As you are also considering an extension, then the Architect /technician/design and build company etc that you choose for this, might just be the people to help with the rest of the project layout too ?
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      If the extension is to the rear where garden extends then logically and spatially kitchen living and dining would be situated to enhance this. Especially if you want to enjoy entertaining. It makes for enhanced flow within the home.

      The bedrooms on the ground floor are temporary due to the need and desire for extending to an upper floor level and thus, it would be better to design with this in mind to maximise the ground floor, so that when the upper level is built, the relocation of sleeping quarters is relatively easy and you have more room to consider how many and where.

      I would be looking to make this easier when the time comes by putting these at the front of the house in order to re organise the ground level to its optimum and once.

      There are many ways to achieve a design process and ideally you want someone who considers all these things first. Many good professionals are used to working together and so often a range of specialists are needed from architects to structural engineers and gr8 designers who understand how to optimise a scheme and home to its full potential. :))

    • lynnrc
      7 years ago

      Hi Jen, yes your new drawing is exactly what I thought would work. I wouldnt move the kitchen, lounge, etc to the front of the house, its better to walk out of the kitchen/dining room into the garden especially if you are eating in the garden

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Hi thank you for your comments. AJ I think it's a good idea to have bedrooms at the front and they would be permanent as I'd like to get 2 more bedrooms upstairs to create a 4 bedroom property. just not sure where to then situate a bathroom. I was thinking maybe a smaller shower room downstairs and later on having a bathroom upstairs.
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      Ah right okay, I had imagined you moving them all upstairs but absolutely this works too and you could eventually have one of these as a study room or guest room but configured in such a way with a day bed etc so the room is multi functional, unless of course you are using all the bedrooms for your family..

      Yes I like the idea of a shower room downstairs and this could be small with loo/sink in a tanked wet room style arrangement which is good for space.... You can then have a bathroom upstairs and even another en-suite style bathroom for one of the bedrooms if one is to be a master bedroom or yours.. I think there is a lot of potential for the space and the main thing is you have something that works for the long term.. : ))

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Amazing advice from you all, I have taken this all on board and created another idea for a plan. I'm sure I'll probably need pillars or support walls in place. What do you think?
    • lynnrc
      7 years ago

      looks good, only thing I would change is have the laundry/larder as one room, (a utility room) I think this would be more flexible - I am thinking of doing a similar thing next year - making room for a large floor to ceiling cupboard for larder contents

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Hmm ok Lynn, never thought about that. It seems like a good idea! Thanks!
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      Perhaps consider the shower room on the other side with laundry or not as you could create a walk in closet area that houses loo and shower and then possibly laundry next door. This doesnt have to be a big space as you can house washing and drying on top of each other to maximise space here....

      It's then completely separate from kitchen area. You could then have a galley kitchen along that side wall with larder at the start of this. Also consider the idea that you could include the washing machine within the run of lower cabinets.. as the Samsung Eco Bubble is beautiful! Quiet and extremely stylish.. It means you have a degree of separation between kitchen and showering/loo but also gives you options on how to configure it.... : ))

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Hi AJ I'm not sure I quite understand what a you meant so I made another plan. is this what you mean? Maybe bring shower room and laundry room down a little for more living area space. I'm not fond a kitchen gallery as I prefer open plan and would like a kitchen island as shown. I feel like this plan would create wasted space on the side of the pantry.
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      I was just about to add a little addition to your drawing, so here it is.. So the shower/loo could be closet and shower/loo if you decided to house the washing machine within the kitchen, as this would give you some space for coats etc. The door is located off the hall and you walk first into laundry and past into loo and shower thus access is not directly into living area... You might find you want to turn the dining table round the other way too when you're in the space.. Nothing is to any particular scale but just to give you an idea of possible placements. You might also be able to add an island or an island that morphs into dining.. . : ))

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Ahh ok great thanks for that! I shall consider this as another option!☺
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Most welcome Jen,

      It's basic in it's delivery.. but you get the idea and of course when you're in the space deciding and considering how you cook and move around the eating and living area, it may be that you find another idea. I thought that if you have enough extension, it would be gr8 to have a double set of french doors or sliding doors to carry this area out into the garden area so the kitchen could finish part way, depending on how much addition you have.. The stairs would then be boxed in and first portion of the kitchen would be larder/pantry. With a galley run and island finishing part way into the extension you can have sliding or double doors and perhaps too consider the idea of a flat roof window such as velux or such.. if additional light is needed. : ))

    • minnie101
      7 years ago

      Hi Jen. Do you have a plan with dimensions? I may well be wrong but I think the stairs and possibly the kitchen will need to have some form of fire doors ie you'll need to create a hall (which I'd put the bathroom in) You may want to consider swapping the kitchen/dining and living area as I'm not sure the living area will get much light and you'd then avoid an awkward kitchen layout? Are 4 beds a requirement as it may work better with 3 so you can keep the bathroom where it is and avoid the potential high costs of moving the soil pipe etc. can the front door also be moved to the left side?

    • Jonathan
      7 years ago
      Had you thought about putting the small rooms like the pantry on the side next to the neighbours so that your living area benefits from more windows?
    • bookworm987
      7 years ago

      Just a thought...since you are planning a 4 bedroom house, I assume either you are planning for kids, or to sell the house in future. Either way, I think a four bed with only one living area may not be the best plan. If there are going to be enough people in the house to need four bedrooms, you will want at least one separate living area - be it TV snug, office, playroom, etc.

      Also, I'd plan for the shower room to open into a hallway rather than the living room. How about this?

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Bookworm this is a great idea! can I ask what FF means, sorry!
    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Also Bookworm have you seen a kitchen island this shape anywhere in particular?
    • bookworm987
      7 years ago

      FF is a fridge freezer- thought a freestanding one would work nicely as plenty of floor space. I haven't seen an island like this in actuality, but it featured on a design we had done for a house we almost bought. Had gone sale agreed, went to engineer to design extension, then sale fell through! We then bought a house that I love even more, but I still think fondly of that rounded island! I'd love someone to have it....

    • Jonathan
      7 years ago
      Another idea for inspiration.
    • PRO
      OnePlan
      7 years ago
      Wow you were all busy while I was working yesterday !!!

      Have you checked drain access ? If there's no drain you can tap into on the other side - moving bathrooms over there will be a tricky task !

      Top of stairs need to open in highest point of roofline - probably centre - so you need stairs that finish at the top in the centre of the property so might need to add winders or change to spiral maybe somewhere other than at the side - unless of ours you get planning for a complete dorma on the the side where you intend to put stairs ?!?

      Really, I still think you need to get an architect onboard - as you need to look at the whole project as a whole - upstairs and downstairs - including all the things you can't change with the budget you are working to !
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Nicely drawn bookworm and Jonathan, very nice! I like the idea of less rooms and division. If there is room spatially your plan could be nice, as a consideration re the ratio of beds to loo/bath/shower rooms could indeed increase. With the idea of two more rooms upstairs and another bathroom. Possibly keeping the downstairs as a closet/shower/loo. I also like your walk in utility which would be gr8 as a larder with ff next to it at the start of the galley run..

      Gr8 ideas Jonathan and Bookworm which of course takes in to account what I said about planning the whole project so it's done once, even phased works are planned as a complete job.

      Given the awkward proximity of current bathroom, it's probably inevitable that it would have to move. It's not impossible but if it allows for optimum design spatially then it's worth doing and relocation can be duplicated on the floor above to benefit. :))

    • Jen Lance
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Johnathan that was so nice of you to take time to draw a plan and thank you all for your advice. Luckily for me I have a realitive who is an architect so I will consult them. But speaking of costs I need to keep as low as possible. so I was considering having seperate ppl to big jobs. what would you advice? I already have a quote for the extension. does anyone have any idea on the costs of removing and erecting new walls?
    • justina
      7 years ago
      hi, looking at the plans, your lounge looks rather big. i think easiest way to make it more open plan and light is to move the front door to where your lounge room window is. if you need you can make it into a little hallway area, but dont loose light. then you gain extra space for bathroom.
    • PRO
      Amber Jeavons Ltd
      7 years ago
      last modified: 7 years ago

      Hello Jen,

      Internal walls can be relatively easy and not expensive if partition etc but if structural movements or load bearing walls are required to re locate or remove then they require more specialists as you'll need a structural engineer and you may need permission, planning consent.

      Do speak to your relative that's a boon! They will be able to discuss everything on site with you and who you will need to engage depending on what you decide to do. :))

    Sponsored
    More Discussions
    HB Engineered Wood Floor: V4 or Furlong
    5
    How could be best layout our kitchen/diner/hallway?
    11
    (Side return) extension inspo
    12
    Which layout do you think would look best for our renovation project?
    4
    How to decorate window on landing
    9
    United Kingdom
    Tailor my experience with cookies

    Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.