skip to main content

Remodel / extend design advice needed!

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi, I just wanted to see if anyone has any advice or ideas about the potential remodelling or extension of our house? Now we have 2 young kids, the layout just isn't working for us anymore. I would like to have a more open plan kitchen / dining / family space, with a separate sitting room. A small office space is also needed as my husband does some work from home. The garage is currently kitted out as a gym, but I might be able to talk my hubby into losing a bit of gym space for another purpose, maybe office...? This would be last resort though.

I've attached a few pics - one of the current layout, one of a potential remodel of the ground floor without extending, and one design for a potential extension. We've pretty much ruled out the remodel option as it doesn't give us the two living areas that we need. My husband would prefer to extend across the width of the house, is this a good/bad idea? Would it make it too dark at the far end of the living area? (NB. There is no room to extend to the sides of the house, only the back.)

I would appreciate any thoughts, comments, or new ideas...! Thanks in advance!

Current layout:

Remodel:

Extension:

Comments (4)

PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
We work with a lot of clients who've been in a similar position to you and have built out a cross the whole of the rear of the property ... You can, if you aren't adding above too, add in glass roof lights or velux or long glass strips to keep as much natural daylight into the mid part of the property too - if you husband has the garage set up as a gym it's probably just as is easy to keep it like that - trying to incorporate an office in there too won't work as gym needs to be cool, as body working hard - and office needs to be warmer as you are sedentary !

Looks like you have already sought professional help - so I'd suggest you go back to them and ask for a full extension idea too ! Might be just what you are looking for !

Good luck with it all ! :-)
Shell M thanked OnePlan
Jonathan
7 years ago
I agree with hubby that you need to think bigger as well as adding more rooms.
Shell M thanked Jonathan
Related Discussions
Wanting to extend above single garage - help and advice
Q
Comments (9)
The answer simply is probably 'Yes', you could put a door there, however, it makes the bedroom smaller, and it's small already. I believe you'd need to move the wall to put in decent, wider access to the extension. So, two scenario's and as Gina says....................you need a professional on the case. This is what you envisaged.................but I think bed 4 will be too small rough guess 8'10 x 6'8" - a single room...........not awful, and definitely useable. However, I believe it may be possible to put a bathroom at the top, after all, the kitchen is at the back of the house, therefore, i'm guessing there may be drain access. In which case, it's feasable that something more like this may be possible. All depends what you need bedroom wise really. After all, if you only need a small 4th then the top plan is great, as you get three other larger rooms. With the bottom plan, you get 2 large rooms, 1 medium and a better 4th. So, up to you really. I think i'd probably sacrifice bedroom 3 in size and go for plan 1................but it's nice to have options.
...See More
First Kitchen remodel - advice please?
Q
Comments (2)
As you've chosen Dulux Rock Salt for your walls, I would be inclined to have their satinwood paint mixed in the same colour for your wall units in stead of an off white. An off white is likely to clash with your tiles and worktop. Whereas, if you have your wall units the same colour as your walls, they will tie in and give a more polished, seamless look. If you want you could go for a darker grey on the bottom. Pain the units in Satinwood as it's a longer lasting paint. If you like the Wilko paint colour, get a tester pot and get it mixed and colour matched at Dulux, it will be the right paint then. A dark pewter grey will go with your tiles, worktop and wall units. The ceilings should be matt white. I hope you're taking the opportunity to have a little shift about of the units, the great big Chimney is far too large for the room and needs to come out along with the shelf running round the top. Here you see if you use the light colour on top to match the walls, with the dark on the bottom everything looks light and airy. Good luck.
...See More
advice on how to best use the existing extension instead of extending
Q
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 More
Advice please on best way to extend our kitchen?
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Aimee, Happy New Year! Could I ask where the property is located? As we are based in South London and if you are in our area of operation we could offer a free consultation and advise what would be the best way to extend your existing home. We specialize in the design and build of all home extensions. If you would like to view some of our work you can head to https://www.aptrenovation.co.uk/our-projects/ or call us on 0207 223 6417.
...See More
A B
7 years ago
I think Jonathan's idea is a great use of space. The only thing I would do differently is keep the gym in the garage and keep it as a small garage/store for future use or if you want to sell. I'd therefore have the office in the front room.
Shell M thanked A B
PRO
The Nook home-office pod
7 years ago
Hi Shell, sounds like a lovely project, hope its going well. On the subject of the home office space, you could consider something flexible and dynamic like a nook pod which is a portable home office which can be easily moved and can act as a dining or relaxing space also.

Sign Up to Comment

Sponsored

More Discussions

complementary white F&B Hague Blue

8

paint colour for max curb appeal

10

Changing the layout of my house...

13

what goes with red and black quarry tile flooring

10

How could be best layout our kitchen/diner/hallway?

3

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’.