Tricky layout in Victorian semi - Advice appreciated!
caroline_mm
7 years ago
Hi all,
I am new to Houzz & could really use some advice on our property, a semi detached Victorian 3 bed house. This is my first home and was a heart not head decision as I've always wanted a period property and am not developing it for resale. Having said that, being our first home, the budget is quite limited!
The key issues are:
- Bathroom to be moved upstairs
- End bedroom is only accessible through another room
- Want to retain 3 bedrooms (loft conversion is an option, but expensive)
Considerations:
- Windows & light are along one wall & front only (attached property to the right)
- The fireplaces are diagonally placed in four of the rooms
- The current bathroom looks like an extension to the original property
- Garden space is a little limited
I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for how to alter our house to make it more suitable to modern living, encompassing the above in a cost effective way. I am also interested to hear any ideas that I haven't considered for what other people would do to the property in general?
Many thanks in advance for any help!
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Comments (11)
caroline_mm
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Help! Looking for advice on a furniture layout in a tricky living room
Comments (12)Depending on how many people watch tv, I'd try the same As Carolina's 2nd suggestion but with one chair where the tv is angled towards the sofa (but not pushed right against the wall) with the tv in the other alcove. I do agree with Emily though! Seating arrangements are important for a cosy/homely feel but so are various other elements so why not post pictures so people can make suggestions? If you've got the space I'd also add a slim console behind the sofa as it will give the feeling of separation from the hall. You can pick up ones that are 25cm deep so could always move the sofa forward a fraction. If you don't want to add pics then think lighting, art, plants, colour, a range of different textures, books, diffuser or scented candle plus a rug to zone the seating area and perhaps some things that have meaning to you. Do you also have anything in the dining area other than a table? I have an obsession with cocktail trollies (and it's costing us a fortune with a g&t or 2 after work for my husband! ) but they're great for when socialising and needn't just contain alcoholic drinks if you don't drink!...See MoreVictorian Semi - Kitchen Renovation Help & Advice Needed!
Comments (15)Re the lounge area don’t forget it will not have any natural light once doors are closed, it looks quite dark already although that may just be the photo. Definitely consider some roof lights in the roof section that is replacing the conservatory as that will bring more light into the dining area and the lounge through whatever opening you choose. Maybe use glass doors between lounge and diner?...See MoreRemodelling semi detached Victorian house
Comments (2)I think you should plan for the ideal layout for you and then do the work in stages as your budget allows. If it were me I would want to increase the upstairs space to add value. I offer only what would work for me- but if I had this end plan I would start by putting in the downstairs wc and drains in this part of the house. I would next fit a new kitchen. My next job would be the upstairs extension. I would finish with an extension to the side of the kitchen to give more room for a utility room and dining table. All of this assumes it is cost effective to do it in stages (if you don’t have easy assess to the rear for builders it may not suit you to build twice). It assumes this is possible, meets planning and it assumes when you research your local housing market you get a return on your investment.) What ever you decide best of luck....See More1930s semi-detached single storey extension layout advice please
Comments (14)Hello and thanks for your prompt reply. The drawings provided show that the support beams are 203mm depth and therefore they will be too big to sit inside the ceiling void. As the weight per linear m is 23Kg as detailed on the drawings it may be worth asking the engineer to reduce the depth and and increase the weight so the beam can be inserted into the ceiling void. I note that there is also a couple of posts in the stud wall and these could be upgraded if necessary. I do not make these suggestions lightly. The main benefit of inserting the beam inside the ceiling is the removal of the shadow cast on the ceiling. The return nibs on either end could be cut back and if needed posts could be fixed direct to the brickwork to provide vertical support. There may need to be a spreader plate welded to the bottom of the post in order to mitigate the point load on the foundation. Obviously this is more of a structural design issue. Is there a good reason for not centring the bifold doors to the external wall? You have so much height on the flat roof why not put a warm deck roof on instead of a cold deck with in cross ventilation? Can I also suggest a warm pitched roof too. You may find Web Dynamics TLX Goldto be a very useful form of insulation as you will only need about 75mm of PIR insulation in between the rafters. I've never been fortunate enough to meet a building control officer willing to accept a heavy duty Catnic lintel over a 4M bifold door. I thought the under stairs might be the position of the meters. I would consider relocating these to an outside wall. Then turn the WC through 90 degrees and design it under the stairs. If I was planning a kitchen diner extension with a beautiful bi-fold door looking out into the rear garden would try and create a direct flow from front of house to the back. I would move the utility room into the middle of the house to provide a direct line of sight from the front door to the rear garden. GD3 would provide access into the utility room. I'd consider moving the door along the living room wall so it could open into the hallway. This would allow a 950mm wide fully glazed door to be placed between the hallway and the kitchen diner. With regard to the position of the new extension wall which is adjacent to your adjoining neighbour I suggest that you look up the party wall act 1996 booklet online here - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523010/Party_Wall_etc__Act_1996_-_Explanatory_Booklet.pdf The part that is of interest is "Line of junction - building astride the boundary". If you build across the boundary you should gain at least 150mm of additional internal floor space along the length of the outside wall. Also if in the future your neighbour decides to build an extension they can utilise your wall for if they pay half of the cost of its construction. I'm sure you know that you are responsible for paying all of the costs from all sides relating to the party wall agreement. If the neighbour on the other side is within 3/6m then you will need an agreement with them as well. The architects drawing indicates that the drain is not adopted or shared and therefore you will not require a build over agreement with the water authority. Best wishes Andrew...See More
K Fitz
7 years agoSorry for the very crude sketch but here's my suggestions
1. Knock bathroom extension and replace with 2 story extension squared off with kitchen block or better again if suitable from outside extend kitchen and replacement extension footprint to width of house.
2. Change rise of stairs to opposite side, this benefits upstairs so that the landing can instead become part of a bedroom. Existing staircase could probably be refuges.
3. Put main/family bath where fireplace is as it would prob be easier to work the difficult shape for a bathroom than a bedroom.
3. The new extension upstairs can then become the master bed with space to incorporate ensuite and/walk in wardrobe etc.
4. Put utility space in downstairs hall making use of under stairs as well if possible. WC could possibly also go there.
5. Dining room/kitchen could become open or broken plan with sliding doors connecting. WC could be on opposite wall with garden entice though small boot room as per second photo.
K Fitz
7 years agocaroline_mm
7 years agoA B
7 years agocaroline_mm
7 years ago
Jonathan