Help me decide on my internal layout once & for all!!

7 years ago

Hi. We are starting an extension this spring & I'm struggling to decide the internal layout of the kitchen/family/dining room.
I love the big kitchen in plan A (photos below) & think that has the wow factor but the study is very small (would get rid of the wine rack & increase it) & the dining table is quite close the the island.
Plan B (photos in comments) I love the space between the zones & the study is larger so I could House my treadmill in there. LOL.
I had set my mind on Plan A but as everything takes soooooo long to get moving I keep wondering if Plan B would give us more space & suit us better.
Any advice? :)

Featured Answer

PRO

Room by Room (Midlands) Ltd

7 years ago

The March edition of essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom has an article of a real home on pages 48 - 54 that may be of interest to you. They have worked with the same L shaped layout.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (64)

LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks again Liz. Would prefer to have nothing on the island work surface really. Have moved oven to tall cabinets side & tried fitting the hob & sink along the other run but it isn't working. Will think about it more later.
Thank you also Jade.
Liz
7 years ago
Maybe try this:

-hob on back wall (where sink is)
- sink on side wall (where hob is)
- oven on back wall with one of the tall units (larder unit?)
- 2 tall units (assume these are fridge) to side wall (where oven is)

I understand wanting to keep the island clear.

Hope that's helpful
Related Discussions
Need help with ground floor internal layout of kitchen/diner reception
Q
Comments (12)
Thank you for details. In general, location of areas is chosen fine, especially if you want to keep dining and kitchen separately. Although I will have couple of suggestions for you. I would consider more space for your dining/kitchen area. Make it wider and add at least 1m-1,5 m. You have double doors to the garden but you don't leave enough room to walk around table. It can be a nightmare to move chairs if you need to pass, even simply for the reason to open or close windows with curtains or blinds. Looking at lounge areas: two large sofas will look bulky, especially in the area, which you plan to keep neat and clean. It means it should be as functional (when you need it to be) as to be out of your way when you live your life. From here, I will recommend to choose corner sofa for your sitting room and a large footstool. It will allow you to have open look on interior and area will look larger, welcoming and you will have more seats for family hours.If you like armchairs, then have a look at next layout Second area doesn't need large sofa. A set of chairs will look much better and will be more functional. Therefore, you don't need any special dividers between two areas because they will look as two separate complete areas and you will not miss such fact :) If you wonder to place doors or special separation to kitchen + dining area, there are many esthetic options https://alenacdesign.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/room-dividers-and-other-solutions/ I hope it will help you :) Don't hesitate to ask more. Good luck! Alena
...See More
still can't decide... room layout help
Q
Comments (7)
there will be bi-folds across the back with a extending canopy so the idea is that when the weather is nice, we can dine outside on the patio. To be honest, in our last house we had a similar setup with the lounge at the back but we ended up replacing the dining table with another sofa as we mainly used the breakfast bar to eat and dine at. Never once used the table, ha ha. Jonathan - we had considered gas but to get a decent one, they were 3 times the price of the log burner and we prefer the real heat we get from it vs the gas one. Fine as a second option in the lounge though if we did put it at the back. We would still want the wood-burner in the chimney though. isn't it hard to decide! ha ha. No obvious choice between the two except my husband thinks having a dining area a waste of space - hence why I was happy to move it to a smaller area.
...See More
Please help me decide on my lounge / diner / kitchen layout
Q
Comments (15)
Thank-you very much for the comments. I hope it will be a great space, but playing around with it and changing the design at the last minute is getting a bit stressful! This is the design that the build company showed us initially - just their initial thought as it how it would look. I found feeling the area where they had positioned the fridge/freezer very tricky. We want a free-standing french larder style fridge and the doors and level of matching with the rest of the units didn't seem like a good fit. The support pillar for the steel that crosses the island in the attachment below has also been a real annoyance. It sticks out 23cm, so it can only really go through empty-ish cupboards. Clearly anything to the left of that steel is difficult to vent. On the design in my intitial post, I was intending to have a dropped ceiling element that stretched just beyond the steel. This would let me have a powerful extractor and exit the flew onto the flat room (hidden by the drop ceiling 'box'). I like the idea you describe of a full wall of units, then island, then table. I guess Jonathan's proposal is similar to that. While I love the efficiency of the "4 double door" hideaway I just don't like the aesthetic, so will need to think about something else. Bringing it back to what we need... Utility room: enough to stash the washing machine, store the vacuum cleaner and hang a few clothes. No need for a sink. Free Standing, 90cm wide fridge, nicely framed either by wall of kitchen units. Waist height oven with an additional "top oven / grill (broiler)" - so at least one full height column. Good size kitchen island with at least two seats. Approx 90cm induction hob, plus a gas domino hob. Powerful, externally venting extractor over hob. I'm relatively open to moving the kitchen/living area to wherever it works best. I'm also not desperate to have the hob on the island (but that would be nice). As far as I know, the builders haven't done anything that can't be easily adjusted at this stage - but I think that will change in a couple of days - and they are planning for the kitchen to be in the old part of the house. As for rooflights - I thought, perhaps wrongly, that it would be light enough with the big bifold doors. It is an east facing room, and the old room had some sliding paitio doors and it felt bright enough. So I have left roof lights out on the basis that - but I'm also concerned about noise. (Cheaper too!). The biggest window we can gave without incurring significantly more cost is 1800mm x 1000mm - I'm minded to be 2 or 3 of these in that middle section. Thanks!
...See More
New property design extension and internal layout
Q
Comments (7)
Agree with Tamp about the sloping roof/round window being more aesthetically pleasing than the mock up. Also re: the render. I think it's a lovely looking house and it will make it very generic. I'd so keep the windows white as well to retain its period charm. By saving money here (I'd imagine realigning the roof would cos a fortune) I would knock down the sunroom and take down the dividing walls to the rooms across the back of the house, then having a lovely open plan kitchen, dining, lounging area open to the garden with bifolds or similar. I think I'd even knock the wall down from the hall so as you enter so you can see right through to the back of the house. You'd still have a separate lounge at the front and space, I'm sure, for a separate utility. Rather than a porch (or maybe as well as?) I'd consider converting the garage for a playroom/office or similar because it looks rather small for a modern car. Sorry I'm no good at mocking up plans and don't know whether all that structural internal work is a lottery winning budget but I'd def spend my money downstairs initially as its where you spend most of your waking hours. Good luck, fabulous potential.
...See More
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
The main difference I see is if you have 8 guests to dinner in plan A they can all sit and hold a conversation on the two large sofas either side of fireplace before or after dinner ... in plan B they have nowhere to all sit ?
( I'm assuming the main lounge would have teenagers in at some point when you have guests round ? )

So if you go for B you will need to make some tweaks to get it working a little better.

If you have the table in A so it's an extendable one - usually set for 6 not 8 that will maybe give you the extra space you crave ? And your treadmill could go in the playroom so you could combine exercise and chatting to kids and also encourage them to workout too ( plus you can watch tv while you workout !)
minnie101
7 years ago
Hi LTS. Plan A has the wow for me... The whole of the back of the house is open and you have a proper seating area with the fire creating a focal point, the bar stools are facing the garden (and tv) etc. I also love the study door :) I agree with One Plan that you could use an extending table.
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
I prefer plan A too - but can see plan B could work with some tweaks !
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
On plan B, do you have to walk through the utility to get to the study ?!? Would the noise from the laundry not be off putting in the study ?!
septimus1
7 years ago
Some good ideas coming through but be very cautious. Make certain that you think about what it is you are trying to achieve and whether it actually dovetails with the way you and your family live in the various spaces. Decide whether you really want all that space in the kitchen dining area or is there an element of wanting to impress guests first rather than providing for yours and your own family's comfort as the priority objective (they will be using the spaces far more of the time than guests after all). Take a good look at how the overall floor area is divided up on the plans and ask yourselves is there enough in each to carry out all the activities you intend to carry out in those areas and if not make an adjustment. Only when you have completed this exercise should you start thinking about where to locate door openings, window openings furniture etc etc. Do not put the cart before the horse as they say otherwise the day will almost certainly arrive a year or so down the road when you will ask yourself - now why didn't I think of that? Good luck!

Septimus
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi everyone thanks so much for taking time to comment.
I incorporated your suggestions Liz & think it looks good. Would have preferred the larders near the fridge but am
open to compromise! Only problem is my husband is against knocking out the chimney as we will have a steel beam attached to it to support the roof. I understand his concerns but feel the kitchen is too small if we put cabinets infront of the chimney.
Ahh yes, there is a door into the study next to the seating area (think I posted a plan). My husband is used to hearing laundry as his desk is currently situated outside the utility in the conservatory. Plus, on the rare occasions he works from home(!) we can avoid doing laundry during the day.
I am craving space as there are 5 of us & 2 of children are boys & they love to build their Hornby and wooden train sets & scalextrics. I feel mean if I confine them to the playroom all of the time!
Anyway, thanks so much again I really appreciate your input! :)
Jonathan
7 years ago
In my opinion plan B is the better plan but with tweeks-
I would turn the island 90degrees so that the stools back onto the utility room and they have some view of the garden.
If you turned the dining table 90degrees you would have more room for the sitting area.
Lastly you have said that Hubby only sometimes works from home..... It seems like the study has a prime location with a garden view and the kitchen not so much- have you considered swapping them?
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi jonathan. I did try turning the island but, if we do not knock out the chimney, there isn't enough room as it would encroach into the dining space. Because the extension is 200mm in from the boundary the kitchen units can not be run down the right wall unless we make the base units in the kitchen deeper but then I would struggle to reach the wall cupboards if we have any there.
I also did try putting in a U shaped kitchen with peninsular in the extension but it wouldn't leave much room for a sofa near the internal study.
Thanks for your input it is much appreciated.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Wrong photo! This one:
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
I find that stretch of black work surface really dominating. I'd soften it and dress the room up with beautiful things.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Joanna thank you for your post. I have yet to choose colours for the cabinets (that may be another post, LOL) & if we have the wood on the island it won't be dark or I may just extend the quartz for the seating area. Lots of decisions to make....I keep adding to my file when I see something I like. Have a great day :)
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
Oh, yes. That file. I have one too - it never stops growing, even after you've done all you want to do. Good luck with it all. It's daunting and incredibly intrusive - but wonderful when it's over.
Jonathan
7 years ago
I think that the plan with the kitchen in the top left hand corner works but I would lay it out differently. I would move the utility room door so that I would have an uninterrupted L shape of units, an island and doors to the garden ( instead if the sink under the window).
Next I notice that you have a huge dining area- it is in fact bigger than your main lounge. I would play with furniture placement to suit your desire to have either the dining or sitting area near the garden windows but I am confident you can fit both in
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
I think the best idea is to tell my husband he can't have a study! ;) To be fair he would be happy with just a study area & would just have to go upstairs & use a desk in one of the kids' bedrooms for conference/video calls. At the moment his desk is based in the conservatory (that we are knocking down) & he can close the French doors for privacy but does tend to go upstairs for video calls anyway when the kids are home. He only works from home 2-3 days per month!
Thanks again everyone, really appreciate your insight :)
septimus1
7 years ago
"I think the best idea is to tell my husband he can't have a study! ;) To be fair he would be happy with just a study area & would just have to go upstairs & use a desk in one of the kids' bedrooms for conference/video calls."

LTS - You CAN NOT be SERIOUS!!!

Throw the kids out and give him the playroom!

Septimus
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
LOL Septimus...am just kidding!! :)
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
Adding to my earlier comment, having looked properly at the plans, in my experience people gravitate towards sitting with a view into the garden. I live in a 1927s house which was built with its (very large) dining room at the back and the kitchen off it; both look into the back garden. The room at the front was meant to be the sitting room; it overlooks the front garden and beyond it the road. Almost everyone has knocked through so the kitchen and dining room are one big room; without exception, they have then moved it round and adding sofas and chairs that overlook the garden. The front sitting room has become redundant. So, rather than put your dining room table in front of those fabulous folding doors, I would plan to put sofas and chairs there. It's what I've observed with others' houses. It's not what I've done as I like separate rooms (I don't have kids so the reason for knocking through didn't apply to me). I use the back room, the dining room, as my sitting room and enjoy looking out onto the garden. The fact that the kitchen and dining room are a room apart doesn't bother me (though I know others would be bothered by it). But as you are opening up the whole area yours won't be separated. Just do plan for some sort of relaxed seating overlooking the garden.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi guys. Me again!
Jonathan I have changed the kitchen to a L shape with island but am unsure about having the back of the house completely open with bifolds. I would have to get integrated blinds on the doors as I am not a sun fan & the room is W facing.
Have incorporated a study area, which isn't ideal if my husband is on the phone when the kids are home & being situated bang outside the playroom. Anyway, here are some pics....
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
...
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Wow thank you Room by Room that is so kind of you to let me know. I will definitely have a nosey......
PRO
LWS&I Windows and Doors
7 years ago
I would propose this option
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Leinster. U fortunately it would be too costly to move the utility door to the side because there is a lot of pipework behind it. The other door shouldn't have been there & I deleted it.
There isn't enough headroom under the stairs for the WC.
Many thanks for your insight, it's great to have a fresh pair of eyes to look over the plans :)
septimus1
7 years ago
Hello LTS

What software are you using to produce these 3D sketches?

Septimus
Slimgimli
7 years ago
Looks like Tapglance to me! I'm trying to do my kitchen on it but am hopeless! If only I had the skills of LTS lol
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi septimus1 it is TapGlance on the iPad.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
LOL Slimgimli. Keep going, it gets easier!
septimus1
7 years ago
Hi LTS,

Chuck it out and let's start again. The plans you are showing are not really very clear and I suspect things are looking out of scale. Your kitchen units are supposed to be 600mm deep on the plans but so are the sofas - which is giving a wrong impression of spaces in the rooms. (measure your actual sofa at home and if it is only 600mm deep you are the original seven dwarfs family and I take it all back.)

If you have the internal dimensions of the ground floor plan send me a copy and I would be happy to redraw (am a retired architect with time on my hands!) Septimus
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Septimus you are quite correct!
The first plan (not my creation) wig the L kitchen has the sofas at 900mm deep whereas the other plans (my creations) are 650mm deep, which is the default for that sofa design on TapGlance & I failed to spot it. I have measured the sofa we currently have in the conservatory & it is 980mm deep but we will not be keeping that & purchasing new.
That is so very kind of you to offer to have a look at this for me - do you have an email address please? Thank so much.
septimus1
7 years ago
LTS

jonesseptimus@gmail.com

Look forward to hearing from you.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Lots & lots of great ideas thank you everybody. Really appreciate it. If anybody else fancies having a look at this, here is the plan with the dimensions on. Husband has said a separate study is not vital as he would be happy with a study area. The utility door can not be moved. We want space. Lots of space! LOL
PRO
Woodfloors4u
7 years ago
We like the layout of plan A, LTS. It seems to have a more open feel to the space available.

Also looking at the designs, you have parquet flooring as a visual image on the floor.
Is this something you were looking to do because, as you can guess we accommodate for flooring.

We import both, solid block parquet and engineered herringbone.
When you're free please have a look at our website to get some ideas and even some free sample.

Parquet / Herringbone

We hope it all goes well for you, and if you have any queries regarding the floor don't hesitate to get in touch.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you WoodFloors4u yes I love parquet. I will have a look at your website & be in touch if I have any questions.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi guys. The builder is ready to proceed so we have to make a decision. Eek! Therefore, just bumping this in case anyone has anything to add. Thanks soooooo much :)
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Oh & now it's between Plan A (above) & Plan C (below) as Plan B would involve removing the chimney, which would mean additional work/expense in the front living room. Sooooo Plan A or Plan C? Or another?
Daisy England
7 years ago
Does the worktop run alongside the tall larder units?
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi Daisy yes it does. The mock up in that corner isn't what we'd have it was just an easy option to show on the plan. There would be a blind bit between the tall units and the corner base cupboard and there would be a corner wall unit. Once I've decided on zones I will get the kitchen layout finalised.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Or could have the option to gave it like this in that corner if t doesn't make the kitchen feel too small...
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Plan A is still my favourite - the dining table is lined up with the big doors - if you moved the table over to the left a bit - it won't line up anymore - but will give you a bit more room between table and island - and all those dinners will have space in a softer seat at the end of the night !
Or get an extendable table that's usually set for 6 not 8-10 ?

I Agree to make study a bit bigger by taking off the wine rack !
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi OnePlan hope you're well! I think the table needs to be centred to the doors. In our current dining room we have a sideboard just under a meter behind the dining table and I find it a pain getting past to go to the utility. At least in the Plan A that wouldn't be a problem though. The table we have is extendable so can be 132 x 92, 165 x 92 or 198 x 92. If we had just one leaf in 165 x 92 do you think it looks odd against the big island? 132 x 92 looks ridiculous. LOL.
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
I'm not in the office right now - doing the same journey I was last last time we spoke !! Otherwise I'd try it for you ! Sorry ! I dont have my ipad with me !
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Ah pics have just come though !! Hummmmm Mock it up in real life with boxes or other furniture etc !!!
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Turn table 90degrees in drawing ?! Might give you a bit more room ?
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you! I tried turning the table but you get the same problem with the chair in the way on route to the utility!
Have a fab time....am at the theatre with my eldest :)
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Table turns 90 degrees. First pic 198 x 92. Second pic 165 x 92.
LTS
Original Author
7 years ago
Unfortunately there is only enough room to have two chairs between the table legs as only the table top extends. I think the table parallel to the bifold windows is the better configuration.
mml235
2 years ago
What was your final decision?
LTS
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi mml235 we went with plan A & it’s been fantastic for us.