How would you use the space?

7 years ago

Hi, we're currently planning our downstairs extension. This is the layout we currently like best, but we,re at a bit of a loss as to what to do with the central room that connects our entrance hall with the new extension. Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. Nothing is set in stone at the moment so nothing is out of the question!

Featured Answer

whizzywig

7 years ago

I agree with the previous posts - it would seem the perfect spot for a home office with a space for coats etc and a comfy chair. Otherwise, are you stealing some space from the garage for the utility & WC? That could be a bit of a squeeze how you've laid it out and possibly a lot of traffic through the kitchen/diner.. (And if you're sitting on the patio on a sunny day do you want to be next to the loo?!) Would you consider something like this..? The WC could be accessed either through the utility or the hallway..

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

A S
7 years ago
Hi,

I think the room is large enough to serve a multitude of purposes depending on your living style...Here are a few ideas you could consider

1- A playroom for kids- a playroom off the kitchen is always handy so you can keep an eye on the little ones.

2- You could use it as a study room or home office

3- your current Toilet space for downstairs looks very small...you could use the utility space to create a larger washroom with a walk in shower. The empty space can then be used as a Utility on one end and kitchen larder to store appliances/ bulk buy items on the other.

4- You could just create a wider, larger, open living area and make best use of the space you have.
Daisy England
7 years ago
The lounge looks small in comparison to the kitchen/diner.
Related Discussions
How would you decorate this space?
Q
Comments (13)
At the moment though the White is pristine it looks slightly too clinical. The focus in the room is the fireplace so I would actually see if I could get the house for the fireplace clad either in a marble or slate effect fitting with the neutral scheme. I would have some accent less either in the wall along the stairs or at the top of the riser for a more softer glow. I'd have grey or charcoal sofas again fitting with the natural palate. I can't tell properly but the are at the top of the stairs appears to be a nook or mezzanine - pending space I'd house some bookshelves and a relaxed seating maybe bean bag area for a reading book. If it was a family home you could have pictures of the children on the wall along the stairs. I'd keep the window area clear maybe just neutral blinds at a push because the natural lighting looks lovely. The wooden stair treads could be painted darker if going for slate cladding to match.
...See More
Help using space at top of stairs. What would you do?
Q
Comments (2)
Hi, Using something as simple as a balustrade here would help bring in the maximum light however you would then be left with "dead" space having a light fighting hanging down over this area could help light the space at night and also become a design feature. Sometimes the most obvious solutions end up becoming the most striking. Hope this helps. FMA
...See More
Extension Layout Advice - how would you use our space?!
Q
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 More
How would you use this space?
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Christy, congratulations on your new house! Based on the description you made and considering you are not using the door between the kitchen and the family room, I would like to suggest a few things based on what is more important for you: 1. If you don't want/need a TV, I would place a couch each side of the Lounge, with one or two armchairs in between. This would allow for a more flexible space, as adults could gather near one of the couches, and would provide room for children to play between the two couches, in the middle or near the couch that is not used by the adults. In this case, the family room can become a nice open dinning space with enough space for storage and decorations. 2. If you would like a TV in the space, I would place 2 couches in the family room, one to the left or to the right wall with the TV on the other wall, and one to the wall near the existing living room. Then I would also place a couch to the right wall of the lounge with one armchair nearby. In this case, the play area of the kids would be in front of the sliding doors and you could have some storage on the left wall of the lounge. Please let me know your thoughts or if you have other ideas for the space and feel free to contact me when you consider enlarging the space further. Have a nice evening, Alina
...See More
Jonathan
7 years ago
Since the space is on view you shouldn't make it anything untidy. I would make it into a reception room with glass doors to the garden room and also to the lounge.
Prince Fafa
7 years ago
WAO! your dining room is huge!
fabulous space by the way! please, do something about it!
1)you could remove the wall between the lounge and the reception area ,creating a huge lounge with open or broken planning,
then create two areas ,
-the area immediately opening into the entrance hallway serves as a TV/ family room and the original lounge area forms a formal living/drawing room.
2) alternatively, extend the wall separating the lounge from the proposed area backwards all the way to the rear wall adjacent to the exterior doors, this creates a long narrow room on the left ,this can be a study and drawing room
and another long narrow room on the middle extending from the entrance Hall to the rear wall , this can be the lounge.
this will reduce the size of the vast dining room and create 2 additional rooms for a variety of functions.
The dining room size is ideal if you plan to entertain a lot.
0
Pavan123
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks guys. Really appreciate the ideas. Food for thought!
0
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Loads of potential here - why not make a grander entrance into lounge, where you have written 5m . Have double doors swinging into this space so you don't impede the lounge floor space. If left open this would make the lounge feel larger. Closed it invites you into the lounge and will also allow some secondary daylight through.
The other benefit is it also prevents people bumping into others at the stairs and current lounge entrance door.
tamp75
7 years ago
I would use it at a library / office space. Love the cosiness of this dark walk- through room before it opens up into a light and airy extension.
Trinity Place · More Info
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Double glass doors that should say !

If you haven't got a concept planner on board yet - feel free to give us a call - we love revamping spaces !! There's some examples on our pro page (click on the name icon to get there )
0
Laura Thomas
7 years ago
I'm with Jonathan - it shouldn't be anything untidy as it will be so visible when you enter the house.

I love the library idea, or how about a dark atmospheric dining room, and reduce the dining area in the kitchen/dining/living space to more of a breakfast/supper area.
0
A B
7 years ago
I would reduce the size of your extension (so not go across the lounge) and use more of the internal space instead. I agree with OnePlan a grand hall with double doors would look fab. I'd have a bigger utility or a study/snug at the front, then a nice big square room for the kitchen. I'm guessing this will involve more structural work, but at least you will be fully using the space you have, plus you will reduce your extension cost. Good luck with the project.
Pavan123
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for all your comments. I love the idea of double doors into a office/library space to make a large entrance when open and cosy space when closed. We also will look into some of the ideas about resisting the utility, it it might compromise the light into the kitchen... One step closer though. Thanks guys xx
Charnelle Els
7 years ago
I agree with wizzywig in moving the utility and wc. With wc access from the hallway.

I would then remove the wall between the kitchen and the middle room and put a breakfast bar in. The kitchen would then be against utility and garage walls.

I would then put a long built in cupboard against the lounge wall for storage of all sorts including coats.

Make sure the space works for how you want to live. Good luck.
Charnelle Els
7 years ago
PS - the breakfast bar could also be a lovely island.
0
PRO
BetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
7 years ago
The spac look like a formal entrance hall but it doesn't really function as such because the entrance doors to both the kitchen and the lounge are both at the corner before you move into the space. How about you cancel those doors and instead open large double French doors in the middle of the hallway leading to the lounge, and a large opening leading to the kitchen. You can then place carefully picked furniture on the sides of those doors and turn the hall into a welcoming space. It will also help with the organisation of the kitchen. the current corner door in an obstacle.

Another option is to take down the wall between the hall and lounge and create a much bigger lounge with doors to the kitchen.

Check out what we do, we specialise in house layout design and are always happy to help if you need any further advice.
visit our website: www.betterspace.co

We offer a package that include tailored design, furniture layout recommendations and a professional floor-plan drawing as well as a 3D package which includes a 3D floor-plan and photo-realistic images that will help you visualise your new design.

You can use promo code ‘houzz’ for a further 15% discount!
0
PRO
Nordikka - Bespoke Furniture & Steel Doors
7 years ago
If you need clever hidden storage we can help with our stunning Shaker Style Doors.

Hidden office ?
0
PRO
The Prestige Flooring Co.
7 years ago
It seems the perfect place to have a library and small office space on one side, and maybe a built in boot and coat cupboard on the other, leaving the entrance hall clear and welcoming.
0

How would you use the space?

whizzywig

Comments (17)

A S

Daisy England

Related Discussions

Jonathan

Prince Fafa

Pavan123
Original Author

OnePlan

tamp75

OnePlan

Laura Thomas

A B

Pavan123
Original Author

Charnelle Els

Charnelle Els

BetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts

Nordikka - Bespoke Furniture & Steel Doors

The Prestige Flooring Co.

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

How would you use the space?

Comments (17)

Related Discussions

Pavan123Original Author

Pavan123Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Pavan123
Original Author

Pavan123
Original Author