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Cottage layout dilemma (Photos and videos)

6 years ago

Hi all

Ive just bought a place thats a complete renovation job. It needs new flooring, bathroom, kitchen (likely roof) etc...

It used to be 2 cottages which have been converted into 1 and a staircase run up through the center. Heres the current floorplan: http://79.170.44.76/progress-dev.com/floor-plan.jpg

The existing bathroom is too small (2m x 2m), and the ensuite is positioned oddly where the toilet is directly in front of a big window by the road. The road is raised so this window is almost ground level. (no privacy!)

Im looking for ideas on how to improve on this plan.

Ensuite:
I would like 1 ensuite, but not in the room where it currently is (or atleast not in the front window!). I could remove that ensuite and knock down the wall and the light from the big window would flood the stairwell which would look great. But Id have to find somewhere to fit an ensuite in one of the other rooms.

Bathroom:
This is too small. Where the bathroom currently is I could make that as an ensuite to bedroom 3, but then Id have to find somewhere to fit a bathroom (maybe divide Bedroom 1?)

Ground floor lounges:
What do people usually do with 2 cottages thats been made to 1? They dont have 2 lounges do they? Maybe a lounge and a snug?

Ground floor kitchen/dining room:
I think I would put a utility room (with downstairs toilet) on the left of the kitchen. Then have an open plan kitchen/dining room.

Because the house is on a busy road, I would probably have the side entrance (porch) as the main entrance. Does that make sense? You would walk into the dining room. At the moment you walk through the front and faced with stairs with lounges either side. Maybe its best to keep it as is?

To give you an idea of what Im working with, here are some videos. They are taken in sequence walking in from side porch: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ynbkfpgp5yq5vku/AACEu38gU2F77ny6vQZhfjQja?dl=0

Any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated! :)

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Comments (4)

A B
6 years ago
I like your plans. Do you need 4 bedrooms? Just thought bedroom 3 could be split into a more private en suite and good sized bathroom, then you could enlarge bed 2 and 4.
J Tufty
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes, I did think of sacrificing a bedroom - and that would solve the problem - but I think it would also devalue the property. 4 bed homes are very hard to come by around my area.
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PRO
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I think you can do a few things upstairs. You could keep things simple like this:-
Or if you wanted to change the main bedroom to the rear of the house - two ways - the simple way:-

Or - probably what i'd look in to, and, that would be to make the top left bedroom larger and give it a good En-Suite. Change the Main bathroom and alter the bedroom bottom right.
All good sized rooms with a good main bathroom and En-Suite.

Downstairs - not too much amending. I'd prefer the lounge at the rear, but that's not so easily achievable - Maybe go for a good long kitchen / dining / breakfast room. The a separate lounge and maybe a snug/ study
Of if you fancy some more structural work?
J Tufty
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks - theres some good ideas there! I dont really want to sacrifice a bedroom, but I may have no choice! :)

The big kitchen/living/dining room is interesting. I certainly think we'll have those opening doors at the back.

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