help: our house needs a new layout
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6 years ago Related Discussions
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Comments (8)Thank you both @rinked @minnie101 for your comments and feedback. I think flipping the kitchen to the other side of the rear extension looks like it could work, but I think we'll lose some essential kitchen storage space. I like the way you've increased the depth of the utility space, it makes the area look a lot more fuller. If we were to go back to the drawing board and start completely from scratch, how differently would you lay out the spaces??...See More- PRO
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6 years ago User
6 years agoJonathan
6 years agoUser
6 years agoJonathan
6 years agoOne possible option enclosed.
You might recruit a designer or a concept planner to help you look at various options.
If you can’t get permission to extend over the upstairs terrace you might be able to have an outside office- in the UK this is often permitted where an extension is not.
Jonathan
6 years agoAlternative upstairs arrangement if for any reason you don’t extend over the terrace.
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6 years agoWe already contacted an architect. thats how we know we cant extend on more ground. thats why i wanted to extend upstairs.
is it easily possible to swap the position of bathrooms? another obsticle is the fireplace infront of the lower bathroom. we really would like to keep that.
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6 years agoI think Jonathan's plans offer up the best layout. If needs be, move the fireplace, because if it's between that and the space that you need, the fireplace needs to go.
You want a lot of space out of an oddly arranged house. Therefore, it does need to be completely re-arranged.
Amending the roof space is likely to take up pretty much the whole budget, therefore, you need to be flexible with the layout downstairs.
I believe Jonthan's plans give you what you need extremely well, and sometimes you just can't have everything you want.
As you see, it would in theory be possible to take Jonathan's plan and keep the stove, but, it's really in the way and nowhere where it's of any use. So move it, or just live without it'
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6 years agoJonathan
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6 years agoI would probably remove the bathroom downstairs and make it a dining room. You need an architect on board to find out how best to amend the roof space. Until you know just how much square footage you can get out of it, you can't really drawer up a proper plan. If you use all the money for pretty much the roof then you should have enough, after all, taking out a bathroom and making it in to a dining room shouldn't cost the earth. It also depends on what you can do for yourselves.
I'd head for something like this and see where you can get to:-
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6 years agoJonathan
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6 years agoI hear what you're saying Verena........................this is why it's so important to not rush to do one bit before you've thought about the whole thing. I agree with Jonathan re costs..................ok, don't touch the bathroom downstairs..........shame, but there you go.
With regards upstairs which is really important, that's where the budget needs to go. You may be able to cut down on one bathroom and still get the four rooms upstairs.
Keep the bathroom and kitchen where they are. Get rid of the fireplace as it's not in a great position for anything. Maybe it can be moved to an outside wall at a later date.
I think the Architect is way off costs on extending over the terrace being £30k, that's nuts in my opinion. However, you will need to do some of the work yourselves otherwise, the budget will be eaten up very quickly.
I don't think it's possible to get what you want exactly with that budget and then not moving the kitchen or bathroom, makes it even harder.............but how about these two plans.
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J
6 years agoUser
6 years ago@J: The second photo shows the "balcony". This is how it looks. But it doesnt have a door anymore due to storm :-/
J
6 years agoUser
6 years agoJ
6 years agoSounds like your balcony is wasted as it is currently. When you had the architect around, did you discuss the attic space? Just thinking if you could put in a staircase that didn't eat up too much space on the bedroom floor it would be possibly cheaper way to go.
Lots of ways to spend your money on a house... it can really suck it up. So I guess it's what's the best for your family.
I agree to open up the square room on the ground floor with the rest of the house would be worth the money.
Heres my idea for a plan. Sorry it's a dodgy hand drawn one. Hope it makes sense.
I know you've spent alot on the kitchen and bathroom. But maybe you can do these changes in stages. Or can you reuse the kitchen cabinets and redo the countertop? should be much cost there.
In this plan, you get a family bathroom upstairs, your extra room from the balcony and a ensuite for the parents room.
if you can't do all that with your budget. I'd leave the existing bathrooms and kitchen alone and just put the hallway into the new room and close off the space which was your planned room. And move yourself into the existing baby's room as it's the largest room. And babes don't need alot of space. They only want to be with you all the time anyways :)
Downstairs you get a space WC and laundry.and hopefully pantry space also.from the existing bathroom. I know you've spent money here, but you can keep the WC and the water is all here for your kitchen. Then you'd have a nice big open kitchen and family area. And the existing kitchen becomes another quieter lounge room.
Just my thoughts, lots of decisions!
Good luck with it all!
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6 years agoJonathan
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6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago User
6 years agoUser
6 years agoinspired by you all, Ithink I found my dream plan for the ground floor. Ihopeyou canread it...
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6 years ago User
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6 years ago User
6 years agoUser
6 years agofor upstairs it could look like this then, plus parents in the attic
for downstairs im not so good at visualizing. we need a kitchen, a dining area, a livingroom, a small bathroom, space for coats shoes and stuff and maybe a utility room if it fits. my husband doesnt want to miss his fireplace.
@ jonathan: can you maybe visualize my drawing from earlier?
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