In both the plans it assumes the garage is newly built so we can play with the size as we need to some extent. At 4m wide it’s wider than a standard single at least so I was thinking 5 x 4 would satisfy a lot of peoples desire for a ‘garage space’ - although you won’t get a car in granted. I think in my original post we were going to build around the existing 6m garage. That is still likely to be the case initially. We need the upstairs more urgently and realistically only have budget for that short term. That will be supported over the existing garage on ‘stilts’ - so the Garage foundation won’t be carrying extra load. However we want to design and plan the ‘end state’ so we only have to do one round of planning and also so that any supporting posts are designed into the downstairs layout already. Hence we are designing it all now. This is clearly not ideal in building terms but that’s where we’re at budget wise - bedrooms are the priority. We can also find out how short our budget is for the full scheme. In truth you are correct we will never use the garage for a car - it will be utility, storage and maybe even a bit of gym equipment. However I think the house looks better balanced by having garage doors. We did something similar in our old house and had part glazed wooden doors on what ended up being a utility room. The doors let in light and also make it easy to get larger objects in/out. We’d would likely add tiled flooring and a heat source too so it’s kind of a room with garage doors. Hopefully that combo would satisfy most people who would use a garage similarly. A car port could be an option - although we’d lose the front garden which is a nice feature and adds curb appeal. We’ll certainly canvass a few agents for their thoughts before we make the final choice. Thanks again.

Depending on light/views plumbing etc... but I would want to do something like this. Keep the stairs at the front as it's so much more practical. Knock through and have a large kitchen diner at the back (remove stairs). Have the master with en suite at the back without staircase, then move the bedrooms plus make a bathroom upstairs too. I'd add a small utility and WC somewhere in the kitchen diner space too! Sounds like it's going to be a very tricky but amazing space if you get it right :) Is it a barn conversion? It would definitely be worth working with a good architect or designer/concept planner at an early stage to make sure you do! Good luck

Hey Richard, Sounds like we do indeed. Happy to share and we might able able to swap useful notes! I've just had a quick google on how to send a message in Houzz as I hadn't got a clue! "Click on the profile, there should be a message tab on the top right of their page. If there isn't one, they have set their profile to not receive messages. In which case they need to go to their settings, click on advanced settings and check the boxes for people they are willing to receive messages from. " I've done this for you but I think you don't have messages enabled. I've just tweeked mine but I think you may need to tweak yours then we can swap contact details! To send a message to another member of Houzz: Click your icon or go to 'Your Houzz' at uppper right. Click 'Edit Profile' Click 'Advanced Settings' on the left bar Scroll almost to the bottom to 'someone messages me' Click 'everytime' When you receive a message Houzz will will send you an email saying you have received a message. Go to 'Your Houzz' The link will be within the email Click 'Messages' and you can read and reply all within Houz. Both sender and recipient have to enable messaging for this to work.

Had another little play around based on your new measurements and forgoing a separate living room. You have such a big kitchen/dining it would be more manageable with some zoning to keep it from feeling like a warehouse! In the hallway, sideboard with shoe storage, space for bench, coat hooks and full mirror maybe. Snug/Tv room / study in place of the small living room. Soft seating in the kitchen/diner instead. You could replace the top left desk in the snug/study for a built in cupboard / wardrobe for winter coats, boots, outdoor wear. Make it the same depth as the chimney breast so it blends in well. Under stairs storage. Utility room is bigger, so you can actually hang dry clothes in there, with hanging rack or those ceiling mounted racks, so long as you get a powerful extractor fan 150mm minimum! None of those 100mm weedy ones :) The weird blob in the kitchen is an indoor plant :-D