Small first home, ideas for increasing space on a budget.

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

So, after the sale falling through on the first house I offered on due to serious issues on the survey. I am now proceeding on a lovely little house with a massive garden. But the house is small and has a downstairs bathroom And a tiny kitchen! But the location and garden are a deal maker, plus it's a pretty house.

i am after some ideas for increasing the space on a budget, I don't have 80k to spend on a two story extension, but I do have family (my dad ) who could help me build a DIY one story extension And maybe go into the loft space for a bedroom.

My ideas so far - is to move the bathroom upstairs, losing bedroom 2 on the plan.

bedroom 2 then moves into the loft space (using some of bedroom 2 for the new staircase). There is a bulk head over the stairs in this room , so maybe the stairs could go up over this Then turn. The only issue is not sure if this is possible with the roof layout the house has- see picture.

There is a brick built conservatory downstairs, with glass roof. I wanted to keep this as it looks out over the garden and fields beyond, maybe put in bifold doors eventually and a better roof, the ones you see advertised that keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer as it's a south facing garden. I will also be putting double doors through from the living room to the conservatory as currently it's a single glazed window.

Then extend onto the side and back of the property, where the bathroom is on the plans ( this was originally an outhouse) and down the side increasing the size of the kitchen making a kitchen diner. I'd also like to retain a downstairs toilet if poss, and if there is any scope for a small study downstairs that would be a real bonus!

I wuld reLly appreciate some advise from someone who knows about these things. Not even sure if what I am suggesting is possible or the best option.

Roof - not sure about height internally as not had the chance to see up there yet, but will try as I know thats the key to see if this is an option or not.

Plans, the layout is slightly different now (no plans on Rightmove currently- these are from last time it sold) but the bathroom has now been jigged about and there is a little space between the bathroom and kitchen for a washing machine and the boiler,

The lounge and main bedroom are quite big 16, ft x 11,11ft. The smaller bedroom is 10,06ft x 8,08ft . Kitchen 13ft x 8,07 (maximum)

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Comments (4)

A B
5 years ago
Having recently looked into doing a loft conversion, but our roof isn't high enough, I suspect that roof wouldn't be high enough. We are now going down the 2 storey extension route...
Chris Goodchild
5 years ago
I think you need to poke your head up into the loft space and measure between the ceiling joists and the ridge, it doesn't look as though you have even 1.5 metres up there. You won't be able to go above the ridge line.

If that is the case you may have to consider a larger extension.

All rooms should normally have a floor to ceiling height of at least 2.1m throughout (standard ceiling height is 2.4m). In rooms with sloping ceilings, at least 50% of the floor area should normally have a floor to ceiling height of at least 2.1m.
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How about something like this. Shorten the kitchen and block off door to create a bathroom which should be relatively easy with regards to drains. Take down wall between existing kitchen and lounge and utilize the extended space under stairs for the kitchen diner. Create access to garage from kitchen and use part of garage for utility space. Garage could be extended forward at a later date. Use the current dining room as separate lounge. Also like Math's idea to square off the garden doorway from current lounge to make the back more uniform. You have a good size house so plenty of possibilities but I'm no expert so couldn't help with how much things would cost.
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In my opinion the change that will make the most impact to this house is putting the living space at the back so assuming you have budget for works you should prioritise this. If it were mine I would also be looking for extension possibilities- I suspect you can extend the bathroom side in to what I assume is a small veranda. You might also be able to extend on the carport side - it’s great to have future options for when the budget allows. So I offer this possible plan with a formal entrance, an enlarged study/bedroom 3, an open living kitchen space and two bedrooms at the front. I have tried to keep the kitchen and bathroom on the same side to make plumbing easier but I suspect if you ever extended in the carport side you might add an extra bathroom there. I have included a plan to show which original walls have been retained to help visualise the change needed. I think this exercise highlights the importance of getting a design you like. I would encourage you to then stick to that plan even if your budget does not allow you to do everything at right now.
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Sarah Louise
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes, I will do as soon as I can. I did think that it may not be feasible as I can't see anyone else in the street has done an attic conversion, they all have a big extension.

So if we rule out the loft for now, what suggestions do people hVe to make the most of the space. I'm open to ideas :)
suezbell
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
How many will live in this house:

... how many bedrooms do you actually need now and in the immediate future;

... how many people do you need to have sit at your dining table for each family meal.

If you are living alone and/or with a spouse or significant other and have no children at this time, seriously consider just focusing your budget on remodeling the downstairs only.

Consider beginning the remaking the conservatory so that it could be used as either the master bedroom or as a formal dining room later. Is the glass roof level or vaulted? Could you add a wall of patio doors instead of a single door that opens inward so that even if later you changed the roof or added a glass ceiling for warmth it could still give you plenty of light and a view of the garden.

What is that odd exterior space between the conservatory and bathroom -- is there anything in that space (such as heat/ac or utility connections) or could that space be enclosed and become a part of the interior of the house. Is it wide enough to become a back stoop so you could have an exterior door from the kitchen to the back with a covered walkway there rather than needing to go through what is now the conservatory?

Is the wall between the lounge/living room and the kitchen a weight bearing wall? Could you remove it and replace it with some version of a room divider cabinet and then use the part of the lounge/living room on the other side as a dining space, creating a modest sized "L" shaped great room with living, dining and kitchen?

You should have at least a toilet and sink both upstairs and down. Logically, you could take a part of the back of the larger bedroom for a bath between the two bedrooms (and, perhaps, put a walk in closet on the other side). Until you do build an addition to your home, you might not need a tub/shower both upstairs and down so you could put it where it is most convenient for how you want to use it -- such as: if prefer your tub/shower near your washer and dryer and they are downstairs, you'd want your tub/shower there.

For storage, go vertical. Tall chests of drawers and cabinets are going to give you more storage per square foot of floor space used than low wide ones.

Choose smaller furnishings and appliances as they will make your space visually appear larger.

Make what furnishings you buy do double duty:

... A two drawer filing cabinet can provide storage and serve as a living room end table or a bedside table.

... A storage ottoman with a reversible lid to enable it to serve as a coffee table can serve three purposes.

Keep us updated; pics please. Good luck on your project.

Small first home, ideas for increasing space on a budget.

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Chris Goodchild

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Small first home, ideas for increasing space on a budget.

Comments (4)

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Chris Goodchild

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Sarah LouiseOriginal Author

suezbell

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Sarah Louise
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