New floor plan ideas needed

5 years ago

We’ve just bought a new place and are going to have to do some major renovations. As part of those renovations we’re looking to redo the kitchen. At the minute, there are 3 rooms; a kitchen, a dining room and a conservatory which runs along the whole back of the house. The criteria for the area are

1. A social space - we’ll spend most of our time here.
2. The living/sofa area needs to look out on the garden from at least 1 seat.
3. Dining area

Any layout suggestions are warmly welcomed! We’re happy to knock walls down but are aware that’ll cost plenty and our budget isn’t unlimited.

Thanks in advance! Pete

Featured Answer

Jonathan

5 years ago

There are lots of ways this could be done. I enclose one option.
A designer or a concept planner can help you visualise what you want and how to get it. But as a first step forums like this and drawing out yourself does help. When you draw it yourself consider if you need all the windows- blocking up the side kitchen window might give more wall space. You should also check the estate agent measurements.

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Comments (10)

Peter Shaw
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you for your reply, it’s great to see other (more inventive!) ideas. This is what I had thought. (Blue is kitchen/units for tv, red is dining and pink is seating)

What did you use to create your design?
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Yes, Karen makes a really good point there and as you get closer to deciding exactly what layout you'd want in the kitchen it's the practicalities like that - something we look at in detail with our clients. One of the reasons a lot of people choose to use a designer rather than a kitchen company is because we can sit down together and really chat through what matters to you in the space, how you use it, who'll use it and all the individual stuff that will make sure it's 100% bespoke to you - like the styling and flow between your rooms. There are plenty of independent kitchen designers like Karen (I think there are a couple of others on here too) who will be able to help you come up with a great layout. I guess one of the things to consider is if you just need the practicalities of a good space layout or if you want the layout (with 3D pics and videos to help you visualise the space) but also the design element and finishing of the design with lighting, colours and soft furnishings and all the things that turn a space from just being super practical, to super stylish too. The other thing I thing I mentioned before is that a good designer will also pass on their trade discount, so I know for a lot of my clients once I've passed that on, it makes the fee even less. Really don't be worried about how much you've got to spend- they key is making the most of it . Best wishes, Gina
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I love the 'where do you keep your elbows' conundrum. ^^ It was great to see your layout because it was what I was thinking to try and reclaim some of the hall space. Danielle also captured the idea of switching the bathroom and the kitchen extremely well - and I really think this works too. I realise though that moving the door to the garden will involve a new set of stairs down to the garden - a big change, but perhaps minimises the changes to the internal walls as a balance. Jonathan's idea is also very creative - I had never even thought of this possible configuration. I realise as I am seeing these ideas that I'm more willing to give up some of the larger bedroom space as well, even if it off-sets the fireplace, to keep the idea of the wood burning stove as the heart of the flat. It may be that we are a small family of 3 and I'm thinking of this apartment as a family space, rather than for sharers. For sharers, maximum bedroom space is probably ideal... but for a family, at least in our case, we don't need much bedroom space. Also wondering about making the large bedroom smaller - to the edge of the fireplace to increase the bathroom. And moving the kitchen to the main living space... but not sure if this is overthinking things. And maybe Danielle above is the simplest option, even with replacing the stairs....
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Excuse the crude drawing over your existing one! One idea could be make your studio in garage as you were thinking. In your extended end, house your utility and then downstairs bedroom and ensuite with doors onto garden. Combine your original kitchen and dining room to make a gorgeous kitchen living/dining area with sliding doors. Close off your front room for peace and quiet 😁. Only one idea, I'm sure there are others. Need any more help... I offer interior design and 3d visualisation (which help you figure out your space) all online at https://www.no60interiors.co.uk/
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Hi HU-719775923, as you are considering creating an open plan space you may find our blog helpful filled with tips. Here is the link if you would like to take read - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/blog-interior-design-tips/10-design-mistakes-to-avoid-with-an-open-plan-room If you would like any guidance and help with your home, we are an affordable online interior design company offering expert advice with affordable packages. Heres the link to our website if you would like to take a look - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/
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Gabby Wong
5 years ago
Depending on how your conservatory/garden room was built you may not be able to take out the wall between that and the rest of the house, as it may not have proper foundations etc. so that'll be something important to find out, otherwise you could take it down and build an extension in it's place, however that's obviously quite expensive to take out the back wall as you'd need supporting RSJs etc
Jonathan
5 years ago
I agree with Gabby. If budget is tight then there are certain things that are more expensive and should not be considered.
Taking out any outside wall especially a large expanse will be expensive. Upgrading the current conservatory so that the buildings regs people will allow it to be open to the rest of the house. Moving the kitchen to the other side of the house means an additional chunk for moving plumbing and electrics. I would look at your budget, decide what you want to buy such as new kitchens, new bathrooms, carpets, window treatments, light fittings, decorating then consider how much is left for builders. When you do your calculation don’t forget buying a new bathroom suite is only part of the cost- often the labour for fitting is more- there is a site called building sheriff that helps you see the costs of individual jobs.

Do you already have a budget in mind?

I use an app called HouseDesign.
Gabby Wong
5 years ago
Great tip about house sherif Jonathan, didn’t know about that one!
Peter Shaw
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you for your replies - they’re really useful. I’m going to investigate the app and website today. Whilst we’re conscious of the budget, we would ideally like to know the optimum layout for the house so we can get some builders to quote for those so to answer a few questions...

1. I believe the rear extension can be double skinned and insulated so we can open it up

2. We’re not on a super tight budget, we are willing to spend money to remove walls IF it provides the best layout

3. There will only be one tv - in the front living room. Seating in the rear is for chat, relaxation and to look out over the garden.
PRO
User
5 years ago
Hi Pete.

Firstly i'd establish what the walls are like in the Conservatory. I'm guessing that it was just an ordinary conservatory that's had a 'proper' roof put on it. Thus, as per Jonathan's plan, this would remain a separate entity unless you re-build it as an extended area, due to the walls being insufficient to knock through because they are single skin.

If you have the budget for a proper extension, this may mean knocking down the conservatory and starting again, as it could prove to be cheaper, you'd need to get a builder to have a look at it.

Your second design may well not be possible due to the position of the drains, which are undoubtedly out to the right.

Do you want to keep the shower room?

It would make for a better layout if you could convert it to a utility area.

Thus, as Jonathan says, there are many, many ways you could lay this out, but it depends on the budget, the conservatory and what you want out of it really.
Peter Shaw
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi, we’ve had a builder look at the conservatory and he is able to convert the walls so it becomes the external part of the house (we’ve quoted separately for that). It’s more about how to configure the existing layout we’re stuck on. The shower room as a utility is a fab idea - we weren’t sure what to do with it but if plumbing is already there that makes sense. The only thing we’d need to keep in there would be a loo.
PRO
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Good news about the Conservatory, in which case i'd go for something along these lines, which is quite similar to one of yours. Obviously, you would be better off with a specialist in this area, but i've built a few houses in my time, so even if the sofa's not quite right or the kitchen's hasn't got quite enough 'crouch room', you'll get the idea.............it's a vague plan as they say.

Kitchen / diner and living with separate Utility.

Formal lounge area with separate Hallway and downstairs cloak room.
Peter Shaw
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for your designs - I like the relocation of the toilet to under the stairs - that is something I hadn’t considered at all. These ideas are really helping me firm up what I’m after.

New floor plan ideas needed

Jonathan

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