Hi there, I think you'll be able to transform that space on a very tight budget without many problems at all. My suggestions would be as follows and are based on trying to be sympathetic with some of the nice traditional elements (door, tiles etc): Replace the lino with Palioclic Arezzo floor from Karndean (a waterproof "click-lock" floor specifically designed for bathrooms which is really easy to lay yourself. The Arezzo is a beautiful washed oak effect which is both traditional & contemporary Replace the bath panels with either plain or a traditional moulded variety and then paint this in the rich dark blue - Farrow & Ball's Drawing Room Blue or Pitch Blue, or perhaps Fired Earth's Tempest Paint the walls in a lighter grey-blue such as Fired Earth's Glass Samphire, Pale Cirrus or Pearl Ashes Remove the wood-cladding on the ceiling and plasterboard & skim it - worth getting a decent plasterer to do this, but should be a really quick way to make a HUGE improvement for modest outlay Find a really lovely period mirror, or perhaps pick up a second hand vintage picture frame (think gilded mouldings) and get a piece of mirror glass made for it Find some great curtains - you can find some great"off the peg" ones all over the place Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! If & when you can afford it, I'd replace your tall storage unit and possibly basin with something like this from Roper Rhodes Burford range: Or pick some beautiful traditional ceramicware from Burlington. It might be beyond your budget for now, but it is always possible to get to the finished article step by step!

Hi Catherine, Glad to help! Sometimes it makes all the difference being able to see options in 3D. Let me know if there's anything else you want changed around. I've saved the design on my ikea account for the time being. Making the double cupboard on the dining room wall a shallow one helps maintain the 'flow' but also creates so much more space for daily-use food storage which I know you were worried about originally. I imagine you'll be opting for something a bit fancier than ikea units but their visualiser is pretty good for playing around with ideas. You can always then take screen grabs as a starting point to higher end kitchen manufacturers to duplicate/tweak.

Jonathan, AMB, thank you ever so much for your advice and designs! We had been toying with the idea of pulling the garage forward. Back in the early 2000s, planning permission was rejected for a double garage in the opposite corner of the driveway but a sensible solution would be to come forward next to the neighbouring property, no light issues and should not upset the 'street scene'. I've always been keen on moving the stairs but associated costs have dampened my spirits a little. That saying, in there current guise they are incredibly steep and dangerous for the young and elderly. A new configuration may well improve the landing space/flow on the first floor. I completely agree about the driveway, my initial thought was grasscrete but we'll never have more than two cars... if that. With us eventually getting some gates up, that could be quite an inviting space. I've been watching a lot of house shows and they always mention about being able to see the garden from the front entrance which you have captured in that floor plan. Phases of work is a strong debate and you are not wrong AMB. I guess once we have a final plan, the phase of the works should fall into place. The fireplace was a family heirloom of the previous owner, took it out his grandad's property apparently! In terms of decor, we want to embrace the character of the property with an added modern twist. We are very keen to incorporate a hallway for the very reasons you mentioned. Thanks again for your comments and suggestions, all very useful.

Hannah W yes the blocked wall was double doors, part glazed. I couldnt tell you a cost I’m afraid as my husband blocked up the wall, he’s not a professional (we can see the outline on the other side 😁) but it didn’t take too long and was just a case of some stud work, plasterboard and plastering (my husband can plaster too as he did a course years ago to cut down labour costs rather than have tradesmen in).