Renovation / kitchen design decision
Hi
We have recently moved into a new home, an extended 50s semi, large enough for the two of us and 3 young children. We want to change the layout to work better for our family and to improve the natural light.
We have developed the plans for whole downstairs renovation but would like some outside input, if there is anything obvious we have missed or an opportunity overlooked as this is our first big project and we are don't want to revisit for something that could be changed now. Unfortunately the budget won't stretch to an extension.
We are also fitting a new kitchen so we have an opportunity to change everything, but having been through lots of options we have settled on a design very similar to what is already in place. We'd really appreciate some opinions on layout as I think we may be biased by how we use the kitchen currently. I have posted two designs, the only difference is the choice of oven/placement of hob, we are thinking a wall of units against the far wall and an L shape under the window to create a peninsula with breakfast bar.
A concern of mine is the size of the dining area as we have a large family and like to entertain, and also the longevity of the playroom - what does that become in 5 years when our children don't want to be in the same room as us all the time.
Comments (10)
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Comments (4)Hello Scott, Adding to Jonathan's suggestions, Look at the bones of the space first before worrying about what's going in it.. To an extent.. You really do need to consider what the end result is that you want.. It doesn't have to be in enormous detail but it really does need thinking about as a whole.. Once the bones have been decided then you can flesh out the scheme... So unless you're making structural alterations and or requirements that need engineers, architects etc.. You may need these but you may only need a builder- that all depends on the works.. then you could work with an interior designer once you're closer to getting to where you need to be in order to start decorating and filling the home with furnishings etc.. It might also be a good idea to work with a designer initially to consider what should stay or what you can address to retain the character or inject that which may have been lost.. Someone who can advise you on a look that compliments you and your family? and of course the house.. Whether that be kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms or gardens. What oven, what sofa, what plant.. For a full and coherent look at the house as a whole regardless of whether you do it all at once. : ))...See MoreKitchen Renovation - Design Help!
Comments (8)Tiles, perfect for underfloor heating. Natural stone floors are beautiful but not relaxing to live with even when sealed. I’ve only used Limestone once before (in a previous home) and, despite sealing several times found they still stained with occasional spills. There are so many excellent copies now, that would get my vote. Rectified edges, non-riven will give a more contemporary look. Colour wise natural limestone would be good. Or, had you thought of pale to mid grey? If you’ve got floor to ceiling glass, tying colours into outside stone would visually extend the boundaries of your kitchen. Go large format to minimise grout. Hope that helps....See MoreHelp with 1942 kitchen renovation backsplash design and tile.
Comments (7)I personally love tiles. I think they add interest. However I had to google Wow Fez tiles as I had no idea what they were! So they are Moroccan hand made style tiles and you are wanting plain white ones? Is that right? Are they like the ones in my second pic? If so, I think they are beautiful. I think metro/subway tiles are a bit boring unless they are an interesting colour. I would tile behind the cooker and up to the window sills. However some people have just an upstand in the same material as the worktop (picture below) and use a washable paint on the rest of the wall. It boils down to personal taste....See MoreRenovation design advice please
Comments (5)Hi there! There are many things you could do. It sounds as though it would be worthwhile you considering upgrading your home thermally as well if there are several spaces that are cold and uncomfortable - this could be addressed alongside any work you get done. It's definitely not the case that an architect is necessarily a significant cost - in fact a good architect can save you more money than their fee by designing a more cost effective solution. For example I frequently save my clients tens of thousands on their projects, but I rarely charge that much! ;) You've done a great job at analyzing what you want and need to change. That's a great start. You could do with getting a bit more clarity around how you want to use the space - how would you ideally like the space to work for you and how you live. For example you mention that you could open up the kitchen to the dining room but you're not sure if you want a completely open plan space. That's really interesting. You also mention that you'd like to do something with the unused workshop - but you have many options for what it could be instead. What do you need or want most? Start off by thinking about what kind of space you would like - how do you live, how do you entertain, etc... what kind of space do you need to suit the way you live? Once you have that clear then you'll find it much easier to make the right decisions about how to alter the house to suit you best. You can get my free Design Your Home Vision Checklist here to start you off: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/dyhvchecklist.html I can help you to redesign your house as well as create a more in depth vision of what you want with my Big Picture Plan. You can find out more and book that here, my next available date is April 18th: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/bpp.html Best wishes with your home redesign! Jane award winning chartered architect eco-home and conservation area specialist www.i-architect.co.uk...See More- PRO5 years ago
I had a play ( i do it to de-stress............therapeutic! ). Using the dimensions that you give above, I used the average dimensions for a garage of that age, and I don't think there's room for a bathroom.
So, I put in a cloak room with storage for coats and boots, a Utility with a metre of crouch room and the same for the store at the front of the garage.
I realised when doing this, that the obvious reason for having the kitchen on the right is that the space is a better size. You can make the lounge smaller and the kitchen larger in line with original walls and this will help with the kitchen space. Thus the obvious place for the dining room is the smaller area to the left.
In the future maybe change the playroom in to another lounge area.
- 5 years ago
- 5 years ago
- PRO5 years ago
Of course it's easier to keep it where it, and the builder will have his work cut out for him digging across to access the drains, but it should be do'able and kitchen planners are not the right people to address on the problem. Undoubtedly it would make for a better kitchen to have it on the right, and it works best for the whole downstairs not just the kitchen.
When taking on projects like this, as you point out, you have to see the end goal, even if you are doing it in stages.
A kitchen like this, just wastes to much room in the middle and to the right of the plan. It's 'dead space'. You could take out the double doors and make the kitchen larger.
The other thing was:- Clearly the playroom is a conservatory. In your first pic it has a door entrance and on your second then entrance is opened up. Of what construction are the walls and more importantly, what's on the roof? Open plan with a conservatory is tricky as they tend to be cold in winter and hot in summer, and for open plan purposes, must have a glass roof, or to have had a ceiling conversion to standard.
Are you still going to do the Utility at the back of the garage and putting a door into it though? If you're not doing the Utility now either , then of course the kitchen design would change to accommodate a condensing washer dryer. - 5 years ago
- PRO5 years ago
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