separate utility room or not???

4 years ago

The first photo is existing plans and the next is the design we looking at - been a few months of decisions but decided to go 4m rear extension as well as to the side. Originally were going to keep the whole of the existing kitchen as a utility room but realised it’s too big for utility relative to rest of house and it doesn’t allow for more open feel when walk into house. Decided to move the middle wall (load bearing ) across to allow smaller utility and bigger area for dining table and more airy flow when waking in , so can also see into garden from front door .

Does this extra cost of moving a load bearing wall create that much extra value and is a separate utility (even though it will be quite narrow) a sought after feature for buyers??

Or should the wall be removed completely and utility room on show ?

Lastly peninsula counter versus island in the kitchen ? The bifold doors are being limited to 4.5m across to save costs .

Appreciate any thoughts .
Thanks

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Comments (5)

Ellie
4 years ago
I wouldnt have the utility as in the diagram above. I love the idea of opening the front door and being able to see right through to the garden - you wouldnt have that above.

We have never had a separate utility room, but we do have our washing machine in the attached garage.

I would at least integrate it into the area so that the appliances are hidden behind what is kitchen units, possibly floor to ceiling cupboard.
minipie
4 years ago
I agree the above doesn’t work and doesn’t repay the cost of moving the wall. Also has a problem re doors, you will need a fire door between open plan room and hallway so would have to hang a door across that diagonal gap.

I would either 1) remove the wall altogether and have the utility area hidden behind floor to ceiling cupboards as suggested

or 2) keep the existing wall and turn the existing kitchen area into a generous corridor with utility (again hidden behind cupboards) along one wall and shallow storage (maybe a desk area?) along the other. With pocket doors at both ends and the window on one side I think this could feel nice. Of course it doesn’t feel quite as open as option 1). But it does give you an area to leave bags/mail etc so your family room doesn’t get cluttered, also it means you can close the doors and block off noise of the washing machine.

Or option 3) I don’t know if this is possible or what it means cost wise (more!), but the ideal would be to build a new utility room to the right hand side of the current kitchen, so your side entrance is into the utility (doubles as a boot room) and then you go into the kitchen from there. Plus remove the existing load bearing kitchen wall so you have lots of lovely space.

Peninsula vs island: depends on what you end up with as layout, I prefer islands but only if you can fit enough cabinets in, with the present design you need a peninsula to have enough space for sink etc.
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I had a utility for years. The family used it as a dumping ground. I could never find the worktop for junk and bags. It went. We knocked it out which gave me a big square kitchen with room for an island. Never looked back. Plan in some tall larder units. They hold a wealth of sins. Vacuum, buckets, mops, broom ..... they all fit in. I'd add the extra space to the kitchen area and not have one. If you have a tall bank of units you could put your washer over your dryer and have doors in front. They don't necessarily have to be integrated. A good fitter should be able to do this.
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robbieburford
Original Author
4 years ago
Very helpful comments , thank you for taking the time to look at it all
robbieburford
Original Author
4 years ago
Any suggestions on what roof lights to go for ? And how many and size ? It’s a north facing flat roof .
minipie
4 years ago
Best place for a skylight is where the original house meets the extension, especially on the dining area side as otherwise the dining area will be dark. So in your picture I would put skylights in the roof between the end of the dining table and back of the sofa (hope that makes sense).

If the extension ceiling is lower than the original house ceiling (ie if the sitting area ceiling will be lower than the dining area ceiling) then make the ceiling have a small slope between the two levels and put skylights in the slope, that way you get more light into the dining area.

separate utility room or not???

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Ellie

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separate utility room or not???

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Ellie

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