Some help with open plan layout for new build pls!
Hi everyone,
I could do with some advice as i'm way out of my depth with a new build for me, my partner and mother. We've been working with architects for a few months and this is what's going into pre-planning. So not set in stone, but close.
We're on the right hand side, mum on the left, and we're currently struggling with the open L shaped room due to some quite particular requirements and no experience at all (we're atcually struggling with lots more, but this will do for a start!). This is what we've mocked up:
The first question is - is anything obviously wrong with this layout? I've been reading up on flow and open plan design and am now going in circles. Re. particular requirements - my better half wants a pool table. She has talked about one for the last 20 years and now is the time! - and mine is the dining table, which needs to be 6' * 4' (geeky wargaming purposes), or extend to that size as pictured. The main uncertainty is the area immediately after you walk into the room, essentially between two tables. They're about 1.90m from the door wall, so plenty of space to walk around them, but i'm still uncertain that it works.
Alternatively, there's a plan with a combi dining/pool table which opens that door area up, but takes away what would have been a good portion of our kitchen/storage on the right most wall:
This is due to the combi tables being larger (the pool table in the first picture is a small, English pool table about 6' long). If we keep the units, the combi table gets pushed out so a part of it is in front of the doorway:
Which brings me on to question two. How close is too close for having a bit of furniture in front of a doorway? In this case, it would be about 1.7m, so perhaps not an issue at all? Part of the problem is our inability to imagine space!
Other options have been flipping the lounge and kitchen and various combos of kitchen layout:
Any ideas on what works, or doesn't work? We've never lived or spent any time in an open plan area and any suggestions/advice would be much appreciated!
Comments (10)
Jonathan
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help with open plan kitche/living/dining layout...
Comments (76)Hi jonathandb1972, yes our architect suggested and prefers accessing the ensuite via the changing room too, but I'm not convinced. It will reduce usable wall space in the changing room and walking through one room to get to another just feels wrong (if you know what I mean!)....See MoreHelp - new open plan living area layout challenge
Comments (11)You could have a sofa on the wall that backs on to children's play room, with a pair of swivel chairs opposite ( so can chat to people at dining table too ) and a fireplace or tv on the right wall centrally between them (in the area marked 3500)Have the dining table under where second rooflight is drawn - and have a further pair of swivel Chairs in the window/door area overlooking garden, to watch the children play outside ? But that's just one option... there's lots you can do with this space ! This is the sort of design dilemma we often help with in conjunction with a freelance specific design for your kitchen - (so you can shop around with your own plan) as they are all linked within the space, we usually draw the whole area as part of the design process......See MoreExtension - Open Plan Layout Help
Comments (13)I'd vote option 4, 2&3 don't appear safe (also option 5 with emptying things into the sink and just impractical). Using option 1 layout, could you have the kitchen along the length of the left wall moving the sofa forward a little, with a narrower coffee table, (and putting the hob and sink as far from sofa as possible). Put the dining table on the bathroom wall with a bench seat. Put a cupboard in the 500 alcove for a larder. You may have room a small chair next to the tv (one that doesn't visually feel the room). I'd make the opening to the courtyard as large as possible. Not sure how that would work as planning isn't my forte and I would strongly suggest engaging OnePlan or similar. I do agree with the estate agents advice though....See MoreOpen plan kitchen layout help please!
Comments (25)Thank you all for the advice and suggestions so far. I've incorporated lots into an updated plan attached. This one is pencil to show more measurements. Things I've changed based on your feedback are: 1) Moving hob to other end of island to keep cooking area all in the same space. 2) Binned the American fridge in favour of separate integrated fridge and freezer 3) Centred the sink into the middle of the base units 4) Put a dish drainer above the sink to keep countertop free (seen on other discussions) 5) Moved island seating to opposite end to view garden. This is going to be our house for the next 15 years or more so think this would bother me if it wasn't. 6) Widened the island to 1200mm and shortened it to 2700mm. Doing this and moving the island 100mm closer to the side wall gives around 1200mm clearance to the 'chunk' structural wall that can't move. I love the idea of a tall cupboard being a breakfast cupboard as @pjdklm suggests to house, cereals, bread, toaster maybe even microwave. 600mm is probably too small so I could reduce the sink or base units by 200mm to make an 800mm cupboard between the fridge and freezer. Does this sound better? The sink run then would be 3000mm which matches the rooflights. @rinked and @Jonathan thanks for your suggestions and I like the simplicity of the latest design form rinked. However I'm not bothered about distance to washing machines from upstairs as if I'm using the back door, the first thing I'm doing is putting the kettle on. I also want to have the large back room and so don't need as much room for the study or hallway from front door. I take your points about the rooflight above the dining table but with pendants above the island, I'm not sure if I want anything else hanging down from the ceiling. Plus I guess we can always use candles and lamps etc and then we can look up at the night sky. We also have an east facing garden, so have great morning sunshine but if the rooflights were as close to the first floor (as in rinked's designs) they would be in shade by about 1 or 2pm....See MoreHoward Busby
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHi Jonathan. Thanks for the replies - they got us talking about a bunch of things! We totally agree about the entrance to the living space - it is too crowded - and the utility room does seem overly large. As a result we're now thinking of broaching the following with the architects. Mirror the stairs mum has on her side to where our current utility room is. They don't need much space which allows for the adjacent study to grow. They would also no longer encroach on the hallway - allowing for a wider door and wider access to it. As an added benefit the stairs would exist facing a better direction (towards the familly bathroom) on the first floor. Potentially this could be three wins!
This is the upstairs plan, btw, with the stairs ending facing a wall:
The utility room would be moved to the front of the house where the wc and cloakroom are and while we would lose the outside access, it would be close to the front door to get the dogs in quick. The downstairs wc could then go under the stairs? I think that would work.I like the idea of the seperate games room but my better half has vetoed it. She's adamant she wants it in the main social area. And mum was toying with a bedroom downstairs, but would rather the space for other things. It is a good suggestion and one that i've echoed, but she is strong willed and knows what she wants (I wouldn't have it any other way!). A lift or stair master may be on the cards at some point, though.
Cheers again for the input!
Gabby Wong
4 years agoHoward Busby
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHey Gabby. Yes, that's a plan for sure. And there would be fights for the table! First world problems :)
Here's some updated pics based on a few posts up and with a combi pool/dining table. I'm feeling pretty good about these tbh. The wider, uncluttered door seems to make a big difference!
Cheers everyone. We'll run this by the architects and i'll keep this thread updated. And any more suggestions would be very welcome.Jonathan
4 years ago
PROOnePlan
4 years agoGabby Wong
4 years agoHoward Busby
4 years ago
Jonathan