Structural engineer calculations may be needed if you remove substantial walls but I suspect you are not going to do that. Should you decide to later your builder can probably arrange this. Concept designers likely have different ways of working so take your lead from them. I would look at the professionals part of this site and contact a couple for more details about how they work. Both OnePlan and CreatePerfect are big contributors to this app. Once you have a plan for what you want to do you should get the builder back to quote for works- if you need to make purchases the designer will be able to help. Should you feel that the likely cost is acceptable you should check with your local planning office. If you are extending you will need permission which will require formal plans likely prepared by an architect or an architectural technician. If you are changing the outward appearance of the house you may need permission. If you are putting the kitchen in another room or creating a bathroom you will need building regulations. Any planning or regulation questions are easily sourced on the planning part of your borough council website. Should you decide to go ahead you can get your designer or another professional to manage the project or you can do it yourself. If you do it yourself you should research contracts for your builder, keep on the right side of your neighbours, make sure your house insurance is beefed up for tradespeople, and expect it to take a lot longer than the builder says.

Jonathan, I really like your idea. I think you are right about the structural wall. But the wall behind the little toilet is a stud wall! The east window in the hall allows in natural light so I think I should keep it. Building on your idea, how about this version? In this scenario, we re-instate the south facing bedroom door so that there is one less door on the east side. As per Jonathan's idea, we create a shower room from the bedroom in the north-east corner. Does it flow? Dear Houzzers, please share your wisdom . :) Where is the best place for the shower room door: where it is now or in the little corridor? Will you feel claustrophobic in the corridor because it is just over 90cm wide and has walls on both sides? What is the ideal side of that shower room? If take out 1.5m from the bedroom, I get a 2.5 x 2.5m square bedroom/study and a 2.3 x 1.5m shower room. Will these sizes work for shower room and study/bedroom? Thanks a million.

Thanks both for the replies! Nicholas: there is no dishwasher, only a washing machine, and unfortunately I can't move it by the sink as it would leave a weird gap (and plumbing is in the way on the right hand side). I can't move the doorway either (the radiator is in the way, and I am trying to avoid major works to walls/doorway). OnePlan: thanks, I was previously thinking about putting the tall larder next to the fridge, but it might make that side of the kitchen look too cluttered or unbalanced with two tall units in the corner (and that would still not resolve the gap behind the door, in the right hand side bottom corner). Please see picture 1 vs picture 2 (this is a very basic sketch, not the actual units). Very good idea about the infill - I have a decorative corner post that I could put between the 60cm and the 55cm units, to create a smoother transition (see picture 3 - please ignore the dirty floor, it will be replaced). In this case - would you run the worktop a few cm longer to cover the corner post/infill, and round/cut the corner of the worktop to the contour of the corner post? I'd have to check if I have an extra 5cm or so I could use up for this purpose. Or, if the worktop only runs to cover the 60cm deep unit, and ends there, is there any other way to cover the top of the corner post? I'm also thinking about creating a seating area, maybe a little bench on that side of the wall.... Thanks for reading, and any ideas are welcome!

Hello, Wow how exciting about the new house! Congrats! I like your ideas and where it's going - I can definitely see how the corner sofa/snug area will work well. Is there a main living room/lounge elsewhere at the property? I would be a little worried that with the corner sofa and dining table across where the sideboard is (and being that area is your main walkway with glazed doors to the garden) that it may feel like a slightly enclosed space. You could definitely add a small peninsula breakfast bar with overhang for a couple of seats - I would do this around the small boxed in wall area and have the worktop scribed to it. I would then consider having a much smaller sofa and dining table similar to the show home layout. I think the first and your main idea is probably the best layout - I would definitely try and measure the space if you can (site/show home permitting) and see what space you are left with and how the walk though space feels. If there is anything else I can help you with please do let me know. Good luck with the house and I hope it all goes smoothly. Charlie www.coveykitchens.co.uk