skip to main content

Design Dilemma Home Organisation Renovating

How would you improve this layout?

4 years ago

Hi all,

Looking for some ideas for how to improve the layout of our 1960s semi-detached house. We like open plan and would like to extend it to create a more family friendly space (but also don’t want to lose money should we have to sell (armed forces family who know what will happen next!)). We were also thinking of potentially doing a loft conversation to put in a nice master suite, useful as we have an au pair as well as family regularly staying over from overseas. I would also love a downstairs toilet so I can have my 93 year old grandmother over for Sunday lunch (and to make potty training that little bit easier). Finally, having two dogs a muddy boot area would be great too (currently the utility). We would also prefer not to lose or convert the existing garage as it’s where the boiler system is and is the easiest place to store way too much military gear!

What we have done so far and spent roughly-

New boiler system (scoped for additional bathroom in the future) £5k
new combined main bathroom with bath and separate shower £10k
new fence £1.5k
Wood-burner £2k
new fuse board £400

We have also done some DIY in the form of painting the kitchen and clearing the garden with the help of a rather large skip (no idea why there was so much rubble in it! But glad that is done)

Floor plan below and I have also uploaded the original 1960s layout most of which you can still see in the form of poorly done past works... but it’s on the most lovely street, in a beautiful town with great schools and community sprit, plus we didn’t break the bank so... ( for photos of the work so far see my idea book)

Many thanks and happy new year.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Jonathan
4 years ago
One option is to put on a two storey extension (because a loft conversion would lose a bedroom for the stairs).
I think I would turn the garage into a utility/bootroom and then get an army surplus shed for the garden.
Chells Marx
Original Author
4 years ago
Jonathan that is amazing so many thing I would not have thought of in a million years! You even have our exact new bathroom layout. Thank you so much.
Related Discussions
How would you improve this house?
Q
Comments (7)
I don't think the wood cladding would go with your windows, so I would just paint the black tudor effect white for now and when you're ready to change all the windows and front door I would then consider the cladding. I also like the idea of opening up the porch area at the front of your house. Take look at the Redrow Heritage Homes as I liken your house to some of them and you may get some ideas.
...See More
How to improve this layouts.... help.
Q
Comments (5)
Depending on the strength of foundations on the garage, I’d be inclined to add a bedroom by extending over that. I think it’d be cheaper than extending out the back, but more importantly, if you’d like that family room to be light and bright all the way back to the kitchen area, I’d recommend putting in a couple of sky lights, which you can’t do if you extend over it. You’d end up with 3 double bedrooms and an en-suite. However, this doesn’t solve the unusual shape of bedroom four, if that’s a problem for you.
...See More
How can we improve our layout?
Q
Comments (6)
Hi. Romove as mutch " clutter" from under the stairs as practical, leaving it open with perhaps new windows for more light. I' d move the sitting room door nearer to the front door, just so there is more scope for dark and moody colours away from the window. You have to have a Robert bench in the kitchen corner ( now for dining, curled up cats and storage drawers under). The island should not impede 'flow' so think curves, Ying/ Yang (hob and sink at oposide ends). Full wall of storage against sitting room wall. Your eye will be drawn out so the right hand garden wall needs vertical planting. Upstairs, put a generous shower to the right of the door, maybe your bath could be replaced with a hot-tub outside ?
...See More
How likely would you use 3D virtual reality in home improvement?
Q
Comments (1)
Thanks who ever voted, Gives me a insight on staying with Houzz or not
...See More

Sponsored

More Discussions

Proposed floor plan help please

35

How can I make this wall look less bare?

15

Media wall bottom shelf.. logs? Ornaments?

6

Advice re updating a tiredbedroom please

6

How can I fit an induction hob in place of a range cooker?

5

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.