Ideas or advice on a blank canvas bungalow

3 years ago

Just moved into a 1970 built detached two-bed bungalow and looking to decorate it and possibly make some layout alterations. However i'm struggling to decide on how best to link the kitchen and lounge layout and decor and the style that would suit this type of home.

So far i'm thinking open the kitchen entrance slightly but still have a sliding door so that the areas can be separated when needed.

Any ideas welcome, as you can see the lounge gets lots of light and is South facing and the kitchen is North facing but still bright. The floor plan is a rough guide just to show the layout

Featured Answer

Sonia

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I would personally knock the whole wall down between the kitchen and the living area. You can then create a new kitchen/dining/living area, assuming there is enough space. Without room measurements it is hard to say. We knocked down the wall between our kitchen and dining and although not a huge area, it is so much better than the poky kitchen I had before! I hated being stuck in the tiny kitchen and love the space we have now. Here’s a couple of ideas

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Comments (20)

HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your reply Sonia

Just some added info

The lounge is approx 5.4m (plus bay window depth) x 3m

The kitchen is approx 3m x 2.4m

below photo shows fireplace also
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Hi there, Your idea for your seating area location looks good if you would like to sit in a sunny area (taking your garden aspect into account). A pergola with retractable roof could also work well. A shade sail is a less bulky alternative that could provide you with some shelter from drizzle and light rain as well. I didnt really understand what you meant by "the 2X2 space" where you want to have a shed or utility features? Is it the space by the side of what will be your utility room or in front of it? I agree with Christine. You don't necessarily need to have lawn in your garden. Wide planting beds with a well thought of and placed planting scheme that takes your garden conditions and aesthetic principles into account could potentially add more interest than a lawn with narrow borders on the sides (could also potentially make your garden look wider if the shapes of the borders are chosen correctly). Wide borders combined with a path of some kind could also create a journey through your garden, and again, with well chosen forms, make your garden feel bigger. If you are interested in getting professional help at any point, I would be very happy to help! I offer a range of garden design services - from sketches and planting plans only to full on Garden Plans with planting plans and 3D visuals which are all done online (usually cheaper than in person services). Please do not hesitate to have a look at my website to find out more and get in touch! Deborah The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
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jessa61
3 years ago
It depends upon whether you like your kitchen being separate or whether, like Sonia, you like the kitchen being part of the living space and so more social. Some people don't like the kitchen to be in the living space (they don't like the smells for example) but some wouldn't have it any other way. Depending upon where you stand on this point would then effect your other layout decisions, x
HU-838293623 thanked jessa61
HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago
I think having lived here over the lockdown with the current sliding door not on there have definitely been times where i would have liked to have closed off the kitchen so I think keeping them separate works better for me. It's more a case of how to do this well and make use of the lounge space
minnie101
3 years ago
Hi. Can you give a bit more detail please? Are you looking to fit a new kitchen or work with the existing? If working with the existing, can you add a photo of the RHS of the kitchen and a higher one of the left side?

in terms of decor, what styles and colours do you like? is there any existing furniture etc to work around? Is the flooring staying? How many live in the house?
HU-838293623 thanked minnie101
HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi. Thanks for replying. I'm looking to fit a new kitchen. It's just me living here and I'm not a big chef so the kitchen just needs to be functional really and feel too cramped if possible in it's current size.

For the floor I was thinking of having vinyl continually throughout the kitchen, lounge and hallway. The existing furniture is just what i'd managed to salvage from my old flat and i'm open to changing it all eventually to whatever style I go with, however I do have a brown leather sofa which I like a lot and a light oak effect TV unit.

In terms of colour I would say bright and light mostly but a feature wall or something that makes it feel like it's not just a whitewash would be nice

Here is a better view of the kitchen (currently no oven but a gas point is there along from the radiator)
HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago

Current state
jessa61
3 years ago
I can totally see what you mean about being able to shut the kitchen off. Sliding doors are nice as it gives you the best of both worlds.

Regarding layout, personally I would have a slim table in the area by the sliding door (round may fit better), the sofa on the wall opposite the fire place and then a snuggler (1.5 armchair size) in the bay window. What I always do is make cardboard cutouts of the furniture I have then the furniture I like and just move it around until I find a layout I like and am happy with the size and scale, space between etc. of everything. It not along avoids costly mistakes but sometimes means you can get in more seating that previously thought. We did this and by having a narrower armchair, we managed to get two instead of one which was nice x
HU-838293623 thanked jessa61
jessa61
3 years ago
Sorry I forgot to add, what is your priority in terms of layout? So, for example, would you like to seat the most amount of people in the living area or is having a big dining table important? Depending upon what is most important will have a big effect on layout. For example, if you aren't fussed about seating many for the dining, you may prefer to have a larger lounge and then a slim table (with two chsirs) up against the wall which you can pull out should you need to. This would give you more space for seating in the living area.
HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago
I agree with the idea of using cardboard or sheets for spacing the furniture around the room.

In terms of priority I would say that the sofa and relaxed seating area is probably the most important for both me on my own and when guests come over so a slim or extending table that can sit against the wall would work well

One aspect i'm struggling to make decisions on is how to make the most of the fireplace. I think i'll change the insert but I like the hearth colour but there are so many ideas on here that it's difficult to know what suits!
jessa61
3 years ago
What styles do you like? Don't worry if you don't know, I didn't, and there are so many beautiful rooms on here - it's amazing albeit a little overwhelming. Maybe create a folder and just save images you like (of any style) and then go back over your saved photos and delete the ones you actually don't like (it's surprising how often you get a "why did I like that?" moment). Then have a look at your revised list and see what you have been most drawn to. There will always be a few anomalies but in general, there will be some sort of pattern there.

I like the fireplace too and when I saw the colour, my first thoughts were navy walls and lots of texture. If navy is a little dark for your taste what about a different shade of blue? Blue and leather look so beautiful together. This would work with your existing items (including the carpet although are you changing this to vinyl?) and also anything new you would like to add in. If you were thinking of changing the kitchen, you could also carry the blue accents into the kitchen. I've included a few photos (of different styles and blues for inspiration) x
Pine Library · More Info

Period family home · More Info

The Bromptons, Living Room · More Info

Eclectic Living Room · More Info

California Custom Ranch Estate · More Info
Sonia
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If you may have people round for meals, then a table like the one below may suit you. My brother has a similar one in his narrow kitchen and it opens up when needed. The fireplace is very nice, looks like marble so I would leave it as it is. Then a nice big comfy sofa with a coffee table or footstool in front of it, then a nice big tv and unit (which you have) for chilling.

Do you want advice with wall colours and window dressing, or do you have that? Then some nice art, doesn’t have to be expensive, posters in frames or whatever you like - something you really like. The Range have some nice art on a budget. And leave the wall. If you make it wider then you have to try and find a non standard door to fit so may have to go bespoke which is always pricier. Of course if you have the budget, then go ahead! Good luck with your refurb.
HU-838293623 thanked Sonia
jessa61
3 years ago
In terms of layout, what about a table with two chairs on one side (so the chairs face the kitchen), then a bench tucked in under the table the sliding door side? Looking at the photos, i would think you could fit this in horizontally but do use cardboard cutouts to check your happy with the space and can walk around. I would look for a table with a small depth (as you don't need to seat 4 regularly. The space saved with the bench / reduced depth table would mean you would have more room in the lounge area.

You could then have the sofa opposite the fireplace and a chair or two (depending on width) perpendicular to this in the bay and then a coffee table in the middle. There are other things you can do for seating such as padded footstools people can sit on, but after you have seen the layout of this with cardboard that will dictate how much more (if any) room you have. It'll also show where the additional space may be. You can also turn the dining chairs around so they will be facing the bay window in the lounge and double up as extra seating when needed. x
HU-838293623 thanked jessa61
jessa61
3 years ago
Love that table Sonia! how clever :) x
HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago
Some very good ideas put forward on here, thanks

Jessa61, the picture folder thing would be a useful thing to start and looking at the images you put up they are all inspiring but I was very drawn to the Eclectic one with the teal! I think this would contrast the fireplace well and really add a bit of character

I like the table idea too Sonia, it makes sense to not dominate the room with the dining area if I only need it for guests every so often. In terms of the window dressing, when i moved in I thought i would get rid of the vertical blinds however I've found them really practical and the rail is curved to fit the bay which is a nice feature so i'm thinking just upgrade them as they are a bit tatty.

Wall art is something i've not even considered yet, I quite like the idea of a mirror over the fireplace and then some art over the sofa but not sure what type or style yet
Sonia
3 years ago
Glad we’ve been able to inspire you. Good luck with it all!
E D
3 years ago
“But how do I keep my teeth healthy?”

😆
Irene Morresey
3 years ago
So much potential, love the kitchen, maybe a glass barn door. I like the teal walls in pic. I like the eclectic feel in moderation
HU-838293623 thanked Irene Morresey
minnie101
3 years ago
As you like the teal I've just copied this link as the kitchen is a very similar size and it may provide inspiration. This particular shade of pink isn't to my personal taste but I do love others. The last photo is Farrow and ball inchrya blue with their peignoir.

https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/kitchen-tour-a-tiny-galley-in-a-flat-gains-glamour-on-a-budget-stsetivw-vs~132289418

Do you need privacy for the window? Re vinyl flooring, are you thinking of a wood effect LVT?

Re style, is it an eclectic look you like as then people can help with actual shopping suggestions?
HU-838293623 thanked minnie101
HU-838293623
Original Author
3 years ago
thanks for that link Minnie, yes I don't think the pink would be my choice either, however I like the cabinet colour and the worktop is great and think the kitchen works well off the main living space. The golden handles add something too and using the handles in something that I will look to experiment with too

I do need some privacy for the window but so far I've found that the vertical blinds have worked well in that aspect. Yes for the floor I was thinking a light grain wood effect vinyl would work across the spaces and then use a rug to make the seating area more appealing