To Extend, or not to Extend?

3 years ago

We have planning permission to extend out into the garden by up to 2m. However, we are not entirely sure that we need to extend this far, if at all. We have attached a current floor plan, with measurements (in mm, scale 1:50). Regardless of whether we extend or not, the area marked with the dotted line will be extended to square off the back of the house.

The front living room will be closed off and will remain the same. The walls and chimney breast beyond the front living room will all be knocked down.

What we want from the extension/reconfiguration is:

- utility room

- cloakroom under the stairs (moved from current location, shower not essential)

- open plan kitchen with island and seating but no sink or hob in island

- casual sitting area, can be armchair, love seat, sofa, etc

- Dining table for 6

Ideally, I (others no so keen) would like to see through to the garden from the front door however, this is not a priority

We have had a few designs that have been drawn up but we feel that we are simply 'filling' the space, as opposed to properly utilising the space. Does any one have any ideas/inspiration for us?

Thank you in advance!

Existing Plan

One of the designs we have worked on, but there is no Utility Room (filling the full 2m ext.)

Another of the designs we have worked on (filling the full 2m ext.)

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Comments (5)

Ellie
3 years ago
You have an existing space approx 5.4 X 5.8. We just recently knocked out kitchen and dining room together to create a room measuring a bit smaller than yours. We have kitchen, island for 3 stools, table for 8, and 2 armchairs. I don't think you need to extend. RE utility, our washing machine is in our garage. Unless you need proper sofa seating for 6 with TV then perhaps you can use the space you have better?
PRO
OnePlan
3 years ago
We designed for clients recently with a flexible extension footprint - it’s something we do occasionally and can be useful to see just how far or not you need to go ... there’s a few in my pro page ( click on my name or icon to go there ) as part of our ‘A’ service - we sketch several design suggestions for your space before honing it down to one final design - so this works well in your situation.
rebekahataylor thanked OnePlan
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Hello. Thank you for uploading your plan. I would recommend contacting a concept planner or designer to discuss your needs. We ask a lot of questions before hand around how the space is used, who by and when in order to work on our layouts. They allow us to determine the best way to use your space to fit what you’re trying to achieve. In our particular layout package we offer three options on layout (all in a 3D format) so you can truly see what’s achievable in the space you have. The loft is definitely a great option to look into but as mentioned above it’s mostly dependent on budget.
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Thanks for your comments so far; it’s really helpful to get other points of view. Maths Wife, I’m with you on the pantry idea! In fact, I spent a long time trying to work out if we could put one there by getting decent-width access to the garden via another route. But coming through from the front door involves a narrow hallway and getting through several internal doors, and coming via the utility room would involve losing washing space to add a door, and a sharp right-hand turn. Apart from the fact that we’ll ultimately re-landscape our entire garden, which will all need to come through the house, I also sometimes use a mobility scooter, and although I don’t intend to take it into the house, I’d rather be safe than sorry in terms of access. We’re compensating for the lack of pantry by planning on turning the area outside those doors into a little shaded patio with small table/chairs. So in theory we could have those doors wide open in the summer, and have garden views from both ends of the kitchen. minnie101, I didn’t explain the meals for 30 very well . We set up another table in the playroom in those cases, so about half the people in each room. So in the kitchen I just want to make sure that we can have table fully extended whenever we need it, which seats about 14. For the drinks area, yes we’re debating having bifold doors so there is max countertop space for a small sink, kettle etc. As you say, it makes sense and saves the countertop space elsewhere, just makes for an expensive cupboard The roof lantern size is indeed limited by the fact that’s the only area of the kitchen that isn’t double storey. Other than squaring out a corner, we are keeping to the current footprint, as it’s just about on maximum extension already. That area, in a bizarre design choice by the previous owners, is currently the utility room, which just about blocks any view onto the garden - we need the lights on even in summer, despite that being a south facing view. I’ve spent most of the last 6 years trying to understand WHY someone would choose that layout as part of a fairly substantial extension, even going so far as to move the kitchen, which was south facing, to the other end of the room. I’ve yet to think of a sensible explanation…. We are going for a fairly timeless/modern country look, hence the orangery rather than bifolds, and also want to maximise the light as it’s a long room. Fingers crossed, it will look something like this, although with a lot more planting around it and step-free patio.
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CWD
3 years ago
You have lots of space. I'd put the utility room in like in the third picture. And then the kitchen in like the second picture (so it backs onto utility). Then you can figure out where you'd put the dining table and seating area with the space that is left. Having lots of circulation space is going to give it a luxurious feel - nothing worse than everything crammed in together and no room to breathe. But if you can get everything in from just that small corner extension, then it would certainly be a lot cheaper and easier! If you need 1m to make it work, I think I'd just do the full 2m that you've for permission for - then it'll be really more than you need but you will appreciate it.
rebekahataylor thanked CWD
rinked
3 years ago
Within the existing walls (plus the tiny extension):
rebekahataylor
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for all your suggestions and comments they have been very helpful.

To Extend, or not to Extend?

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Ellie

OnePlan

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To Extend, or not to Extend?

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Ellie

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CWD

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rebekahataylorOriginal Author

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rebekahataylor
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