I appreciate that it is difficult to know without seeing the layout of the house so here's a rough drawing to scale that I have done of the proposed new layout to help - light blue line = existing glass doors to kitchen, red line = proposed new glass doors to lounge, black lines = existing walls, dark blue lines = proposed new studwork walls and lighting layout (probably will use downlights for maximising the light and lamps in the reading room as well). Hope this gives more of a clear idea of what we are planning to do - I say "utility room" but actually our idea is to do something similar to what OnePlan suggested utilising the understairs cupboard off the WC as a utility cupboard with the washing machine/tumble drier in and then hang a drying rack from the ceiling. The cloakroom area would give us a valuable space for shoes and coats as currently you walk straight through into the main body of the house and mess gets everywhere (we have a small dog that gets very muddy)! The floor will be tiled the same as the hallway through the cloakroom and WC and wood flooring laid in the reading room with the fireplace. It's a very good idea to ask local estate agents Man About The House so thanks for that suggestion.

mate...i Iive in nz. in Christchurch we had a wood burning fire , where we live now..way at the top where the lions were on the weekend...no heating needed!!!! we do have double glazing and our house faces the sun, and the sun gives off heat here in the winter so it warms it all day unlike some peoples winter sun! but go with whatever is the best for your furniture . ...and budget !

Hi Lauren, I'm not sure if my initial thoughts will work on a practical point of view but I've given more details below. Other things to consider or talk to a professional about is Building Regs, I think you may be required to consult building control as you're adding a toilet in a room where there isn't one. Drainage Where are your existing waste/stack pipes currently located? Ideally, any new runs need to connect to an existing inspection chamber (manhole) without bends or you may be required to fit a rodding eye or new inspection chamber if a change of direction is needed. This gives direct access for rodding (in case of blockages). This is normally something that Building Control will sign off on if you have notified them of work. If you come to sell the house in the future you will probably be asked for the certificate so is usually recommended. Option for New Toilet My first thought would be to use a bit of the space in the cupboard under the stairs where there is limited headroom room to put the W/C sink in there so that you only take minimal space from the family room. Depending on the headroom you could put the toilet where the sink is too. BUT unless you have a bathroom above it and the waste coming downstairs first, this could be a big job. This is what I was thinking anyway... but think it's going to be too much work. Is the wall between the kitchen and the family room a supporting wall? The other option would be to nick a bit of space from the kitchen and the family room so you don't have to take as much from just the family room. If it is a solid wall, the best place is probably going to be where you have it in your drawing in the family room, and you can probably get away with 90cm if it's just for a WC. Opening up between the kitchen/diner would give you a lovely large space.

A downstairs WC is always useful but finding the space is tricky. What are your floors like - are they suspended wooden floors or concrete? Obviously digging up existing concrete floors to lay pipework would be more difficult. I did wonder if a section of the right hand side of the current kitchen could be set aside as a laundry room/ wc but that might depend on the flooring issue. Alternatively, is there space within the proposed extension for a similar laundry / we room?