Thoughts on our proposed open plan extension layout?
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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Help layout & plans of my open plan kitchen diner & side extension
Comments (13)Thanks for these. Im not sure if we can do the extra corner bit for number five, but I do like the layout, it will depend on cost, also don't need two tv areas, as we have a front lounge in the house anyway. the office was supposed to be a mixed use room, as a playroom with kids storage and also an occasional bedroom, so sofa bed In there. I know many people have hobs and sinks on islands, but I just think i'll end up dumping things on there.. I have four in the family, two adults, two kids, but we have a lot of people round for entertaining and parties, so space is what I'm after, but was also looking for somewhere the kids can go out of the way from adults if need be. As for kitchen, the reason for having large larder is to put not only food/drink spare fridge in there, but also things we don't use all that often in the kitchen, equipment etc.. I like everything clean and hidden away. The office on number 5 would be separate anyway as this concept includes sliding doors, which fold into the wall, so only entrance would be from outside, not sure if I can afford these yet though. Please keep suggestions coming, or alternatives, all welcome as I can't visualise.. thanks...See MoreHelp... I need some help with the layouts for an open plan extension
Comments (11)Its hard to give a full breakdown of options without studying the full plans, your requirements and budgets. This is something you need to do with your chosen Architect. However, there are many options for adding windows and ways of making light bounce around the house, but if your architect has said you can't add more glazing you should ask why. I would suggest it is because it will start to impact the thermal efficiency of your house. North facing windows get no solar gain so by adding too much you could end up with a house that is difficult to keep warm especially if your house is older. You could upgarde to super energy effiecient glazing but of course that will come at a cost. Having looked at your existing plans it looks like your house has already had extensive work done. Unfortunately it doesn't appear like an architect was involved. A lot of the cost of your renovation will be in correcting previous mistakes and even then you will end up with columns in ever room unless you are willing to pay to have that corrected too. The cost could make the option of moving more viable? Did the previous owners also extend upstairs?...See MoreThoughts on proposed extension
Comments (7)Hi Neeta, I can feel your dizzied brain oozing out of your message, I will do my best to give you the confidence to move past your ‘chicken and egg’ stalemate. My first piece of advice is to sit down and fill your mind with everything you love and value about your home. There is priceless value in this heart-felt instinct that can’t be measured in pounds and pence. Having a place that you, as a family, feel you belong is a precious gift. Let that realisation sing to you and strengthen your resolve. It may feel existential and intangible in reasoning, but it is very relevant. It’s your ticket to long term happiness and is worth fighting to hold on to. So, getting down to the nitty-gritty, is it worth bringing in an architect at this stage? Hiring an architect of proven ability will never be a waste of money. Not only are you investing in a bespoke design that is tailored to give you a happier family life, it is also insurance against expensive and unnecessary mistakes, or worse still mistakes you have to live with indefinitely. Architects train for years to get this stuff right. By short cutting them out of the process you are robbing yourself of the opportunity to get the best return of outcomes for your investment which by-the-way will be substantial regardless. If funds are an issue don’t forget that it is possible to do work in phases. Consider doing the ground floor first, an investment that will have immediate benefit to the welfare and happiness of the household and then take on the bedrooms later when the necessity for the extra rooms come into play. An architect can plan a project around this intention, and you can be assured of achieving everything you want without compromise to the integrity of the design. It’s hard to comment on the specifics of the plans you have come up with so far as they are not at a high enough resolution to see exactly what’s going on, but in a way, I think they are a distraction from what you should be doing, causing you to obsess over details that an architect could iron out as part of process. Hopefully they have been successful in reassuring you of the overall financial feasibility of the project which was your intention. Now it is time to trust in the next phase of the design process. It is of course possible that your drawings contain some ideas that will be brought forward into the final design, but the important thing is that you don’t handicap your architect by insisting upon it. Instead use all the insights you have gained so far to shape their approach and understanding of your needs. Lastly be clear about your budget. Knowing how much you can spend will get your conversations off to the right start as sometimes shortfalls can be mitigated with some innovative thinking. A design proposal that is out of your financial reach will not serve to forward the interests of either party. Okay, well I’m going to shut up now, good luck, I hope I have helped you unpick your conundrum. L...See MoreKitchen layout dilemma in proposed rear extension
Comments (11)WIP for sure, just a little room with open shelves, doesn't have to be full of kitchen units. It could back into the Utility room at any point on that wall that backs onto the Utility. I'd have that whole wall a run of tall units - ovens, full fridge, full freezer and door into WIP. Then when you walk into the room it'll be more open across the width of it. I'd have sink/hob on the wall to right where you have fridge/ovens at the moment, then the other one on the island. I prefer sink on island as I spend more time at sink than at hob - washing hands, prepping food, dishes, filling water bottles, watering plants, etc so I'd want to have a view of garden and the rest of the room from there - but the view from the side would be good too. Going back a stage though, could you turn the WC around so the door to it is facing to the right rather than the first thing you see when you enter the house? Then you could move the door into kitchen over to the left a bit (and get views through the house from front door) - which creates more space in the kitchen and therefore you get a bigger island which would be much more useful....See More- 5 years ago
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