Downstairs layout advice!
Hello all, my Wife and I are currently in the process of purchasing a lovely family home. We knew it would need some reconfiguring, but could see it has the potential to be really nice and perfect for our needs. We currently don't have kids, but plan to have some in the near future, so are trying to balance what we want now with how the house works with children in the future. We are first-time renovators so really keen to get advice/ opinions on what layout works best and how to proceed.
At the moment we are doing minimal work to the upstairs, and want to focus on redesigning the downstairs living space. I have attached the current floorplan below. The back of the house is south facing and has wonderful views onto fields at the end of the garden so keen to maximise that. It has a lean to attached to the house, we are considering if its worth spending some money to change this into a "proper" side extension but not 100% sure how we would utilise the space.... we are getting a bit lost with this.
At the moment I think we are keen to remove the downstairs bathroom, and turn the back of the house into a long kitchen diner with some big doors/ windows that open up onto the garden to maximise the views. then build the wall back up into the living room to make it more of a cosy "shut away" space. That brings up the issue of where to move the downstairs toilet to (keen to retain a toilet, but don't need a shower room) and what do we do with the current dining room space. our priorities are a separated, shut away living room, kitchen/diner/ socialising space at the back of the house, and if we can squeeze it in a separate study at the front of the house would really be a big benefit.
What do you think of the layout? Is it possible to slot in a toilet anywhere? Should we start again?
After we have a good idea on layout what are the next steps? I didn't think we needed an architect as we are not extending, but who should we talk to about getting some plans drawn up/ into the next stage of this.
any advice you have would be greatly received :)
Tom & Nicola
Comments (11)
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layout ideas / advice please (Downstairs)
Comments (11)The layout we are deciding on is similar to below, except we will swap the living and dining room so the dining room is next to the kitchen. Approximate measurements: (metres) Kitchen 5.5 x 3.6 widening to 5.5 Proposed dining room ( labelled living rm on picture) 3.6 x 4.8 Proposed living room (labelled dining room on picture) 3.2 x 4.57 Girls Rm 2 x 3.6 The downstairs WC / shower room has to be in that position because of soil stack. Thanks in advance for your thoughts...See MoreDownstairs layout advice
Comments (15)Thank Gabby, It's a single story extension, the garden room bit, not the dining room. And we face south so it has just over 3m glazing facing east, same for south, same for west. It's so bright in the day time it's like we're standing outside and then if I keep the curtains closed on the east wall for a few days it feels cosier and more room like, hence imaging it being better as a wall for shelves, artwork, funky little cabinet between sofa and chair etc etc. The kitchen being at the back would definitely feel more connected to other spaces, that's something I've never had, so I don't know if I'd like it, I've always been carrying food from front of house to back or to the playroom. But the kids are too old for the garden now and have played in the woodlands around us for years now or on bikes in the cul de sac etc. I'm so used to kids, mine and random, running to the kitchen window for snacks and drinks or to get me if someone's hurt, and just opening the window to yell them for 'dinner time'. I think I'd miss that - although I know most people think a kitchen at the front of a house is more than a little odd! Oh my word I don't like this decision process, can I move on to buying pretty objects and fabric instead!...See MoreDownstairs Layout Advice
Comments (16)Hi Vicki, I quite like your new layout, although i'd give it a little tweak. I can see where you're coming from, and i think you can get a slightly better layout with even more storage. It's a basic plan, so i haven't placed the oven(s), hob, sink etc or added in any wall units, it's a basic idea. I know that by putting the Utility on the left it gets rid of the front to back aspect of the house through the front door. However, a view through, does not top trump space for storage when you've got children to think about and all that come with them! Yes you could move the Utility over and join it to the W.C, but i actually prefer the door less through and through, which is quite handy with small children running around. Also, when you look from the back door down the length of the kitchen it seem longer as you look straight through to the wall against the stairwell....See MoreHelp with layout downstairs
Comments (1)Could you sketch up a floorplan of the ground floor?...See More
PROCJ Interiors
3 years ago
As you can see the plan is practically the same as your ideas, as to me they made the most sense to what you are trying to achieve. I can only recommend what I would think looks good from a interior designers point of view, you would have to talk to an architect to see if this able to happen structurally. Definitely stick to big windows or bi fold style doors along that back wall, this is a must.
The small dotted lines represent floor to ceiling glass doors or even barn style doors. These are great as they can be used to open up the space for open plan living but can also be shut for privacy and to create that cozy feeling. I will insert an image to show exactly what im thinking.
This is going to be such a fun space and really has so much potential and cool ideas that can be used.Thomas Hutton
3 years ago
PROOnePlan
3 years agoThis is along the same theme but includes laundry /loo/pantry /store and garden store ...
Thomas Hutton thanked OnePlan
PROHomeMood Interior Design
3 years agoHi Tom and Nicola,
Congrats on your new home! Your plan for the new layout sounds good. I would also keep the hallway on the left-hand side and use the big window to lighten up the hallway up to the kitchen. There you can create the new mudroom as well. No doubt, that the best place for the toilet is under the stairs and you could have access to it from different directions.
You can create a study in front of the house and there is also enough space left for a laundry next to the kitchen. Entering the house, the small nook next to the stairs could be removed, but that depends on the wall type and you can add more space to the living room. This way it would be easier to place any furniture.
For the living area it`s a good idea to have the option to close off the room from the dining, but I would also suggest using glass sliding doors to avoid making the living room a bit dark.
Hopefully, I could help you and give some inspiration to find the best layout for your home. If you have any further questions or need help in visualizing the new look, just visit my website https://homemood.nl and I`m happy to help you!
Good luck and have fun!Marianna
Thomas Hutton thanked HomeMood Interior Design
CJ Interiors