All sounds fairly sensible and doable. What's the dilemma?

Ha yeah good point. Thinking we split the kitchen to create utility at front of the house, but then that cuts off the best light into kitchen.

Also not sure how best to arrange kitchen, dining and some soft seating in the larger back room. Potentially thinking about increasing the size of the bifolds.

Do you need the shower in downstairs bathroom? If not, you could put your washing machine in here and redesign with clever storage. Or, if you do need the shower, could you access under the stairs for utility space? Or extend downstairs bathroom slightly and create access from your new spare room, as a sort of en-suite/utility room? Seems a shame to block light coming in through the front (especially if back is north facing); I’d rather go without the utility personally. Good luck. X

Is it critical that the playroom/snug goes in the garage? Could the front end of the kitchen be the playroom or snug or both. The rear end the kitchen with open plan into the living room which should be able to accommodate a dining table. The garage could be a guest room accessed from the living room. Switch the doors around to turn the cloakroom into an en-suite. Ah there is the small matter of the utility! If you converted the double doors, that currently take you from the hall into the living room, into a single door, would you have room to run a utility cupboard along the wall in front of the stairs? The existing plumbing is only a skip and a jump away.

Thanks for the ideas. I’ve put together 3 variations, focusing on the utility. I’m imagining a glass pocket door between kitchen and utility for when tumble dryer is going (it’s always going in our house), hoping that would allow some of the light through. But maybe that’s naive?

Double bed in living room would be one of those Murphy folding ones.

I like option two. Though I would keep the shower room where it is and connect it to the proposed snug and guest room. My reasons for this are your guest would have an en-suite and why go to all the expense of moving your plumbing only to gain a bigger hall.

Have you heard of Murphy beds? They are beds that fold up into a cupboard. It would mean you would have full use of the room as a snug which could be quickly converted into a guest room. There are other examples of transformational furniture eg desks that convert into beds or of course the good old bed settee!

Why do you think you will need a glass internal door to gain light? You seem to have plenty of windows.

Yeah I was thinking of a Murphy bed too. I don’t think there would be space for a door unless shower was removed (TBH it’s too small a shower anyway so it wouldn’t be missed), would it be minging to walk through a toilet to get to a room?!

Current living room is quite gloomy, but kitchen isn’t. Hence the concern if the back of the house loses the front kitchen window. So in option 2 I put in a window/splash back. Potential for installing a sun tube too.

Other option is just to have an internal window between kitchen and utility?

Moving the doors would mean having to swap around the basin and shower making it a mirror image. I suppose it is a matter of is it worth the effort for you to do that. If you decide to remove the shower then I would be inclined to leave the cloakroom where it is and install some cupboards.

A window splash back. Very trendy! They do look great though. A sink below a window is bog standard but making use of that space above and turning it into a feature, especially if the view out isn’t too great, turns it into something else all together.

A sun tube is a great idea. I don’t know why people don’t use them more often. They can transform a room.

Your ideas look great.

Here’s another version, keeping the front windows open for a small seating area, and putting utility at back (perhaps with glass walls/windows to allow view of garden).

Would just a stud wall provide enough soundproofing to quieten a tumble dryer enough so it’s not a nuisance?

Wrong photo above, here is the right one

You know I think I still prefer no. 2, whilst retaining the cloakroom, because in this version you have three seating areas spread quite thinly.

I think it is better to have a decent sized seating area in the family area and, if you have the luxury of space, a snug to escape to. Also it is nice to be able to look out at the garden from the kitchen especially if you have children out there and you want to keep an eye whilst you are cooking.

I have only just noticed that you have two doors into the utility. Could you manage with just the one? It would give you more room for more cupboards in there.

The smaller dining table works better or you can have an expandable one for big gatherings. I have forgotten what a big gathering feels like. Heck I have forgotten what a group of more than two feels like!

There are a few regulars on here that have some good ideas Wumi is one and Sonia to name but two. I am not sure how you ask directly for input.

Sorry you asked about sound proofing. If you are concerned about noise. I have never had a tumble dryer so I have no idea how noisy they are. However if you are concerned about noise you can buy all manner of acoustic boards that will dampen the sound. It will still travel through the door even when shut but it shouldn’t be as much if the walls are insulated. Mind you, given that it is thicker than standard, I expect the fire resistant door will be better for sound insulation.

As you have water and drainage for the wc in that area, why don't you have the utility at the front of the garage instead to keep the kitchen area open?

As you have water and drainage for the wc in that area, why don't you have the utility at the front of the garage instead to keep the kitchen area open?

As you have water and drainage for the wc in that area, why don't you have the utility at the front of the garage instead to keep the kitchen area open?