Create private front garden in Victorian semi (currently open)
Rachael King
3 years ago
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Comments (9)
Kingfisher Designs
3 years agoRachael King
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Tricky layout in Victorian semi - Advice appreciated!
Comments (11)Sorry for the very crude sketch but here's my suggestions 1. Knock bathroom extension and replace with 2 story extension squared off with kitchen block or better again if suitable from outside extend kitchen and replacement extension footprint to width of house. 2. Change rise of stairs to opposite side, this benefits upstairs so that the landing can instead become part of a bedroom. Existing staircase could probably be refuges. 3. Put main/family bath where fireplace is as it would prob be easier to work the difficult shape for a bathroom than a bedroom. 3. The new extension upstairs can then become the master bed with space to incorporate ensuite and/walk in wardrobe etc. 4. Put utility space in downstairs hall making use of under stairs as well if possible. WC could possibly also go there. 5. Dining room/kitchen could become open or broken plan with sliding doors connecting. WC could be on opposite wall with garden entice though small boot room as per second photo....See MoreFloor plan redesign ideas for G.F of my semi-detached Victorian home?
Comments (19)Hi Kate. We have three children under 8 so are in a similar position to you. If it was my house I would..... In response to your first question, a 33ft x 14ft open plan room would not necessarily be too big, but it would leave you without a downstairs utility or WC. As tamp75 has commented, a hallway is good for isolating noise to upstairs bedrooms, and you need somewhere for coats, bags, shoes etc. With three storeys, having the kitchen open to the hall may create problems with building regulations (fire safety). I'm not an expert in this area but it should be considered. 2. I would definitely reposition the cloakroom. It looks like the drainage to your house will be on the right hand side of the plan, so I would not put the WC under the stairs. Something like Jonathan's second suggestion would work well. 3. I would create a utility room, but only a small one. Large enough to hold a washing machine and tumble drier (stacked to save space), sink and some storage. If you can get hold of a copy of George Clarke's Home Bible he has a whole chapter devoted to utility rooms - it is well worth a read. 4. I would reconfigure the property in a similar manner to Jonathan's second suggestion. The only minor changes would be to move shorten the hall slightly by bringing the entrance to the kitchen level with the stairs, and possibly reconfigure the area for utility/WC/cloaks. I recommend retaining the first floor living room as it stops the house feeling too 'top heavy' and could be a really good family space. 5. It's hard to answer this without knowing more about you. I think it might be possible to have a kitchen, seating area and dining area but I suspect that you might have to make some compromises. You have the potential to create two lounges elsewhere in the house, so I would compromise on the seating area. Given the scale of this project I would take my time to consider all of the options. I think it is definitely worth spending a few £100s on a concept planner as they could save you £1000s in the long run. Good luck....See MoreVictorian Semi ground floor plan - help
Comments (17)That's a lot to pack in to that space. Also, you have to look forward to a time when you don't need / want a playroom, when you may need the space for something else. Or, for a time when you want to sell and move on. Therefore, making the space as user friendly as possible for different purposes is important. I think you will struggle without an extension, therefore, I have added another 3m extension on the back. Here i've given you back a hallway front to back, added the light for the middle room. The toilet is under the stairs. You then enter the middle of the house and a utility / coat storage area is on your left with the kitchen on the right. This leads on to a dining / snug overlooking the garden. The playroom can then eventually be a formal dining room, or teenage / adult retreat with window blinds for privacy. Even a nice study area....See MoreVictorian Semi Renovation Advice
Comments (9)Hi gem, I think the more conventional Victorian entrance location has been working well for over 100 years so not sure why they thought to try out this layout. If your house is not listed or protected in any way then I would consider putting the entrance at the front. I would keep the hallway wide so storage for coats and shoes could be added. Double doors (pocket doors would be in keeping with the age of the property) to the living room. I would combine the lounge with living room so you could make more use of it. The shower room or and utility room would move partially under the stairs to make use of that space. An extension could be added to create a large kitchen diner with bi fold doors out to the back. You could extend sideways too i.e. to the depth of the current porch....See Morerinked
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Rachael KingOriginal Author