Utility or seperate entrance?

2 years ago

I really need help deciding between having a seperate entrance into the kitchen and rear extension vs having a utility and wc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (7)

CWD
2 years ago
Do you really need the shower room under the stairs? Could you just use the new shower room as part of the bedroom suite as the downstairs loo? Then the understairs could be utility cupboard off the hall and still have access into the kitchen from hall there. And you still have the middle room (back of the lounge).

Or make the understairs a loo, basin and stacked washer/dryer (rather than shower).

I think I'd prioritise access from hall into extension as otherwise the middle room is going to become hallway space and the only way to get through the house. If you're willing to let go of the middle room to become the hallway, then you might as well sacrifice it properly - close off the front lounge so it's a separate room. Keep the original hallway through to the extension. Use the middle room as a really decent utility/pantry and downstairs loo (although loo could remain under stairs if that's easier for plumbing).
Alice A
2 years ago
Thank you so much for your feedback and advice. I think you are right, i didn't want to lose the access but really wanted a seperate utility. I think using the under stairs cupboard could be a good compromise.

Another thing i wanted to do was to add 46" double doors as an entrance from the hallway into the front lounge as you enter the house. I want to create a big entrance and feel of space as the hallway is quite narrow at 800mm. This would mean sacrificing seating space where the door would go and either keeping the old door or blocking it off? What would you advise?
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Alice K
Original Author
2 years ago
Something like this.
CWD
2 years ago
Given that your hallway opens up wider past the stairs and the current door into lounge doesn't have space to be widened too much, I think I'd leave it as it is. Have a glass door going into extension and that will give you a long view from front door right through the house - your eye will be drawn to that view and the narrow section of hallway will be forgiven. I'd rather have decent seating area in the lounge than have it open to the hall - but if you can get doors to open behind the sofa then having glass doors there would work to create the effect you are after - sliding/pocket doors would work better, but more expensive probably. Or just have a non-opening 'internal window' to make that wall seem less heavy on entrance - but I don't like the effect of sitting in a goldfish bowl when in lounge you want to be relaxing and not feeling like someone could be looking in on you (but that's my own personal paranoia!)
Jonathan
2 years ago
I like heaving a good sight line from the front door all through the house so I offer this alternative
Alice K
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for all your advice. I did want the double doors but you're right it's not worth losing the seating area over and the view from the glass door going into the extension will make up for it hopefully.

I wanted the rear extension to have kitchen diner and lounge area and a larger lounge at the front for 8-10 guests but wasn't sure if it's big enough. As the other option was to just have kitchen and larger lounge area in the extension and dinning area in the middle room...
Alice K
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for the alternative option Jonathan, I really appreciate it. I did consider which side the kitchen should be on and this does offer a good solution so i get a seperate utility room. I guess i can't win which side the kitchen is on as to get to the kitchen you would have to go through the lounge or go through the lounge to get to the kitchen.

I was thinking practically in terms of having kitchen near to the house entrance means shorter way to carry the groceries and taking a rubbish out etc but the lounge would be used more than the kitchen i think....

Utility or seperate entrance?

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Utility or seperate entrance?

Comments (7)

CWD

Alice A

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CWD

Jonathan

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