is that the main downstairs bathroom... to access from living room you'd need to go through main kitchen area and through a utility? I wouldn't have that. Considering the amount of space you have downstairs I think a proper bathroom entered from the hall should be a priority.

I’d prefer to have the dining table on the sat me side as the kitchen rather than having to cross the sitting area with food. Could you swap over the Kutcher and sitting areas?

I like the layout, but I would swap the dining table with the living area for more practical access to the kitchen, when eating meals it would be much easier to serve meals or pop to the fridge to top up drinks etc. A more expensive alternative would be to move the kitchen to the opposite wall, which would mean the dining area would still be easily accessible but allows you to keep the living area overlooking the garden views.

Thanks Ellie I had not considered that and have subsequently changed it and moved the cloak room under the spaces and increased the size of the utility.

The stair position is as existing and cannot really move.

Thanks Tara & Ideas for Interiors some really useful points.

We wanted both the kitchen and living area with direct access to garden just because these are the areas that will be used the most.

Have played around with the layout based on your suggestions and the only problem with flipping the kitchen and living space is the kitchen becomes cut off from the utiliy. If the utility follows the kitchen then there is no room for the dining table and you are back to a simular layout as before, see snap shot below.

Hi Tim,

Direct access to the garden from both the sitting area and kitchen would certainly be a good use of natural light and more asethically pleasing. It may mean compromising slightly in other areas to achieve this.

Option 1

If you want to keep the utility with the kitchen you could try altering the shape of the kitchen so that it's an L - shaped kitchen and wraps around the utility room wall? You could move the door to the utility to the be accessed from the hallway instead. The original orientation of the utility should still work, as theres enough space for the width to fit this layout. If you change the orientation of the island it should work well. The only disadvantage is that the dining area won't be any closer to the kitchen. If you eat daily family meals at the dining table, kids do art/activities at the table etc, I would prioritise keeping the dining area close to the kitchen.

Option 2

You could try keeping the utility where it was on the first floorplan and only moving the kitchen next to the dining area. Would a peninsula work better with this layout instead of an island? The utility doesn't necessarily have to be next to the kitchen as it can be a stand alone room, since it's got a sink in it etc. The access might be better from the hallway though? You could put the storage along the wall facing the sitting area.

Do either one of these options work any better?

Hi, not so much a layout comment but a consideration for when choosing flooring, etc to try to opt for something with more noise absorption such as lft or wood rather than tiling due to the staircase within the open plan area. Noise travels easily upstairs (eg if you have guests over) which may be an issue as you have young children.

Hi Tim,

Option 2 looks great!! It offers a spacious layout but maintains direct access to the garden from the sitting area and kitchen. I also much prefer the utility access from the hallway :)

Thanks tamp75 will definitely bear that in mind

Totally agree Tara. Will table it with the boss and she what she thinks 👍
Thanks for your help

LOVE Option 2 - for all those reasons - and wall space left of stairs for coathooks! And maybe under the stairs for shoes?

On the right side I'd have the units starting as you go in and running down the right wall with the island parallel to it. I'd have my dining table by the sliding doors.

Hi,
With my family (I had 3 now its 5 grandchildren!) I wanted (needed?) more space for them to move around (run around!). You will end up entertaining there many friends as well over the years. I would argue the necessity of a utility room when you can get fitted washing quiet appliances. I also love ironing in the kitchen chatting and while looking out at my garden.
I would also think how much 'home office' space is actually needed when you will have a beautiful new kitchen and the children are going to be in school you would probably work at the kitchen work top. Give the space to the kids to put there toys.
I know bi-folds are 'in' but they take up so much space and look clunky. I would stick with a sliding door.
Could you put pocket doors to the home office and living room and toilet?
It's very exciting planning such an important family space. Enjoy ὠ0

Hey Ellie, I did develop this option as you suggest with the kitchen on the right as you come in. It’s definitely one we are considering. Will upload a screen shot in a second.

Hi Nikki, thanks for your advise. My partner will be working from home every day so needs a quite space away from the kids. We’ve also tried to make sure it’s capable of being converted into a double bedroom (be it a compact one) to future proof and add value to the house.
We have found some aluminium bi-folds with a 50mm frame and like the fact you can open the entire opening as appose to just half of it.
Pocket doors are definitely an option.
Sooo much to consider 😬
Thanks everyone for their help

I think you should try to fit a full bathroom. The bedroom doesn’t make much sense without a full bathroom. You can try something small.

The three layouts we’ve worked up with help with everyone at Houzz.

My vote goes for number 2: I spend my quality time dining and lounging. For me, kitchen is more a “working”place and I wouldn’t require garden views. And with option 2 you have better flow

Hi - lovely to see you being so creative !!! Unless money is no object - plumbing - and in particular soil pipes need particular placement consideration - ideally tapping into existing pipe work. Also you would do well to consider the aspect the house faces when it comes to placement of certain items that will be affected by strong sunlight during the day.
So existing pipe placement and NESW aspect should be included in the info to help anyone give a true answer as to which might actually work best, as well as just looking good .

sky lights ? underfloor heating? don't forget lighting plan and lighting groups. a fourth seat for the chef would be nice ...???, I d make the sink smaller and to one side, two dishwashers is handy

Hi OpenPlan
The existing kitchen drainage can be utilised for the new kitchen if contained with the existing foot print of the building. Where the new utility is located is an existing bathroom so also no issues with drainage.
The rear of the house faces east.
We are intending to install roof lights to the single store extension to help light reach the middle of the house.

Hi Jules
We are very much still in the preliminary phase, but will definitely be looking at lighting layouts etc once we have a finalised layout.
The kitchen layouts is also why indicative and based on the standard object blocks on the software we are using to give an idea of layout.
Thanks

Just joining this thread and following with interest. Of the three options in your last mock up I’d definitely go with the middle option with the sitting and dining area closest to the garden . My only concern would be the staircase opening into this area . Having three children it’s nice to be able to shut a door so noise doesn’t travel upstairs when they are sleeping.