skip to main content

Design Dilemma Renovating Kitchens

Help! Layout options for side and front extension, best use of space!

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

We are in the process of extending (a joint project with our neighbours to gain an extension to the front box room, then along the ground floor across the front and down the side of the house).

We're having some last-minute layout dilemmas, the floor space isn't the biggest, but we will gain some essentials from it (bigger kitchen, downstairs shower/toilet, office space, porch and the bigger box room upstairs).

Our shower room is going to be fairly slim (worked out as 900x2900mm at the minute). This also creates a slim corridor space beside that leading to an office which I've bumped along a bit to give some more space (sacrificing utility space at the other end, when you compare my Ikea layout with original drawings).

The other option is to access the office from the lounge, meaning we could lose the corridor altogether and widen the shower room, but that would make the office open to noise from the lounge and I think it's a weird place to add a door.

We're also struggling with options for the laundry/utility space too and whether to just include it as an extension to the kitchen. I've added some screenshots and links to an Ikea planner I used to map the ground floor out completely (ignore the colour and the basic mapping of furniture etc. it also doesn't include the pitched roof and Velux windows).

Any input would be appreciated, I'm just looking for layout ideas and tips for anyone that has similar sizing/spacing set-ups. Thanks.

Links to 3D plans:

Ikea plan 1 with laundry space included in kitchen - https://kitchen.planner.ikea.com/planner/#/gb/en/planner?projectId=192B977E-9364-4348-9DF7-A3D64BC3767A&ref=share
Ikea plan 2 with wall separating laundry space - https://kitchen.planner.ikea.com/planner/#/gb/en/planner?projectId=192B977E-9364-4348-9DF7-A3D64BC3767A&ref=share

Screenshot of Ikea layout plan 1...

Architect drawings...
Internal before:

Internal after:

External before:

External after:

Comment

Related Discussions
I need help on the best use of space for a house extension.
Q
Comments (9)
Hi, I agree with the comments above. I absolutely love bi folding doors and would definitely consider these to be able to create fantastic indoor , outdoor living for summer living. From experience with kids and day to day living... I would have a large extending dining table that leads directly out onto the garden and move your family space to where your dining room is and have a tv etc positioned there with a more formal, grown up living room area as you have it in the plan. The key changes I would make are then to the design of the utility room which I would keep with access to the garage. Great for coming into the house with grubby boots and shopping etc . I would make this a reasonable size and I would also incorporate a cloakroom on the ground floor for family and guests to use without needing to go upstairs. I think this model would work well for a family and will give all the family different zoned areas to relax, do homework, have great dinner parties or casual eating. I would also add a table and chairs and if you have room in the garden, a casual seating area, bbq etc, parasol and take advantage of the whole open plan contemporary living of your new extension. Very exciting.. good luck.
...See More
Need help with my Layout for my new side and rear extension
Q
Comments (14)
Hi Imran, Very exciting to be starting your project! I'm not going to make any suggestions on how to layout your space as I'm not an expert but having just gone through a very similar process I thought a few words of advice might be helpful? We were looking at remodelling the downstairs of our house and got structural engineers and architects involved but to be honest it was our designer who was the most help and has stopped us making a couple of silly and costly mistakes with space planning (nothing to do with colours, paint choices or curtains!!!) I would highly recommend working with someone who can do some 3D models and renders of the proposed space for you, so you can see how it will all look. Our designer was amazing and we ended up with 4 or 5 different computer generated 3D images (and YouTube videos!!!) of how the space would look as you walked around it. Not only was it amazingly helpful but she also saved us a lot of money on structural work by pointing out things that would have been costly and not really add anything to the space. I've attached a couple of pics of our space and then the 3D images she did for us. Structural work and remodelling is expensive and our designer (Gina from Create Perfect) was a fraction of what we're spending on the house (far less than I would have expected) and has been worth her weight in gold for getting the space right! I was also surprised by the amount of money we saved using her trade discounts for things like worktops, appliances, carpeting and lighting etc) We're in the middle of building work right now, so I can't post any finished pics but my advice would definitely be to spend a little bit of money now and make sure you get it right as the wrong decisions with walls and structures are mistakes you can't change without a lot more time and money! Good luck whatever you do- it's all very exciting!!!
...See More
Best use of extension space?
Q
Comments (8)
Hello, I think the comments above are all good points to consider. I find bar stools are breakfast bars are one of those things that seem like a good idea but will be under used. I have a preschooler and a toddler and I would suggest that a good family dining space in the kitchen will be a lot more used than an area with high stools. A separate dining room does seem like a nice idea but I think it is probably a luxury that doesn't make sense with the space you have. Try to really imagine how you use the space and keep a track of where you spend time now. It would probably be worth consulting an interior designer or kitchen designer to get some ideas. It doesn't always cost as much as you might think and can save you making decisions you might regret. Good luck with the project, it looks really exciting.
...See More
Best kitchen layout for side return extension
Q
Comments (41)
Hi Jane! You said you have little ones so want to avoid climbing opportunities for now. That makes sense but it's also worth thinking about in a year or so when you might want to start involving them in cooking, baking cakes etc, and then you could find it really helpful to be able to sit them up so they can also "work" along with you. If you're on the other side of a peninsula or island to them then you can keep sharp stuff away from them and help them with mixing, weighing, etc... Always worth looking towards the next stages when you're designing with kids because they'll grow and it can take a bit of time to finish a project - they likely will have changed in many tiny and maybe big ways before it's all complete. Hope this helps! Jane, i-architect.co.uk
...See More

Sponsored

More Discussions

Too much blue. what other color is right here?

34

Above garage extension to create primary suite

23

Help…dilema I need some ideas

20

should I paint the tiles white?

6

Help reconfiguring the downstairs of my house

7

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.