Can anyone help improve the layout of our downstairs??
We want to increase our downstairs living space which involves adding on a double storey extension at the side of our house. We have no houses on this side just a bit of garden which would be quite small by the time we have extended - our main garden is at the back of our house but with no space to extend out the back because our main garden in on an hill. So, we have a patio area of about 3m at the back of the house before a retaining wall, then the hill.
Our original plan was to just extend the living space downstairs, but builders encouraged us to go double storey as they said the cost meant that we would get much for space for not much more money. We don't necessarily need more space upstairs although my husband now needs a closed off office space as he works from home full-time now.
These are our requirements:
- A bigger toilet downstairs (perhaps to incorporate a wet room)
- A kitchen that could accommodate an island
- A closed off living area downstairs, we are happy to keep the rest open
- Lots of light! The front of the house has lots of light, but not so much at the back
- More space to put coats and shoes (we have an enclosed porch which is a currently a step down from our hallway). It's nothing elaborate, just a glazed door.
We are really drawing a blank and wondered if anyone had any suggestions. We have had plans drawn up but need advice on layout as there are just too many compromises and doesn't seem to work with what we want to achieve. We are happy to move existing rooms around.
Thanks all!
Comments (16)
Jonathan
4 months agoRelated Discussions
Ideas for our downstairs layout
Comments (7)Thank you for your comments. Ash - I agree this would be the low cost option and if cost becomes a deal-breaker then this is something we would consider. I don't think there is room to move the boiler there so I think I would end up having to put a cupboard in to cover them up. On the higher cost end - I am trying to persuade my husband a good idea would be to level out the back of the house and (so a small extension) and then knock through from current kitchen to the lounge and taking some of the lounge to make the back room go all the way across. Putting the kitchen far left as you see it going as far up into the garage as where the boiler is, having the rest of garage as a dining area, and a sitting area going across the back of the house with bifold doors onto the garden (going from right hand side). The main patio is to the right of the garden and we have two sets of doors currently onto the garden through the breakfast room and lounge, which I don't think is necessary. My other point is the room referred to on this plan as 'lounge/diner' is a bit small to be the two rooms so we are just using as one lounge. As you can see the actual square footage isn't massive so making the most of the space is key. Hubby's concerns are about the open plan nature, also the cost for what we potentially would gain. Also the old 'lounge/diner' being a bit small for a lounge - to which I said make it the playroom with the main sitting area being the new on at the back. Thoughts?...See MorePlease Help! Can you help improve the most complicated layout ever?
Comments (4)I'd do exactly as Jonathan has done on the ground floor. The first floor can be re-configred in a miriad of ways depending on whom you wish to afford it to ie;- The boys and the Nanny, I'd still try for 3 bed, and En-Suite and a main bathroom. I think that whomever is using it, then you'll need an En-Suite either for yourselves or your Nanny. So something like this may work well. The loft is a whole different kettle of fish. 2 metres is okay - you can stand up in there. I'd certainly get rid of the pointless utility room and turn it over to storage as you have 3 boys, you're bound to need quite a bit. It's possible that you could re-arrange the entrance slightly and donate the long thin area over to a playroom, giving them more space to play indoors....See MoreHelp please with downstairs open plan layout!
Comments (2)Hi Amelia, How exciting, I think you have lots of options. The toilet is very long, but I don't think you'd have the width to put a utility room in the front and still be able to open any cupboards! It would just be a stacked washing machine and Tumble Dryer. What I suggest is stealing around 1m of the sitting room to create a utility and perhaps walk in pantry. I'd also pop in a small door to the toilet from here (put the sink on the sitting room wall) and then use the front of the toilet with existing door as a brilliant coat cupboard or perhaps link into the new utility/pantry for extra space. In the kitchen, I'd then put tall units along this new wall (perhaps with secret Narnia doors into the utility) and get a lovely island and kitchen into the new space. Have a look at this years BBC Your Home Made Perfect, I can't remember which episode the clip comes from, but it's in the intro to the program with a similar space where they pulled the wall forward to create this useful space behind. I'd love to bouce some ideas around with you, feel free to get in touch for a free no obligation chat with a cup of tea and if you need more help, we can draw it all up with photographic style renders so you can really get the feel of the new space before you start the expensive work. You can book a time on my website www.coveykitchens.co.uk Speak soon Kind Regards Emily...See MoreCan anyone please help improve this layout?
Comments (9)He gave the architect a list of what he wanted, but he isn’t keen on what the architect has produced. He likes the loft layout but thinks the downstairs & the first floor designs seem limited. He doesn’t like the W/C at the bottom of the downstairs extension. He also wants his daughter to have the en-suite but the layout doesn’t seem to work. He isn’t sure if moving the stairs would improve the layout of the whole of the house....See Moresiobhanmcgee90
4 months agoAnna Littlewood
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