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Design Dilemma Kitchens Living Rooms

Help with downstairs layout for 1930s kitchen extension

last year

Hi all

we are planning a downstairs extension to our 1930s semi. plans below.

There is quite a big slope to the garden so we are putting in internal steps down to the new kitchen/ dining area.

we were thinking of having a small partition wall to make a smaller opening from the lounge into the extension than pictured on the drawings. the idea being to separate the lounge more and to create more walls so we can arrange the sofa and tv better.

we are concerned that the lounge may seem cramped and the opening wont be wide enough when walking in to the room.

does any one please have any ideas on how we can optimise the layout to make use if the space? the chimney breast and steps make it quite awkward

thank you :)

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Comments (5)

katlucy
last year
I think i would just have a wall of units on the side wall and a larger island and access the utility from the kitchen through the existing window position. you could then have a bank of storage units facing the fireplace
Laura Walton
Original Author
last year
Thank you, that is a good idea. they are on differrnt levels though. we are now thinking if just having the island as worktop space and having the hob on the wall with sink. we are wanting double wall ovens so i think we will need to keep the L configuration
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Hi, If i may I would like to ask about the extension first: Why are you not building over the boundary with your neighbour. This would allow you to build the extension in line with the existing party wall. As you are building within 3M of the neighbours property you still need a party wall agreement. Judging by the single roof light can I assume the roof is pitched from existing rear wall to new rear extension wall. If the side wall moved over then it would help to make the shape of the room more uniformed. The return nib could also be removed with the inclusion of a post of approx size 90mm x 90mm. Will the extension roof be vaulted or will the existing ceiling run through into the extension? Will the new support beams be inserted into the ceiling void or will they sit down under the ceiling? It looks to me as though the brushes steel cooker hood does not suit either of the kitchen styles. The separation of the hood also breaks up the flow of the wall units which I find a bit distracting. The island seating seems to be facing the wrong direction especially as you have removed the posts now. If I was designing the kitchen I would want the space to work for me. Currently there seems to be a lot of circulation space which could be better managed with a smarter kitchen layout. I would look at the island and write down what I want it to bring to the kitchen. Is is a focal point, where will my guests be looking from the stools, will I be cooking or prepping food on the island, how does the kitchen triangle rule work with this layout. It may be worth considering removing all of the kitchen units on the wall adjacent to the lounge and moving the island up by 600mm. Then I would looking at the position of the kitchen units on the other wall and consider only having only wall and floor units to stylise the design. The american fridge would need to be found a space. Not much help but something to chew on.
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To me this doesn’t need replanning to make it lighter. It’s a decoration issue. Personally I think the floor and brown wood kitchen cabinets and dark work surface are what makes this seem gloomy. I wonder if other Houzzers will agree that pale worksurface and a plain large format tile floor will make the biggest differences. You might also be relying too much on the spotlights at night- having additional light sources at different levels is easier to live with. Consider adding a standard lamp, table lights, above cabinet lighting, plinth lights, lights in plants etc etc. Separately the utility room is small- to avoid unnecessary construction consider treating it as a pantry and put your laundry facilities in your oversized bathroom instead
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Steph Buckle
last year
The additional wall lounge to dining area the might work well as a dwarf wall, allowing different furniture configurations on the lounge side but still maintaining flow between spaces.
Jonathan
last year
I think it’s a pity to have an open plan space and then divide it either with a wall or a change of levels.

And it occurs to me- do you need to build as big? Could you use the garage space and then buy a fancy garden shed for storage instead of putting it in the garage?
PRO
Phillip Brewer Architecture Ltd
last year
Hi Laura,

That looks like it will be a fantastic addition of space to your home. I think that a change in levels or a low-level dividing wall is a great feature in an open plan space, as it gives clear division of spaces but allows transmission of natural light. This is sometimes called ‘broken plan’ and there are lots of examples and information on Houzz like this article:https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/how-to-design-a-broken-plan-space-stsetivw-vs~119315147

So by adding a railing or low height wall to separate the lounge and dining spaces, you could get views of your garden from the living room whilst still having somewhere to place your furniture up against. Its best to keep the ceiling level if you can and use a rooflight and glazing above the bifold to bring light all the way deep into the lounge space. And keep the steps to 1-2m wide to make the most of space either side of them.

I would also recommend 2 other changes: reduce the size of the bifold to add more kitchen units with a window, and reduce the size of the utility to make the central space into something usable. Something like a library if you like to read, or a drinks bar if you like to entertain or record player and vinyl collection

Please let me know what you think?

And I wish you all the best with your extension project!!

Phill

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