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Renovating Design Dilemma

Ground floor extension configuration help

Darryl Fickling

3 years ago

Hi all

We live in a 1970s 3-bed detached house and looking to make some ground-floor changes with a flat roof extension. We can only extend from the rear to just over 4m and the width can only be 6.5m due to the waste pipe and manhole cover.

Ideally, we are looking for a kitchen/dining area in the new extension, which we think is straightforward. Have a snug/lounge in its current location at the front of the house, with possibly french door to separate the space.

The design issue I'm having is the layout of the current kitchen location and how we can change it into a utility room. I have a load-bearing wall (in red) so I don't really know what's possible with this and if removing it just leaves dead space.

Ideally, it would be great to have the hall run through to the rear, but I don't think it's possible or I simply cannot visualise it. I've been playing with ideas, but nothing feels right. So, I'd love to hear your views as I've seen some great solutions on here, and I'm hoping you could shed some new light on my design plan.

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Comments (5)

Darryl Fickling
Original Author
3 years ago
I've been exploring options, and would like your thought on the following design. I'm wondering whether I keep the wall next to the L shape sofa. Or loss it and have a column.
Darryl Fickling
Original Author
3 years ago
I feel the best approach would be to remove the wall and either have and pillar, or even better no pillar at all. this is something I would discuss with a structural engineer. Does anyone have any suggustions with this layout?
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pauldrowan
3 years ago
I like what you’ve done. If it were me I would pay the extra to remove the pillar and I would flip the layout at the back. I’d make the utility room slightly smaller and this would give a sight line/ flow straight through to the garden on entering the house.
Darryl Fickling thanked pauldrowan
Darryl Fickling
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your comment Paul, I agree with all your points. Unfortunately, a waste drain runs at the back of the house. I'm told, we are only permitted to cover this pipe to 6.5m by Anglia Water. Which is why we cannot go the full width. This means, once the kitchen units are in, they would visible if the wall was straight and in line with the entrance and stairs. So we've had to create a slight step-in to fix this, I'm hoping once the final measurements are in, that I might be able to get the wall straight, and so a clean line of sight.

I did think about flipping the kitchen, I was told it would require waste and water pipes being moved. I was recommended not to do it, especially with our budget and what we want to achieve. We also get the evening sun to the rear left corner, so would be a nice spot to sit rather than cook. Which is why I'm keen to have a bench seat and a table there.

One thing for certain is removing the pillar is key, as you've suggested.
Jonathan
3 years ago
Lots of people would build exactly as you are planning. The counter argument is that when you have finished building your kitchen/dining room will be only 20% bigger than you have now and your living room won’t be any bigger although you will have an extra space for a tv and sofa elsewhere. You will also have a small utility room that seeems to be anchored to that location because of the back door which likely gets little use.

Unless you need an additional TV space you might consider if fewer but bigger spaces might be better.

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