Looking for layout experience for a big Vic/Edw semi Renovation
Hi Houzzers,
I've just moved into my dream renovation project and looking for layout experience tips/advice before I make any moves. With condemned plumbing and previous use as a commercial business, it needs a total strip out so now is the opportunity to create a layout that works!
It's a great size but long and relatively narrow at the back for the size of the house so creates a problem with flow and usable wall space for cabinetry.
The obvious would be a utility with bathroom at the back and continue through to the kitchen and rest of the house but there are a lot of bottlenecks and kitchen layout issues and this whole section of the house feels quite dark and cold. If anyone can make this work I'd love to know your thoughts/ideas/experience.
Additional space - FYI Conservatory on the plan was opened up as an outdoor shelter when we bought.
I can't afford an extension but I would consider reinstating a conservatory if it was a good solution like https://www.aliceinscandiland.com/blog/2017/03/12/how-to-extend-your-home-with-style-for-less-than-you-might-think.
I'm considering a courtyard in the side return and then a modern side conservatory at the back of the house so that we can have kitchen to diner that looks out onto the garden and doesn't compromise light to the middle of the house. I can't find any examples of anyone living like this - anyone out there done something similar? Will it work or is there a reason no one does this?
Key points - we need a substantial utility for dogs and muddy boots coming in/out, we need a downstairs toilet and we need to keep the beautiful big window in the first 'kitchen' room. I'd love doors/windows out onto the garden if it's possible as it's north west facing so currently very dark and cold.
Constraints are - There are beautiful Victorian decorative tiles in the hallway (that are definitely being kept) and then the red/white tiled floors (currently covered up by commercial rubber flooring) throughout the back of the house. We don't know what condition these are in or if they are salvageable. If they are good then it poses an issue with heating, pipes, cables etc. Also, it's in a conservation area, and we have a small reno pot but not a lot of money so we need to pick and choose now where that will be spent and then save/diy the rest.
Keen to hear any/all thoughts and ideas from you all...
Comments (13)
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last yearlast modified: last yearThis is a great space, congratulations :)
Is it the back that faces the North-West?
Can you post the layout of the upper floor? If possible, I would put skylights in that narrow part at the back of the house.
If the conservatory still has its roof, I'd consider removing it. I imagine it's blocking a lot of the light.
I agree that what you describe is the obvious layout:
You could do a bench with storage under that big kitchen window. The back wall could be a pantry. Fridge at bottom left, sink and dishwasher in the island, stove between the windows. You could even keep a little pass-through window where the door to the reception is.If it fits, the toilet could perhaps be under the stairs.
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Comments (19)Hi gogo, here is the new kitchen layout floor plan (excuse annotations); a second one with the lighting and power annotations that seems to have distorted a bit - and a third showing the original layout of the whole ground floor. you can see the vast chimney breast that came out. plus our cellar access (and a drain) were in the old utility room, where we needed units and the island to go. The cheaper solution to all our work would have been to knock through the kitchen and dining room and combine... but I wanted to retain 2 separate lounges. Our kitchen is space isn't vast - but it's actually perfectly proportioned now with our other rooms and apart from those giveaway pillars, almost looks like it was always like that. We lowered our ceilings so no beams showing - took a while to get use to the 2400 height but again, definitely the right decision. I've loaded more pics in my ideabook - (called 'last attempt' in reference to the loading onto houzz debacle, not the kitchen itself....). Good luck with your project....See MoreVictorian Semi ground floor plan - help
Comments (17)That's a lot to pack in to that space. Also, you have to look forward to a time when you don't need / want a playroom, when you may need the space for something else. Or, for a time when you want to sell and move on. Therefore, making the space as user friendly as possible for different purposes is important. I think you will struggle without an extension, therefore, I have added another 3m extension on the back. Here i've given you back a hallway front to back, added the light for the middle room. The toilet is under the stairs. You then enter the middle of the house and a utility / coat storage area is on your left with the kitchen on the right. This leads on to a dining / snug overlooking the garden. The playroom can then eventually be a formal dining room, or teenage / adult retreat with window blinds for privacy. Even a nice study area....See MoreGround floor layout help please
Comments (35)Had another little play around based on your new measurements and forgoing a separate living room. You have such a big kitchen/dining it would be more manageable with some zoning to keep it from feeling like a warehouse! In the hallway, sideboard with shoe storage, space for bench, coat hooks and full mirror maybe. Snug/Tv room / study in place of the small living room. Soft seating in the kitchen/diner instead. You could replace the top left desk in the snug/study for a built in cupboard / wardrobe for winter coats, boots, outdoor wear. Make it the same depth as the chimney breast so it blends in well. Under stairs storage. Utility room is bigger, so you can actually hang dry clothes in there, with hanging rack or those ceiling mounted racks, so long as you get a powerful extractor fan 150mm minimum! None of those 100mm weedy ones :) The weird blob in the kitchen is an indoor plant :-D...See MoreFloor plan help for first time renovators!
Comments (6)Looks like a great renovation project, although we can't help planning the ergonomics or circulation space, we can help from a cost input which you may want to consider also when planning the space. When reviewing different conceptual designs try using www.CostMyHome.co.uk to help estimate each design proposals. How it works, is to simply type in your postcode, find the property number and select what works you desire. Within a matter of split-seconds you’ll be presented with a cost for your renovation or extension project. It really is that simple....See Moreenembee
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last yearlast modified: last yearThere is nothing to be embarrassed about :) This looks like a wonderful house with a lot of potential - and a lot of decisions to make! I think hiring an architect would be a good investment.
A good architect with expertise in this kind of reno can help maximize your budget, modernize yet keep/restore the character of the home, and plan future renovation stages. Having a clear plan will save you money (and headaches) in the long run - for example by getting all the plumbing done, but finishing just one bathroom for the time being.
And if you can manage to live in the house in its current state for a few months, you will gain a clearer idea of what you like and dislike about the space.
(Another kitchen idea:)
EDIT: I've been in your shoes, and living in the house for 6 months first and then working with a good architect made all the difference.katlucy
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