1 bedroom flat remodel floor layout advice

11 months ago

hello, I've so many ideas but not sure what to do. I would like a second bedroom and to open up kitchen/lounge. Looking to remodel rather than extend. the cellar doesn't have full ceiling height.

thinking about converting bathroom to bedroom and moving new bathroom in hallway to kitchen or else put between current bedroom and lounge. Also thought about smaller shower room in hallway and put a bath in front room as ensuite.

There is also some space to access to cellar wondering whether i could bring forward hallway to add some additional space to rooms. Walls between hallway and bedroom/bathroom and cellar are not load bearing so could move.

I have limited budget at present 30k so may need to do phase 1 now and hold off new kitchen till later. want to spend money in right way and happy to leave some things unfinished as the flat needs redecoration throughout. The bedroom and lounge have high ceilings and ideally my lounge would be where the bedroom is.

any help welcome

thanks, Shan

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Comments (8)

Gearoid
11 months ago
Would this plan work?:

Phase 1.

Knock the wall (including the storage cupboard) between the current bedroom and hallway and the convert that space into a living room, with patio doors to your garden? As part of this I'd open up as much as possible, the connection between the new living room and existing kitchen - which remains your kitchen. Again, depending on your budget you could maximise the connection between the kitchen and garden. The door into this space would now be at the top of the current hallway ie at the opposite end to the kitchen.

Ensure you spend money on insulating this new space, before redecorating this space. It's likely that your budget would be gone doing all these works.

Phase 2.

Convert the bathroom to a second bedroom. Use the front room as your new bedroom. Move the bathroom into a newly created, linear space between the new bedroom (at the front) and new living room.

Phase 3.

Build customised storage and laundry spaces into the height limited basement. Design your kitchen in phase 1, in such a way that the kitchen space vacated when the washing machine moves to the basement, that the kitchen unit can be reused for something else.
Shan
Original Author
11 months ago
hi Gearoid - yes that all makes sense and i didn't think about insulating - you are talking about sound insulation between new lounge and what will become new bedroom?

thank you!

that's helpful

Shan
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Gearoid
11 months ago
Hi Shan,

I was thinking more about thermal insulation, in the walls (eg dry lining) floors and ceiling space. My logic is that if you're going to spend money on decorating, new flooring etc it'd make sense to get the basic skeleton in good shape.

Another thing to think about if you went with this plan (especially the part about opening up a connection to the garden) is where you'd position the key furniture in the new arrangement. You would probably want to keep the space in front of the patio doors free of furniture.

All the best,

Gearoid
Shan
Original Author
11 months ago
ah i see - makes sense.

thanks again, Shan
katlucy
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
I think your flat works well as a one bed. Is the current kitchen single storey? could you have a vaulted ceiling with skylights and maybe even centralise the far window to a Juliet balcony
katlucy
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
As the kitchen seems bigger than the bathroom you might be able to achieve moving the kitchen into the new sitting room, stealing some space from the front bedroom? i think you should check with local agents for advice before embarking on any major renovations. How long do you plan to be there?
katlucy
11 months ago
Or this maybe…..
PRO
i-architect
11 months ago
Hi Shan,

Phasing your works is definitely a good idea when you need to consider cashflow. It's best to start off with a holistic overall design and then split that into the individual parts so you're not doing one portion of work and then finding that you need to redo bits and spending twice.

To get the right design for you it's really important to have a clear idea of what you need and want. You can get my free Design Your Home Vision checklist to help you with that here: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/dyhvchecklist.html

You will also find my Renovation Roadmap Workshop really helpful for managing your budget, timescale and achieving the standards that you're looking for. This is just £47 and 100% of profits go to the homeless charity Coffee4Craig. You can find out more here: https://iarchitectlimited.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1145853

Best wishes with your home redesign!

Jane

award winning chartered architect

eco-home and conservation area specialist

www.i-architect.co.uk

For helpful videos watch my YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@iarchitect

1 bedroom flat remodel floor layout advice

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1 bedroom flat remodel floor layout advice

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