Hey Bas,

Congratulations on your new home. I think it is really important to consider what do you actually need/want and go from there. I will ask you a few questions that might help to get you thinking.

Do you need/want a large kitchen with island and plenty of space to cook? Or do you just need a very basic spec kitchen? Do you have people over and socialise a lot - do you need a dining table or are you not that bothered?

What do you do to relax do you watch tv/read/listen to music/play music - then you will know you need a good sofa space if you watch tv or if you need a nice corner nook with plenty of space for books?

Are you a muddy boots family or do you just need somewhere really simple to wash/dry your clothes?

Do you work from home? with lots of storage space for papers or is it computer work and a simple desk would work just fine?

Once you've gotten to the bottom of the space you need you can consider your budget, how much do you have to renovate can you afford to start knocking down all the internal walls and potentially extending or do you need to be smart with the space that you have.

Good luck and happy thinking! Let me know how you get on!

Jessica

Studio Smith

Thanks for your great comments,
Moving the kitchen would be a big project, my concern there is the width of the extension and not compromising lounge space

I would like a large kitchen to socialise in. A kitchen dinner would be my preference.

A snug lounge with big corner sofa for relaxing watching movies and listen to music is definitely my preference.

The garden is west facing

I do work from home a few days a week but don’t need an office space.

I can’t quite see how to make best use of the extension space and study area atm. 🤔

Thanks Bas

Thanks Sarah, wouldn’t want to get those two confused 😉😂

I think you need to consider the budget first and then investigate taking down walls

Thanks Jonathan, This was my original thought, but would one massive space work or would it feel to open. 🤔
I wonder if a wall between the kitchen and living room but to give the kitchen/ utilities more width. Extending the wall up to the start of the extension maybe.

It’s such an odd space and sadly my imagination is letting me down.

Would love to here what other people would do with this space..

Close off current kitchen to become a snug /office. Then move kitchen into living room and open up into existing dining room and office for open diner living space

So a bit of research and this looks like the original floor plan of other houses near by. So removing walls should be relatively strait forward.

Hey Bas,

I don't know what your budget is, but I do think you could explore moving the kitchen to where the living room is, it is the biggest open space and you will be able to get the sort of kitchen/diner/island area you are looking for!

I think it would be worth you time to reach out to builder or an Interior designer, both professionals would be able to help with drawing that include taking down walls - planning permission etc.

Good luck with your project - Jessica

I would think an architect or structural engineer could give you better advice from building regulations compliance to structural implications and requirements of removing load bearing external walls.