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Kitchens Living Rooms Design Dilemma

down stairs floor plan for family life

5 months ago

I’m wanting to re design my downstairs to make the house feel less disjointed. I have an idea what I want to do, but would be grateful if I could have some opinions or other ideas. Or just to clarify that what I’m thinking is the best I can do without extending.
Picture one is current, picture two is what I was thinking would be better. TIA

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Comments (16)

Isla Cherry
5 months ago
I think its an excellent change of use using the existing floorplan. My only question to you is will you be happy with the playroom at the front of the house and the living area at the back? The playroom may become redundant?
minnie101
5 months ago
I’m not sure about the snug particularly given it’s a conservatory, assuming you have a tv, is there a place for it? It’s also rather small as your living space plus issues with heat, light etc

If extending isn’t an option, in your new plan play room becomes utility/boot

keep Living where it is, have a smaller office and below it have a play area off the living space. Conservatory for dining

There is however an argument for bigger rooms rather than lots of small ones

Perhaps you can the first floor plan and people can suggest other ideas
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jan walker
Original Author
5 months ago
I hear what you are saying, this is my concern too. I think the kitchen dining space is also big enough to have a sofa in it, which I think will make the space become more like the living area. I put a proper roof on the conservatory a few years back and it has under floor heating so I’m hoping that helps with my heating and light concerns.
Lauren S
5 months ago
Have you considered keeping the kitchen in the same place but reconfiguring it so the wall to the living room could then be opened up? Some/ all of the utility could also be opened up if budget allowed and the back room therefore changed into a larger living/dining space connected to the kitchen at the front. The conservatory/current dining room could then be a play room or office as preferred.
jan walker
Original Author
5 months ago
Thank you for commenting, that’s a great idea. I have never even thought about that.
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jan walker
Original Author
5 months ago
This was plans I got made up from a kitchen company to get an idea of what the space would be like opened as a kitchen again.

This originally was the house kitchen, but previous owners converted the garage in to the kitchen.
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Lauren S
5 months ago
Do you have another lounge on another floor? As with this kitchen plan you seem to lose the living space on this floor.
rinked
5 months ago
If moving the front door is an option:

The XL hallway could house utility+laundry+storage with some deep custom built cupboards (or regular depth at both sides of the hallway). The front room would become a cozy lounge. The rear a kitchen dining with snug/play in the conservatory.
rinked
5 months ago
last modified: 5 months ago
Converting both front rooms into small-ish spaces isn't optimal in my opinion.

If you were ever to replace the conservatory for an extension, you could move the lounge and turn the front room into play/office/spare.
rinked
5 months ago
idea:
jan walker
Original Author
5 months ago
Wow, I would never have even considered doing this.. what a great idea. Unfortunately I think this plan is way out of my budget. Im probably working with 20k max. But thank you so much for this, definitely made me think of another option.
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rinked
5 months ago
possible future:
rinked
5 months ago
Save up then? As 20K these days likely won't even be enough for the changes you had in mind.
jan walker
Original Author
5 months ago
That’s amazing, love this plan. I didn’t mention but the utility room was the original kitchen so I was assuming it would be a case of taking down a wall, which isn’t a supporting wall. So by taking on some of the DIY to hopefully save on costs. And possibly re using wood to build the new partition. Your plans have really got me thinking. Maybe have to make an appointment with the bank haha!
H A
5 months ago
Lots of possibilities here! Consider where you get the sun - if at the front of the house, it might be nice to knock through from the kitchen to the back room. Then keep the utility as-is and have the front room as a snug. Personally I would have the conservatory as the playroom (I think it’s too far away otherwise). Kids are only little for a few years and it’s nice to have them playing where you are! Good luck, I’m sure it’ll be great whatever you do 😊
jan walker
Original Author
5 months ago
You’re right about the playroom, they are only little for a small time. Thank you, this has been great to get some other ideas. Now to look at maybe upping my budget and seeing what worth doing to the property to add best value for money and to get the best for family living. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply 😃
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