What is your location? Have you appointed an Architect - or have you not got to that stage yet?

Check out www.totalaccousticsolutionsuk.co.uk With the trend for clean lines hard surfaces and minimalism there has been a surge in the need for acoustic solutions, many architects being the culprits of the problem from new build to refurbished properties, residential as well as from small businesses to huge corporates in the city, there main objective is design and image where budget is concerned and don't seem to be interested in how a space really works, consequently they often don't work and acoustics being one of a variety of problems, there is so much to consider that as a client it can very easily be overlooked and you employ professionals to know it all. Everyone these days loves glass wood tiles and leather surfaces, uncluttered with clean lines which all add up to a whole lot of echo. Soft furnishings are the obvious solutions, rugs carpets cushion and curtains. There are a whole lot of solutions out there now, canvasses of all sizes with your own selected image make great pieces of art, if you have downlighting there are special coils that can fit above each light to absorb sound between floors, acoustic underlay under carpeted areas, ceiling panels can also be fitted in a colour of your choice, they can simply blend in or be a feature, even suspended shaped panels could be a feature to a high ceiling maybe in a kitchen, acoustic specialist can also fit a specific type of speaker system that give of a white noise that balances out your problem areas, the frequency will be adapted to specifically suit your problem, so as you can see there are many solutions to help you and the experts will find the best one that suits you. The website at the top has many solutions and is recommended by WHICH!! this is always a good sign, they will come and do a no obligation free no hidden charge site survey and quote for you too. I hope this was helpful to you. Kind regards Barbara

Barn conversions that embrace their location, the solar arc, the seasons, and link their past with heartfelt, well considered modern design make some of the best dwelling places.

Yes Jen, that was one of our ideas. Man about the house - this was an idea we had too, I really like the back door coming straight into the utility/mud room. We did think about putting the toilet into the front right of the garage and having a door to it from the utility (if we move utility move into the rest of that garage). We keep going back to that idea Then we seen your plan Rinq, it’s great! It’s made us rethink the whole thing and really like the fact I can see the play room, lounge and dining room so I can keep an eye on the kids at all times while cooking. My husband also loves an island so this makes him really happy too! Thanks for all your input, definitely lots of ideas now and lots to think about