Ground floor needs more flow

last month

We have just bought this 1960s house. The back of the house where the current dining area is (fp attached) faces east and slightly south so has good morning light.
The house is very open downstairs which we like but it's a bit too open so we have come up with the other plan, to add utility, move kitchen so that the cabinets divide space but still leave it open, there is an off centre internal pillar that these will come up to which is structural. We plan to add additional windows on the south side but unsure about adding velux, as the space where the current dining area is has a pitched roof so might look clunky? How can we use this space most effect. We don't want to go in to the garage space as it will add too much to our project at the moment and we are professional gardeners and need the storage space!
Also any thoughts on making the front more attractive, we can plant it but just generally make it a more appealing house?

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Comments (8)

Natalie
Original Author
last month
I just want to add that my husband is not opposed to going in to the garage but I think it would be expensive
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Sarah L
last month
Dimensions please
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Thank you for details. In general, location of areas is chosen fine, especially if you want to keep dining and kitchen separately. Although I will have couple of suggestions for you. I would consider more space for your dining/kitchen area. Make it wider and add at least 1m-1,5 m. You have double doors to the garden but you don't leave enough room to walk around table. It can be a nightmare to move chairs if you need to pass, even simply for the reason to open or close windows with curtains or blinds. Looking at lounge areas: two large sofas will look bulky, especially in the area, which you plan to keep neat and clean. It means it should be as functional (when you need it to be) as to be out of your way when you live your life. From here, I will recommend to choose corner sofa for your sitting room and a large footstool. It will allow you to have open look on interior and area will look larger, welcoming and you will have more seats for family hours.If you like armchairs, then have a look at next layout Second area doesn't need large sofa. A set of chairs will look much better and will be more functional. Therefore, you don't need any special dividers between two areas because they will look as two separate complete areas and you will not miss such fact :) If you wonder to place doors or special separation to kitchen + dining area, there are many esthetic options https://alenacdesign.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/room-dividers-and-other-solutions/ I hope it will help you :) Don't hesitate to ask more. Good luck! Alena
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My plan shows steps down from the kitchen to the garden room as I noticed the wc was on a lower level. I still prefer my plan because:- you end up with a bigger living room (on the first floor) and the plan suggests there is a balcony outside these windows; you move the dining room to the entrance level and then put an opening to the hallway so that the hall seems bigger and your first impression is improved; the front basement room will have the most limited outlook and light so in my opinion should be a gym or guest room, you have a kitchen in the heart of the house; you have a living space at a likely similar height to the garden; the main bedroom moves up a floor to a likely quieter position; the guest rooms all have fewer stairs for the parents; and you don’t have to take out major walls to achieve this. But of course this is all based on the plans provided but you know your house best. Perhaps now you are getting some ideas you should consider the available budget and explore some of the layouts with a designer or concept planner.
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Natalie
Original Author
last month
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Natalie
Original Author
last month
It's not easy to understand from the estate agent, we were planning to have a little snug behind new kitchen area where double doors are over looking the back
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Jonathan
last month
I think you need to start with accurate measurements. The agents details are not accurate as it appears from the lounge measurement that the house is 19’11” wide but the kitchen plus hallways width would leave a garage that is significantly smaller than a car.

Separately if the extension where the dining room is only 7’6” then it’s too small too accommodate a sofa.

And personally I think your planned utility is too big for this house and you should be thinking smaller
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Jonathan
last month
This plan is a best guess of sizes

I think you shouldn’t be dividing the space…. I think you main goal is creating an extra living space without extending so I offer an alternative.

Furthermore you don’t have to fully convert your garage for it to be useful- I would put a personal door in from near the bottom of the stairs and put your washer and dryer in there. .
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katlucy
last month
I think your current kitchen being one of the sunniest spots late afternoon would be wasted as a utility and i agree with jonathan the utility should move to the garage or at least the darkest part of the sitting room and be smaller if possible… you could make the current kitchen an office and shower room.

if you don't need a big dining table for entertaining then the space at the end of the kitchen could make a cosy breakfast area with upholstered bench perhaps….ive guessed where the pillar is …maybe you could extend this area in time?

The house to the right of yours looks good rendered …..and in time I would replace the heavy looking tiles….

One option …..
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Natalie
Original Author
last month
Thank you for all your suggestions, we haven't completed on the house yet but will measure up when we get in. Agree it's a shame to waste the best light, we were thinking some high internal glazing to let it through but these ideas look great also
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Ground floor needs more flow

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