Hi Jonathan, sorry life got very busy there for a while! We actually already have glass doors opposite the front door into the kitchen and intend to add a sizeable rooflight in the study so perhaps we will be reasonably catered for in terms of light despite any porch addition. A fresh thought on layout came to but I've had zero time to get acquainted with floorplanner or an alternate piece of software to draw it out. I will endeavour to manage this soon. It basically involves reducing the size of the existing utility so the small hall becomes twice as wide. Then closing off the hallway at this end so this is in effect a galley off the kitchen with pantry style units leading to a door at the study end allowing ease of access from kitchen to garage conversion. Hard to explain fully and it's benefits as we see them without a drawing so I'll work on that!

Hi Susan, do you have a floorplan of the room? This will help to advise on layout options. If a corner chaise sofa doesn't work you could always opt for a sofa with a footstool. You may find it useful to mark out on the floor where you would like the sofa etc with masking tape this will give you an idea on the space you have in the room and how easy it is to move around pieces of furniture etc. If you would like any guidance and help with your garage conversion, we are an affordable online interior design company offering expert advice with affordable packages. Heres the link to our website if you would like to take a look - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/ You may also find our Facebook group community helpful, its another place to ask questions and gain free advice from like minded interior lovers and us as experts! Here is the link if you would like to join - https://www.facebook.com/groups/interiorhomedesignadviceandsupportuk

Hey Jonathon, Thanks so much for your thoughts! Maybe I should have been clearer, we will have a living room upstairs and so there is a breakout from the kitchen. Also, our planning permission was approved as long as the garage is 'in keeping with the rest of the close' and so bricking up the doors may take a second round of application. There is already an existing window on the side of the property in the garage and so we will just be enlarging it. That side of the house gets the majority of direct light during the day. Here is an early cross section of the house plans. The kitchen we currently have is tiny and on the first floor at the front, and will be replaced by a single bedroom on the 1st floor (starting where the soil pipe cuts through the room and covering where the bookshelf is currently)

Hi , There are so many ways you could redesign this layout. I suggest you start with creating a vision for your home. I have a free Design Your Home Vision Checklist that you can get here: https://www.i-architect.co.uk/dyhvchecklist.html You maybe also be interested in the Renovation Roadmap Workshop that I'm running next week on Friday. It will help you plan your renovations so you can control the time, cost and quality or your build. You can find out more and save your space 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