Hi Silvia, Thank you for your suggestion, it's much appreciated. Unfortunately the cupboards which are currently in bedroom one would be too small to convert and if we did convert them then we would need to find some other space for clothes. I think we will need to build an ensuite next to the current bathroom for soil pipe reasons too. It's a bit of an awkward space so we are thinking of knocking internal walls down upstairs and changing the layout completely. Please let me know if you can think of a better layout! Stephanie

Hi Dalida! Yes, your flat needs a renovation, specially in the bathroom and kitchen. The wooden floor looks nice. Before starting the redising, it will be necessary you make a 'wishlist'. I would recommend a bigger kitchen . Have you considered having only 1 bigger bathroom? How many peple wil be living in the flat? How many bedrooms do you need? Is the kitchen entrance as nice as the main one ? Would you consider turning the kitchen entrance onto de main entrance to the flat? Then you'd be able to enter to the kitchen space ( it can be an attractive open-plan design - look at this one we fitted in a small apartment) Imagine that where the mirror is, is where your window is. If you turn this entrance onto the 'main one', you'll be able to have a big bedroom on the other side of the flat ( where the main entrance). You can keep the entrance and use it, but not for guest ( not nice to have visitors entering through your bedroom). As you can see there're a lot of options to discuss. I would recommend you to contact a profesional that helps you with the process, because if you meet him/her you can design together a really nice flat. Which style do you prefer? Would it be posible to change the position of the gas boiler? How much storage space do you need? For the new bathroom I would recomend to have storage space, and a large mirror will help to make the space feel bigger. As you can see, there're a lot of questions and lots of decissitions to take. Don't hesitate contacting a profesional to help you in the process it will sabe you money and headaches! We're based in South of Spain, so we're not close to help you with the renovation, but I hope my comments help you! Good luck with the renovation, Sara Leiva Architect @ Mirasur Proyectos SL PS- My recomnendation is not to divide the flat into 2 smaller ones - it will be much more expensive, messy, and you'll have 2 non- attractive tiny flats

I agree yet disagree about the "living in the house first".. If you already know you want to open up areas, do it! Bigger structural changes are messy. And 'Policies delayed are policies denied'. Especially with kids, jobs, etc. Plus you want to paint and do floors, it feels a lot more satisfying knowing it can stay that way for years to come. But do make a proper layout, planning is one of if not the most important part of a build/makeover. Sidenote: I'm so very very glad we did the bigger part of the structural work (removing walls, insulation the entire home, new wiring, new plumbing, moving doorways, taking out a chimney breast, changing windows, bathroom from scratch, etc) before moving in. This would not have been realistic afterwards (home is 72 m2 plus scullery). Still far from finished, just about everything that needs to be done are finishes/paintjobs/smaller projects.

Hi Victoria, I work for Outline Productions and we are making series 2 of ‘Sarah Beeny’s: Renovate Don’t Relocate’, which follows our property expert Sarah helping homeowners transform not just their homes, but the way they use them. We're looking for homeowners who have a design dilemma and have a budget to renovate, for whom Sarah can provide expert advice and help make your design go further! If you're interested, please do get in touch - my email is antoniao@outlineproductions.co.uk.