Tricky downstairs layout - How would you create a good flow?
Nat HJ
9 years ago
We've just bought a new house which has a bit of an unusual flow downstairs with a study stuck in the middle of the house.
We are wrecking our heads on a few questions and would love your thoughts...
- what do we do with this study space?
A Keep it and use as playroom (but no daylight)
B knock down and integrate into lounge (but how then to use that L-shaped space?)
C knock it down and integrate into hall (the hall is currently really dark and small, not very inviting when you come in)
- how do we best use the lounge/ dining / kitchen space given that
- the kitchen is the largest room, and we can't afford a new kitchen yet but want to upgrade it, maybe put an island in the middle and put a big picture window in so we can get more light and garden in
- the dining area is the brightest room with the best view of the garden and it feels a bit of a waste to only sit there for dinner (when it's dark!)
- the lounge is so long and narrow and has a door in an awkward space how can we use this space best, how to best position furniture (is it better with or without that study space?)
We've got a toddler and we love entertaining with and without kids and we also love relaxing in front of the telly so are keen for a really comfy big sofa.
The pics were taken before we moved in so none of the furniture need to be incorporated. It's blank canvas furniture wise and we plan to replace flooring.
I am really into room design but this stretches me quite a bit! What would you do?
We are wrecking our heads on a few questions and would love your thoughts...
- what do we do with this study space?
A Keep it and use as playroom (but no daylight)
B knock down and integrate into lounge (but how then to use that L-shaped space?)
C knock it down and integrate into hall (the hall is currently really dark and small, not very inviting when you come in)
- how do we best use the lounge/ dining / kitchen space given that
- the kitchen is the largest room, and we can't afford a new kitchen yet but want to upgrade it, maybe put an island in the middle and put a big picture window in so we can get more light and garden in
- the dining area is the brightest room with the best view of the garden and it feels a bit of a waste to only sit there for dinner (when it's dark!)
- the lounge is so long and narrow and has a door in an awkward space how can we use this space best, how to best position furniture (is it better with or without that study space?)
We've got a toddler and we love entertaining with and without kids and we also love relaxing in front of the telly so are keen for a really comfy big sofa.
The pics were taken before we moved in so none of the furniture need to be incorporated. It's blank canvas furniture wise and we plan to replace flooring.
I am really into room design but this stretches me quite a bit! What would you do?
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Comments (12)
minnie101
9 years ago
PROB2 Architecture Ltd
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Downstairs layout help - incl. kitchen
Comments (18)Option 1 : Doesn't offer a lot of storage, sink to close to end panel of the appliance housing to make it practicle, the option of dining at the breakfast bar looks compromised by the hob, also doesn't appear to be much practical worktop to use for preparation, toaster kettle etc. In my opinion not a good design, creates more problems than it solves Option 2 : Is the better design but I think lose the wall have a straight run with tall units on the garden end and none at the other taking away the bulky end panels. Turn the island 90 degrees and make it longer and deeper....See MoreHow to make the most of our 1930's downstairs layout.
Comments (6)Hi Emma, I've been messing around with your layout below. Mainly the side to rear extension along the drive. - I'm not sure whether you would be able to move that wall in the kitchen (I'm assuming it's load-bearing, along with the column and you'd need a structural beam) but I'd have a breakfast bar rather than an island. It's recommended you have at least 4ft clearance for a kitchen island and with the dining table being on the other side, there will not be enough space to manoeuvre around it. With a slimmer breakfast bar (say 60cm) you could put essential coffee/tea making items on it, have some shallow open shelving below and have space for 2 high stools on the other side. - I've placed the toilet in a utility room, as you don't want to toilet directly off the kitchen. Plus you gain a dedicated space for laundry and a mudroom of sorts which is accessible from the garden and garage. - You could build a cushioned bench seat along the wall where the toilet was. Creates some more casual seating for guests whilst your cooking and is a place you can work from. Maybe get one of these cantilevered tables which could double as a laptop stand and side table. These are just my 2 cents! Professional planners like @OnePlan can give you some really good layout solutions....See MoreHelp please for awkward downstairs layout!
Comments (9)Thank you Eulinea Ltd. Yes the utility is far from the kitchen but I am happy with that as the laundry does not need to be near the kitchen. The architect has had to fit the stairs in there due to existing steels which would be costly to move. His first idea was to move the stairs to the left of the dining room as you mentioned and that would work well as the stairs to the loft will be above that location, however he has since changed the plans as he felt this would take us too far over budget and was trying to scale back the costs for us. I have no idea how much it costs to move a staircase. It is tricky as we can’t get a true idea of costs until the detailed drawings have been done but we don’t want to then have to redo the drawings if the costs are too high!...See MoreAny inspiration for changing downstairs layout?
Comments (6)I think you are right to move the kitchen but you are only gaining an extra two feet with the move so the kitchen dimensions and layout seem to be pretty much the same. I notice you have two sets of double doors in very close proximity to each other. Do you think you could do without the double doors in the proposed kitchen? If you replace them with a window you could then bring your kitchen units round to create a U shaped kitchen. You could perhaps put the sink there with views out to the garden....See MoreNat HJ
9 years agoThanks for your ideas minnie101. We like open plan definitely and it has a bit of that feel already as there are in fact glass doors between kitchen and dining room (so that is a plus ;-). Were you thinking moving dining area to front of the house and play area in the bit you'd carve off the current lounge?
Nat HJ
9 years agominnie101
9 years agoHi, in that option the new lounge became the lounge/diner and the old smaller lounge became the play room. I've attempted to draw another idea which could be done in stages, just make sure you buy enough flooring if done in stages though! You basically have a family space and a formal entertainment room. What I don't like in my plan is the lack of doors into the formal space to create a nice flow and you would also need to have an window installed. You could sort the door issue when you do change the kitchen if you have less units. I do think it is an idea to move the loo to the garage if you don't mind losing some of the garage. Removing the study would leave you with a hall of about 19x15 I think which just seems wasted space.
minnie101
9 years agoJonathan
9 years ago
vicky lee
9 years agoThe objective of this plan is to have clearer flow and a potential grandparent visitor room.
Present toilet moves to utility room and adds shower. Good for guest bathroom, even could have extra wide door for handicapped visitors.
Carve off new utility room and larder store from kitchen
Open hole at counter height to enlarged study now dining room, bringing light and useful serving area.
Folding doors in lounge can make spare room for study or visitors, open can also be play area.
Funny space at front ... Future toilet?
snowychris
9 years agoNat HJ
9 years agoNat HJ
9 years ago
OnePlan