Redesigning a house layout

[didireallysaythat]

We are about to move. The new house is OK but the layout of rooms downstairs doesn't flow. I think this could be fixed, but before getting an architect (necessary?) in or a builder with vision, I'd like to see if we can come up ideas ourselves. Trouble is I'm rubbish at this interior design thing - my idea of adventurous is mixing magnolia walls with white paintwork.

So where do you start ? Houzz and pinterest are pretty but it's a normal sized house not a mansion. Right move photos are good but after 3 years of daily right move alerts I'm ready to move on.

In terms of size of project, I'm thinking knock two room together, move kitchen from back to front of house, work in a utility room somehow (it needs new heating system which maybe would work in the garage). Or if I win the lottery convert the garage and extend on top (upstairs layout awful too!).

Any suggestions on books, websites etc gratefully received. I lack creative genes "

[ChickenLickenSticken]

We're i the same boat!!!

Current extension (morning room), kitchen and playroom layout doesn't work. House isn't huuuuge but big enough to get a utility room in somewhere, it's just how the reconfiguration would work...

Had a couple of builders round and they agree to get builders with vision to give us some ideas. Last builder said architect fine if money no object and we want posh drawings so we are just going to get tons of builders over.

Good luck!!

[SillyBlueHat]

You don't need an architect, too expensive. Get a good draughtsman instead.

[didireallysaythat]

Silly does a draughtsman come up with ideas or put on paper in a way a builder could follow your own ideas ? I agree that an architect is overkill but I'm lacking in the ideas department.

[Sleepwhenidie]

I agree a good builder should have some good ideas and if there isn't anything tricky like stairs to move, be fine. Before you get them in though, think about how you live as a family...

• how much open plan/enlarged space do you really want (not forgetting that longer term, DC's and you may prefer separate spaces for TV/gaming etc)
  

• where do you spend the most time? For me it's the kitchen and I wanted it where there is most light, with easy access to the garden
  

• for me it made more sense to put laundry room upstairs, close to bedrooms, so no dragging clothes though the living areas of the house.

[Allthequeenshorses]

We did not use and architect either. We got a copy of the original layout from the title plans. DH photocopied it and then we sat for weeks with felt tip pens "moving" walls.
We were putting 3 small cottage into one, so on some of the plans we tip-exed out all the walls and then drew in how we thought we would like it.
Once we had a rough idea of what would work for us, we then went over the drawings with the builder and they drew up the proper plans.
I cannot draw, and am not good at interior design, this was really basic doodles.
Surprisingly, apart from a couple of changes, it is almost exactly like we imagined.
You already say that the downstairs does not "flow", thats how i felt, so try and map out what you feel would flow for you.

[Allthequeenshorses]

Sorry, an architect, and cottages.

[MummytoMog]

We had a consultation with an architect my in laws used - he spent a couple of hours with us, talking about how we used the house, he brought the current layout with him and then he sketched out various different ideas. After the consultation he tidied up the drawings and sent them to us electronically and we used them to get quotes from builders. He came up with some brilliant ideas, that we would never have had by ourselves, and highlighted things we would need to worry about (like drainage, manhole covers, fire doors etc) and we're actually going with his layout. Unfortunately, he also resketched the loft for us and we liked it so much we're having the loft reconverted, adding £35k onto our costs, but que sera sera.


Cost us about £500. Was worth it in my opinion.

[theWookiesWife]

Hi - getting the flow right is not only about the planning - but getting a base pallet of colours and textures to pull it all together too !
Here's a link to a free room planner - can be fun to mock up rooms and place stuff etc yourself :
Free room planner thebrick.icovia.com
Or if your want to have a pro do it for you - remotely :
www.houzz.com/pro/oneplan/oneplan
Either way - good design to suit you and the space you have, is always a good investment - be it in your own time or in money spent !
Have fun creating your dream home !! :-)

[theWookiesWife]

Nb - the OnePlan link is to my pro website - finding solutions to problems like yours is what I do for a living !

[didireallysaythat]

theWookie thanks for the links - do you have an examples on a more modest/realistic size/budget ? I like the idea of a walk in wardrobe room but my bedroom doesn't have room for a wardrobe, let alone space for a whole separate dressing room unfortunately.

I agree that the rooms can be linked together using a colour scheme though. First I need to move the walls as one room is just a corridor to get to another... I think I'm going to start with pen, paper and tracing paper !

[theWookiesWife]

hi ! I design for all home shapes and sizes and all budgets !! (I don't have a walk in wardrobe either !!) i'm one of these 'both feet on the ground' designers !!!!!!! Some of my work is for people in USA and they build bigger properties over there - hence I show larger rooms too!
let me know the sort of sizes you have and the ideas and if possible an idea of your style ... and I can see if I can point you in the right direction ...
good idea to start with pen and paper !! take lots of measurements and don't restrict your ideas to just what you see ... there's often a simple solution to most design problems !! just a case of finding it !!

you can email direct on [email protected] if you prefer

[didireallysaythat]

*theWookie" - sorry if i sounded grumpy earlier (I re-read what I'd written) - I've come down with man flu and I should be packing. Once I've moved in and have room sizes (the details and floor plan don't have them) I'll drop you an email if that's ok. I can understand that slightly larger projects are possibly more photogenic and hence better for marketing online, but the result is a lack of smaller scale projects on the internet as far as I can tell (if you exclude the weird and wacky world of Ikea).

Thank you !

[theWookiesWife]

I didn't read it as grumpy !! Feel for you with the man flu !! Probably a bit if stress thrown in too !! Have a G&T !!! And chill !! Be happy to hear from you as and when you feel like it !! :-)

[formicadinosaur]

I think a good sized kitchen diner that goes onto your garden makes sense. Lounge is better as a snug so ok if smaller room

[ChickenLickenSticken]

Sorry to hijack but I may email you too wookie if that's ok!!

[theWookiesWife]

Sure ChickenLickenSticken ! With a nick name like that I can see that we will get on fine !!! Lol

[didireallysaythat]

Formica that's certainly the thing I'm after. But I think that moving the kitchen to the front and having the dining room bit open onto the garden may flow better than the first idea which was to leave the kitchen where it is and knock sideways into the dinner area. The lounge would remain untouched (potentially toy free zone !). I'm not sure though... Rubbish at visualising. Plus I'd like to future proof for later extension. I'm so indecisive. I suspect the cost will focus me..

[formicadinosaur]

Liking the idea of a grown up room!! Agree its very important to plan a good layout. Could you post your layout on line? You may get various ideas that way?

[didireallysaythat]

Formica I was going to post a plan (OK I admit I don't know how to currently) but the only one I have is the EA plan which doesn't have measurements. Looking at it last night it's also wrong and not to scale. So first thing we'll do when we get the keys on Thursday is make an accurate plan. If this thread has tailed off by then I'll start afresh for the MN wisdom.