Remodelling the ground floor…where to start? Please point me in the right direction.

[Superness]

About seven years ago, we did a small rear extension on our 1930s semi.. We moved our kitchen into the centre of the house for a large-ish kitchen, dining and living space. We didn’t have a designer or architect to help with the internals and I think we made some mistakes as to kitchen location, layout, design and zoning. It’s noisy, cold, un-homely and needs reconfiguring.

I have spent the last two years trying to convince my partner that it needs changing. He is obvs reluctant - the kitchen is modern and functional and had plenty of life left in it - but has finally agreed that it can be improved. I really need to get this right, the space needs to work for our family and I want to feel happy with it but I’m not sure where to go for help.

I need someone to come into the house, see how the flow could be improved and how to make the most of the space. Where to put the kitchen and the shape of it will be an integral aspect of this.. Works might involve blocking of an existing doorway or putting a new one in (on a stud wall) but won’t be anything structural. Where to put the kitchen and what shape it will be will be an integral part of what I need but I don’t want to be sold a kitchen. I need to visualise the ideas on cad drawings or something similar.

Do I need an architect that specialises in interiors, an interior designer or a kitchen designer? I’m desperate to start this project off. I will be on a tight budget so the key is getting the layout right. Can you point me in the right direction so I can get off to a good start? Architect? Interior architect? Interior designer? Kitchen designer?

Who should be my first port of call? Advice very gratefully received.

you can post floor plans here for comment

there is someone called Karen who is often recommended here for kitchens.

an architect would do plans for you but is the most expensive option

Technically this is the kind of thing an interior architect does but I don’t know how you’d go about finding one. I suspect it’s really about finding a person who is good with spaces and will take the time to listen - rather than their specific qualification.

Karen at OnePlan is a good shout. And do put a plan here!

Search Instagram with #1930srenovation

There's A LOT of people who share their own renovations.

Thanks for your replies. I don’t have any plans to post yet but I will draw up my own floor plan asap and post. It would be great to get your some ideas about what would/wouldn’t work.

I have seen Karen at OnePlan mentioned before but I really wanted someone to come into my home and get a feel for how it is not working (!) although I guess with the wonders of video calls it’s not necessary.

I guess an interiors architect is an architect who specialises in interior layouts. I’ll do some research and try to find one in my area although it would probably be more expensive than OnePlan, which seems reasonable and has good reviews.

Thanks for one Instagram page tip. I’ll look it up.

Also, have a look at Pinterest - put in 1930s floor plan or extension and see what comes up. I also think (certainly where we are) there are tons of 1930s houses which have extended - look at Rightmove (to buy as well as sold), go on your local council's planning portal (you can see the proposed layout for extensions - won't show you how it works in practice but lots of those plans will have been drawn up to an architect's specification so will have considered flow / light etc) or instagram as suggested above.

Thanks Africa2go, that’s great advice. I would never have thought about the council’s planning portal. Will look on Pinterest too.

Hope to get a floor plan of existing layout up by the end of the week (I have to measure up and draw it first!).

I don’t have plans as such but I have finally measured up and sketched up a few ideas, I’d be grateful for your thoughts on the best use of the space especially where to locate the kitchen in particular. The first picture is of the blank space that I have to work with although there are some constraints. The second sketch is of my existing kitchen, as you can see, it cuts the room in half and seems to me to waste floor space. The other sketches (to follow) are me experimenting with potential layouts.

I can’t change the opening position on the wall leading to the front room as it’s load bearing, I can close it up partially (pocket door) or fully. I do need more partition between this room and the open plan kitchen diner. I can put a new doorway in on the hallway wall if needed (this is a stud wall).

On the right hand side of the extension, there is a window with views over green belt. The window starts at about 1.3 m high and is 2 m long. The sofa doesn’t work so well underneath that window as it does on the opposite side of the room as it means there is no view out over the fields! Also the door opening on the bifold is on the right hand side (near the window) and I would get too cold sitting there with kids going in and out of the garden.

Would love to hear your ideas/thought/opinions. Sorry for the long post and rubbish sketches. I hope you can get the gist of them. I had only one piece of tracing paper so kept rubbing out and re-doing!

more ideas- I am thinking about-
Sketch 1 -L shaped kitchen with island (partition fully closed) new wall to hallway. Partition fully closed.
Sketch 2 - kitchen on external wall, new snug area (not sure if there’s enough room for island and seating where I’ve put it? Sofa area in middle of house (darker) and not over garden to fields

Have also tried moving the kitchen back into a U shape but not sure this works at all!

Have a look at architect your home. They are a pay as you go architect service - perfect for projects like this.

@Twizbe

Have a look at architect your home. They are a pay as you go architect service - perfect for projects like this.

Thank you. I see they offer an interior design service. I think that’s what I need although I I don’t need colour schemes and mood boards but more concept planning and some ideas for clever use of space,