Would you change to this layout to get a utility room?

[Wafflesnaffler]

We are planning an extension and trying to work out the best downstairs layout change. Could I have your opinion on which layout you think is better please?

Current layout
House advantages:

• View on entering front door is down hall, through dining area and lounge, right through to garden.
• Conventional layout ie: the doors to kitchen-diner and living room are off the entrance hall.

Disadvantages:
Poky entrance corridor (exactly width of front door) and very tiny downstairs loo (2 feet wide).

New layout
House advantages:

• Spacious entrance hall with window. Room for coat cupboard, console table or bench, mirror etc.
• Has utility room/toilet (6 feet x 8 feet) with washer, dryer, small sink, toilet concealed behind half wall or doors. Window for ventilation but not much light as looks onto a wall.

Disadvantages:

• No view through house on entering front door.
• Need to walk through kitchen to get to dining area and lounge (the only room off the entrance hall is utility room).

Thankyou!

That new layout would put me off to be honest for 2 reasons. I wouldn't want to walk through kitchen to get to living area, nor would I want a downstairs loo to be in a utility room.I dont think its a family friendly layout. Is there a way of getting a traditional 'corridor' I.e. With doors off for each of the separate rooms but still get more space?

I don't care about the toilet being in a utility room but not so keen on having to walk through the kitchen to get anywhere.

Could you move the dining room door nearer the front door so you could get a shorter hall?

Hmmm, thanks that's food for thought. I'll have to have another think. I could get a traditional corridor if the front door moved round to side of house, but it's a shared driveway so I have no control over what state their side is in (might not make the nicest entrance, depending on who's renting the flats there at the time!) I can't move the dining room door as it'd actually be a kitchen-diner so the kitchen door is the dining room door. It's this tiny entrance hall which bugs me - nowhere to put coats, bags, and makes the house feel poky. Sure there must be a solution though. Thankyou