Which floorplan to go with?!

[maude87]

We have had planning permission approved for an extension at the back of our house but are considering changing internal plans from the architects design to allow for bigger social space...

We will be dividing our current dining room (which is the whole length of the house) by adding a stud wall and creating a front study. At the moment our kitchen and dining room although not connected, have a big entranceway and hall in the middle so it feels like a big social space. By adding the stud wall we will be making our new kitchen/diner area smaller but it would flow better. We are worried that by doing this we will reduce social space. We been to some kitchen companies for layout ideas and the space just isn't big enough to add a sofa too so we were thinking of changing where the utility space is and instead of blocking of a current window, making it a doorway so you can access the living room from the kitchen/diner.

1. Stick with the architects plan which means knocking through the back of the house and adding steel joists. Living room stays separate and no space for extra seating other than the dining table.

2. Make the utility space behind the new study area, the kitchen/diner to go across the whole back of the house and open up the back of the living room to make an entranceway (sliding doors) where the window was.

Any thoughts on which you would do? We are so baffled, we just want more space but don't want to open the house up too much! I have uploaded pictures to help because my explanation was long winded!!

For reference we have 2 DD's so they would use the study as a play space

I think I prefer 2 but would want the living room to be totally separate from kitchen diner. That would give you 3 living areas for when they get older which I think would work well.

I think I would stick with 1. Although there is no room for a sofa, it still looks like a great social space with the dining table overlooking the garden. If you went for 2 you may have room for a sofa but you would surely need to restrict the number of kitchen units you planned. I also agree with the previous comment and what ever you do would keep the living area completely separate.

1. For various reasons.

I would say the opposite regarding the lounge. I would not have sliding doors. I have a layout similar to this and we left the space open. It means the lounge is easily accessible and guests flow into there.

I also fear you won’t use your dining room! You will live in the kitchen! I would consider having the dining room as a tv room.

I prefer the laundry room position in option 2 and I dislike the position and difficult access to your downstairs cloakroom in layout 1. 2 is better but I would always have a cloakroom with a separate entrance and keep it separate from the laundry room. Do you need a shower or would a bigger laundry room be better use of space for a family? I know what I would have! Laundry every time.

I agree about the toilet having a separate entrance so would shift door into kitchen diner in option 2 a bit further down then have toilet entered from hallway,

Guess it depends on your family re the living room. I’d have liked that whilst my DC were younger but at 16 and 20 with partners on the scene it works much better with seoerate spaces and has now for a number of years.

Definitely 2. Have just extended my house and spend all my time in the kitchen/dining area. We have a 2seater sofa and chair which I love. Never ever sit in my living room now. Only my dc use it for watching tv. I think it's a waste to have a utility in plan 1 is a waste of a view out the back.

Layout 2, but nibbling some space from the hallway to give more room in the utility / WC and with access off hall. Separate WC from utility with door.

Number 2, definitely. Having the utility room off the dining area is awkward.

I would also be very disappointed with your architect for layout 1. As pointed out above, the utility room has the best view!

Number 2 . Appalled that your architect wants to scald your family by putting seats behind a hob (that's too big for the island ) and thinks you'll be happy sitting at the dining table looking at the sink? What a rubbish design

Layout 1 would be fine but I'd ditch the island if you can locate the hob somewhere else?

Definitely layout 2. I agree with you re having a sofa in the kitchen diner, makes it a much nicer space. And better to put utility in the centre of the house. I wouldn't have a hob on an island , especially if you want space for socialising - mess and heat on main bit of surface that people will want to use. Think about your DCs perched up there next to boiling pans with steam and fat spitting! Agree with others on keeping living room a bit separate, you will really appreciate this when DC are older, but I think sliding doors work fine. Think it will be great!

I disagree about hob. I have mine in the island. It's an induction hob and a rising extractor so it looks sleek. It's really sociable when cooking. Not noticed any splashback from food. Island is 2.3m x1m.