1930s knock through design advice

[Yodaismyspiritanimal]

Hi all, I'm at the very early stages of this design process, and to be frank I don't even know where to start!! We are hoping to exchange on a 1930s semi in January. Until then I cannot get anyone in to measure up, so appreciate this is all speculative but I think I need to have some sort of idea of what I want.
I've attached a picture of a similar floor plan. We don't have enough money for an extension, but we want to knock through the kitchen/dining room. But we also want to add a wc. The catch is my husband really doesn't want the door to the etc directly off the kitchen. So we have options of blocking up the kitchen door etc. But I just feel like I need someone to help me go through all the options, including the layout of the kitchen (again because I know that a tumble drier in an open kitchen is really loud and especially because the lounge/dining room are already knocked through so I need to discuss utility room vs integrated cupboard etc). So who do I go to, an interior designer, architect, architect technician? Any thoughts?
Thanks

@BigGlasses

Is the any way of re-jigging the front hall so you could squeeze in a small toilet/cloakroom near the fro t door at the bottom of the stairs?

This was our other idea. It would mean moving the front door slightly but there may just be enough space!

Perhaps the wall could be moved back into the kitchen to make space for a door off the hallway into the downstairs loo. When you get to measure up, you’d need to double check whether it would leave enough space in the kitchen. The kitchen could be longer, with an L-shaped island towards the dining area so you get more worktop & cupboard space.

I think an interior designer would be good for advice. Really, an architect can also help but if you’re not extending you’d need to check if they would do a small project (some might). I would go by whoever has reference projects most similar to what you’re hoping to achieve. Even just a few hours consultation might be really useful.

@BlahBlub

Perhaps the wall could be moved back into the kitchen to make space for a door off the hallway into the downstairs loo. When you get to measure up, you’d need to double check whether it would leave enough space in the kitchen. The kitchen could be longer, with an L-shaped island towards the dining area so you get more worktop & cupboard space.

I think an interior designer would be good for advice. Really, an architect can also help but if you’re not extending you’d need to check if they would do a small project (some might). I would go by whoever has reference projects most similar to what you’re hoping to achieve. Even just a few hours consultation might be really useful.

Ooo yes this could definitely be an option!!! Thanks so much!!

Agree with other posters - if you have the budget knock down wall between kitchen and dining room to create family room overlooking outside space. Fit sliding or bifold doors to reinstate separate lounge and create cloakroom in hall to right of front door.

We put on a hallway extension. From the outside it looks like a porch but it is actually a downstairs toilet.

Ignore the garage on the left as we built that on too.

@CaurnieBred

Ignore the garage on the left as we built that on too.

Ooo that's very interesting!!! Did it need new foundations too? Do you know roughly how much it cost?

Hi @Yodaismyspiritanimal Garage was built around 16 years ago so can't remember cost i am afraid. We built it with suitable foundations so that we could build on top, which we did 8 years later.