Changing the layout of a newish build.

[EchoLimaYankee]

DH and I live with our children who are 4 and 2 in a modern newish build 3 bed. Our space upstairs is fine for now, it’s downstairs that driving me mad.

I have a decent size living room/dining room space that leads outside and a square kitchen that fits a small table and two chairs. It’s a classic new build set up for this size house. The layout isn’t working. I spend so much time away from the kids in the kitchen and the living room has all the kids toys in it.

Part of me wants to just move but I can’t afford the jump in this area. DS has just started school. So I’m thinking to rejig without extending (small garden). I could either swap the two rooms and create a small kitchen/diner with play space. Or I could turn the kitchen into a long kitchen diner with small space for kids stuff which ends in the french doors and have a small thin living space/snug. I’m stuck!!

For the cost of the structural work you could plan your space carefully and kit it out from Ikea with new furniture that works better. You don't even have space for a table for all four of you at the moment, that must be annoying.

That's a similar layout to a house I was looking at. I was thinking of maybe putting a hole in the wall (possibly with shutters) between the kitchen and the dining room bit. You could also have it as a breakfast bar?

Isn't it because those style new builds they plan for the table to be i frontroom?
Is that not a possibility ?

Definitely got a storage problem. No shelves or built ins. I was thinking about a whole wall of shelves/a built in with cupboards, shelves and a TV space. If it would save the house I would do it but I fear I’d just be chucking money away because essentially I want a separate living and dining space and I still won’t get that.
There was a dining table where the toys were but the toys needed space . We were never using it. The kitchen has a table that seats three and the two year old uses a highchair. We figured it would be the best use of space.
Photos were on a particularly bad day, but that’s the problem. It gets bad so easily.

Having seen the photos I think you could make huge improvements with a few cosmetic changes. Maybe pay for an interior designer to help? They don't need to cost a lot and could transform that space with storage, furniture, wall colours, accessories etc

The space you do have in that main room is not being utilised at all right now.

You could zone that room by moving the sofa to the middle and cutting the room in half. Clever storage on one half all around the walls with your TV mounted as well and then the dining table behind in the other half. If you could knock a hatch through into the kitchen you could also create a breakfast bar as some PP have suggested.

Did you see the show home before you bought? How was that styled?

I think it needs quite careful organisation. It would be cheaper to buy new sofas/chairs/tables than start knocking out and building walls. It's possible to have toy storage in drawers/boxes that can be tidied easily each evening, when we were in this stage DH used to make a thing of de-playrooming the lounge so we could relax in the evening. As I said below Ikea do this kind of thing better than anyone. I'd have a combination of low units on one wall and tall on another wall and get your TV onto the wall, as well as a not too big (but extendable) dining table.

It was beautiful styled when we bought it 7 years ago. Similar sofa layout but a table where the toys are @loveisagirlnameddaisy.

@NotMeNoNo that is a fab layout. I have dithered about units but I know it’s the only way forward as it is.

I’m so stuck because it will work for the short term but I don’t really want it to long term. I want a bigger house really. However, houses are ugly around here or really expensive. I like the area and we have one child in the local school. However, if I don’t do something to that hideous room the house won’t sell anyway.

Can you do something like shown here, so you're not shut away in the kitchen but don't lose any space?

Https:www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/74459760

@loveisagirlnameddaisy had the same idea I think.
Lots of inspiration here www.ikea.com/gb/en/rooms/living-room/gallery/
Things like using smaller coffee-shop type armchairs (also Ikea) rather than bulky sofa-type ones will make the most of the space and be easier to move around.

[quote NotMeNoNo]@loveisagirlnameddaisy had the same idea I think.
Lots of inspiration here www.ikea.com/gb/en/rooms/living-room/gallery/
Things like using smaller coffee-shop type armchairs (also Ikea) rather than bulky sofa-type ones will make the most of the space and be easier to move around.[/quote]
Yes, I envisaged it exactly as you sketched in that layout. Great minds

EchoLimaYankee Try as I might I cannot manage to read your room sizes. Would it be possible for you to post them ? Perhaps we can come up with other ideas to help if we know the space available. I love a challenge!

Have you considered rotating the toys so the bulk are stored in bedrooms /garage /loft and only a few are out at a time?

Or could something like this be possible?

www.oretekgroup.com/residentials/understairs-storage-units/

Could you do a wall of well designed storage, including possibly knocking out your under stairs cupboard and integrating that so it can become part of a whole flat wall of shelves/drawers etc (see my bad picture!)

Then knock a hole between kitchen and living room so you can see kids while cooking.

Would a knock through damage the resale value/potential?

I could knock through. Have the table down the middle, then a sofa zone and built ins along the dodgy wall like @Babamamananarama suggests. I could relocate the cupboard door. The built ins would contain all the toys but have pretty things in and be a cool focal point.

You guys have been amazing. Thank you all! I’m loving all your suggestions.

@HelebethH it’s 17x14.5ft