Just got my extension plans today. Would anyone like to have a look

[TubbyMcFatfuck]

and tell me what you think?

The extension is everything in line to the right of the stairs. Have we missed anything? Any suggestions for improvement?

I’m thinking that the utility room is very small- is there any point?

Instead of having a walk-in wardrobe I’m minded to just have 2 sets of built in wardrobes facing each other in that space.

I find it a bit odd that there are no windows on the entire right hand side of the house. This side looks down over the street onto fields beyond and has the best outlook so I’d like to make the most of the view.

(The kitchen layout is just for illustration purposes. We haven’t decided on any of that yet)

When we got plans drawn recently for a similar extension ours also didn't include a window looking out to the amazing view! The architect said it was due to it being on the boundary that the planners wouldn't like it..

How about a lootility rather than separate loo and utility.

Also put windows in the new side wall. And a balcony maybe.

Lose the walk in wardrobe....

Yes ours said the planners wouldn’t like windows on the boundary, but 8 wish I’d made him put it in the plans so I was sure they wouldn’t have....

looks good.

downstairs loo could be smaller (making the utility bigger) and should have a window to outside.

is there a planning permission reason why you can't have big windows on the right hand side? would you overlook someone else's garden? If not, definitely get some put in.

the walk-in wardrobe looks very big - again, I'd make the bathroom a bit bigger, it looks very narrow.

I'd think carefully about the kitchen layout before doing the work. the kitchen looks like a rather awkward space with a lot of doors and a funny bit of wall sticking out in the middle of one side (near sink). Might it be worth removing the door between the kitchen & the new lounge to make better use of the space?

If there is a way to fit a coat cupboard in the hall, include that. Or maybe there already is one under the stairs?

The circulation looks awkward on the ground floor. I would want a door into the kitchen from the hall, otherwise you need to lug the shopping round through the living/dining areas.

Upstairs the configuration of doors to the new bedroom/ensuite/wardrobes looks annoying. If you go into the bedroom and the other doors are closed, you'll have a squeeze to close the door before you walk into the room.

Lots of lovely space though, so with a bit of thought it'll be great!

That's interesting about the windows and the boundary. We are on a corner plot with no neighbours immediately to the right. We'll still have about 4m of garden to the right hand side of the house so we're not right up to the boundary.

The door between the new lounge and the kitchen looks dangerous - if you are cooking and someone came through the door at the wrong time. It looks like it creates an unnecessary corridor. I would lose that door. You'd then gain extra wall space in the lounge and could reposition the TV and sofas.

Upstairs - remove the door from the walk in wardrobe.

I like the walk in wardrobe-I’d keep that.
We have a laundry room/utility that includes a loo. Definitely better to have one bigger space there.
If planning allows for windows to use the view then absolutely you want those.
I do love a floor plan!

How about a lootility rather than separate loo and utility

I'd thought of that but it migh be awkward with the back door being in the same room...

Your kitchen actually looks tiny and out of place, but you still have 2 large lounges.

Have you considered putting the kitchen in the new space on the right - so have the whole of the right extension as a kitchen diner?. Front to back. You could then use the space in the middle at the back (where current kitchen is) as utility and downstairs loo.

downstairs loo could be smaller (making the utility bigger) and should have a window to outside

This was my thought too: that we could steal space from the wc to make the utility bigger,but, I think the loo has to be a minimum size for building regs. I'm wondering if that's anything to do with the perforated box shape in front of each loo?

and yes to having a window in the wc too

@parietal

I know what you mean about the awkward bit in the kitchen- that's the current exterior wall and as far as I know, that bit has to stay there for support (or else we'd need a beam maybe?)
I agree it does interrupt the flow a bit.

Both lounges are through rooms. I would have one of them-possibly the one to the right of the front door- just single point of entry from the hall.
If you have kids they will end up running circuits through all the rooms when running about. Not ideal if you're in the kitchen with hot pans .

I would have liked a cloak room but I don't know if we'd be able to fit one in. We do currently use the cupboard under the stairs but it's a bit small and awkward

The lounge door opens straight into the hob/oven, doesn’t seem very safe?

I'd take the doorway away from the hand lounge and put in at the end of the hallway to allow direct access to the kitchen from the hall.

*right hand lounge

Door could be a pocket door to avoid open into people?

Juliet balcony would be nice off bedroom on the RHS

@TubbyMcFatfuck

How about a lootility rather than separate loo and utility

I'd thought of that but it migh be awkward with the back door being in the same room...

Maybe you could have the back door where the window is in the kitchen instead of the utility room. Then just a window in the lootility?

@Keepitonthedownlow

I'd take the doorway away from the hand lounge and put in at the end of the hallway to allow direct access to the kitchen from the hall.

I just went to post the same as this. Definitely move the kitchen door into the hall

Lots of great points, thank you.

General consensus seems to be lose the door between the kitchen and new lounge; put in windows if possible; lose the walk-in wardrobe.

coffeemonster23 - I hadn't even considered moving the kitchen... will give that some thought.

Keepitonthedownlow I'd love a Juliet balcony, it easy one of my hopeful suggestions. We're on a tight budget though so no frivolities ☹️

Kentuki that kitchen layout is just what the architect has used to illustrate. We haven't decided on that yet so the hob won't necessarily be positioned beside that door. I agree that's not the best place to have it should we keep the door

My suggestions:

Rehang both lounge doors so they open the other way. As you bring visitors in they see the room.
Your new WC, positioning the new toilet with its back to the outside wall will keep plumbing simpler and allow you to move the sink and reduce the size of the room. You might then have space to increase utility room. Plus moving that toilet means if your back door is open, and the door to the downstairs toilet is also open you aren't looking at the toilet directly.
Yes, keep the utility room. It's good to be able to have washing machine and tumble dryer on and close the door when you have guests. You'll be able to have 2 wall units above so welcome storage.
I'd also question the need for a door between new lounge and kitchen. Are you intending new lounge to be "good room" and existing lounge for family room? If anything, I'd put a door into the kitchen from the hall.
You need to question the architect about windows on the new right hand side. Definitely need one in new WC.
Upstairs, the en-suite door needs hung the other way. And I'd swap the toilet and sink positions cos it just looks nicer.
Without knowing details of your view from upstairs, I just feel that whole extension for new master bedroom could be designed to be more like a posh hotel suite as there is plenty of space. I'm not sure about boxing in a separate dressing room like that. I think your architect met the brief but didn't think how it would look, you've still got three walls there you probably don't need. For example, swapping the en-suite and dressing rooms around and adjusting for size (again easier plumbing) gives you much more use of space.
Do you not have space under stairs for a cloak / shoe space or is there a sloping ceiling for stairs in existing kitchen?