Plans for new extension

[OlafLovesAnna]

Our fab architect gave us 3 options for the downstairs part of our extension but actually we need to have a rejig as we've decided that we'd like to keep half of the garage for storage.

I really want a shower in the downstairs laundry utility but I'm struggling to envision what I want or how to explain it to the architect.

My scribbled-on additions are below and I'd love thoughts on the layout.

I dont think the proposed layout works - the walk-through pantry is limited in the original, but making it the route to the downstairs toilet makes it a main thoroughfare.

The only house I’ve been to that had a toilet in the utility felt really awkward and odd, I have to say I wouldn’t do it personally. Also why are you desperate for a downstairs shower? We have one but it is only used to clean the dog! Can you imagine showering there then trailing through the pantry and kitchen back upstairs to get dressed?

The rest of the layout looks nice - couldn’t you divide the ‘garage’ area into 3 and have a small toilet there too?

Is the fridge in the pantry the only fridge freezer? There will be a lot of trips into a different room when you cook then?

It looks like a plan for a big family, given the number of sofas and dining chairs but doesn’t seem to have a lot of worktop.

The only house I’ve been to that had a toilet in the utility felt really awkward and odd

I’ve been for a wee in loads of loo-tility rooms. Totally fine especially when the WM and TD are in nice cupboards and it’s styled more bathroom like than ‘general dumping ground’.

Also why are you desperate for a downstairs shower

Future proof? Guests that stay with mobility probables? Only space to get an extra shower in? People come home from muddy activities and can strip off and shower downstairs? Dog can be cleaned there? Lots of reasons.

On your plan I think having the fridge in the larder is annoying and it’s also slightly a to walk through the pantry to go to the downstairs loo and shower.

I would be tempted to ditch the walls to the ‘snug’ and have a much bigger kitchen, and one sitting area snd a table. Having two sitting areas (as well as the front room) is compromising the kitchen size IMO.

Thanks - the architect''s original plan (under my additions in red) makes much more sense but I really need the garage storage. I also prefer the look of the garage door and don't want the house to look different from the street.

The shower is because it's a village house (muddy area in winter) and I have x3 kids who play rugby and football and come home filthy so I was hoping they could come through the door, strip off and shower.

We currently have a conservatory which will be demolished to make way for the snug part of the extension. The current conservatory is where the Xbox lives and is a teen hang out space so I like to keep that use.

I agree re the kitchen surfaces though - something isn't quite right but I don't know why or what to do about it!

I'll post the other options tomorrow - all have the laundry-loo taking over the garage which I'd rather avoid though.

It seems odd to have 3 disconnected sofa spaces. do you really need all 3? How about having

library --> snug
snug --> main part of kitchen with hob, cooker etc.
pantry (enlarged a lot) --> utility & pantry together
utility --> loo & shower

Combined shower room Utilty... Think about how to syle it.
A loo in a utility might feel weird but conversely having a laundry cupboard in a shower room is fine!
3 separate sitting areas seems excessive if it means the kitchen ends up small

I think it seems a real shame to have a nice space and then carve it up so much so you end up with lots of smaller spaces that may feel cramped. Why do you need a lounge, snug and then library area? That seems a bit like overkill.

I agree that you will want the fridge in the main kitchen, not having to go through a door to get into a separate room every time you want the milk! Are you proposing too that the only way into the utility / loo is through the pantry? That definitely wouldn't work. I don't think I'd like cooking on the hob with my back to the hall door, that seems odd.

I think I'd lose the pantry, use part of it as a toilet (accessed from the hall) and then access the utility from the right hand wall. I would also lose the walls separating out the snug - you can't see the dimensions but it doesn't look as though you have enough space (or would compromise the space) by trying to have a separate room for that.

Another option

The front half of the garage labelled shower room has to remain a garage in all options as we just have too many bikes, surfboards etc for a shed.

Plan 3 looks better balanced. Better flow for the kitchen and dining and living area.

you could pinch a bit of your garage for the cloaks. Use the cloaks and pantry for a loo and shower, have one of those doors disguised as a kitchen cupboard to access pantry and utility. There is enough space to have everything.

There are 5 of us, x2 older teens and DD8. I work from home but we're thinking of getting a garden office put in so I can work somewhere quietly.

I really want the boys to be able to bring friends home but I don't want them disturbing DD if it's late so I'd rather they had somewhere downstairs.

Do I even need a pantry? I would love a big American fridge freezer and I do need a coat cupboard but I'm almost confused with all the choice.

I think the third one could work if you started the kitchena bit further back (where the stairs end) and used the extra space for the loo.

You’d have to move the door to the utility along too, and if that makes the kitchen too small extending it into the dining area and turning the snug into a dining area.

That’s probably what I’d do, tbh.

the one labelled Option 3 is much better - go for that. you could also put the utility things in the pantry and then use the utility as your shower room.

I'd go for Option 3 if it weren't for the teen boys. I want a nice clean sitting room that doesn't smell of what I cooked for dinner but if I take the snug for a sitting room the boys have nowhere to go.

What about this - it seems kind of dull but may end up working best.

This is what the house currently looks like - I probably should have lead with that!

Walk in pantries are lovely IF you have the space.
We did recent kitchen redo and installed a 1000mm larder cupboard, 5 upper shelves and three lower drawers and it holds a LOT and I have far from stuffed it

I would go with option 2 with the snug at the front of the house.

Made the utility room a proper bathroom with a stacked WM and TD in a cupboard. That way it won’t feel weird using it for a shower etc... or make the pantry a bit bigger and include utility in there, then shower room can be single purpose.

However it doesn’t have external access so boys and mud have to go through the house, so choose you downstairs flooring with care (I have wood effect porcelain and it is so easy to live with)

Just seen there is a back entrance to the utility/ bathroom so ignore that part.

Thanks for the idea of the larder cupboard. The pics are great!

I basically just want to hide all the shit and keep it off the worktops. We are definitely going to have a Quooker or similar and I don't want the toaster or coffee machine out either so I was hoping to hide them in a cupboard. Maybe I need to ditch the pantry and go for a larder/breakfast cupboard instead.

Vorpal - that's an interesting idea too. Then I could open/ close the 'living room' off in the evening when I don't want to clear up quite yet!