Architect's opinion or mine, which do you prefer for this downstairs lay out?

[Justthisonce1]

Hi there!

The architect thinks my preference 'doesn't flow'!

A friend of mine says she gets good feedback on here, so I'm hoping the mumsnet magic will work for me, too!

Area labelled 6 in the third pic is a pantry. That amenity would be moved to the left and become just fancy cupboard space in the first two pics.

The little circle and half shaded rectangle are the boiler and water tank in all pics.

Let me know what you all think?!

Thanks

When I planned mine I used a cheapy app (about £5) called Home Design 3D which let you draw the floor plan then do a virtual walk around.

It was brilliant for helping me see where I’d put in bottle necks or too much furniture or left acres of space for no reason - much easier than working from plans alone.

Not the point, but I don't get why anyone would have the sink facing the room/guests, and the hob facing the wall. I would prefer to face my guests while I cook (and ignore my husband while he washes up )

Just to add, I guess you might have windows in the roof along the right hand side?

If so then in number 2 you’d be making best use of the natural light, over both the kitchen and table.

In order of preference
3
1
2 - complete non-starter for me.

I like a pantry.

3 because of the pantry. I’d have 4 as a utility and keep the loo under the stairs though. This gives you the best utilisation of space.

Just a question about your bifolds. Where is south? This will be very very hot in the summer if you get the sun on that glass area in the afternoon. So ensure you have the ability to fix decent blinds / curtains. The in window blinds are nice but don’t allow the doors to be open.

I like 2 the best - if you have friends around or kids doing homework whilst cooking it provides a chatty atmosphere as you could use the island for that. The dining table will still be clear of debris and you can plonk the plates and food on it without having to clear up.

1 is a nightmare. People walking behind you when you're cooking, washing up, etc.

I love number 3. Larders add value and are brilliant. The kitchen is tucked away from the walkway and hall.

I prefer 1 then 2 then 3. 3 is too cluttered.

Which is which?

I like 3 best. Love the bathroom and the walk in pantry

I would hate 1&2 because I don't like tiny downstairs loos under the stairs.

Hate 1. The kitchen would become a corridor.

I like the idea of the pantry in 3, but it looks a bit cramped trying to fit lots in. 2 is good, but I'd swap the cooker and sink round.

Either 2 or 3 for me.

I prefer 3.
I love the idea of a pantry.
I like that the kitchen area has a window
I like that you enter the room into the dining area rather than the kitchen, and therefore the kitchen isn't a corridor.

I like the bigger loo. It's much easier when you have to accompany small children, are elderly, pregnant to disabled to have more space.

I wish I could see how big the rooms are because I think that would make a difference.
I think 2 is best, I'm obsessed with cupboard space though as I have lots of kitchen gadgets. Don't think you have enough cupboards in 1 or 3

If the room is big enough then my next preference would be 3.

I don't know why there are only units along one wall in all the options though? Is it too small to have units along both walls? Could you put a dining table in the end where the sofa is?

2 for me.

1 would drive me nuts with people having to pass behind whoever is cooking!

2 then 1 then 3, in my opinion.

1. You need a pantry and utility - there didn't seem to be any in option 1.

Also as others mentioned, option 1 makes your kitchen into a corridor.

2 then 3. I wouldn't have 1, doesn't look like it would never work in rl.

*Ever not never

I want to know which one is the Architect version????

3 seems to crammed in. I like 2.

I prefer no.2.

2 for me. I lived in a place where a bathroom was almost in the kitchen as per 3. Awful. Don't do it.

Where’s the utility room? Not sure I can see this in any of them? But 3 would give you more options there. 1 will look amazing until you try to use it. 2 could work but agree with others about breakfast bar and stools, pointless things and they encourage people to sit at your food prep area and leave clutter there.

@hennybeans

I like 3 the best, then 2.

I don't like 1 because your kitchen area is essentially the walkway to the furthest room. You'd be standing there cooking and kids might be running past you back and forth.

I like 3 the best because you have a safe area to cook and it just looks like you have a dedicated kitchen rather than a corridor with a hob. I also like the pantry and utility in the centre near the kitchen, all at hand. You can be there working without people getting in your way. Still looks spacious.

2 is a little awkward, you have a safe, dedicated cooking space, but it makes everything look smaller. Plus no easy access to pantry and utility.

Will you say which idea is yours and which is he architect's?

This - 3 is def best

1 + 2 are all walkways and you will have people rushing past cooking activity

Where are the windows OP? To be honest I'm not keen on any of them but I think 1 would work with some changes.

I would take the dimensions of the room and plans to a few specialist kitchen designers and ask for ideas - architects tend to indicate in the plans where the kitchen will be and don't necessarily think through all the logistics what will work from a cooking point of view. They aren't kitchen designers.