Thoughts on our proposed new downstairs layout?

[sunsetandcocktails]

Hi
We've just had the initial drawing from our architects...the brief was to create an open plan kitchen/diner/family room with plenty of storage (two small children).
Utility room and downstairs loo.

I'm a bit concerned about the downstairs loo door opening straight onto the kitchen.

This plan also requires us to cut the garage in half, leaving the front half of the garage for storage - bikes, pram, camping gear etc

What are we missing? Anything we should
Mention to our architect when we speak this week?
We're very new to this process!
Thanks!

You could switch the loo and utility so you go through the utility room to get to the loo.

Would there then be the chance to have a window in the downstairs loo?

Have the downstairs loo door in the utility rather than directly on to kitchen.

Can you move the loo left as you look at the plan, and access it through the utility? I also dislike loo door straight onto kitchen.
I don’t like 1/2 garages but I assume you are happy with that. I’d get rid entirely or move the whole thing forwards if you have space. The kitchen diner looks amazing.

agree with prev comments on loo & utility. you don't want the loo straight off the kitchen.

why do you need a tiny door from kitchen to garden as well as the big bifold doors?

in the kitchen, swap the sink & the hob so that the sink has the view of the garden and the hob has a proper splashback.

Yes agree with everyone’s comments on switching the loo and utility. Or alternatively, give access to the toilet from under the stairs instead

Agree with the above. Rearrange the toilet/utility so the toilet is off the utility. If it’s possible, make the utility/toilet area very slightly bigger to include a back/side door and a toilet window. Then you can lose the back door in its current position without losing an easy in/out access.

@parietal

agree with prev comments on loo & utility. you don't want the loo straight off the kitchen.

why do you need a tiny door from kitchen to garden as well as the big bifold doors?

in the kitchen, swap the sink & the hob so that the sink has the view of the garden and the hob has a proper splashback.

This is what I was going to say

A sink in the loo...

I'd put the toilet under the stairs so it's off the landing, then make the utility larger so it has more storage.

Also it looks like a lot of kitchen and not much usable dining space. I'd check the measurements of the example furniture they've used and then look at examples of what furniture that size is actually like. It wouldn't surprise me if that 4 seater corner sofa they've put in is actually the size of an armchair.

Is it really a utility if its just the sink in a cupboard for the loo?
Can you have a proper understairs wc and use all the other space as a utility?

Depending on the space and access in your garden, could you put up a large shed for storing bikes etc, and then have the garage space as study/home office? May make the house more saleable in future with the switch to homeworking...

I wouldn't change the loo to be accessed via the utility - I always have a messy utility that I don't really want guests seeing if they need the toilet. I wouldn't have it opening into the kitchen though, can you have it under the stairs accessed via the hallway? Also loo definitely needs a sink!

We’re in early stages of planning a similar downstairs refurb..

one of my main “priorities” was being able to see the garden from the front entrance… have seen it elsewhere and love that the view pulls you through into the house. I hate that I currently get a view of our grubby oven tower … so my question to you is do you definitely want a view of your dishwasher when guests step into your house? (Have I read the plan right? Sorry if not!)

We’re having to convert a lot of of our garage with only a small sliver retained. We’ve put the loo access from hallway (where you currently have the internal door to garage…) because we didn’t want it off the communal kitchen/family space or in utility

Agree with others saying to swap the hob and sink.

Also are your bar stools for the island “in” the kitchen bit? I would have them “outside” on dining table side, looking in? Would be annoying to have people seated where I’m prepping/serving…? I can see though that there’s a structural post which might be the reason

Looks an exciting project, hope it goes well!

I'd turn the loo 90 degrees, with its back to the utility, and access it through a door under the stairs, instead of from the kitchen; you should have more than enough storage in the half garage not to need more under the stairs.

I'd also 100% put a sink in the loo. It makes me feel a bit queasy knowing that people would be coming out of the loo searching around for somewhere to wash their hands.

Something like this. Loo in garage. Corridor from garage and no access from garage to hall but via utility and corridor. Corridor access to loo and utility will give you more space in the kitchen too as only one door.

Oh wow!! All really helpful suggestions and comments, thank you!!

Will definitely have a chat about the position of the downstairs loo, it really doesn't work where is is at all does it? No window, door straight onto kitchen...

Sadly we can extend the garage out as it opens straight onto a sloping driveway.

And I agree, no sink in the toilet is just grim :(

There are a lot of doors in your kitchen.

Do you need the door front the hallway if you also have a door from the lounge?

Also for a large floor plan I don't think there's a whole lot of storage in the kitchen. I would try and fit some floor to ceiling cabinets in. Possibly by creating more wall space by taking out some of the doors (eg turn toilet 90 degrees and have it open under the stairs in the hallway).
I'd also want a bigger utility by taking some room from the "garage".

Could just switch to one of the water saving toilets with mini sink built into the top of the cistern.

Sorry to say - that's really not good enough. Is this the final plan from the architect. There are so many issues already well pointed out. Is this a qualified architect?

I thought building regs didn’t allow a WC to open directly into the kitchen??

To be honest, the position of the loo is such a fundamental flaw, I would be questioning the competence of the architect.

The sitting room is very compromised with two doors opening into it. The sofa is not able to be centred in from of the fire. Can you lose one of the doors?

The scale of the furniture looks off. I agree that this seems rather shoddy for a qualified planner..

I'm pretty sure our building regs said there had to be 2 doors between a loo and a kitchen. I think they'll also insist on a sink in the WC room too.

Other than that the plans look nice to me.

@Lindy2

I'm pretty sure our building regs said there had to be 2 doors between a loo and a kitchen. I think they'll also insist on a sink in the WC room too.

Other than that the plans look nice to me.

That used to be the case but isn’t anymore.

Saying that I’d want to flip the utility and loo both round 180 degrees. So one door from the kitchen going into a utility. Then a loo beyond the utility with a sliding door between those two. Small sink in the loo. Both rooms could then have a window assuming it’s an external wall on the left.