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!

The agree it doesn’t look like there is a consistent scale when you compare the width of the garage, the size of the 3 seater sofa, the table and the corner sofa! How big are the rooms? The kitchen area occupies a large percentage of the open plan area but if it’s not that big a room maybe that’s why. Could you put a small extension on for the utility and loo? Personally I’d try not to get rid of the garage as I think it will make your house less saleable.

Seriously phone and ask to speak to the person in charge. Get a refund. This isn't fit for purpose. They have put a FF and a gas cooker infront of a window, the loo opening into kitchen with no basin - yuck! This is chucked together.

You might be better off working with a concept planner (like Karen at OnePlan) instead, she would be much better to work with as she actually includes you in the process. We thought it was really useful and good value.

You need to go straight to the company owner. This is a do it once and spend a shit ton of money project that you want to get right. That plan is so bad that there’s no way the person behind it is even remotely up to the job. Don’t short change yourself and your extension plans because you don’t want to complain.

Providing you have side access to get to the shed I would definitely look into converting the garage - great idea!

Apart from contravening the building regs as already mentioned, what an appalling drawing even for a Part 1 year out student. What are the green scribbles and funny circles?

Get a refund, presumably this rubbish cost a fair amount and go somewhere where you can check the credentials of the Architect.

I would have pocket doors built in between the lounge and dining area. You can then use all the wall space. Agree with everyone else about moving the toilet.
I think sink should overlook the back window.

I know most of the feedback centres on the open plan space, and I completely agree with all the comments so far. But the lounge bothers me too. Is this room unchanged from its current shape/size? It looks really awkward with the sofa behind the door like that - is it big enough for a sensible amount of lounge furniture? On the current plan, I don't know how you'd lay it out to be usable (I'm assuming the sliding door would go). At the very least, I'd have the door opening the other way, so it doesn't immediately close off half the room. Maybe it's bigger than it looks and they've chosen an off-scale sofa, but unless it remains unchanged and you're happy with it as it is, I'd want to see that planned out with a normal amount of furniture too.

I’d personally get rid of the sliding door from the kitchen / diner to the lounge and have one room that’s completely cut off from the open plan space.

I’d also change it so the loo is accessed through the utility

It looks really awkward with the sofa behind the door like that - is it big enough for a sensible amount of lounge furniture?

It looks similar to the layout of my house and I have a sofa there during the summer (it's where the radiator is so I move it across the window in winter!) and another one across where the double doors are (I have these and never use them). Cupboard one side of the chimney and TV unit to the other. Assuming it's a standard sized room I think it'll be fine.

No to people coming out of the loo flapping hands that need washing in your kitchen.

No to a cooker in front of a window.

No to a sink looking at a blank wall miles from the dishwasher.

I also don't like the door out of the kitchen, or the view through the house.

Where's the fridge?

It looks like too much kitchen but nowhere to have friends over to eat. Plus a slightly useless banquette?

I don't know what the limitations are on this build, but I don't like it much.

I'd rather have a combined loo/utility with no dividing wall than have this plan.

I'd rather have my washing machine in the kitchen than have this plan.

It's such a standard layout to a house that I think you'd be better off just looking at Rightmove and copying the layouts you like from there.

Definitely badly scaled, if you look at the island vs table.

If you have rear access convert the garage but if not definitely keep a small amount and ensure it includes tap/hose and sockets. If you do convert, get these added to outside wall. Small cost and massively convenient.

I would be wary about a layout that requires you to walk through the lounge as some have suggested so would definitely keep the hallway. Also echo comments about double front door. One large door with attractive surround is a more practical option.

Personally, if you know the basic area you want the kitchen to cover I would go for appointments with various kitchen design places. I did this, even though I had another supplier in mind. The staff there had much better ideas on the intricacies of kitchen design than the architects (who were otherwise very good).

Ok, here are the second draft designs...would love your critiques !!

Design pic below...!

The utility/loo setup looks better but I dont think the plan would flow well! When you are sitting on the sofa, what are you looking at? There would be a person right in front of you. I think the space is actually too small.

Can you switch the dining/sitting space so you look out onto the garden and maybe built in seating along the back wall? (Red scrawl). Or have a combined island/dining table to save space? (Blue scrawl).

Also the cooker is still near the window! And is that your fridge right over by the hallway door now? It's a long way to walk round the island to grab something when you're cooking.

I think @SkyLarkDescendingblue design is it. I’d also make the utility and toilet just one room and decrease the size, giving some back to the playroom. No need to have two sinks, they just take up space

@SkyLarkDescending wow you have a real talent for this!
I agree, it's quite an awkward size on reflection not quite big enough for what we ideally have in mind...but those couple of options could work well I think.
Im intrigued about the kitchen island combined with dining table idea, not something I've seen...
Will certainly put these alternatives to the Architect on Friday! Thanks

Is there an extractor above that hob in front of the window...?

No window on the loo isnt ideal. We have a loo under our stairs with no window and I hate it.

Building regs mean you have to have a extractor in the utility if there is a sink. So ideally that also needs a external wall.

Our architect did the plans to building regs. Be careful about scale too as in the end we had a new porch built to accommodate our loo. However it was doubtful as soon as it went up how you ever fit a loo in there in close the door to use it ( you can thank god) our utility looks huge but by the time you put a larder, washer and drier in their it will be fun to fit in a sink.

@crumpet

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

Agree and insist on a window in the loo.

The diner area looks larger than it needs to be; could some of that space go to living room?

@Fieldings15

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...

That's a good idea.

None of the storage areas look very deep.

Looks gorgeous OP but I would definitely try and switch something around so that you have a window for your toilet especially if it is opening onto your kitchen!

This architect is massively lacking in vision. No child would ever play in that playroom so far away from anything? Have they thought about light at all? Where is the morning light streaming in?

I would watch a few episodes of “your home made perfect” to see just how easily bad layout can ruin your life - you also might get some ideas/contact details of good architects!