Please critique this new layout

[LemonSwan]

Hello all,

Not sure if you will remember me from months back. We have gone backwards and forwards for 2 months after the previous thread where you all helped out.

What do you think of this one as a final version? This is quite similar to @Equalpayquery design on previous thread.

It works really well because it minimises the moving round of walls and services.

I have put up the existing as well and a picture of internal crittal glazing.

Previous thread contributors:
@BruceAndNosh
@Netaporter
@SD1978
@Soulstirring
@CrumpetyTea
@TerrificTeapot
@Cabbagewhites
@QOD
@MayLeaveADentInYourSofa
@Guineapigbridge
@Why2why
@Funnyfive
@Pokhora
@Ariela
@worrybutterfly
@parietal

Thanks in advance :)

I wouldn't put the downstairs toilet off the utility room - it means you need to keep the utility room clean for visitors.

I prefer option 1 but would have the toilet open to the hall.

I love the glazing! Thank you, that has solved something I was discussing with my architect today (how to make our cavernous new house more cosy).

What would you use the studio for? Don’t you start off with a list of required rooms and work it from there? It seems like the garage/studio is just a big spare space.

I like the layout with the kitchen/family room on the right best, but can’t figure out how you access the washroom.

Hi @LemonSwan looks lovely. Quick q’s - how do you enter the WC? I wouldn’t make the playroom the glazed room as you want to be able to shut the door on the crap. Make the glazed room the snug or study. Can you make the utility a ‘bootility’ room? Seems a shame to have a dark space for a boot room but a dark room wouldn’t matter for a W/c shower room?

I think pic 2 is the current layout, no?

I wouldn't put the downstairs toilet off the utility room - it means you need to keep the utility room clean for visitors.
No it doesn’t!

Are you converting the whole of the garage now? I like the design, but it gives a lot of living space. That’s great, but as long as you don’t need the storage space in the garage.

Btw I remember this design, I remember you’ve been going round and round on it.

I like the new one. Glazing and all! It's good to be able to see the young ones play. Especially when they go quiet.

The boot room directly from the back door is great.

The question about losing storage space is good but I'm guessing the other sitting room will contain any junk that needs cordoning off?

Thanks all :)

Washroom will be accessed from the new internal hall. Sorry I didn't add the doors!

iwishiwasafish
Studio is existing as one giant room atm. I was going to break it up but have decided to just leave it a giant open plan dining/family/kitchen.

Can you make the utility a ‘bootility’ room?
I love that idea! It is much better Netaporter , Thank you :)

Are you converting the whole of the garage now? I like the design, but it gives a lot of living space. That’s great, but as long as you don’t need the storage space in the garage.
I know! I really wanted to keep the storage within the existing footprint but we just couldnt make it work in terms of flow from the main house.
We are now thinking just keep it one room and we will just have to build an additional outdoor store away from the main house.

IamJuliaJohnson And thankyou for remembering me! It has been a headache going back and forth.

MoveAhoy
The forever dilema of storage! When I create it I just fill it, so perhaps less is best?

I think as long as you plan good, full height built-in storage in each room, it would be ok to have a large, dry shed for bikes etc. We have a new build with no garage and no loft. It’s perfectly possible to do without but you do REALLY have to pre-plan it. That huge open space could be a nightmare of dumped stuff, toys etc. without a place for everything. That’s the next thing I’d do on your plan. Edit down your stuff by all means but you’ll need to store what’s left!

I think you risk one of your other smaller spaces becoming ‘the dumping room’ unless you ruthlessly plan it.

P.S. where are you sourcing that lovely glazing??

I would have the kitchen looking into the playroom, not the dining table. You want the children to come into the kitchen, not careening into dining table and chairs. I also prefer the flor of kitchen -> dining -> living, because no noise (clattering pots, hood etc) and smell.

I would have a door into the wc/shower from the internal hallway AND the boot room. Kids coming in from the garden for a wee: you don’t want them having to run through the living/dining/kitchen.

The snug/playroom at the back of the house will realistically be your TV room used in the evenings, the sitting room a formal arrangement, the living space in the kitchen for daytime reading / radio / TV / computer useage. I’d pick flooring accordingly. I’m fact, you have a lot of generic “living” space. I’d really pin down how you will use this space as it will dictate your lighting choices, where you place sockets and radiators, flooring and window/door styles etc.

Finally, I do like the Critall design but it’s unforgiving. It’s “modern industrial” which really limits your decor choices. These doors are also REALLY heavy. There are other glass door options, especially if you have small children.

looks good.

I agree with a pp that you might want to swap the kitchen and dining area so that the kitchen is not a corridor. you don't want children running through when you are cooking. But that slightly depends on the exact kitchen layout.

Thanks all again.

Lots to think about.

Re. storage - yes we will have to be clever about it!

And with the kitchen first - I agree it would be a better flow. But I really like the idea of the study opening onto dining so we can use it as an informal conference table every now and then (partner and I both run a business).

Perhaps we need to look at the Kitchen closer to see if its possible to design it so you can walk past it and not through it IYSWIM!

TheEconomista
We havent started sourcing yet. Just trying to tie down concept and final layout so we can choose a boiler location and start to get plumbing down before christmas (currently no central heating!)

BeenThruMoreThanALilBit
Thanks, we will have to look at that. Did not realise they are heavy!