What do you think to our proposed floorplan (extension and remodel)

[GardensandGrandDesigns]

We think it's good but it's a big investment so appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

It looks like a lovely big space, and it seems to have everything a family would need. But then, you did ask for criticism so...

The main room is massive, and as it stands it seems to be divided into four quarters, one of which has no apparent purpose. Have a good think about what you'll use the space for.

The kitchen looks a bit crammed into the corner, and will be a major through route to all the rooms on that side of the house. I'd think about spreading it out a bit toward the back of the house, maybe with a bigger island with some seats?

The downstairs loo is a bit of a long way from the rest of the downstairs. I'd be fine with it, but some might not be keen.

The hallway is BIG, and could be wasted unless you have clear plans for how you'll make use of it. It doesn't even seem to serve a purpose as a circulation area - it's just dead space, unless I'm missing something?

It does look like a lovely big space though, and I'm sure it will be absolutely stunning!

Is the hallway going to be a mud room/ storage spot for coats etc What are you going to do with the big nook in the corner? I’d turn that into storage.
I agree with @CasperGutman, everyone will be cutting through the kitchen to get to the toilet.

Have you considered putting the kitchen where the lounge is and the dining where the kitchen is?

@CasperGutman

It looks like a lovely big space, and it seems to have everything a family would need. But then, you did ask for criticism so...

The main room is massive, and as it stands it seems to be divided into four quarters, one of which has no apparent purpose. Have a good think about what you'll use the space for.

The kitchen looks a bit crammed into the corner, and will be a major through route to all the rooms on that side of the house. I'd think about spreading it out a bit toward the back of the house, maybe with a bigger island with some seats?

The downstairs loo is a bit of a long way from the rest of the downstairs. I'd be fine with it, but some might not be keen.

The hallway is BIG, and could be wasted unless you have clear plans for how you'll make use of it. It doesn't even seem to serve a purpose as a circulation area - it's just dead space, unless I'm missing something?

It does look like a lovely big space though, and I'm sure it will be absolutely stunning!

Thank you for replying. I completely agree about the hallway. It will have coat hooks and a bench but seems a waste of space but not sure how I would incorporate it?

The kitchen is on that side purely for plumbing. Not sure what you mean about spreading it out across the back? The left hand side of the large room is bean bags and TV and Lego for kids and then the roof lantern section is just sofas for a casual lounge area. I love looking out at the garden. The idea is the snug is for TV watching in the evening.

Maybe we should keep the downstairs loo where it is in the main hallway near the front door?

I agree that the kitchen is not in the right spot and will be a corridor.

your downstairs image is a bit small to draw on, but the attached has

k = kitchen
t = toilet (moved from next to the utility)
p = pantry (+ extra kitchen storage)
s = study (now a bit bigger)
u = utility (extending across the full width)

Also, in my image I'd have dinning area nearest the kitchen and then lounge area on the other side. the wall of the pantry could have lots of cupboards for lego / games etc, and also a mini window looking out to the little garden area outside the study, which could be a very pretty paved garden if you wanted.

@Rainbowqueeen

Is the hallway going to be a mud room/ storage spot for coats etc What are you going to do with the big nook in the corner? I’d turn that into storage. I agree with *@CasperGutman*, everyone will be cutting through the kitchen to get to the toilet. Have you considered putting the kitchen where the lounge is and the dining where the kitchen is?

Yeah I agree about cutting through the kitchen to get to the loo and seriously considering changing that. Kitchen is all that side purely because all the plumbing is that side. Thank you for commenting!

I'd create a corridor by nicking a bit of the snug / kitchen so that you can access the toilet / all the right hand side of the house without going through the kitchen. Also, agree with a pp that the kitchen seems unduly cramped for such a big space.

Is this better now the downstairs toilet is back to its original place?

Now you only go through the kitchen for utility or the office I e. not guests.

I think moving the loo back definitely works. I do think though that you will get annoyed with the door in the kitchen part, it’s such a waste of space and annoying if you’re trying to cook with people going in and out. If at all possible I would move the plumbing so it can be on the other side.

If you’re losing the loo in the garage could you put a small pantry in?

Sorry, forgot to say whilst I understand the reason for the roof lights over the corridor, that’s quite an expense for something you’ll barely use. I’d just have part glazed doors either end.
Will you be hearing the corridor? There’s a danger of it feeling like/ being a cold space.

I think it would be cheaper to move unless your DH is a builder with his own company.

those are some weird plans!

The PP’s have nailed it though

It’s definitely better with your loo in the original position. Imagine, you come in through the door desperate for to pee, loo is right next to you vs through three doors, the kitchen and a corridor.

I’d also swap the side that the kitchen is on to stop it being a walk through to other rooms. The alternative is to make your sun smaller by taking a corridor off the back.

Upstairs I think you are quite limited but your fourth bedroom looks quite small. I can’t work out how you could reconfigure that?

I would put the wc ( add a shower if possible) where it is on plans. More convenient for the large open plan space you have created plus gives you option to use the study as a guest bedroom should it ever be needed , if it’s big enough. Consider an exterior door instead of window into the utility corridor ( beside garage) and put coats shoes in that area , using it as daily entrance - dimensions hard to gauge from drawing . This would also be useful if you plan on using the garage area for bikes etc on a daily basis. Alternatively you could extend wc across the end of this corridor to incorporate that window as is doesn’t seem to have one . Put a large planted bed and obscure glass in the window if you have concerns about bathroom at front or easier still just swap over utility and wc positions, making adjustments for size. You could move your kitchen units down about one metre to give a larger walk space to utility area, as the door width it currently is is narrow . Also consider putting table opposite island area with built in seating for storage then living area with fitted media centre/ toy storage nearer garden. If the living area is to be used as a play area this will work better to keep toys out of walk through zone. Wouldn’t remove all the roof windows in utility corridor unless I had to - it’s an area you are going to likely use a lot - make it as pleasant as possible . You could use glazed doors to ‘borrow’ the light into the kitchen etc

I think it would be better to move the downstairs toilet back to its original place but I would think about putting a shower room in where the downstairs toilet is on the plans. With young children one family bathroom for 3 bedrooms might work but an extra shower could be needed in a house with teenagers.

The crazy thing is we would need at least another £400k to get this extra space in our location.

In reply to @Malibuismysecrethome

That bedroom is currently a tiny nursery so changing the stairs location means we can square it off and it becomes a small double. Intend that to be a guest bedroom and won't be used much.

Can the stairs be in the room at the back abandoned then make the hall a study area? Utility room next to back door unless it's where it is so study can have a window at the back?

Another thought. Garage will be storage only presumably? If so why not make the garage the study, then the utility in middle and storage at back onto rear garden? Where do you do the most gardening? Will you be lugging all the equipment round the back, if so I'd reverse the single storey layout.

Would the downstairs wc fit under the stairs? Have you got cupboard space for ironing board, vacuum etc downstairs?

I would put the kitchen where you have the skylight

Keep dining and living as they are

Put utility where kitchen is currently shown

Change utility into a boot room maybe with a downstairs shower (or at least with the plumbing for one)

Consider putting WC back where it was next to front door

Presumably coats and shoes will be stored in the hall? But that's a long way from the front door to traipse wet/muddy shoes. You need a larger lobby with storage by the door.

Thank you everyone, some really good ideas and suggestions to ponder!