Property layout ideas

[katmunchkin]

Hi all. I've recently purchased a 1960s semi and am in the process of updating it. The downstairs is all quite open plan, but doesn't really flow or work for me. I live by myself.
I like the idea of a separate living room which can be shut off and be nice and cosy, so am considering reinstating the wall between the living room and the 'diner' (blue line), and then opening up the kitchen in to the diner (green line). Current kitchen is serviceable but I'd want to update in the next few years. If I did this I'd then block back up the utility part of the kitchen in to a separate room again. The entrance hall also has a stupid bit of wasted space where an old entrance used to be, so considering squaring off the wc to make better use of this space.
Does anyone have any creative ideas / thoughts on what they would do here? I have c. £35k available but don't want to spend all this, and am also getting quotes for new windows and doors. Thanks in advance 🙂

I'd add an outside hot and cold tap for washing the dog, unless you can wash them in the utility room?

This is a good idea, thanks! The 'utility room' is really just an extra bit of the kitchen where the washing machine and tumble dryer were, not separated from the main kitchen apart from by a step.

I think it's worth spending time working out what activities you want to happen in each area and moving in between those areas. Exciting!

How wide is the cloakroom space in the hall?

Probably about 80/90cm. With the fuse box on an inner wall, and a small window (made of 70s glass blocks ) at the end.

Here is a quick picture

I would leave the hall & downstairs loo alone - keep the light in the hall, plus moving the fuse box is expensive.

I'd put a door (possibly pocket door) from hall to utility for flexibility. then have Washing machine & dryer stacked in there (W) and you'll still have space for storage and dog.

that should not cost much, so then you might be able to save up to take down the conservatory and have a small extension of the kitchen. that would make the dining room lighter and probably give you a nice patio where the conservatory used to be. plus it would give a lot more kitchen space.

Ooh @parietal now that is a curveball! We are joined to our neighbour on the right hand side (as you look at the plan), would an extension not look / feel odd on the left hand side? The kitchen isn't the largest as it stands so it's definitely an option, but one I hadn't considered as this to me is major work! I agree I'd take down the conservatory too.

If your house is surrounded by similar ones, have a look at floorplans on Rightmove sold prices for ideas.

@WeAreTheHeroes I'm the end house of a a row of 10 identical houses where people don't tend to move because of the location! I've had a look on Rightmove and the last sales with photos and floor plans were over 10 years ago unfortunately.

Personally, if you were going to extend, I'd go full width anyway. In for a penny and all that.

I check layouts on rightmove all the time for ideas. Doesn't have to be in your road or even your area, just a similar house.

@CellophaneFlower that is very true, nothing stopping me doing the whole width (apart from ££ and having to live in it whilst it was done!).

I admit though a big part of me feels I don't need this much space, I don't really entertain or have people round, I'm not a big cook, and I'm on my own so it seem a large space for me to potter around in by myself 🤣

Perhaps not worth it in your situation then... although maybe you'd be more inclined to entertain, to show off your massive kitchen 😂

Just for a little more context, there is a brick built detached single garage just off to the left of the kitchen, so any extension would have to factor this in somehow - I'd love to integrate it to the house with a door but would still want access to the back garden somehow.

I have a similar issue to this. My garage is next to my house, with just an alley between, which is my garden access from front. I'd love to connect mine so I could use some of the garage as a utility... but would never give up my garden access! It annoys me so much as my garage is huge, but full of shite wasted.