Snug or extra utility space?

[Lauraje1421]

Bit of a long one sorry!

We are soon to start an extension that will move the kitchen to a better position, connecting it with the living/dining room and giving direct access to the garden. Pic attached, the grey bit is the new family living space, extension is the bit with the kitchen in).

The space that will be left once the kitchen has moved is 4m x 4m, but it is a “walk through room” having 3 doors off it; it is the only route from the living space to the utility room/back door or bedrooms/bathroom (it’s a bungalow). The usable space then becomes 3m x 3m allowing for the walk way passage between the 3 doors.

Current utility space is 1.8m x 4m and is used for laundry, back door to the garden, muddy boots from rural living and 2 (medium / large breed) dogs.

The original plan was to use the walk through room as a second “snug” TV area as we have 2 growing children (current age 4 and 6). Useful for TV arguments but what about teenage years when they live in their rooms?

So now I’m thinking (to the despair of the husband 😂) would the space work better as extra utility room laundry space and guest w.c.? As I’m not 100% sure on the w.c. position by the front door as it seems to be too much in the middle of the living space? We do have a 4th small bedroom that could be used as a TV snug with occasional guest sofa bed when needed?

I know it all depends on individual lifestyle, but just interested to know what others would choose? This is our forever home but don’t want to regret any decisions 🙈

Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

I would want another living room as the lounge is open plan? Kids can do their own thing then. As you say you could use a bedroom. I don't think you need more utility, is there a toilet in the bathroom?

The layout is really confusing to me, where is the front door? Could you take some of the snug to have more of hallway as of looks like you have to go into rooms to get into other rooms.

Due to the open plan I would definitely opt for a snug. (Floor plan looks lovely!)

Thanks for your thoughts, living space was the original idea, but think I’m second guessing myself before the work starts!

I have coloured the plan and noted the front door. Green arrows are the 3 doors off the “walk through” room, yellow shaded area is available floor space for snug. Purple outline is the 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms both with loo.

thank you!

I see it now, I think the snug is a good idea

I would leave it as a snug. You want space to spend time in...not space to do chores in!

And how often do you have guests? Unless more than 50% of time (unlikely I am guessing) then a 3rd bathroom/4th loo is not really necessary.

At first I thought it was just a massive hallway (thought the front door came of it) so was not sure about how "snug" it would feel, but, although it is a walkthrough to various other zones I think you have enough space to make it a good area. Corner sofa to partition it off. Perfect.

The loo by the front door is a little unusual but it might work better than putting one further back in the house because the sheer number of doors could get confusing for visitors.

You might find lots of different uses for the through room so keeping it as a snug offers you more flexibility.

Snug for sure! Better use of space and a nicer thing to walk through as a connecting room. Hope it goes well Op!

The loo by the front door is a little unusual

Not really, it's a really common layout particularly in newer houses, people always think our shoe cupboard next to our front door is our downstairs toilet!

I agree, a snug or living space which you can close off, rather than have to be in the open plan area.

I think the loo but the front door off an outer hallway is absolutely fine and very normal. You have another door between the hall and open plan area so it's perfectly private.

Is part of the of the grey/orange area already built or is it all new? The only thing I wonder is do you actually have enough width top open the door from the hall without crashing into the dining table?

The kitchen are looks enormous and the dining are possibly a bit cramped by comparison (but hard to tell without dimensions).

I said it was a little unusual because I haven't seen it much and the OP said she wasn't sure about the positioning.

I think it's a great idea, all the guests will be able to find the loo and if you come home really needing to go it's really convenient.

Thanks everyone! Of the grey / orange area, just the new kitchen bit is the extension, the living room and dining room bit are existing. It’s a funny angle to keep the view.

I would have a dining table with bench seating against the wall as I do wonder if it will feel cramped by the front entrance. It’s so hard to tell from a plan! But when the walls are built the table might fit in there, so best kitchen layout will be next on my list to cause sleepless nights 🙈😂

Do Post-it notes of everything you currently have in your kitchen and sit and plan it using them. So, plstic tubs, cereal boxes, baking stuff, kitchen scales, pans, baking trays, coffee making stuff, glasses, mugs, plates, gravy jugs.

Imagine yourself working in the kitchen. What works now? What doesn't? For example, at the moment, can you only open the corner cupboard door when the dishwasher is closed...which drives you potty? Or your plate rack is the other side of the kitchen to the dishwasher - so emptying it is a pain. Or you want to have the cereal stuff close to the breakfast bar - so that post it needs to be on the island. The plate cupboard/drawer next to or close to the dishwasher. The pans and sieves close to the cooker. Cups and tea/coffee stuff is in the cupboard above the kettle. etc etc

I did this whilst designing our kitchen, which meant I knew as we were planning where to have cupboards/drawers etc exactly where everything would fit. 15 years on I have moved nothing, it all has worked.

@WhoToBeToday great idea, thank you!