Another extension layout one please!

[Landbeforetime]

Gah. So. We have plans passed for the attached. It’s part extension (the kitchen part) and part knocking down internal walls but we just can’t decide on what to do.

current idea is keep kitchen where it is on plans but flip where dining and living area are showing. Downsides of this:

1. We would have to lose the log burner as can’t have one the other side due to proximity of neighbours bedrooms (at least I think this is the case);
2. we would be sitting facing away from our garden

So considering putting living area where kitchen showing and kitchen where dining showing but think there won’t be enough cupboard our counter space (though we are having a pantry). With this layout we’d lose the window at the end in favour of large tv but could still have log burner. But then think kitchen area would be small and crappy.

what would you do?

Why do you need to switch the dining and living areas?!

Is the living room on the picture the only one in the house? Or is it a second sofa and TV space?

I wouldn't put the kitchen in the space marked diningroom - any mess or noise would impact both living and dining spaces.

The idea of flipping dining and living rooms - so you'd walk all your plates through the living room to eat? I think dining and kitchen need to be adjacent to each other.

So, I think you need to keep as is, or go for the one you've not suggested - keep the diningroom where it is, and switch the kitchen and livingroom. There may be very valid reasons why this wont work tho!

Surely the way it's already laid out is best? You've said the downsides of flipping those rooms, but what are the upsides?

What are the downsides of the layout shown, that drove you to want to swap the living and dining areas?

current layout looks good. possibly the kitchen island is too big (I don't like big islands) but otherwise it looks sensible.

What are the downsides to layout in picture (why would you flip dining/living areas - I can't see any benefit to this). What's to the right of the living/dining areas, it's a bit fuzzy. Is there a room off to the side of the living area?

Also, I'd do anything to avoid having a 'small crappy' kitchen (I have one, it sucks, and I wouldn't spend thousands to create one), and would sacrifice the log burner for space to have another chair in the original layout you've shared, but I'm really not a fan of log burners!

I'd keep it exactly as the plan shows.

@Peanutbutteryday necause it feels like there wouldn’t be enough room for a decent sofa that end

@CatOnTheChair we will have a snug at the front of the house but that is north facing and on a fairly busy road so not very private whereas back of house is south facing and private so think we will use that more.

good point re walking plates through - hadn’t considered that. Think we will mainly eat at kitchen island unless guests.

whete current dining set up there is also entrance to playroom which we could block off but then kids will have to go through pantry and so not ideal and can’t keep eye on them from kitchen so another reason not to have living bit whete dining bit currently set up.

gah

@CellophaneFlower i guess upsideas are:

we get the kitchen we want
we get the log burner
there is room for kids to bomb in and out of playroom

I think the layout works pretty well. You have a good sized kitchen there and reasonable living/dining areas too.

The only thing windows be how much interaction do you want between the living and kitchen area? Eg. Do you have kids you’d want to be able to watch? Do you entertain a lot? Would you want to be able to watch the tv in the kitchen. I was just thinking that for example the sink is quite a long way from the living space.

Do you need such an inward facing living area with a tv? I assume you have another one elsewhere.

Equally the seating on the breakfast bar would cover a lot of these bases, people could perch there to chat whilst your cooking or kids could sit and do their homework.

I think the layout does work pretty well as it is.

@CasperGutman really just that we felt it would feel “squashed” when you come round corner from hall and wouldn’t be room for much sitting space but maybe there is? We measured it out and it just seemed a bit like you’d be right on top of the sofa coming round that corner but maybe we are overthinking!

@parietal thsnk you. Yes, we are cutting it down a bit!

*the only thing would be…. I didn’t mean to type windows!

Could you put a wall between the living and dining area? It would make the living room more cosy if this is your main one and you could use the wall to put a sofa against.

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo here’s a pic

Ah, so your existing snug will be increasing in size? Honestly, I think the plans are fine as they are. I wouldn't sacrifice your kitchen size given you have another decent size reception room elsewhere.

I still think the log burner restricts the layout and seating options for the new living area, but it might be something you're really keen to have.

@Gazelda i am coming round to this idea.

I know it’s first world problems but I think am just frustrated that we can’t get exactly what we want with the shape of room and guess that’s why I’m wondering if we change it to a more square room

@PinkPlantCase yes we have two young children. I think we could put another small tv in corner of kitchen.

@Overthebow we thought maybe some low level cupboards. I think if we put a wall it will feel like it does now and just feel like you’re falling on top of stuff when you come round corner from hall (there is currently a playroom where new living area is)

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo its actually decreasing slightly - it’s currently a large lounge and the dotted lines are just an archway rather than wall so that will come down but part of lounge (to be snug) will be taken up with pantry

definitely hear you re small kitchen and I guess that’s part of why I’m on here seeking advice as I don’t think putting the kitchen elsewhere works

I think your dining room will become a corridor and (if your kids are anything like mine) the table will be a dumping ground.

I’d put the kitchen where the dining room is. Hide the door to pantry in run of tall units, otherwise it will be a total pain to walk round island and table every time in current layout.

living room in current kitchen where you have more room for sofas etc. Dining table (long not round) at end of kitchen where the current living room is.

I’d ditch a log burner, they are terrible for your health and the health of those around you.

@DonnatellaLyman thank you for the hiding door idea

I thought you only lost the log burner if you flipped the current plan though, as that was the downside of flipping?