Converting one bed to two bed flat - help please

[skuml]

We are in the process of deciding how to convert our one-bedroom rental flat in London into a two-bedroom space.

plan involves dividing the long living room (7.369m ; 24.ft). Wondering what would be an appropriate size for the second bedroom. Would dimensions of 3.96 x 2.6m (12.99 X 8.5 ft) m suffice for a comfortable double bedroom? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

We have concerns that the living room might not be sufficiently spacious, and we fear that the flat could lose its roomy ambiance. Would a living room size of 4.57m (14.99 ft) be large enough to maintain the desired spacious feel?

We are refurbishing rest of flat too - building is charging a lot! wondering is conversion worth doing? anyone had similar experience?

many thanks in advance !!

It’s useful but not necessary. Coat and shoe storage and a cloakroom can be useful.

I think the 2-bed set up would attract two friends in their 20s, not families. I think you’d make a loss with all the building work. I would keep as a one bed for a single or a couple.

It looks like a nice big one bed flat, very attractive to slightly older couples or single people. Why not spend the money doing it up nicely and looking to attract couples or older single professionals.

As people have said stable rent it better than sightly more rent

I've just measured up your proposed bedroom and it is about the same size as my DC's, which we consider a fairly small single. You would get a single bed and a desk in, but not much else.

It wouldn't work as a long term family home, nor for sharers.

I don't know how much demand there is in your area for rentals for couples without children (either pre or post family) because that's effectively what you are looking at.

You need to so your own homework and not just go on what the EA says. Looks on rightmove for 2 bed flats in your area commanding the type of rent you are aiming for. How big are their second bedrooms. Push the EA for actual data. Of the two beds they rent out, how many are to couples?

And if you're going to do all of this, I think you'll regret not doing the living room/second bedroom doors properly.

Yes you nailed our main worry ---> " I think you'll regret not doing the living room/second bedroom doors properly."

Another worry is ---> if we make second bedroom bigger (2.7 X3.9m), living room will be smaller 4.57 X3.9 m.

Dilemma now !! --> leave bigger living room space almost 5 m. or make second bedroom bigger !

but yes great suggestions - will research local market more!

By London standards, you have a 3 bedroom here...

You actually don’t! Layout is everything. Not sure how many people like bedrooms that 7ft 6ins wide. It’s narrow. Not many like tiny enclosed lounges either.

Update:
As most of you suggested ---- We are NOT converting Flat into two bedroom !!

It is spacious one bed room and advertising flat as it is for now! If I dont get tenants who are moving asap then we might just refurbish ensuite bathroom !!

Feel so much better today ! Its been crazy week with all the dilemmas

I would put the kitchen in the living room so it’s open plan and no walls need knocking down. It may not be to your taste but you won’t be living there and it will be the easiest, cheapest option & what a developer would do.

Loads of flats have open plan living/kitchen rooms. It’s not to my personal taste either but wouldn’t put me off renting a place for a couple of years.

Sorry @skuml just saw your update!

I would move the kitchen to the patio end of the living room. Separate with a part-way across stud wall.

I like to be able to open the doors to a outside space when I'm cooking.

Yes open-plan kitchen would be perfect ! Real estate agents also suggested that.
But that involved more work ( and£££) than just dividing the living with a wall.

Its a purpose built flat - solid concrete floor & walls! Chasing plumbing, electrics are tricky too.
But yes, in future if we want to change the existing kitchen then we might go open plan. A builder quoted 40 K for open plan kitchen and fully refurbish bathroom, boiler etc ( including everything kitchen, new bathroom).

THanks for all your suggestions - really appreciate mumsnet community 😊

Many thanks for input!! Yes you are right !!
Thats why we are not dividing living room -- leaving as it is ! Tenants viewing today as spacious one bed.

Rent advertised is 150£ less than 2 beds - if we achieve that it would be great as we haven't spent a penny on it except cleaning!

Yes you are right 😅

However its a luxury purpose built block and dont want to spoil its spacious, relaxing feel ! As others here mentioned - we dont want to attract sharers, families...

It was so helpful to get all your feedback here ! many thanks - really appreciate !

I think you’re doing the right thing leaving it as a 1 bed. If you can achieve £150 less as a lovely 1 bed compared to a 2 bed with compromises. It would take so many years to recover the 40k or whatever…. Not really worth it.

Possibly put the kitchen into the living room to make a big open plan living space when you need to update the kitchen anyway in a few years.

Hope you get a tenant.

got good tenants! professional couple! liked flat so much that they were ready to pay deposit then and there during viewing :)

Thanks for to you all for helping me out and avoided a big mistake - both financially and tenants wise too !! We weren't getting good professional tenants for small 2 bed !