Which house would you choose, based on these floorplans?

[Whichhousetochoose]

Please help wise mumsnetters, as trying to decide which of these two houses is making my head hurt! Both new builds on the same development (next door to each other), both have pros and cons. I’ve attached the floor plans for each house.

Current living situation - me, DH and 4 year old DD, hopefully DC2 one day. Both work from home the majority of the time. My parents would come and stay several times a year (hopefully friends would too). Currently living in a tiny 3 bed end of terrace.

House 1 - large kitchen/dining/family area, with a separate lounge and small study. Bedrooms are good size, although beds 3 and 4 smaller (bed 2 is the biggest). No window in landing area.

House 2 - similar size kitchen & the diner area is smaller than house 1, but has a massive living room and a large family/playroom. All bedrooms are really good sizes, plus has large window on the landing so good amount of light.

So really, I cant decide between having a larger kitchen/diner and thus a smaller living room and study, and two smaller bedrooms (house 1). OR have a smaller kitchen/diner but have a huge living room and playroom/study and have all the bedrooms on the large side (house 2).

Both have garages and space to park two cars. House 2 is £15k more expensive.

Ive been looking at them for so long I can no longer see the woods for the trees! Help!!

Because you have a four year old and maybe baby … house one. Purely on the big kitchen, diner family room. That’s the engine of the house. Kids will want to be with you in there. If kids were older I’d say house two because bedrooms are bigger.

House 2 because what on earth is going on with those awkward bedrooms in house 1 with chunks out. And noone really uses a separate dining room it's much better to have a big kitchen with table in it.

House 2. Having decent sized bedrooms are very important when they become tweens.

@easilydistracted1 separate dining room is an office. Very handy if you WFH.

House 2, definitely, but maybe use the family room as your study / office.

Important if you're working from home.

House 2.

Agree.

Surprised to see so much love for house 2, when house 1 has the open plan kitchen / living / dining.....plus the separate living room (and study).

But if house 2 is actually bigger than house 1 upstairs, then that might make it a better option.

But in house 2 I would be in the kitchen myself cooking whilst rhe rest of the family were in one of the sitting rooms.

House 2 but I would not want the wall between the kitchen and the lounge ?

i’d go house 2

Weirdly I would go for house 1.
lined the downstairs better. I have no kids if that makes a difference .

The kitchen looks very tight in House 2 if you want to have a proper table in there. So I'd go with House 1 as to me the kitchen is the key room.

House 2 , the bedroom sizes in house 1 would put me off . That said I’d be swayed if the plot was better , not just size but location .

House 2

Is House 2 also 1379 sq ft? That might affect the decision.

My house layout (house built about 25 years ago) is similar to House 1 with slightly odd shaped rooms on 1st floor. My bedroom 4 is small - you can get a double bed in. But did you want other furniture then No! So I like the bones of House 2. One of the reasons for my house having slightly odd rooms is that the hall and landing are on a diagonal - sends huge amounts of light across the house so a real bonus tick. But my house is 1600 sq ft.

House 2 for me - where are the garages/ layout of parking as that would be a deal breaker for me

House 2 definitely

I like the downstairs of plan 1, you can see what's going on as you cook, it's more social, but still has a living room separate.
I like the upstairs of plan 2 with the bedroom sizes.
Overall I'd go for 1 and we'd spend more time awake downstairs than up in the bedrooms.

House number 2 100% - your children will have the space in the future as they will need bigger rooms that accommodate desks, wardrobes, etc.

House 2 but please approach with care and read the trust pilot reviews on the home builder.

Definitely house 2. They lay out is much better, you could always take the wall down between the kitchen and living room or put double doors in so it can become one big space when you need it to. The upstairs is much better too.

I would definitely want to have a door between livingroom and kitchen/dining room. Not sure if having it completely open as the alternative suggests is practical.

I’d go for 1.
We have a massive living room & smaller kitchen diner and I’m always thinking about how I could add a bit of living room to kitchen diner, where I spend all day with the kids when we’re at home.

I find family time always ends up being kitchen diner, all our toys seem there etc.
living room is just used on evening or bit of telly for kids during the day

I prefer the downstairs layout of house 1. Everyone hangs out in the kitchen and this one gives you proper space to have friends around. You’ll find that people always want to sit and chat at the kitchen table.

If open plan, move the dining table to the lounge and the sofas further down. Then you could have a comfy seat in the kitchen rather than a table.

House 2