Any suggestions for our ground floor layout?

11 years ago

Hi All,
Would love to hear from anyone with suggestions for the ground floor layout of our house. We are renovating the entire space so open to any major structural ideas.
The rear of the property gets decent sunlight from the West which is why the proposed extension is slightly further out on the right hand side than the left to open up a small patio area in that space.

The clean plan is what has been proposed and the rougher (badly done!) sketch is what we would prefer.

Would love to hear if anyone thinks we are on the right track/could do something completely different or just crazy!

Main thing we want to achieve is light and an open plan kitchen/diner/living space.

Also wondering about which roof type to go with for the extension, flat or pitched?
Heart says flat cause they look better but head says pitched as they last longer etc?

Original house walls planned for demolition can be seen in faint broken line.

Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

Luciana

11 years ago

My untrained eye prefers your (rough) plan. Bigger is better (?!!!) and you're never going to complain about having too much space.

I understand about uninterested spouses and resistance to spending money on professionals (I live with one!!), however that money is often a better investment than whatever fancy TV he may want to buy for the renovated space (he'll want a bigger, shinier one, trust me!). Maybe you could look for someone, have an initial (usually free) consultation, see what they think and then convince hubby...?

I'm not sure what that 'storage' in the kitchen area is meant to be (walk-in pantry?)

About roofs... always pitched!! Even if the tilt angle is minimal, you're better off in the long run with something that doesn't 'store' water and snow. Also, you can never get enough light! A couple of roof windows are not that expensive these days and they can make a huge difference. Plus they double as a feature (large expanses of ceiling are not that interesting :))

If you can't get a professional to look at your plans, I'd say go with what you prefer - you'll live there, not whoever did the clear plan. If you convince hubby...hurray! Either way, it's going to be a long and usually painful process until it's all done; please let us know what's going to happen.

Good luck!

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Comments (14)

jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
Please help!
PRO
Lampert Dias Architects, Inc.
11 years ago
I apologize in advance for being harsh, but neither plan works.......Why don't you hire an architect to help you........?
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I don’t think your plan for a playroom is an economical plan. Firstly it’s an additional small room- this house has enough rooms for any family- what you need is larger rooms. You have stated you want a kitchen with an island- the space you currently have won’t accommodate an island but if you did extend the kitchen this will likely add far more to the resale value. The rooms at the back of this house have two doors to the patio- you intend putting the playroom just here meaning you loose the best route to your garden most likely resolved by replacing the Dining room window with French doors….. and moving the radiator, replacing the floor and building a new patio! The living room at the back of the house could be a playroom for the next few years- perhaps you should make an aperture to the dining room to keep an eye on the kids.
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jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
Would love to hire an architect but my other other has no interest and all of the budget is needed for the build. I'm trying to persuade him as I am fully aware that Architects see solutions the untrained eye never would. Out of interest what is so wrong with the rough sketch?
jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
So true Luciana! Thanks. I agree the pitched roofs bring in more light and better to take the rain off which we get plenty of!! The flat roofs are just so in vogue and do tend to look neater. I think we'll opt for the pitched though. My sketch is very rough just a basic idea really, we do have a structural engineer who will handle the project but we are bringing the ideas to the table..might try for a once off fee from an architect to get the right plan though, good idea! The layout in the open plan section can be changed around, the storage area could be a big American fridge freezer for example, my dimensions are probably a bit off..anyway thanks a mill! Will put up the before and after pics 6 months (here's hoping) from now!!
Luciana
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
As I said, just brace yourself for whatever is to come; it's never easy! When doing our renovation, we didn't hire an architect... I was close to maiming the contractor and especially the electricians at some point - even after giving them my (very detailed) plan with where all the plugs should go, they were still calling to ask 'at what height' 'you sure you want two there? and a phone socket too...? ahhhhh!!

Have a look at our kitchen before&after, in case watching 'Grand Designs' wasn't enough for you :)))

https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/total-kitchen-renovation-dsvw-vd~400397

PS: try and ignore the trends and fashions as much as possible for structural work; they come in and out periodically whilst your roof will be there for a long time - choose practical always! (that's why most call it 'classic'!!)
PRO
Create Yourself - Space, Body & Mind
11 years ago
From a Feng Shui point of view I like your extension idea on the right hand side then you will have a proper rectangular layout which is much better energetically. Make the patio really nice it and use it. Also make sure to get a lots of light from bay windows as you it is located on the ground floor.
jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Luciana, very impressed by your renovation, great before and after pics! You really nailed the 'Architecturally designed house' effect without using one! It's certainly going to be an interesting project considering I am quite fussy and not the greatest decision maker!
Just hope we can achieve an rear extension that works and isn't just a wide open space.
jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi All,
I've been rethinking the layout and have come up with the attached plan as an alternative. I think this plan will work better as all the plumbing will be connected bathroom/utility/kitchen. Having the kitchen in the left means there can be a dining area and seating area in the opposite larger space. I have double doors leading to patio in middle of back walk between two floor to ceiling type windows. What do you think? Does this layout work? Any more suggestions / changes we should make?
Jonathan
11 years ago
yes I prefer the latest revision- the reason I don't think the first one worked was because there were too many barriers between the front door and the garden. Now you have better sightlines.
I also prefer the layout of the kitchen with the island. This will also be good as I suspect you will need a pillar to support the upstairs and better to have it in an island than in the middle of the room.
Don't discount a flat roof. Modern fibre glass roofs are a big improvement over bitumen roofing. Consider raising the ceiling height on the rear extension.....higher ceilings and bigger windows to the garden will improve the sense of space
jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks I've noted down your suggestions, really like the idea of the higher roof on rear extension to add windows and light and would be an interesting feature to extension also.
It's time to finalise our ideas now and bring them to our structural engineer so he can get the designs in for planning application asap.
Only thing I'm left wondering about is whether we come out in a straight line for extension as in last revision or in an L shape as in first plan in order to trap the light in a patio space / capture more of the light with a window on the L shape ? Reason I don't want to do that is it will limit the amount of space on the right hand side for our kitchen?
Luciana
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Jen, are you sure everything is in proportion? I'm asking, because that store seems to be just a bit wider than a door (so about 1 m) which is fine, but doesn't give much space to manoeuvre inside it. Also, a bit too many doors in a small space, but I'm afraid I can't offer you a remedy for that.

You have two wide, massive windows and a door in between, I think that will give plenty of light. Personally, I'd just add skylights or a glass roof.
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I really wish you'd see an architect... there are lots of different, small things that a professional can spot from miles away that you wouldn't even consider. As I said, I regret we didn't; our house is great, but it could've been even better!
jen1215
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for those Houzz links Luciana, the strip lighting is very interesting. The proportions aren't 100% accurate, but the store room will be snug enough just enough room to house Hoover /bicycle/pram but hopefully enough room to manoeuvre. The ventilation windows should be possible through the roof of garage conversion for utility and agree its crucial to incorporate this.
Working on the architect!!
PRO
OnePlan
11 years ago
Hi - it would help if you could draw it to scale - so you have adequate walk ways between walls and dining area etc too - there's simple cad software available for free trails on various websites - or there's pros who can draw it all up for you - and check the sizes and flow works etc !

Any suggestions for our ground floor layout?

Luciana

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jen1215
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Any suggestions for our ground floor layout?

Luciana

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