Layout dilemma

8 years ago

We are currently in the early concept design stage with our architect trying to agree on an extension and layout. The main aim for us is to have a bigger kitchen and reinstate the entrance way at the front. This will require an extension but within the current roof line.

So the architect's recommendation is to move the kitchen where our current lounge is, leave the dining where it is and move the lounge where the kitchen is (but slightly extended).

He's also recommended extending the kitchen slightly towards the decking area in order to connect that space with our second living area, which we quite like.

The only concern we have is having a small tv lounge. The proposed lounge is 15 sqm but the roof in that area is sloping which will make it feel even smaller. We're thinking skylights may address that issue.

Keen to get some views as to whether you would rather have bigger kitchen/dining or bigger lounge.

The hand drawn plan is what we currently have. The kitchen space is really small and doing our head in. Also, most people use the porch ranch slider to come in, which is not the main entrance way and is annoying. Another annoying thing is that our dining is in the lounge so a bit of a walk setting up the table.

The house was built in the 70s so has many different levels. For example, the current lounge is lower than the kitchen. The playroom is once again lower than both lounge and kitchen. We also have another storey on top with our bedrooms that is not showing.

Comments (5)

PRO
Sandra Dibbs Designs
8 years ago
Firstly... where are you? It is hard to offer advise unless there is a clear indication of climate...In some areas external living areas are way more important than internal. Secondly...how often do you USE your dining room? Thirdly... how many in the household? How many watch TV/movies together? Maybe a small snug TV room is all you need? Does the entry really need to be that big (going from sketch) Home layouts are unique and personal to the way the home is used
Ksenija Chobanovich
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for responding. We're in Auckland, New Zealand and close to the sea. Outdoor living is quite important but it does get chilly in winter so it's a balance.

There are three adults and two young children in the household (one of the adults is an Au Pair who likes to spend time in her own room in the evenings). The kids will watch their cartoons generally in the morning and a bit before dinner. Then in the evening my husband and I will relax and watch TV. Right now the kids' toys are in the family room downstairs.

We are foodies and like cooking. Generally when guests come over we all hang out in our small kitchen at the moment. The dining table we use for every meal time. We also like the idea of being able to get to the deck from the kitchen, rather than having to carry food in summer through the lounge/dining.

The entry way is that big in order to reduce on the structural work but also in order to ensure that the door to the staircase is not in the lounge.
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I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested.
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Thanks houssaon and rinqreation! Funny - hubby has the same 2 door hate! It sounds like I'm being outvoted on the shared ensuite idea. :) We've actually been set on both the configurations you suggested, we moved away from yours houssaon because we really wanted to keep a closed off office space (and hubby built the front deck and landing already for the door at the end of the hallway!). And I don't know why we shifted the door on the bedroom back to the same area, I think it was about having easy access to all the kids bedrooms. But maybe we should shift it back as you suggest rinqreation. Joice, the door at the end of the hallway is the front door, the entrance closest to the street, that you would come to first if you were a visitor. Not totally necessary, but we reinstated it before we decided we wanted the entrance up the stairs (middle bottom) which would be under a carport. Thanks for all your input!! It's really helpful to have some unattached opinions. I'm keen to hear from anyone else on the shared ensuite or 2 door hate question! :)
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Thanks :) All very good points. We thought about having the cabinet doors put in for the fridge but we personally haven't found them to be too practical in the past. Ones we've used haven't seemed to seal so well. We are also planning to upgrade the fridge in the next couple if years. Good thinking about placement of the microwave too. We have a power pack range built into the wall cabinets so unfortunately we can't put the microwave above the cooktop. I like the idea of the appliance cupboard being turned into a corner cupboard, although I'm unsure if that would mean that you then couldn't easily access it from the other side of the bench..? I'm hoping our kids will sit at the breakfast bar and make their own toast etc while keeping out of the kitchen itself.... I also wonder if we should have the wall cabinets all in the same line or if we could drop the usable ones, on either side of the power pack, down further to give us more storage....? And (I promise this is my last dilemma!) does anyone have any ideas on whether to place the 1/4 sink to the left or the right of the main sink? Again it's one of those things that I'm going around in circles about....next to the prep area vs next to the dishwasher.....? ...... Ahhhh decisions, decisions ;-) Thanks again
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PRO
Sandra Dibbs Designs
8 years ago
You may like to send a plan of the existing home and proposed extensions to me

sandradibbs@internode.on.net I am having trouble reading it 'on site'. Yes, Auckland CAN get cool (much colder than FNQ) - perhaps dual usage of the outside space by fold back stacker doors may increase usability year round?

There appears to be a change of levels? please make that clear on plans.
Ksenija Chobanovich
Original Author
8 years ago
Have just emailed you the plans. Yes there is a change in levels. Effectively there are 4 different levels in the house:

- The playroom with a couple of bedrooms, bathroom and laundry is on the ground level.

- the proposed kitchen/dining is 2-3 steps up

- the proposed entrance way/ lounge is again one step up from that

- and then there is a stairwell up to 3 bedrooms and a bathroom (not showing on the plans).
PRO
Sandra Dibbs Designs
8 years ago
OK...will go through plans this evening and see what occurs to me.

Layout dilemma

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Layout dilemma

Comments (5)

Sandra Dibbs Designs

Ksenija ChobanovichOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Sandra Dibbs Designs

Ksenija ChobanovichOriginal Author

Sandra Dibbs Designs

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Ksenija Chobanovich
Original Author

Ksenija Chobanovich
Original Author