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Renovating Design Dilemma

Reno advice (Are we dreaming?)

last year

Hi,

We're finally about to Reno. We need to gut a bathroom that's been leaking into the garage below but always wanted to reconfigure - so it seems the time. Essentially we'd love to bring the kitchen to the rear of the house and to gain an ensuite. We think to pull that off we'll also need to take another bedroom upstairs (we need them all). We've attached attempts at current and draft plans. We'd welcome and really value suggestions and reality-checks.

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oklouise

last year

a few more ideas to consider

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Comments (14)

bigreader
last year
I like your plans for downstairs, looks functional.
Kate
last year
If you need 6 actual bedrooms then do you need 2 dining areas? Can laundry go elsewhere? I combined laundry and bath hiding laundry behind sliding doors but I don’t put clothes horse in room
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I love your post, there is a blueprint and you are giving out details and whishes witch is making it easier for all of us to help you and your family. This floorplans reminds me a bit about my uncles house. here are some of my thoughs witch you may/or may not use. I am not sure about the NSEV directions which have a major influence in building a house. Parenting so many kids also influence the house and the lifestyle in the home. I would maybe add, or rebuild an ancle to the house prevent from wind on the terrace. Commidded as you sound i would go all in with all of your wishes. I think a big master bathroom is needed to be used as a place to relax with so much to look after. I dont now if your coing to use the door in the lundry room or in the pantry most. I thinks its best to have your garrage entry close to the pantry and kitchen. A open kitchen is also a big decision when you have so many young kids. I would maybe add a breakfast area in the kitchen. SOme other things to consider is maybe the entry and the long hall way. I think you and your family might be a bit tired of the loong hallway. if possible i would switch the entry and the office. to make the entry in to the livingroom, if le librarry is going to be used as a familyroom. A toilet should always be placed near an entry to the house. And an extra toilet is only for u to clean along the way.... I you are looking to expad the family i would maybe build a playroom in the middle of all the kids rooms. At my uncle ealier house theay had a combined office space, guest room, playroom to combind a space for all of the children and their friends to be in. As far as going to design in your home can also maybe influence the layout. I think wood floors or tiles depend on style. I Personally prefer laminet wood floors in the kitchen and entry, but you are to buy some lovely tiles now a day. Pleace ask for a new blueprint suggestion if you are up for some changes. good luck.
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dreamer
last year
Those bedrooms downstairs are small, and even smaller because they are not square. Are you requiring single beds in these bedrooms or double beds, are they to have a dresser and study desk? I would mock up the exact size of the rooms, with tape on the floor including the angles and wardrobe, and make sure that the space is workable.
Murphy
Original Author
last year
Thanks Big Reader, Kate, Dreamer. To clarify (sorry), the L-shape is the downstairs and the rectangle is a 20+ yr old addition upstairs. A double garage sits beneath the 2 current downstairs bedrooms and bathroom. It's 5 bedrooms we need in total. Don't necessarily need the 2 dining areas and the laundry can move (plumbing less tricky on the right). Am nervous about the bedroom sizes and will do the re-taping you suggest (single beds, desk...).
Kate
last year
Options. Hard without full dimensions. You will need a healthy budget
Murphy
Original Author
last year
Really grateful for those suggestions Kate. Generating some healthy discussion :-)
siriuskey
last year
Any exterior photos of the house, front and rear showing roof line
Murphy
Original Author
last year
Kate
last year
Wow love that.
siriuskey
last year
Me too, my ground floor plan trying to keep a second bedroom/study/ guest. I think the powder room should be easy to run plumbing across the garage?. Agree with OKl to open up the dining as part of the family living
siriuskey
last year
I haven't added the upstairs as this is as far as I got, a work in progress Great house, what was used to build the bedroom addition upstairs, it looks rendered?
Murphy
Original Author
last year
Wow oklouise and siriuskey. Thanks! Love these. Upstairs we think is rendered blueboard.
siriuskey
last year
Rendered Blue Board makes sense, The following, trying to reuse the bathroom fittings to keep costs to a minimum plus having the living space on the northern side of the building.

And like Kate running 3 bedrooms across the Southern side while maintaining the 4th Bedroom as is.

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