Loads of space; loads of options.

My ideas for what they're worth:

(1) leave Bedroom 1 and bathroom as is. Great arrangement for grandparents/guests/au pair/ teenager/boomerang adult-child. One day you could turn the window in this room into a door for people to have own entry.

(2) definitely don't get rid of the second kitchen / wash house extension. Like one person said above, it adds a nice proportion to the back of the house. Just give it some more glazing. French doors are not expensive and would suit well. You and your kids will love all the room on your ground floor when they are older. Compared with houses in other countries (Australia, NZ, USA) what you have is not that big. Families easily enjoy the space you have and can keep up with cleaning etc.

(3) get rid of the butler's pantry. It doesn't look a useful shape for pantry storage. It's just a strange corridor. Then open up the wall between the dining room and kitchens, so you'll have a lovely big dual aspect kitchen-dining-lounge arrangement. Such spaces are fantastic with kids. You can keep an eye on so much, be present, and still manage to sit down yourself, or get things done. There are plenty of options for windows at both ends meaning their should be enough light.

(4) Existing family room could be a big happy play room/music room/library/hobby room (whatever). Add doors onto the garden. Again, french doors would be nice and inexpensive. There are off-the-shelf products these days for all sorts of doors/windows. Or as one person you could plumb water to this room and make yourself a big boot-room / utility room. Would be great for a family that spends a lot of time in the garden. There are great pictures of these sorts of rooms on Pinterest; most of them seem to be in the US. Some even have a dog shower for muddy dogs, and underfloor heating for the wet pooch to dry on!

(5) If you don't have a dedicated utility room, a utility cupboard somewhere would work well. i.e. a place for washing machine, condensing tumble dryer, some shelves for cleaning products, a fold down drying rack for bits and bobs, also doubles as somewhere to hang wet shirts, a counter top for sorting clothes. Doors that slide and fold like an accordion are good for these utility spaces. Just add some ventilation, either between the folding door panels, or top and bottom. Depending on where your boiler is located, you might also put that in the utility cupboard.

Hi Rach Mcelroy,

Have you discussed with an architect which walls can be removed yet? Or what is possible within the space structurally?

It is a great house with (as stated plenty of times above), loads of potential. The key with this one is going to be getting it just right for your families needs whilst working to your budget.

I understand what Johnathan is saying. If it going to cost you a certain amount to remove the washroom and then to make good the walls and gap or windows from where it was removed it may not be too much more than that to add a little space which can make a really big impact - not only on the space for your family when their older but for the resale (inheritance) at a later date. It is well worth considering and no harm in getting some quotes.

Once you know what is possible, a concept planner like myself (or there are many many on here) would then be able to help you make the absolute most of your space making it right for your family whilst considering the things that are important to you.. like sight lines and access to the garden.

I hope this has helped a little and I really look forward to hearing more as your project progresses so do keep us updated. All the best, Gina

These are all great ideas but you would be wise in investing in a professional architect to help you make the best use of space, light and create a family house that works for you.

I have struggled to get an architect interested in this type of small project in the past and gone with a great technician instead. Next time I would probably use a concept planner if the project isn't big enough to tempt an architect!

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Many thanks!

Grace

Hi Rach, Thanks for letting me know anyway :)

Good luck with everything!

Grace