Floor plan to allow more light
Comments (18)
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Media room floor plan - where to put screen, sofas, lighting?
Comments (6)Thank-you both for your input! I think I'm tossing up between putting the chairs in the nook or against the long wall. If chairs go in the nook, it's cosy and there's more walkway space as you said, Luke, for beanbags etc. However, what would I do with the 2m wall near the entrance? Would seating there be a bit odd? However having the screen in the nook would allow for a longer row of seating I think? So potentially more people could fit in, although those sitting near the door may have an obscure view of the screen. It seems like both options have pros & cons! We don't have anything that needs to go in, so to speak, although plenty of seating options and tables for drinks etc would be really great!...See MoreHow do I make my open-plan room more contemporary?
Comments (61)For me, it would be colour. Maybe a feature wall for walls around dining, or living, pick colour from your favoured painting, and use same and other colours from pictures for cushions or even some occasional furniture in the brightest colour - I saw this done beautifully in a tarted up house for display - a small seat/coffee table painted and upholstered in an orange mix, which was taken from the splashback (everything else was neutral) and also in a throw for lounge....See MoreAssistance with creating a more open-plan living space
Comments (11)Have you considered taking away the cavity door beside the stairs and open a section of the wall opposite the stairs to create a 2 way open ended shelving with some down light for displaying purposes? A series of full height vertical blade screening beside the shelving can then help add visual depth in the living room and still define the living room. It will also help frame the tv cabinetry with the existing nib wall on the other side. You will have minimal issues with reducing structural integrity of a potential load bearing wall. The existing fireplace is too nice to remove or make alterations to as it nicely divides dining with the living room....See MoreHow can I improve this floor plan to be more open and have more light
Comments (18)I would re-evaluate my brief, my budget and my site. It is another case of trying to squeeze too many rooms into too small a space and compromising the living space. If you draw furniture to scale in your living room then you will see that it is undersized for a four bedroom home. With the best orientation going to the garage door and bedroom 4 I would look at a complete redesign by pushing some of the bedrooms to the rear, and a central courtyard to give you an opportunity for north facing light to a living room. There is nothing nice about the current design and will feel like an apartment with little resale appeal. The designer has shown no flair or imagination in this "gun-barrel" floorplan, and is a variation on a concept that has been around for centuries. But your biggest problem is the number of rooms. Do you really need 4 bedrooms plus a study and 2.5 bathrooms, a long wasteful hallway, and only one modestly sized open plan living area and kitchen on a narrow block? I would start again with a smaller brief and a designer who can challenge your thinking about what good small house design actually means. Small house design is the hardest to do really well, so don't use a large house designer. Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visits...See More
onedenimbird
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoThanks everyone for above comments. We plan on living here for the next decade (I guess) so have long term plans for reno ... as we can afford it. Basically the kitchen has to be the starting point as it is so dark in there, especially with the brick wall. Please see floor plan.
1. We will paint window trims, dado board, skirting door frames in white asap. We will also paint the ceiling. the ugly side by side oven has to go and we will either buy secondhand freestanding in the interim as I am considering a 90cm cooktop and possibly a wall oven for the final reno - this all boils down to the final floorplan decision and cost. As siriuskey suggested with the advice of a pro :-).
2. We will either knock out a hole in the external brick wall, roughly where the oven currently is, to install a door which will let in light and create a walk through direct to pantry on the opposite wall.
OR, we will enlarge current window and/or install proper skylights above kitchen as suggested by siriuskey.
This all depends what we do with the internal brick wall that backs onto the lounge area and the wood fired heater. If we knocked it down and opened up the kitchen dining living area it would be amazing, but its a serious brick wall and more than likely load bearing. See below.
I like the idea of a galley kitchen with cooktop, sink below window, dishwasher along the window wall (this is 4m) and an island bench with wide drawers.
If you have any other suggestions I am all ears :-)
See floor plan below and photo of living area.
Floor in living is currently carpet and we will rip up and install vinyl planks in timer - I like Karndean brand, Lemon Spotted Gum
http://www.karndean.com/en-au/floors/easy-fit-ranges/karndean-looselay
The flooring in the kitchen is currently tiles and ideally we would pull it up and cover with above all the way through, except bedrooms.
My ideal kitchen colourwise would look something like this -
Thanks so much
Dee
annb1997
6 years agoonedenimbird
6 years ago
siriuskey
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoonedenimbird
6 years agoYes, siriuskey, there is a mezzanine floor above the kitchen dining area. This will become our master bedroom with ensuite. Please see upstairs plan attached and original floorplan.
onedenimbird
6 years agoannb1997
6 years agoonedenimbird
6 years ago
oklouise