Would adore your ideas to improve this floor plan

last year

Hey legends,
Would greatly appreciate some ideas on improving this floor plan! I'm keen to allow the hallway to go straight down to the living area, rather than currently having to go via the sitting room and kitchen.
I'm currently thinking:
- move the laundry and bathroom into the top-left bedroom space, and then make the sitting room a bedroom.
- more the kitchen to where the laundry is
- maybe repurpose the kitchen to a study nook, a walk in pantry, etc?
I'm also keen to know what storage ideas there are for BIR in the larger bedroom, given the orientation of the door and fireplace
Thank you!!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Paul Di Stefano Design
last year
Hey Michael,

You're definitely on track with your thinking

Also totally depends on your available budget - this wouldn't be that cheap of an exercise re-doing all the high cost/m2 areas and relocating and making good floors, walls etc with new passage etc...

Even just the move of shifting the bathroom to the bedroom would make a big difference improvement, and have a separate toilet.

A new robe against the internal wall of the larger front room stopped short of the front wall with the window would probably be your best bet for that room

I'd probably try and keep a laundry still separate rather than include in a bathroom - that move is typically reserved for super tight scenarios, apartments etc - could probably better accommodate as a European laundry in the passage, or consider using existing kitchen space as a decent laundry/utility as these spaces are undervalued for their storage and organsation capacities to keep the rest of the spaces clear of clutter and the like...

Hope this helps

PD
bigreader
last year
As mentioned it depends on your budget. The back of the bathroom looks to be the original exterior wall of the house. Are both the original part and the extension on stumps.? Moving bathrooms also generally needs Council paperwork but depending on your plans for the future may be worth it for the functionality you’d gain.
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there's opportunity for a much more interesting solution that involves lowering the floor level to (a) have a better connection with the natural ground level of the external space and (b) enjoy higher ceilings in the main living zone. Also the U shaped kitchen makes it feel smaller than it should..........It looks like you could push further out to the side as well...it feels unnecessarily squeezed and not maximising the design opportunity available Good luck! PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com
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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
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I'm no expert but just my thoughts if it was my house - The bedrooms are on the small side, so perhaps think about how they will be used - do your children need space to play or do homework in their rooms? Is the 4th bedroom for guests or will it be used as a home office? In bedrooms 2 and 3 the beds are below the window - are the windows high enough to allow a bedhead/to not lay down with your head against the window? What will be in the main bathroom - shower, bath, single/double vanity? What are you thinking layout wise? I'm confused by the kitchen, especially the pantry access given the corners are blocked by other benches - is it meant to be a walk in pantry or just normal cupboards? The hall is long and narrow and you need to go past all the bedrooms before you get to the living space. Not sure how well this will work, but I've only lived in places where the entry is adjacent to living space. Love the idea of having a separate self contained space for your parents - as others have said bathroom is too far from either bedroom, and the entry near bedroom could be an issue.
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How would you improve this north facing rear floor plan?
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WIR master suite - more built in storage can be added or a small centre island storage added. ENSUITE shower is a good size, leave as is. ENSUITE toilet Gives room for standing and drying. INTERNAL courtyard space may be a planning requirement from council. This is a long skinny home and the length of walls are usually regulated by councils. This courtyard may be because it has to be that way to pass through planning. I would have some shading as this is on the west side of home. MAIN bathroom shower is a good size, leave as is. ALFRESCO side wall should be on the west side (as drawn on plans) to block hot summer sun. Do not have a solid roof, have a retractable roofing system or solid roof with a gable at the end to allow for northern sun into the home in the winter. GARAGE is only wide enough for one vehicle and long enough for one vehicle, not two. A single car and storage. BAR in the master. Locate top left hand corner. Or take room from your WIR on that side.
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Kate
last year
First thing find out where your sewage lines are under the house. This may impact decisions. I would be inclined to move laundry to kitchen where plumbing is available. And add storage. Move bathoon to the smaller bedroom and include a second toilet at least, preferably with a second shower too. With some left over space for pantry. Kitchen where laundry is. Sitting with its fireplace becomes bedroom. Are they fire places valuable or used as they are taking up space? That will influence where to put BIRs.
oklouise
last year
if you don't mind the laundry in a cupboard my suggestions relocates the kitchen and master bedroom to allow for an ens, wiw and new bathroom while keeping three bedrooms plus a bonus lounge bed 4
PRO
Kitchen and Home Sketch Designs
last year
Hello, Your thinking is good and it would make it much nicer without the bathroom in the middle of the house. Which way is north? I can assist with this as an architectural draftee, I can draw options for you to take to builders for quotes. then you can choose tradesmen based not just on the price but on time frame and communication, etc too. I invite you to look over my website for lots to read, pictures and blogs and contact details too. happy to assist with this plan for you. Cheers Margot

Would adore your ideas to improve this floor plan

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