Southern side open plan & outdoor living

last month

Hi there,

Looking for design advice for the outdoor living area which is shaded being on the southern side. Home is a timber 1970s highset with the intend here to lift and fill. Downstairs ceiling height 2.7m.

Location SE Qld Aus.

Floor plan has been established somewhat but we have a blank canvas ~300m2 back yard to work with.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Comments (8)

bigreader
last month
You didn’t ask but with four bedrooms using the downstairs bathroom the toilet needs to be separate with a basin. You could use a fly over roof for the deck with sufficient height to let light in. Is the room at the side of the house to also have a deck to access more light even if it means reworking the interiors. It would be a shame to spend decent money on a project and not have natural as a priority
Matty McCarthy
Original Author
last month
Thank you for your input, I understand your point regarding toilet separation but I think you missed the bathroom upstairs. 2Bath + Ensuite

We have about 4.5m side access on the west side (lounge & Rumpus) are you thinking opening up the lounge on this side with a wrap around lowest deck?
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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.
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For $60k - $80k there options are quite limited. My first thought (before knowledge of your budget) was to open up your kitchen and Bed 2 spaces to achieve connectivity from the courtyard to the back yard with a new open plan kitchen and dining space. The front room with the fireplace would then become a bedroom as you said. That configuration is probably not achievable for your budget unless 95% DIY and excluding changes to your other wet areas. For your budget an achievable alternative might be to move bed 3 to the front room, leave your kitchen as is, and renovate your wet areas, possibly expanding into the current storage areas adjacent to bed 3. This will give better access to your back verandah than you currently have, but lacks the solid connectivity of the first option. You rightly mentioned value alongside cost. I think the first option adds more value to your property because of the stronger indoor/outdoor connections and a new kitchen into the bargain. I'm not going to venture an estimate on what that would cost as there are so many unknowns at this point. Best bet is to start talking with some local builders to get a feel for costs. They will take into account structure, existing conditions, services, construction access and so on.
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bigreader
last month
Nope didn’t miss the upstairs. The downstairs toilet situation would work if the ensuite owners are happy to have visitors or the downstairs bedrooms aren’t occupied often. I live with two teens in a two story house with powder room ,ensuite and separate toilet. Your downstairs layout would never survive the morning or evening rush but if your house isn’t fully occupied full time it may work. Yes I’d be opening up lounge to a deck that catches the sun. I’d also think about opening up the east side also. A couple of separate deck areas would assist with only having one inside living area.
Kate
last month
Hard to provide advice when you have given so little detail over what you want to use it for, the outlook and garden and impact on raising the house
Matty McCarthy
Original Author
last month
We a family of 6, no teens for a few years. Rumpus isn’t to be occupied 90% of the time so I guess we’ll manage the toilet situation.

I do like the idea of the wrap around deck.
Matty McCarthy
Original Author
last month
Ok fair point, we are still a young family 11,9 & twin 8yrs. Ultimately my concern is do I create an outdoor space within the shaded space or look to create something in the corner with more light? Should I still prioritise a large overhead patio cover against the souther wall?

We can facilitate a pool in the future and we do like the space in the back to play etc.
Kate
last month
Protection from rain is important is se qld. And if you move shaded area up will it block light into dining or living?
Matty McCarthy
Original Author
last month
Thank you for your input I’ll be sure to make the adjustments

Southern side open plan & outdoor living

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Comments (8)

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