Downstairs layout, not sure what to do.

[WoOt]

Morning All,

Recently bought our first house, but it has a difficult downstairs layout. We were hoping to hear what you would do with it.

We’re on a bit of a budget, and this won’t be our forever home. Which makes it quite difficult to match what we like, with something that will work for the majority of people. To give you an idea of scale, the kitchen wall to wall is about 1.9m wide.

Any ideas, feedback, thoughts... appreciated!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

 

[WoOt]

Thanks Freddy! Would also love to hear what you/others would use each space for: Kitchen, dining room, lounge, utility if that stays,... .

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Do you want the utility to be retained? Or a bigger living room? You tell us ………

 

[WoOt]

Do you want the utility to be retained? Or a bigger living room? You tell us ………

If I knew I would tell you. Just looking for options/opinions. In the situation we're in, I would think that what everyone else thinks is more important and more what I'm looking for.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I would say if you want to save money then retain the utility room. If you want a bigger lounge but no utility room then remove it.

 

[foxhole]

Open plan is the popular choice at the moment, you could loose the utility room and wall between kitchen / diner.Wrap a new kitchen around the back wall with open plan dining area in centre of house. If you like a utility room put that by the back door in the corner.
That would allow a larger dining area or lounge depending on how you use the space.

 

[OwainDIYer]

What difficulties are you finding with the layout?

Don't assume that 'stud' wall is not loadbearing - they can be.

 

[WoOt]

What difficulties are you finding with the layout?

I prefer the kitchen in the middle, with the stud wall removed. The lounge in the back overlooking the garden and the dining room in the front. Parents have said it is a bad idea as you immediately enter the main living area and you'll always have to keep it tidy.

Plus they said that it would be more difficult to sell with that layout. It probably also is one of the more expensive options.

The main issue we currently have is that the kitchen is too narrow, long and awkward.

Don't assume that 'stud' wall is not loadbearing - they can be.

Thanks for the heads up. Will have someone look at it before doing anything.

 

[Fordy81]

The problem with opening up the kitchen and dining room is you lose a wall with cupboards and most of your free worktop space, is that right?

Would knocking the wall down and retaining the worktop with cupboards and breakfast bar work? Do you have the room for that?