Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 23, 2014 9:42 am Hello all. Before we go back to our designer with more detailed internal add-ins for pricing, is there anything you can see in his plans that just don't work., or that I've missed. Details... 1078 sq mtrs of land, family of 5. I want to definitely change a few things Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ DOWNSTAIRS 1. solid wide door entry to theatre room 2. wider 920? (solid) door from garage to hallway 3. put a slider in the hallway to laundry, then extend linen cupboard all the way to wall 4. I don't really like the study bifold door arrangement. I do want it to be open to see the kids on the computer, but all is there a way to have it closed off to hide the mess when not in use? 5. increase smaller patio depth to 1500mm 6. I don't really like the layout of the kitchen, I would like a bigger island, but I can work on arrangement later perhaps. 7. The layout of the downstairs powder room has too many doors I feel. It is supposed to be 'old person' friendly so something will have to be swapped around Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ UPSTAIRS 1. take an extra 100mm from rooms to get a 1100 wide hallway 2. increase main bed width closer to 4mtrs 3. I want a double shower in the ensuite, single bowl vanity, we don't need a double - so we will have to change layout there somehow Is there anything else that stands out? This is where I have started a build blog in homeone viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70128 Thanks heaps for all your knowledgeable help. phew Sandra Re: HOUSE PLANS - critique please before back to designer 2Apr 23, 2014 11:27 am I'm no expert, but fresh eyes might help: 1. Powder, shower, WC downstairs can all be one room. No bedrooms downstairs probably makes it unlikely to have WC and shower in use at the same time by different people. 2. Instead of having walk in pantry, you can just have cupboards with pull out shelves. Space saved from the walk-in area can be used for extending island bench. 3. I like the study with option to hide mess behind bifolds! 4. It's a long walk to the WIR from bedroom. I'm not sure how to fix it, but maybe when you are modifying your ensuite to include double shower, you could play with WIR access too. I'm thinking move shower to where WC and ensuite door is (to make it double), WC moves to shower position and part of vanity, new access to ensuite and closer to WIR from Bed 1 rather than hallway. 5. Yes to all your listed modifications. Good luck! http://www.housebythewater.wordpress.com From blank block to new home in Mandurah, Western Australia. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65564 Re: HOUSE PLANS - critique please before back to designer 3Apr 23, 2014 1:25 pm Just a few comments on your suggestions. DOWNSTAIRS 2. Bigger door from garage to entry is a great idea. When I have grocery bags in both hands I tend to bang into the door. 3. Instead of extra linen storage in laundry why not have a cupboard for brooms, vaccy, ironing board etc? 4. For the study have you thought of having a half height wall with a screen? You could have the door on the wall next to the screen or enter from the hallway. Something like this (If somebody on this forum owns this house, thank you for letting me share.) http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s507/grumblebum54/Screen2_zps8d975a99.jpg 6. I would probably swap the kitchen around. i.e. have the sink on the back wall in front of a large window and have the oven tower and pantry down the other end. You may be able to extend the pantry under the back of the stairs for extra storage. 7. Do you need the downstairs shower? If not you can have a large powder room and use the rest of the space for storage. If you need to keep the shower and you get rid of the door into the laundry, I would put the toot, basin and shower all together in the one room with just one door off the hallway. UPSTAIRS 3. When you redesign your WIR/Ensuite maybe put the door where the towel rack is with the ensuite to left or back of house and WIR to right. I agree with all your other suggestions and think the only thing you may be lacking is storage downstairs for things like brooms, vacuum cleaner, ironing board and iron. Other than that, once you make your changes this will be an excellent plan and I will be keeping my eye on your progress. Regards, Grumbles Re: HOUSE PLANS - critique please before back to designer 4Apr 23, 2014 2:03 pm Sorry only just saw this. Ideas above give points to ponder. We don't like walking through ensuite to walk in wardrobes - so I'd have a door from the BR1 - and close off the ensuite door. Many reasons - but moisture is a main one. Upstairs looks a bit "hectic". Any chance of a "play" room. Privacy might be an issue at some time. Storage - eg linen, clothes etc is essential - now and when the family grows. I'd keep 2 showers for "others". Re: HOUSE PLANS - critique please before back to designer 6Apr 24, 2014 9:47 am Thank you all so much for input! In the games room will be a pool table, arcade games (pinball, Neo Geo) and a bar. I looked up the best size room for a pool table without hitting the wall with the cue's. We didn't really want a play area for the kids upstairs as they can go outside and play. We will be having a pool, and an outdoor chess set in the ground. Plus all the other manner of things we already have, trampoline, swings etc. I am going to talk to the designer to flip the way the stairs go up and see if we can have the pantry under the stairwell somehow. Under there is such a waste of space. In the laundry I am going to have a built in ironing board centre., the laundry chute will end down there too and I will work a way for there to be a broom cupboard etc in there. I really want a raised washer and dryer like in this photo... http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm2/sandra77_photo/laundry.jpg But I want to squeeze the above mentioned ironing centre, laundry chute as well as a window in... hmmm. I am sure I can work something out. Yup, bathroom downstairs will be one room, and then I can pull back the exterior wall to make it level with the rest of the house. In the theatre we are having an inbuilt Murphy bed (with projector screen coming down in front of it for viewing) for guests when they stay, so we will keep the shower downstairs. I do like the idea of that screen for the study. Thank you all again. If there is anything else, let me know. Cheers. Your build is relatively simple, I believe your job can be easily done by a good building designer, you really do not need to pay for the architect. Remember, architect's… 3 10990 Building a fence now will help limit people dumping rubbish and soil on your property. 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