Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Nov 04, 2014 9:58 pm Hello, I am building my first house with a builder and expect it to be complete before Christmas. I am worried that I have made too many modifications to the floor plan and so I am looking for suggestions about what could possibly be done to enable a larger dining table in my house. I have drawn to scale where my furniture will go. http://imgur.com/0FG5mC5 My concerns are walking around 1m2 dining table to get to the fridge in corner of house. There is sufficient space to walk (at least 1.2m - 1.6m from edge of table) but line of sight if what I think I'll have a problem with. Also not sure how much the outdoor breakfast bar will get used if you have to walk outside and around. It will only be me in the house (for now) and I plan to live in it for 10+ years. I rarely actually sit at the dining table, but appreciate for resale value it has to have a good design. I plan to use my large Alfresco area for Christmas dinner / Parties when there are more people in the house. I am very much open to the idea of making structural changes. Any advice or comments would be appreciated! Thank you Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 2Nov 04, 2014 10:08 pm I will add that the thought process into the current design was: - I want a very large kitchen as I like cooking. Plenty of drawer storage below benchtops. - Large pantry so I can stock up on food - Cooktop facing TV so I can cook and watch TV (there is a 200mm rise behind cooktop to stop splashing oil) - Wanted a decent space from couch to TV (this pic is 3.75m) - Wider hallway so I don't feel cramped walking up and down the hallway to bedroom 3 (my study), and bringing bags of shopping in and not banging the walls / moving furniture. Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 3Nov 05, 2014 7:35 am Learn to use imgur properly where the image is posted here rather than having to click on a link... You will also probably get more people commenting by doing it this way Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Only a couple of comments. I agree with your line of site issue. A lot of people won't like it even though I really wouldn't have a major problem with it. I don't like the sliding door into the master bedroom ( but I don't like sliders full stop anyway ). Personally, unless you are a big spa fan I wouldn't put one in. A lot of people I know have either had one installed as part of the main bathroom or had a big one like yours. After 6 months or so , the novelty has worn off and they never get used again ( unless there is a medical condition ). Stewie Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 4Nov 05, 2014 7:03 pm Stewie D Learn to use imgur properly where the image is posted here rather than having to click on a link... Thanks, I don't post on forums much haha. I don't think the sliding door into Masters will get much use, but with no other windows in the room, at least it will allow the maximum natural light through. A spa will definitely be well down the track (if at all), expensive to buy and run. I have looked at many floor plans and I think there will always be a Line of Sight issue with something that is used regularly. Eg a kitchen island + benchtop in a 'Galley' design, to just put your dishes in the sink you'd have to walk around to the edge of the island then into the center. I am wondering how I could resolve this line of sight issue with some structural changes, but I am at a loss. Everything has pro's and con's I guess. Fridge being where it is convenient for entertaining at the Alfresco as it is close for drinks etc. This is the original plans before I modified them. Kitchen was tiny and pantry cupboard would have annoyed me. Also a much smaller depth between couch and TV. You can see the Alfresco is significantly bigger on mine as my plan was to entertain out here (will have a heater and speakers flush in ceiling) and outdoor blinds. Currently live in a large house and I feel like I just have to walk too far to get to places. And there is a 8 seater dining table which at most 1 person uses.. maybe once a week. Always just sit on couch - which influenced my oversize kitchen which is a very active area. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 5Nov 06, 2014 7:26 am You could install a wall and tall, wide door in the hall from the robe in Bed 3 to the opposite wall of the WIR. Naturally you would leave it open 99% of the time but the bonus is that you could close it in winter so you are only heating the rear half of the house. Stewie Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 6Nov 06, 2014 6:54 pm Stewie D You could install a wall and tall, wide door in the hall from the robe in Bed 3 to the opposite wall of the WIR. Naturally you would leave it open 99% of the time but the bonus is that you could close it in winter so you are only heating the rear half of the house. Stewie I don't understand how this would make the dining area larger? Also when I mean structural changes I mean potentially moving brick walls if need be. Cheers Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 7Nov 07, 2014 7:13 am Quote: I don't understand how this would make the dining area larger? No. for your line of sight issue. It won't make your dining area bigger but will reduce seeing the fridge from the front door. The only way I can see your dining area growing in size is either cutting down the size of your kitchen or moving the rear wall of your house further out. If you are not installing the spa maybe make that area a larger walk-in pantry or butlers pantry and have the fridge in there or where the pantry is currently? Stewie Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 8Nov 07, 2014 8:57 am Thanks for your help. Gives me some things to think about. I also had thought about moving the whole back wall in the kitchen to the end edge of the concrete on the Alfresco. Have no idea if that would be possible (they are load bearing walls) and what the cost of it would be. I will play around with the idea of just moving part of the back wall (the pantry) as you suggested, that could work. I will probably wait at least 6 months after moving in before deciding any major renovations. If it truly does annoy me I can cross that bridge when I get there. Cheers Edit: Something similar to this? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 9Nov 07, 2014 12:06 pm I'd have a complete separate WI pantry ( just personal choice ).
Something like this Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Or you could position the fridge next to the WO or into the pantry itself. It would still be pretty accessible although you would have to have one with a right hand hinge. I can post up the other variations if you like. If you live by yourself I'd also suggest moving the dining table into the space next to the end of the sink bench. Stewie Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 10Nov 07, 2014 8:48 pm Stewie D Something like this Thanks for spending the time to help me with this! Definitely open to more suggestions if you are willing! What you posted would definitely change the traffic flows. Do you have any advice on what type of business would help to achieve this? Also have no idea on what the cost of a job like this would be. Off top of my head these are some things that would incur a cost: - extra concrete to raise slab to same level as indoors (currently 86mm mandatory stepdown) - Bricky would probably have to put up a new wall and then demolish old - Cabinatry to rebuild corner / WI pantry, reinstall drawers, cut/relay stone benchtops - Fix up floor tiles (not getting these done with builder so after handover) - Electrical work re-done Cheers Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 11Nov 08, 2014 7:48 am All you need is a draftsman ( or whoever drew the original plans ) to make these minor changes then the usual engineering and council fees for an updated DA. http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc455/stewiesno1/Picture1_zps5bf59449.png http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc455/stewiesno1/Picture2_zpsffc1ead9.png Stewie Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 12Nov 08, 2014 10:36 pm Thanks! Your note about blocking the bi-fold doors. I have read it is quite easy to change the direction of the 'collapse' for the bi-folds, so in fact this would not be a problem. I'd need to measure out the spaces for the table in that corner, I'd want to be able to easily pull out the chairs. This is what it looks like at the moment. Part of me thinks that I won't actually put a table there at all and eat all meals on the outdoor couch / outdoor table in my alfresco area. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Floor Plan Advice / Possible renovation 13Nov 08, 2014 10:44 pm Something like this would be more economical. Even though the fridge is out of the way in current my design, it might not be a bad thing, less traffic and 'busy' in the kitchen. Someone can just go to the fridge and get a drink without bumping into the person cooking dinner. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This is a very tight fit, I'm not sure if you'll be able to achieve what you've described. Would you consider accessing the separate toilet from the laundry? If so maybe… 1 11252 we need accurate dimensions as well as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms needed etc to make specific suggestions but, based on estimated rooms sizes, it could be… 1 552 yes it is possible but watch for noise transmission, decouple as best you can. Maybe wider top and bottom plates with 70mm studs to allow the cabinet to be recessed fully 1 6636 |