Browse Forums General Discussion 1 May 30, 2010 10:08 pm Hi All, We are just about ready (finally) to submit our plans to council for an extension and thought we would see what people think of the design and suggestions for changes we could make. We were a little concerned about the kitchen being in the middle of the house but with budget in mind we think it might be ok. We have had a look around the net and even new houses are being built without great views of the backyard. We think we should be able to see some of the yard. Any suggestions/opinions are appreciated http://i1031.photobucket.com/albums/y380/bendezo/HousePlan.jpg Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 2May 30, 2010 11:42 pm Nice plans, however, I would personally have a problem with no window near the vicinity of the kitchen..... it there was one where the dining room wall is it would be ok, but there is a garage on that wall... so the nearest window is the front near the living. Also, could you shed some light on why there is public access to the bathroom near the main bedroom (Bed 4) when there is already another bathroom near the first 3 bedrooms? Wouldn't you prefer a private ensuite? Or will Bed 4 be a guest room, with the main being bed 1? Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 3May 31, 2010 12:45 am Hi bendo, do you have a plan of how the house is now? Obviously to keep your budget down you want to keep the structural changes to a minimum, so I think it would help anyone making suggestions to see the house in its present state. Is that the original position of the laundry? Is it possible to remove part of the wall in front of the kitchen sink so you can see through the lounge to the outside? Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 4May 31, 2010 1:40 pm I was just assuming that the walls in red was all the new build given that's where all the measurements are. Not sure about what's being knocked down though. I agree with doing something about the wall between the kitchen and IT nook/lounge - that would really open things up but if that is the extent of the old house it might all be load-bearing. Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 5May 31, 2010 2:23 pm the living is so small..why dont you make that a study with a nice window, posh chair and desk..and a lap top and then you can see into the lounge from kitchen...or make it a play station/ wii area, if you have boys, you will want a place for that! you could have a nice bookcase as well..like a 'library area' cos a sofa wont fit in that area...but an IT nook would with nice leather chair and fab lamp would!. Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 6May 31, 2010 11:16 pm thanks for you comments All walls in red are the new parts. Laundry is in that current spot outside on a little landing but with a diff layout. It is very old so it will be demolished dropped to the new floor level and rebuilt in the same place so we dont have to move the plumbing. We are also going to put an external door there instead of a window. The wall above where the kitchen sink is, facing the lounge room, is all going to be open so that you can see right down from the kitchen into the lounge and into the yard. The wall is load bearing so we may end up with a post holding it up at the end of the bench. Just doesnt show very well in the plans. The lack of light is going to be an issue because there are no windows on the dining room wall so we thinking of putting a sky window in. That dining room has been one of our biggest problems beause it is too narrow to be used as anything because of the entry door requiring the passage way and there is no where else to put the garage. The bathroom situation is done of purpose. My husband wants to stay in Bed 1 as it is at the front of the house for security. The bathroom right next to it could have been turned into an ensuite but we fully renovated it 2 years ago and so it would be a wastse to go changing it. Our aim with the bathrooms is to make that one near Bed 1,2 and 3 our private bathroom as it has the bath with all the kids stuff in it and visitor and guests will use the bathroom down the back. Until one of our kids are old enough to go down there Bed 4 will used as a guest bedroom and so for that purpose and re sale value we also added the door into the bath so it can be considered an ensuite. Kiwi - I agree that the living is quite a small space to be used as a living. Our draftsman has just put that title on it but I am actually going to use it as you have suggested as a kids play/media area. A play area while they are little and for when they get older an area to put their computer games without it being in the lounge room. It is actually wide enough to fit a 2 seater lounge with a television. Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 7Jun 02, 2010 12:53 pm The roof design could have been made much simpler, particularly around the rear of the new garage m.h. Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 8Jun 02, 2010 12:59 pm The garage is barely long enough for 2 cars end to end. If you only intend to park one car in there, then the front wall could have been moved back a bit and the roof could be lowered and separated from the main roof, therefore keeping the existing roof unchanged looking from the front. If the plan will remain as it is, I would consider having a hip roof over the garage to match the roof over the Bed 1. Rather than having a hip on one side and a gable on the other. m.h. Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 9Jun 02, 2010 1:08 pm I have only just joined this forum and am finding it really great to see everyone's postings. I am a draftsman and house designer, so this topic was of most interest. m.h. Re: House Plans...Opinions Please 10Jun 02, 2010 1:17 pm i live in an apartment and the kitchen is not near the window (which is quite common in most apartments). i haven;t really noticed it as a major issue since moving in. If anything it means that there are no blinds/windows to get food gunk on them to clean up. If its open into the living areas and has a nice sky light i think it would be quite nice to be in that kitchen. My biggest issue on the floor plan is it has no ability to partition off, i love open plan but i have always lived in smaller places where its required. There is a fair bit of space here even glass doors or bi folds would create some type of screen. Ask the council if there is a chance of getting build over easement exemption. Sometimes easements are unused and 24cm is not all that much. Good luck. And yes any builder… 2 15076 If there have been changes, variations, during construction then the drawings should be revised, the building permit amended and the current, as built drawings given to… 2 4857 Fig Landscapes has produced an e-book and native plant index, available for purchase from their website. It's a great resource, full of inspiration and tips. Another… 1 12826 |