Dear building experts and homeowners,
We have found a semi-detached house.
400 sqm (4306 sq ft) plot, large garden, garage, south-facing slope, three stories without a basement, 190 sqm (2045 sq ft) of living space with a pitched roof.
On the first floor, there is a 55 sqm (592 sq ft) open living-dining-kitchen area with direct access to the garden and south-facing terrace.
Additionally, we have a large covered east-facing terrace.
The living room has a 4-meter (13 ft) window front facing south and one window facing east.
The dining area has a door facing east.
The kitchen features one large window of 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and a smaller window of 70 cm (28 in) facing north.
Since it is the east semi-detached unit, there are no windows facing west.
My concern is that the afternoons and evenings may feel quite dark, as we will no longer have direct sunlight during that time.
Currently, the building is still in the shell stage. I believe that once everything is painted white and the flooring is chosen in a light color, it will feel brighter.
Has anyone here had experience with a semi-detached house with a southeast orientation? Could you help alleviate my concerns regarding brightness?
I would appreciate your feedback.
It should also be noted that there are very few properties available in the region where we are searching, and in terms of proximity to the city, we have really found a very good general location with regard to infrastructure, etc.
However, my concerns about the brightness are difficult to put aside.
Best regards,
Sunny68
We have found a semi-detached house.
400 sqm (4306 sq ft) plot, large garden, garage, south-facing slope, three stories without a basement, 190 sqm (2045 sq ft) of living space with a pitched roof.
On the first floor, there is a 55 sqm (592 sq ft) open living-dining-kitchen area with direct access to the garden and south-facing terrace.
Additionally, we have a large covered east-facing terrace.
The living room has a 4-meter (13 ft) window front facing south and one window facing east.
The dining area has a door facing east.
The kitchen features one large window of 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and a smaller window of 70 cm (28 in) facing north.
Since it is the east semi-detached unit, there are no windows facing west.
My concern is that the afternoons and evenings may feel quite dark, as we will no longer have direct sunlight during that time.
Currently, the building is still in the shell stage. I believe that once everything is painted white and the flooring is chosen in a light color, it will feel brighter.
Has anyone here had experience with a semi-detached house with a southeast orientation? Could you help alleviate my concerns regarding brightness?
I would appreciate your feedback.
It should also be noted that there are very few properties available in the region where we are searching, and in terms of proximity to the city, we have really found a very good general location with regard to infrastructure, etc.
However, my concerns about the brightness are difficult to put aside.
Best regards,
Sunny68
B
Bertram10024 Apr 2020 10:14You should focus on proper shading (watch out, autocorrect wants to change it to "funeral"...). The south side has more windows than wall, so you don’t need to worry about brightness.
Unsolicited advice: consider early on whether you want a kitchen island. Cooking on an island is more expensive because the range hood needs to be very powerful to handle the cooking fumes (powerful also means costly). Also, you actually spend less time at the stove and more at the sink and prepping area. I definitely recommend an island with a sink if you prefer working facing the room rather than the wall. Make sure to plan enough space for tall cabinets, and it’s better to avoid corners in the kitchen. So, reconsider the window layout and kitchen design—just my suggestion.
Unsolicited advice: consider early on whether you want a kitchen island. Cooking on an island is more expensive because the range hood needs to be very powerful to handle the cooking fumes (powerful also means costly). Also, you actually spend less time at the stove and more at the sink and prepping area. I definitely recommend an island with a sink if you prefer working facing the room rather than the wall. Make sure to plan enough space for tall cabinets, and it’s better to avoid corners in the kitchen. So, reconsider the window layout and kitchen design—just my suggestion.
Thank you very much for all the feedback.
Alright. I will take a deep breath now and stop worrying about the brightness.
We would like to keep the kitchen island. The window layout has been specified by the developer. Unfortunately, we no longer have any flexibility there. But I am optimistic that it will work out.
Alright. I will take a deep breath now and stop worrying about the brightness.
We would like to keep the kitchen island. The window layout has been specified by the developer. Unfortunately, we no longer have any flexibility there. But I am optimistic that it will work out.
B
Bertram10024 Apr 2020 12:22Sunny68 schrieb:
We would like to keep the island in the kitchen.In reality, it’s a lot less romantic and nice than you might imagine. Grease and heat near the walkway, an expensive range hood, less time spent there and more time with your back to the room, and a “sensitive” countertop if you need more workspace than the remaining part of the island. Basically, there’s no real reason to have the cooktop on the island except: I like how it looks/I want it that way (which are usually weak arguments).
We all know how it looks on TV. But there everything is pre-cut and the chefs don’t have to clean up. That’s why they can stand at the stove and the camera can shoot well.
My advice remains: think carefully about why you want the cooktop there. I would find it a shame for the island and the kitchen.
A
Aphrodithe24 Apr 2020 13:49Bertram100 schrieb:
In reality, it’s much less romantic and enjoyable than people imagine. Grease and heat near the passageway, an expensive range hood, limited time spent there, and more time with your back to the room. Also, a “sensitive” countertop if you need more workspace than the remaining part of the island. Basically, there’s no real argument for cooking on the island except: I like how it looks/I want it that way (which are usually weak reasons).
We all know this from TV. But on TV, everything is pre-cut and the chefs don’t have to clean up. That’s why they stand cooking at the stove and the camera can film it well.
My advice remains: think carefully about why you want the cooktop there. I think it would be a shame for the island and the kitchen. As always, it’s a matter of personal preference! I wouldn’t want to give up my cooktop on the island, and in the neighboring forum, there are advocates for both options!
To the left of the cooktop, I have a large prep area, then everything goes on the stove while my partner can sit at the bar with a nice glass of wine and always be part of the action. I only need the sink briefly to wash vegetables and leave used dishes that eventually go into the sink. Ideally, both would be on the island, but if that’s not possible, always the cooktop and never the sink!
B
Bertram10024 Apr 2020 13:51Except in the forum, I don’t know anyone who isn’t at least a little annoyed by the delicate cooktop on the island. But indeed, everyone to their own.
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