ᐅ Options for Furnishing the Open-Plan Living Area

Created on: 20 May 2021 10:40
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Ypsi aus NI
Hello everyone,

After almost a year’s break, we have resumed our building project and are planning a new floor plan.
We’re stuck when it comes to the open-plan living area, so I would like to hear your opinions!
Our garden faces west, and to the south, the neighboring property begins after three meters (10 feet).

Option 1:
Overall, we like this option best. BUT: Is it possibly too tight? About one meter (3 feet) between the sofa and table—is that too cramped? It’s enough for walking through, but maybe it compromises comfort on the couch? Currently, we have much more space between the couch and table, but not as much room depth as in the planned layout. We are thinking of trying to place the table this close to the sofa in our current apartment to get a feel for it.
Pros: Great window view to the west, a skylight to the south (brings in plenty of light but prevents the neighbor from looking into our house), from the couch you can see the room, the garden, and the TV.
Cons: Is it too narrow in width?

Option 2:
Same setup, only the table is rotated. Basically, a table with a footprint of 1.00 x 2.00 meters (3 x 6.5 feet) requires a total space of 2.00 x 2.00 meters (6.5 x 6.5 feet) to accommodate chairs. In this arrangement, all guests could look out to the garden. In option 1, both the sofa and the kitchen island have visual contact with all guests.

Option 3:
The sofa and the entertainment wall are swapped. The skylight to the south changes to a floor-to-ceiling window, but the window to the west is removed.
Pros: More freedom of movement in the room, sofa hidden behind the fireplace, more coziness.
Cons: No view of the garden from the sofa, loss of a west window, view of the fireplace only from the side.

We have gotten so lost in the planning that we can’t see the forest for the trees right now.

What do you think?

Thanks and best regards,
Ypsi
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Ypsi aus NI
20 May 2021 20:16
pagoni2020 schrieb:

You don’t have to defend or explain yourself. The main thing is that you’re still enjoying it. It’s really starting to take shape now.
Oh, it’s all fine so far!
You have no idea how often people ask when we will FINALLY start building :-)
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haydee
20 May 2021 20:28
So now we are finally on the same page.

Sketch on squared notepad: three rectangular shapes in a row; labels below.
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driver55
20 May 2021 20:28
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:

Can you guess how often people ask in real life when we will FINALLY start building
I’m checking back here again in 2022... 😀..to ask about the progress.
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Ypsi aus NI
20 May 2021 20:43
haydee schrieb:

so now we’re not talking past each other anymore

Is that what you mean?
Then the island creates a major one-way flow, right?
I’d like the sink and cooking area to be in a straight line, so I don’t have to drip water on the floor when moving with the wet sponge from the sink to the stove...

Floor plan of a living and kitchen area with dining table and sofa.
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haydee
20 May 2021 21:27
Yes, a one-way street, but no narrow passage to the sunroom and no door behind.
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ypg
20 May 2021 22:26
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:

Unfortunately, that’s pretty straightforward ;-)
In our defense: the project was on hold for almost a year. We only recently restarted it, for the reasons already mentioned. The ‘old’ floor plan was great on the inside, but the exterior just didn’t look right.

I think he means it more in general terms 😉