ᐅ Optimizing the Floor Plan of a Detached Single-Family Home, 155 sqm

To comment on this, you first need the elevations and the house’s position on the plot.

Has the building permit / planning permission application already been submitted?

tomtom79 schrieb:

In principle, having too many windows isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

However, you have floor-to-ceiling windows in the children’s room upstairs, which I find very annoying in our house. In summer, because of shading and to prevent the room from overheating, we have to keep them fully closed all the time. Arranging furniture like desks is also quite difficult. The staircase with 16 steps is also quite steep; maybe consider a half-turn staircase, which could improve both the bathroom and the ground floor.

On the ground floor, the wall facing south definitely has two too many windows. Even though the window seat is nice, it takes up space. Try placing a dining table there—this area completely lacks one, but please use the correct dimensions. The utility room is also quite small, and the window there is bothersome, especially since the carport is next to it and doesn’t let in much light. I guess you want to use it as a door? Keep in mind, that’s a prime spot for break-ins.

I’m also unsure about the floor-to-ceiling windows in the children’s rooms. What bothers me about a window sill is that it has to be 80cm (31 inches) high. I would also like to plan some kind of window seat there like on the ground floor, but it wouldn’t look as nice without fixed glazing. We don’t have a ventilation system either, so we want to be able to open the window upstairs.

I can’t really imagine fitting a half-turn staircase into the floor plan in my mind, at least not without significant changes.

I hadn’t thought about the 16 steps yet; I’ll compare it with friends’ houses.

The window seat on the ground floor also serves as a bench for the dining table, so it should fit without problems.

The door in the ground floor utility room is an actual side door with frosted glass at the top. It was unfortunately quite expensive, but it is also burglar-proof.

hanghaus2023 schrieb:

To be able to comment on that, you need to have the elevations and the house on the plot.

Has the building permit / planning permission already been applied for?

We have an exemption request which has already been approved.

Could you please also indicate where north is?

hanghaus2023 schrieb:

Could you please indicate where north is?

The house has its front door facing north. Therefore, the kitchen, living room, and children's room are all oriented to the south.

I would seriously reconsider about half of the windows. I am a fan of windows and natural light. However, a window above a bed or bathtub is not appropriate. You have already noticed the ventilation issue. Also, I don’t see any window sills, which serve as storage space. (Seating) windows should be planned intentionally, not just added randomly to the design. Placing windows here and there with thoughts like “I’ll put one over the bed and bathtub, but then I need another one for ventilation” or “There’s a seating window here, so next to it I’ll add a terrace window” is not the right approach, but it seems this is how it was done here. The south-facing facade will probably look very unusual now.

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

Children’s rooms:
Do you still need the windows on the east/west side?

Yes, they are necessary for cross-ventilation, especially if the rooms overheat in summer due to too large window fronts. This will likely be the case here.

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

Design of bedroom and bathroom.

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

Bathroom:
I wonder if the layout could be improved, for example with a T-shaped arrangement?

First of all: the bathroom layout is not practical. It can certainly be done better: the toilet should be out of direct sight and not need a privacy screen; a double vanity should be positioned sideways to the window; this allows space for a partition wall and therefore more room for a mirrored cabinet. However, a T-shaped layout is no magic solution. It is a way to add structure to large bathrooms or to create more walls for plumbing installations.

I see another problem: where do you plan to store everything? Mops, brooms, batteries and spare bulbs, the quick hammer, touch-up paint, last-minute decorations, recycling bins, beverage crates, shopping bags… Cleaning products could go in the kitchen. The freezer is already tight and will get a second door, which will again take up space needed for shelving. The wardrobe closet is small. Unfortunately, the office can’t compensate with a closet either, because there is only 50cm (20 inches) behind the door. A closet for hanging outerwear on hangers should be 60cm (24 inches) deep. As I mentioned above: once you have to store spare bedding, bed linens, and similar items, the walk-in closet will also become cramped.

The house is very compact. Overall, the floor area appears to be less than 155 square meters (1,668 square feet). The hallway feels cramped. I’m not sure if the unusually designed staircase—first aligned with the ridge and second facing the exterior wall instead of toward the hallway or the center of the house—does the house any favors.

Unfortunately, the questionnaire was not completed!