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

Created on: 1 Jan 2025 23:01

Hello everyone,

I would like to share my floor plan here to get some feedback for optimization. We are already quite far along in the planning process and are generally satisfied. However, we can still make minor changes without any problems.

A brief introduction about us: a family with two children (2 and 4 years old). I work full-time without working from home, and my wife is currently not working but plans to return to part-time home office work in 1-2 years.

Mainly, my focus is on the window planning and the layout of the bedroom and bathroom. Regarding the windows, we wonder if there might be too many and whether that has significantly increased the costs.

Children’s rooms:
Do we still need windows facing east/west? This is probably a subjective question, but I’m happy to hear your opinions.

Bedroom:
Are windows facing north or west unnecessary? Alternatively, we could consider moving the partition wall so that the dressing room’s window also provides light to the bedroom.

Bathroom:
I’m wondering if the layout can still be improved, for example, by using a T-shaped design. We also have the issue of an extra window next to the toilet, primarily for ventilation. The window above the bathtub is not ideal for ventilation as it is hard to reach.

Any general comments are also welcome if something looks generally unfavorable.

Gegliederter Haus-Grundriss mit Schlafen, Ankleide, Bad, Flur und zwei Kinderzimmern.

JoschNeubau242 Jan 2025 18:31

#19

ypg schrieb:

You don’t necessarily need cross-ventilation there since the bedroom doesn’t face south. Also, unlike the kids' rooms, you don’t spend much time in the bedroom, so you can keep the west-facing window closed even on sunny days.

Sounds reasonable.

ypg schrieb:

Definitely! Plan the wall so that both the wardrobe and the hypothetical closet behind the office door can have a depth of 60cm (24 inches). Think about where the TV and sofa should be placed. In my opinion, the large floor-to-ceiling window in the sofa area should preferably face west. The terrace door would be opposite the main entrance of the living area. A half-height window also fits well in the upstairs hallway, as well as in the dressing room.

We have considered moving the wall several times. However, the office/guest room is large enough to fit a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. We won’t have a TV, only a projector with a screen (mounted on the ceiling above the floor-to-ceiling window). The sofa will be placed along the interior wall facing the garden. Since the garden on the west side is rather small, I prefer the large window facing south.

ypg schrieb:

Yes, you can tell. But that space won’t fit yellow bags (recycling bags), drink crates, or the mop bucket.

We are planning a large storage room near the carport. Additionally, there is of course the attic with a huge area for items like Christmas decorations.

ypg schrieb:

Here are some examples.

Thanks for the effort. My wife and I reviewed the different options but couldn’t really settle on one. We could live with the current layout. Storage is indeed an issue, and the window above the washer/dryer on the east side is also inconvenient. I will try drawing in some furniture myself.

JoschNeubau242 Jan 2025 18:36

#20

11ant schrieb:

Oh, no mechanical ventilation system? – I hadn’t noticed that at all. If I remember correctly, the EH40 standard even aims for that – in a new build today, I would definitely install a centralized system. I associate window vents with silent libraries, do people still use those today?

We actually have KfW 40 without a ventilation system. Everything has already been approved by the energy consultant. A ventilation system would cause additional costs of about €13,000.

hanse9872 Jan 2025 18:47

#21

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

We actually have KfW 40 without a ventilation system.

Then have a ventilation plan drawn up now (you will need one anyway) and see if you can ventilate that often during the day.

11ant2 Jan 2025 18:48

#22

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

We actually have a KfW 40 standard without a ventilation system. It’s already been approved by the energy consultant. Installing a ventilation system would add approximately €13,000 (about $13,000) in additional costs.

I would put it differently: omitting the controlled residential ventilation is compensated by a misleadingly low price reduction of €13,000 (about $13,000). Without controlled residential ventilation, there is no heat recovery, only heat loss from intermittent ventilation – which, in my opinion, undermines the upgrade to EH40 standard instead of the Building Energy Act. Why do you only address the part after the comma in my criticism of the design? Are you too proud of this "plan" to engage with it more critically?

https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

ypg2 Jan 2025 18:49

#23

11ant schrieb:

I only see one "guest" room instead of two home offices,

Only one home office space is needed.

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

The office/guest room is large enough to fit a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.

I meant to reduce the size so the hallway doesn’t feel cramped.

JoschNeubau24 schrieb:

My wife and I have gone through the different layouts, but we never really felt comfortable with any of them.

That’s a pity. I actually find them all more successful than the original. However, you don’t really get a cozy feeling with the room dimensions in any of them.

JoschNeubau242 Jan 2025 18:51

#24

11ant schrieb:

Why do you only address the part of my design critique that comes after the comma?
Are you too proud of this "plan" to consider it more thoroughly?

The bay window is my wife's wish and not up for discussion. In the kitchen, I also find it practical as a built-in bench combined with the dining table.

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

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