ᐅ Single-family house ~200 m² floor plan design on a gentle slope
Created on: 23 Dec 2025 17:18
H
huhxkux
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 512 m² (5509 sq ft)
Slope: Yes
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: N/A
Building setback lines, building line, and boundaries: See overview
Edge development: N/A
Number of parking spaces: 3
Number of floors: 2
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: N/A
Garden orientation: West
Maximum heights / limits: 9 m (30 ft) ridge height from a specific terrain point on the plot
Additional requirements
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: Single-family house, 2 full floors, gable roof
Basement, floors: Basement yes, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, ages: Currently 3, soon 4, planned 5 → Persons: 2 adults over 30, 1 child (1 year), 1 unborn, 1 planned
Room requirements on ground floor (GF), upper floor (UF):
GF: Kitchen (with pantry if possible), dining area, living room, toilet, utility room.
UF: 3 children’s rooms, 1 storage room.
GF or UF: Parents’ area with private bathroom, office
Office use: Family use or home office? Home office
Guest stays per year: About 40 nights per year (3x parents and siblings live far away)
Open or closed architecture: Open?
Conservative or modern construction style: ???
Open kitchen, kitchen island: Open kitchen with kitchen island desired
Number of dining seats: 8
Fireplace: No
Music / stereo wall: Yes, near the TV
Balcony, roof terrace: No
Garage, carport: Yes, 1 garage in the house and either another garage or carport next to the house
Utility garden, greenhouse: No
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons why some things should or should not be: N/A
House Design
Planning by: Architect
What do you like most? Why? We like almost everything in the floor plan very much, especially the option to use the office upstairs while the children are small and move the office downstairs, and then later move it back downstairs when the children are older.
What do you not like? Why? Only minor details that we would still like to adjust. As nothing will be revised over Christmas, feel free to point out anything we might have missed.
Price estimate by architect/planner: €790,000 including additional costs / photovoltaic / kitchen / driveway / terrace, excluding finished basement apartment
Personal price limit for the house including features: €800,000
Preferred heating system: Air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up on certain details / expansions
- What can you do without: Basement (but ideally not because of the slope), basement apartment (guest room would otherwise suffice)
- What you cannot do without: 2 shower bathrooms for parents/children, straight staircase
Why did the design turn out as it is now?
For example:
At first, we really wanted to build simply without a basement to avoid exceeding our budget. The initial plans, however, had very steep driveways or the driveway was on the south side. Since we have been reading intensively here for many months, we decided to hire a surveyor because of the slight slope to clarify the planning. And yes, what can I say—our plot became a victim of the “11ant’s basement rule” 😱. Consequently, we continued planning, a bit smaller but this time with a basement. As we do not really need the space in the basement, we now have a basement apartment prepared for finishing, where we would initially only complete the bathroom and finish the rest ourselves. To have a parking space already, the garage was placed inside the house.
We thought a lot about whether we wanted a proper hallway. In the end, we left it open in the current plan because the designs with a hallway made the kitchen and dining areas feel very tight.
The furniture positions in the floor plan are only examples, and we would probably still adjust a few things, for example, arranging the kitchen in an L-shape with a passage through a cabinet to the pantry, or possibly placing the sofa more in the corner of the living room and slightly moving the corresponding window with a lower sill height forward. Also, the terrace should only be on the west side with doors leading out from both the kitchen and dining area. The south side of the dining area would have a fixed window only.
Since we are now slowly moving towards signing the contract, I would like to get your feedback on whether it makes sense to change or add anything and include it in the offer, or if we should reconsider the floor plan entirely.
Thank you very much in advance for your feedback!
UG:
GF:
UF:
Attic:
North view:
East view:
South view:
West view:
Plot size: 512 m² (5509 sq ft)
Slope: Yes
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: N/A
Building setback lines, building line, and boundaries: See overview
Edge development: N/A
Number of parking spaces: 3
Number of floors: 2
Roof type: Gable roof
Architectural style: N/A
Garden orientation: West
Maximum heights / limits: 9 m (30 ft) ridge height from a specific terrain point on the plot
Additional requirements
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: Single-family house, 2 full floors, gable roof
Basement, floors: Basement yes, 2 full floors
Number of occupants, ages: Currently 3, soon 4, planned 5 → Persons: 2 adults over 30, 1 child (1 year), 1 unborn, 1 planned
Room requirements on ground floor (GF), upper floor (UF):
GF: Kitchen (with pantry if possible), dining area, living room, toilet, utility room.
UF: 3 children’s rooms, 1 storage room.
GF or UF: Parents’ area with private bathroom, office
Office use: Family use or home office? Home office
Guest stays per year: About 40 nights per year (3x parents and siblings live far away)
Open or closed architecture: Open?
Conservative or modern construction style: ???
Open kitchen, kitchen island: Open kitchen with kitchen island desired
Number of dining seats: 8
Fireplace: No
Music / stereo wall: Yes, near the TV
Balcony, roof terrace: No
Garage, carport: Yes, 1 garage in the house and either another garage or carport next to the house
Utility garden, greenhouse: No
Additional wishes / special features / daily routine, also reasons why some things should or should not be: N/A
House Design
Planning by: Architect
What do you like most? Why? We like almost everything in the floor plan very much, especially the option to use the office upstairs while the children are small and move the office downstairs, and then later move it back downstairs when the children are older.
What do you not like? Why? Only minor details that we would still like to adjust. As nothing will be revised over Christmas, feel free to point out anything we might have missed.
Price estimate by architect/planner: €790,000 including additional costs / photovoltaic / kitchen / driveway / terrace, excluding finished basement apartment
Personal price limit for the house including features: €800,000
Preferred heating system: Air-to-water heat pump
If you have to give up on certain details / expansions
- What can you do without: Basement (but ideally not because of the slope), basement apartment (guest room would otherwise suffice)
- What you cannot do without: 2 shower bathrooms for parents/children, straight staircase
Why did the design turn out as it is now?
For example:
At first, we really wanted to build simply without a basement to avoid exceeding our budget. The initial plans, however, had very steep driveways or the driveway was on the south side. Since we have been reading intensively here for many months, we decided to hire a surveyor because of the slight slope to clarify the planning. And yes, what can I say—our plot became a victim of the “11ant’s basement rule” 😱. Consequently, we continued planning, a bit smaller but this time with a basement. As we do not really need the space in the basement, we now have a basement apartment prepared for finishing, where we would initially only complete the bathroom and finish the rest ourselves. To have a parking space already, the garage was placed inside the house.
We thought a lot about whether we wanted a proper hallway. In the end, we left it open in the current plan because the designs with a hallway made the kitchen and dining areas feel very tight.
The furniture positions in the floor plan are only examples, and we would probably still adjust a few things, for example, arranging the kitchen in an L-shape with a passage through a cabinet to the pantry, or possibly placing the sofa more in the corner of the living room and slightly moving the corresponding window with a lower sill height forward. Also, the terrace should only be on the west side with doors leading out from both the kitchen and dining area. The south side of the dining area would have a fixed window only.
Since we are now slowly moving towards signing the contract, I would like to get your feedback on whether it makes sense to change or add anything and include it in the offer, or if we should reconsider the floor plan entirely.
Thank you very much in advance for your feedback!
UG:
GF:
UF:
Attic:
North view:
East view:
South view:
West view:
kbt09 schrieb:
Site plan with house and north arrow?
A few measurements of the house would also be helpful. It seems I can’t edit my first post. Therefore, I’m happy to add an overview from above with dimensions here.
kbt09 schrieb:
Eligible for funding, then use it accordingly. That’s exactly right. We are currently not planning with the funding in mind. The architect had good intentions and designed the apartment so that it would qualify for funding. Only if interest rates continue to rise significantly and the KFW55 funding is still available would we build it as drawn. The current plan, however, is without funding and definitely with an internal door. With the feedback received above, I’m now questioning whether the additional costs are worth the potential of renting or selling, or if we should instead enlarge the entrance area and directly connect the relevant other rooms downstairs to the hallway.
I haven’t added up the square meters, so I can’t comment on the budget; there are others here for that anyway. Fundamentally, I get the impression that some things are included simply because they’re convenient.
This approach seems questionable to me, as I don’t see a real need for a granny flat and also doubt that this project will soon have the time, energy, or budget for this additional build. I wouldn’t consider adding a granny flat to a private home without good reason, as the likelihood of problems with tenants is not insignificant. Both this idea and the garage inside the house cost unnecessary money, which will be missing elsewhere, without providing a noticeable added value to everyday life.
In some areas, the plan is generous with room size, while elsewhere it is proportionally stingy or even almost too small. You will be five people plus frequent visitors, so I do wonder where and how all these people (once, for example, the children are 12 years old or older) will all sit together in the living room. As shown, you certainly won’t be sitting there for long. Forty-seven square meters (about 505 square feet) of open-plan living space arranged at a corner is basically okay but not spacious compared to the large bathroom, unnecessary basement/garage, home office, etc.
Looking at the kitchen as drawn, I also don’t think it’s large enough. I see a sink marked, but no stove, which limits the counter workspace. Especially when furnishing for five people plus visitors, I would suggest laying out actual furniture to visualize it and imagine it with teenagers or young adults. If the budget allows, I would allocate more space to the open-plan living area before bringing a car into the house or having a granny flat without a solid need.
huhxkux schrieb:
Since we don’t really need the space in the basement, we have prepared a granny flat there, where we would initially only have the bathroom done and then finish the rest ourselves. To already have a parking space, we placed the garage inside the house.
This approach seems questionable to me, as I don’t see a real need for a granny flat and also doubt that this project will soon have the time, energy, or budget for this additional build. I wouldn’t consider adding a granny flat to a private home without good reason, as the likelihood of problems with tenants is not insignificant. Both this idea and the garage inside the house cost unnecessary money, which will be missing elsewhere, without providing a noticeable added value to everyday life.
In some areas, the plan is generous with room size, while elsewhere it is proportionally stingy or even almost too small. You will be five people plus frequent visitors, so I do wonder where and how all these people (once, for example, the children are 12 years old or older) will all sit together in the living room. As shown, you certainly won’t be sitting there for long. Forty-seven square meters (about 505 square feet) of open-plan living space arranged at a corner is basically okay but not spacious compared to the large bathroom, unnecessary basement/garage, home office, etc.
Looking at the kitchen as drawn, I also don’t think it’s large enough. I see a sink marked, but no stove, which limits the counter workspace. Especially when furnishing for five people plus visitors, I would suggest laying out actual furniture to visualize it and imagine it with teenagers or young adults. If the budget allows, I would allocate more space to the open-plan living area before bringing a car into the house or having a granny flat without a solid need.
M
MachsSelbst23 Dec 2025 22:10Something else to consider: with two or three children, up to primary school age, they often come to the parents’ bed every other night, have nightmares, wet the bed, or vomit.
Having the bedroom on the ground floor and the children’s rooms upstairs is therefore not ideal... it might work better later when the kids are older, but not during the first 10 years of their lives. Since you need a stair gate until the youngest child is 3 years old, the children won’t come downstairs at all. And you won’t hear them.
The home office space is quite large. Is that much room really necessary? Usually 10m² (108 sq ft) is sufficient, and essentially 6–7m² (65–75 sq ft) would also do.
It feels like the architect was simply given the budget and then designed a house to exactly fill it, in their opinion. But in the end, you don’t have space where you actually need it... and where you do have space, you don’t need it.
Having the bedroom on the ground floor and the children’s rooms upstairs is therefore not ideal... it might work better later when the kids are older, but not during the first 10 years of their lives. Since you need a stair gate until the youngest child is 3 years old, the children won’t come downstairs at all. And you won’t hear them.
The home office space is quite large. Is that much room really necessary? Usually 10m² (108 sq ft) is sufficient, and essentially 6–7m² (65–75 sq ft) would also do.
It feels like the architect was simply given the budget and then designed a house to exactly fill it, in their opinion. But in the end, you don’t have space where you actually need it... and where you do have space, you don’t need it.
I would really only plan a guest room and not a separate apartment, so you probably won’t need an additional parking space on the south side of the property.
It would be better to bring the bicycles into the house and have just a carport next to the house. Definitely make sure the bicycle storage is easy to access, because storing them in the shed behind the carport is quite inconvenient.
A dimensioned floor plan of the house would also be very helpful.
And in general... it’s quite a few square meters already; in addition to the nearly 200 m² (2,150 sq ft) of the ground and upper floors, there are also the usable square meters of the basement.
It would be better to bring the bicycles into the house and have just a carport next to the house. Definitely make sure the bicycle storage is easy to access, because storing them in the shed behind the carport is quite inconvenient.
A dimensioned floor plan of the house would also be very helpful.
And in general... it’s quite a few square meters already; in addition to the nearly 200 m² (2,150 sq ft) of the ground and upper floors, there are also the usable square meters of the basement.
N
Noxmortana23 Dec 2025 22:33We are currently in a similar situation (floor plan development phase, plan for a family of five, slight slope...), but have prioritized many things differently. So here are my thoughts on your design from another perspective. I hope this helps you, even if it just confirms your own view.
The kitchen seems really small to me. 10.5m² (113 sq ft) should be roughly 3x3.5m (10x11.5 ft)? With a passage width of 80-90cm (31-35 inches), the proposed island is only about 1.5m (5 feet) wide, which I find quite narrow. If you add an L-shape to the lower part of the plan, at most you could fit a similarly small peninsula. So with the pantry passage through the tall cabinet, you don’t gain much additional space overall. Have you discussed this at a kitchen showroom and roughly planned your kitchen storage?
The bedroom on the ground floor is certainly fine as a master bedroom, but at 12m² (129 sq ft) it would measure around 3x4m (10x13 ft). With a 2m (6.5 ft) bed, there is only about 50cm (20 inches) of space on each side, which is not enough—for either a current bedside cot or as a future option with a walker. So a bedroom change will be necessary at some point.
I would miss cloakroom space: what was comfortable for two of us and okay with one baby has become chaos with a toddler and a baby—mud suits, hats, light jackets, wool outerwear all scattered around...
Comparing your upper floor with ours, you actually have a bit more space (with a basement apartment, well over 200m² (2,150 sq ft), right?), plus the garage. I’d say: if you really manage with the 790k, I’d be much more confident about our costs. Or did I miss any details about a significant amount of self-work other than the later finish of the basement apartment?
The kitchen seems really small to me. 10.5m² (113 sq ft) should be roughly 3x3.5m (10x11.5 ft)? With a passage width of 80-90cm (31-35 inches), the proposed island is only about 1.5m (5 feet) wide, which I find quite narrow. If you add an L-shape to the lower part of the plan, at most you could fit a similarly small peninsula. So with the pantry passage through the tall cabinet, you don’t gain much additional space overall. Have you discussed this at a kitchen showroom and roughly planned your kitchen storage?
The bedroom on the ground floor is certainly fine as a master bedroom, but at 12m² (129 sq ft) it would measure around 3x4m (10x13 ft). With a 2m (6.5 ft) bed, there is only about 50cm (20 inches) of space on each side, which is not enough—for either a current bedside cot or as a future option with a walker. So a bedroom change will be necessary at some point.
I would miss cloakroom space: what was comfortable for two of us and okay with one baby has become chaos with a toddler and a baby—mud suits, hats, light jackets, wool outerwear all scattered around...
Comparing your upper floor with ours, you actually have a bit more space (with a basement apartment, well over 200m² (2,150 sq ft), right?), plus the garage. I’d say: if you really manage with the 790k, I’d be much more confident about our costs. Or did I miss any details about a significant amount of self-work other than the later finish of the basement apartment?
huhxkux schrieb:
Yes, that is a fully licensed architect. Okay, with the explanations, that makes sense.
huhxkux schrieb:
What are the disadvantages of not incorporating the garage into the house? No real disadvantages. It’s mostly a matter of luxury and extra effort: Cars don’t need to be kept as warm as living spaces, so a garage does not necessarily require insulation to prevent heat loss. Therefore, there is no need to include it within the building’s thermal envelope. Separating it even though it is structurally connected means additional insulation work is required between the living areas and the garage.
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