ᐅ Optimizing the Floor Plan with Numerous Detailed Considerations
Created on: 12 Jan 2026 21:12
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NMarieKH
Hello everyone,
We are currently planning the construction of our house in Lower Austria, and I would really appreciate your feedback on our floor plan. I’m 22, my partner is 26 – he is financing the house. Because of that, it’s particularly important to me that the floor plan fits perfectly and that we don’t build in any costly “mistakes.” I’m in the process of optimizing it, but the longer you look at it, the more you get blind to it.
I welcome any comments, criticism, and suggestions for improvements – whether it’s about circulation paths, storage, lighting, furnishing possibilities, or just “this feels impractical” – these are exactly the things I’m trying to fix right now.
In addition, I have a few specific questions where I’m particularly unsure (list follows):
If anyone could answer or comment on even 1 or 2 of these points, I would be extremely grateful. Many thanks in advance!
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 625 m2 (30% of this may be built on)
Site coverage ratio: 1
Floor area ratio: 2
Number of parking spaces: 2
Roof type: hipped roof
Style: modern, cozy
Orientation: terrace faces north
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: modern but not too cubic, hipped roof
Levels: basement, ground floor, first floor
Number of people, age: currently W22 and M26
Space requirements ground floor, upper floor: office on ground floor possibly as a future bedroom
Office use: family use or home office? home office
Open or closed architecture: rather open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 2, at least 6-8 guests
Fireplace: maybe for the future
Music/sound system wall: sound system at TV wall
Balcony, roof terrace: small balcony at bedroom
Garage, carport: 37 m2 (400 ft2) garage, which will be built later as an extension
Currently, we do not have children but plan to have them in the future
House Design
Who designed it: do-it-yourself
What do we like? The size of the floor plan, the distribution of living and utility areas over different floors
What don’t we like? Sizes of certain rooms, door swings, orientation of living room windows to the northeast, furnishing options in the large living room on the ground floor, integration of the pantry in the room, 2 rooms in the basement which are through-rooms to other rooms
Preferred heating system: underfloor heating
We are currently planning the construction of our house in Lower Austria, and I would really appreciate your feedback on our floor plan. I’m 22, my partner is 26 – he is financing the house. Because of that, it’s particularly important to me that the floor plan fits perfectly and that we don’t build in any costly “mistakes.” I’m in the process of optimizing it, but the longer you look at it, the more you get blind to it.
I welcome any comments, criticism, and suggestions for improvements – whether it’s about circulation paths, storage, lighting, furnishing possibilities, or just “this feels impractical” – these are exactly the things I’m trying to fix right now.
In addition, I have a few specific questions where I’m particularly unsure (list follows):
- Door swings – my partner would prefer all doors to open outward, which I don’t like at all… For which rooms would you solve this problem differently? If the doors open inward in different rooms (e.g., office, both children’s rooms), how far from the wall would you position them?
- I’m also not completely satisfied with the kitchen layout. Due to a lack of storage space on the ground floor, we’d likely keep the pantry but we’re currently unsure how. Ideally, if money were no object, I’d want a concealed pantry and as much cupboard space as possible, but that is expensive. If you have any suggestions about the kitchen layout, please share them (the furniture is only placed provisionally, but the location of the stove, sink, and dishwasher should work similarly) – would you put the window above the sink at a sill height of 1.15m (45 inches) (with a 95cm (37 inch) countertop height) or have it flush directly with the countertop?
- How would you place the door in the cloakroom? Currently, we have 60cm (24 inches) space on one side and 38cm (15 inches) on the other. I’m considering whether it would be smarter to leave at least 66cm (26 inches) at the top side for deeper cabinets and some clearance from the door (and possibly only a narrow shoe cabinet or a bench at the bottom side) – or to move both doors down to the bottom of the room and keep the rest as a more open passage (perhaps for a stroller or similar).
- The office might later be converted into a bedroom (see picture). However, both the 3m (10 ft) wide office and the 2.75m (9 ft) wide children’s bedroom 1 above currently have a window measuring 1.98m (6 ft 6 inch) wide and 1.32m (52 inches) high – would it be better to make these windows a bit narrower, since a bed might be placed underneath, and also raise the sill height of about 87.5cm (34 inches)? For more natural light, the window could maybe just be made a bit longer vertically, right?
- Upstairs, there is the option to expand children’s bedroom 1, which has a less practical layout, with a 25cm (10 inch) deep niche (making it approximately 14.6 m2 (157 ft2) instead of 12.6 m2 (136 ft2), which I think is easier to furnish). The bed could then be placed in the niche, with the headboard away from the window and the view of the door, and the width would be the same as the office below (windows could be aligned vertically).
- How would you position the windows in children’s bedroom 2? Would you prefer one wide window or two narrower ones on the left and right?
- Do you have any ideas on how the rooms in the basement could be arranged differently?
If anyone could answer or comment on even 1 or 2 of these points, I would be extremely grateful. Many thanks in advance!
Development Plan / Restrictions
Plot size: 625 m2 (30% of this may be built on)
Site coverage ratio: 1
Floor area ratio: 2
Number of parking spaces: 2
Roof type: hipped roof
Style: modern, cozy
Orientation: terrace faces north
Client Requirements
Style, roof type, building type: modern but not too cubic, hipped roof
Levels: basement, ground floor, first floor
Number of people, age: currently W22 and M26
Space requirements ground floor, upper floor: office on ground floor possibly as a future bedroom
Office use: family use or home office? home office
Open or closed architecture: rather open
Conservative or modern construction: modern
Open kitchen, kitchen island: yes
Number of dining seats: 2, at least 6-8 guests
Fireplace: maybe for the future
Music/sound system wall: sound system at TV wall
Balcony, roof terrace: small balcony at bedroom
Garage, carport: 37 m2 (400 ft2) garage, which will be built later as an extension
Currently, we do not have children but plan to have them in the future
House Design
Who designed it: do-it-yourself
What do we like? The size of the floor plan, the distribution of living and utility areas over different floors
What don’t we like? Sizes of certain rooms, door swings, orientation of living room windows to the northeast, furnishing options in the large living room on the ground floor, integration of the pantry in the room, 2 rooms in the basement which are through-rooms to other rooms
Preferred heating system: underfloor heating
kbt09 schrieb:
But you didn’t include that in your floor plan. Also, it doesn’t fit well because the area above your pantry is only 340 cm (135 inches). Out of that, 60 cm (24 inches) would be taken up by the tall cabinet wall, about 100 cm (39 inches) for the walkway, leaving a maximum of 180 cm (71 inches) for the peninsula. And since these are just rough structural dimensions, it’s likely to be even less.
Storage space is also quite limited because the pantry will probably need to fit a freezer cabinet or something similar, so the passage to it has to be wider than 60 cm (24 inches), which leaves even less cabinet space in the tall cabinet wall.
Furthermore,
Anywhere you plan cabinets with hanger depth, I would recommend at least 65 cm (26 inches), preferably 70 cm (28 inches). Although it’s only a rough structural measurement, it provides enough space.
Both children’s rooms should have windows on both exterior walls. This allows quick cross-ventilation and natural light from at least two sides.
I don’t like the master bedroom at all. To the left of the door, it’s about 310 cm (122 inches). I find the headboard of the bed next to the entrance very uncomfortable. I don’t really like the bed placement either, but I can’t see any alternative.
Since the pantry will be 20 cm (8 inches) narrower, at least you would gain that space for the length of the kitchen island.
Would you recommend making the pantry a bit longer to accommodate a larger cabinet wall?
So, you would plan two windows per child’s room?
I am only writing about what stands out to me in the currently presented floor plan.
Fundamental aspects like the bed position in the bedroom usually cannot be quickly adjusted in existing floor plans but require a redesign.
Kitchen... there are specialized forums for this, but I am generally a fan of a "sink/work island," a cooking wall unit, and a tall cabinet block, possibly with a secondary row.
Since you have a basement, I consider a pantry unnecessary. Daily essentials can easily be stored in a 60cm (24 inches) tall cabinet with pull-out drawers. Long-term storage can then be kept in the basement.
More important for the ground floor is a small closet or space for mops, vacuum cleaners, etc.
In general, I would always plan dining and cooking together and create a small partition for living/reading/TV areas. These are just my preferences but based on experience, they suit a wide range of lifestyles.
Regarding the roof shape, why a hipped roof?
And for the location… I would plan a west/north-facing terrace with appropriate access points. That means the current design for the ground floor doesn’t really fit this concept. And somewhere, perhaps a nice spot on the south/east side.
Fundamental aspects like the bed position in the bedroom usually cannot be quickly adjusted in existing floor plans but require a redesign.
Kitchen... there are specialized forums for this, but I am generally a fan of a "sink/work island," a cooking wall unit, and a tall cabinet block, possibly with a secondary row.
Since you have a basement, I consider a pantry unnecessary. Daily essentials can easily be stored in a 60cm (24 inches) tall cabinet with pull-out drawers. Long-term storage can then be kept in the basement.
More important for the ground floor is a small closet or space for mops, vacuum cleaners, etc.
In general, I would always plan dining and cooking together and create a small partition for living/reading/TV areas. These are just my preferences but based on experience, they suit a wide range of lifestyles.
Regarding the roof shape, why a hipped roof?
And for the location… I would plan a west/north-facing terrace with appropriate access points. That means the current design for the ground floor doesn’t really fit this concept. And somewhere, perhaps a nice spot on the south/east side.
I’ll provide a few answers (although)
The basement walls are load-bearing and cannot easily be altered without also changing the ground floor. The basement layout is basically the framework for the ground floor. I don’t see why the basement would need to be changed now. It’s fine as it is, if you definitely want a basement.
Why? It’s just 3 x 3 meters (10 x 10 feet): what kind of bedroom could you make out of that? Who would feel comfortable in there? Or better question: who should move around in there?
He should explain why… but this was already mentioned in another post a month ago. Has he changed his mind regarding the safety concerns? Have you brought this up with him?
Take a look here. It’s explained clearly. 60cm (24 inches) is still 60cm (24 inches).
What the pantry does to the room is discussed here:
Aside from that, this kitchen niche is certainly not ideal. It has no quality. 2.80 meters (9 feet 2 inches) is already too small to fit five 60cm (24 inches) cabinets side by side. It’s not a family kitchen. A storage room has been inserted here in the open space, not planned. You have storage space in the basement, or the mop can go in the wardrobe closet. A pantry like the one you imagine is a) something to plan in advance, but b) not functional just because it’s popular on social media.
But now back to the “although” from above: you described your role here.
You probably meant help… but I do doubt whether your help is wanted or appreciated.
Why do I ask: two reasons
Reason 1: it can be very frustrating sometimes to convince homeowners here that this or that is simply not a good idea, mistaken, poorly executed, or just silly. I don’t see any chance to convince them through indirect means. It seems to me that you were not asked or your opinion does not count.
Reason 2: it is their house. You won’t own anything. Right?
… and he will be on the land registry.
Had there already been land or plans when you two were together?
NMarieKH schrieb:
Do you have any ideas on how the rooms in the basement could be arranged differently?
The basement walls are load-bearing and cannot easily be altered without also changing the ground floor. The basement layout is basically the framework for the ground floor. I don’t see why the basement would need to be changed now. It’s fine as it is, if you definitely want a basement.
NMarieKH schrieb:
The office could perhaps be converted into a bedroom
Why? It’s just 3 x 3 meters (10 x 10 feet): what kind of bedroom could you make out of that? Who would feel comfortable in there? Or better question: who should move around in there?
NMarieKH schrieb:
Door swings -> my partner would prefer all doors to open outward,
He should explain why… but this was already mentioned in another post a month ago. Has he changed his mind regarding the safety concerns? Have you brought this up with him?
NMarieKH schrieb:
How would you place the door in the wardrobe? Currently, we have 60cm (24 inches) of space on one side
Take a look here. It’s explained clearly. 60cm (24 inches) is still 60cm (24 inches).
ypg schrieb:
You should carefully weigh this, as it comes at the expense of the wardrobe and closet space. That can’t be ignored. I wouldn’t want to give up a functional wardrobe.
A zigzag door might be possible in this side corridor.
I’m posting some examples:
NMarieKH schrieb:
I’m still not completely happy with the kitchen situation. Due to the lack of storage space on the ground floor, we would probably keep the pantry.
What the pantry does to the room is discussed here:
ypg schrieb:
You’re right: the dashed walls seem to be load-bearing, the white walls not.
I think you are quite correct as a DIY enthusiast. I don’t have a better suggestion.
Also, it’s clearly visible in the floor plan that a built-in pantry usually compromises the room. New homeowners should take note instead of simply ruining the kitchen space by force.
Aside from that, this kitchen niche is certainly not ideal. It has no quality. 2.80 meters (9 feet 2 inches) is already too small to fit five 60cm (24 inches) cabinets side by side. It’s not a family kitchen. A storage room has been inserted here in the open space, not planned. You have storage space in the basement, or the mop can go in the wardrobe closet. A pantry like the one you imagine is a) something to plan in advance, but b) not functional just because it’s popular on social media.
But now back to the “although” from above: you described your role here.
NMarieKH schrieb:
I’m just the desperate partner trying to help without really knowing much…
You probably meant help… but I do doubt whether your help is wanted or appreciated.
Why do I ask: two reasons
Reason 1: it can be very frustrating sometimes to convince homeowners here that this or that is simply not a good idea, mistaken, poorly executed, or just silly. I don’t see any chance to convince them through indirect means. It seems to me that you were not asked or your opinion does not count.
Reason 2: it is their house. You won’t own anything. Right?
NMarieKH schrieb:
– he is financing the house.
… and he will be on the land registry.
Had there already been land or plans when you two were together?
NMarieKH schrieb:
small balcony at the bedroomThe parapet height marked as 0 there won’t be realistic. The insulation with the covering in the balcony area will be about twice as high as your floor construction in the bedroom, so there will be a step leading out onto the balcony. Of course, you can adjust everything on the upper floor to balcony height, but that will affect the staircase and, of course, the ceiling height. This will also result in additional costs.
What would bother me the most is that the drainage for the toilet and bathroom runs right through the living area.
ypg schrieb:
I’ll give a few answers (although)
The basement walls have a load-bearing function and can’t be changed easily without affecting the ground floor as well. The basement layout basically forms the framework of the ground floor. However, I don’t see why the basement would need to be altered at this point. It’s fine as it is if you definitely want a basement.
Why? I see a 3 x 3: who would want to turn that into a bedroom? Who would feel comfortable in there? Or better said: who would even move around in there?
He should explain why he wants to do that… but this was already mentioned in another post a month ago. So far, he hasn’t changed his opinion regarding the safety hazards? Have you discussed this with him?
Take a look here. It’s clearly explained. 60cm remain 60cm (24 inches).
What the pantry does to the room is described here, among other places:
Aside from that, this kitchen niche is certainly not ideal. It lacks value. 2.80m (9 ft 2 inches) is already too small, there’s no room for five 60cm (24 inch) cabinets side by side. This is not a family kitchen. A storage room was inserted here in the open-plan area, not planned. You have storage space in the basement, or the mop can go into the wardrobe. A pantry as you imagine it is a) something to plan in advance, but b) it’s not functional anyway just because Instagram is full of them.
But now to the “although” from above: you described your role here.
You probably mean to help… but I do doubt whether your help is wanted or appreciated.
Why I ask: two reasons
Reason 1: it’s quite tedious sometimes to convince homeowners here that this or that is simply stupid, wrong thinking, poorly executed or just silly. I see absolutely no way to convince him indirectly. It seems to me you weren’t asked, or your opinion doesn’t count.
Reason 2: it will be his house. You will own nothing. Right?
…and he will be listed as the owner in the land registry.
By the way, was the plot of land or planning already in place when you were both together? So you would keep the 60cm (24 inch) side of the wardrobe at 60cm (24 inches)? Not even enlarge it to 66cm (26 inches)?
And about the pantry, that has been a never-ending back and forth and I just can’t figure it out... I already tried to redesign the kitchen somehow, with lots of cabinets and storage to replace the pantry... (of course only as a placeholder, but just to show you)
The bedroom would be for aging in place, possibly with a wardrobe as a dressing room or maybe an opening through
He had already paid off the plot when we got together, the planning started when we had just begun our relationship
My problem is that I currently can’t imagine how I’m supposed to live in this house and I’m trying to improve it somehow… here I actually just want to find out if in the worst case I might make something worse that was working before.
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