Hello everyone,
My husband and I have decided to take over my parents’ house (built in 1980) situated on a slope and to make some layout changes as part of an energy-efficient renovation in order to give the house a more modern feel.
This will particularly affect the self-contained apartment in the basement, where we find the current room layout, especially the size of the bathroom and kitchen, quite impractical. In the future, the apartment will only have one bedroom. Our idea is to relocate the bathroom to what is currently the children’s room and to create a large living and dining area by removing the walls between the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. However, we are still unsure about the most efficient way to arrange the different areas and which of the two entrances from the hallway should be used. We would appreciate any ideas or suggestions on this.
[ATTACH alt="1000065494.jpg"]93681[/ATTACH]
The (larger) bedroom was integrated into the self-contained apartment a few years ago by breaking through a wall to the hallway, and the original access was closed off. Unfortunately, the only floor plan we have is for the basement. Due to the slope, the apartment is only partially below ground level, which means it has standard-sized windows and terrace access. I marked the windows in red because they were barely or not visible at all on the plan. The top of the picture points north, so there are actually no windows on the south wall. Measured along the interior wall, the new living and dining area would be 5.95 meters by 4.90 meters (19.5 feet by 16 feet). Not huge, but hopefully large enough.
Thank you very much in advance for any thoughts on our project, and best regards!
My husband and I have decided to take over my parents’ house (built in 1980) situated on a slope and to make some layout changes as part of an energy-efficient renovation in order to give the house a more modern feel.
This will particularly affect the self-contained apartment in the basement, where we find the current room layout, especially the size of the bathroom and kitchen, quite impractical. In the future, the apartment will only have one bedroom. Our idea is to relocate the bathroom to what is currently the children’s room and to create a large living and dining area by removing the walls between the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. However, we are still unsure about the most efficient way to arrange the different areas and which of the two entrances from the hallway should be used. We would appreciate any ideas or suggestions on this.
[ATTACH alt="1000065494.jpg"]93681[/ATTACH]
The (larger) bedroom was integrated into the self-contained apartment a few years ago by breaking through a wall to the hallway, and the original access was closed off. Unfortunately, the only floor plan we have is for the basement. Due to the slope, the apartment is only partially below ground level, which means it has standard-sized windows and terrace access. I marked the windows in red because they were barely or not visible at all on the plan. The top of the picture points north, so there are actually no windows on the south wall. Measured along the interior wall, the new living and dining area would be 5.95 meters by 4.90 meters (19.5 feet by 16 feet). Not huge, but hopefully large enough.
Thank you very much in advance for any thoughts on our project, and best regards!
Serenata schrieb:
I didn’t assume this was really important information. I assumed it belongs to your living unit and might possibly be intended as your bedroom. Then the information about living and dining areas came up. Well then: so the bedroom remains a bedroom? The child becomes the bathroom? The rest marked in yellow (thanks Kerstin) is supposed to be living space. The kitchen is no longer there? I don’t think that works, because making a cup of tea or preparing a sandwich for yourself can become quite inconvenient if you have to go to another household, even if it’s your daughter’s. Therefore, I would keep the kitchen, including its walls. The room also nicely divides the larger space. Regarding the bathroom, you could remove the vertical wall and place an armchair there, but that would only enlarge the corridor. Maybe you could combine the bathroom and kitchen, removing only the vertical partition, and then have a kitchen with a seating area. Since she rarely receives visitors, she probably doesn’t need a large dining area. Older people often prefer the kitchen with a small dining spot separated from the living area. East-facing windows should provide enough natural light. And 4 x 5 meters (13 x 16 feet) should be sufficient for a nice sofa corner and TV area.
The current window sill height is 95.5 cm (38 inches), with radiators installed under each window. However, since we are switching to underfloor heating as part of the renovation and will also be replacing the windows, changes here are possible. According to an initial assessment by a structural engineer, the walls are likely non-load-bearing, but he will take a closer look. Installing a beam would also be an option for us if necessary.
There definitely needs to be a kitchen, and it should be bigger than the current one. At the moment, it consists of a single kitchen unit along the north wall and a fridge-freezer combination on the south wall with some storage above and below, which provides far too little storage and countertop space. Certainly, some improvements could be made here, but neither we nor my mother are satisfied with the current dimensions.
The apartment is not intended to be rented out privately later, as the terrace and the entire adjoining garden are also used by us.
Yes to bedroom and bathroom, no to removing the kitchen completely, see above.
Keeping some of the walls to create spatial separation would definitely be an option, but it seems to us that this would make the kitchen area a bit too cramped for a reasonably functional kitchen.
There definitely needs to be a kitchen, and it should be bigger than the current one. At the moment, it consists of a single kitchen unit along the north wall and a fridge-freezer combination on the south wall with some storage above and below, which provides far too little storage and countertop space. Certainly, some improvements could be made here, but neither we nor my mother are satisfied with the current dimensions.
The apartment is not intended to be rented out privately later, as the terrace and the entire adjoining garden are also used by us.
ypg schrieb:
So then: bedroom stays bedroom? Child’s room becomes bathroom? The rest in yellow (Thanks Kerstin) is going to be living area. No kitchen at all?
Yes to bedroom and bathroom, no to removing the kitchen completely, see above.
Keeping some of the walls to create spatial separation would definitely be an option, but it seems to us that this would make the kitchen area a bit too cramped for a reasonably functional kitchen.
Great project! Make sure every single door is at least 90cm (35 inches) wide, otherwise it will be problematic later on.
I would suggest planning an L-shaped kitchen in the top right corner (fridge next to the door, with a view of the sunrise for early riser seniors). Place the dining area with a corner bench in the bottom right (a small table with only a few seats can quickly look quite empty). In the top left corner, plan an L-shaped sofa with the TV on the south wall (or in the bottom left corner, which also allows good viewing from the dining table).
In the bathroom, try to plan for accessibility-friendly layouts, meaning avoid sliding or folding doors with narrow openings in the shower, and provide enough space around the toilet, shower, and sink so a wheelchair user and a helper can move safely. Include electrical outlets on at least two walls in the bedroom. Most importantly, take the mother’s wishes seriously during the renovation.
I would suggest planning an L-shaped kitchen in the top right corner (fridge next to the door, with a view of the sunrise for early riser seniors). Place the dining area with a corner bench in the bottom right (a small table with only a few seats can quickly look quite empty). In the top left corner, plan an L-shaped sofa with the TV on the south wall (or in the bottom left corner, which also allows good viewing from the dining table).
In the bathroom, try to plan for accessibility-friendly layouts, meaning avoid sliding or folding doors with narrow openings in the shower, and provide enough space around the toilet, shower, and sink so a wheelchair user and a helper can move safely. Include electrical outlets on at least two walls in the bedroom. Most importantly, take the mother’s wishes seriously during the renovation.
Serenata schrieb:
still a bit too tight for a reasonably functional kitchen. Yes, I see in your drawing that the width is 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches).
However, I believe we have different views on what “reasonable” means.
Because 175 cm (5 feet 9 inches) would be enough for a neat, functional single-wall kitchen or even at the end as a small L-shaped kitchen.
But okay, you could imagine knocking down the walls and redistributing the windows on the east side.
But how does your mother envision living space?
While you describe your mother’s kitchen needs as quite compact, simple, and clear
Serenata schrieb:
My mother doesn’t have specific ideas. Unfortunately, she has very little visitors and wouldn’t want to cook for many guests anymore. If she does, it would only be for family, and that would happen in our kitchen on the ground floor. you also say here
Serenata schrieb:
There must definitely still be a kitchen and it should be larger than the current one. How much larger does it need to be exactly?
Then I also can’t follow this statement:
Serenata schrieb:
The living and dining area measures 5.95 m x 4.90 m (19 feet 6 inches x 16 feet 1 inch). Not huge, but hopefully sufficiently sized. Let’s put it this way: apartments for 2–3 people often don’t have much more space. It’s certainly not a loft, but your mother probably doesn’t need that anyway, right?
What does she plan to furnish it with? For her, since she rarely has visitors, a two-seater sofa, an armchair, a TV stand or sideboard, plus a small dining table with 2–4 chairs would be sufficient, adjacent to a small functional kitchen. What furniture does she have? Does she need a bigger table for hobbies? Does she have a writing desk that will be moved along, etc.?
These kinds of considerations are essential when planning any new living space.
hausS312 schrieb:
Please make sure that every single door is at least 90cm (35 inches) wide, otherwise it will be a real problem later on. Thank you very much for this valuable advice; we hadn’t considered that before.
We also really like your idea for the room layout. I’m just a bit unsure about the sofa placement in the bottom left corner because of the patio door.
The bathroom will be a bit of a challenge as well, since a bathtub is very important to my mother. But thank you for your suggestions on that too.
ypg schrieb:
How much bigger does it need to be? In the end, it’s not about much, but a slightly longer kitchen countertop would really help. Dishes and pantry items need to be stored somehow, which is difficult with the current room size.
ypg schrieb:
What furniture does she have? She doesn’t have any furniture that she wants or can take with her. The sofa and table from the larger apartment are definitely too big, and she no longer likes her living room cabinets. Since she doesn’t have any specific wishes regarding the furnishings, it’s difficult for us to plan based on those parameters. The hobby is best supported by a very comfortable sofa (a lot of sleeping happens there) and a large TV.
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