Hello everyone,
I am currently planning a two-story single-family house with a basement together with an architect. The basic floor plan is set, but I haven’t yet reached a decision regarding the staircase and entrance area.
Two options are shown in the attachments.
Option 1: Straight Staircase:
I like the look of this option, but what bothers me is that you always have to pass through the “dirty zone” by the front door. I would extend the stair treads further into the hallway so you can enter from the side, but it’s still not ideal.
Option 2: Quarter-Turn Staircase:
The advantage here is that the entrance area is somewhat separated. The drawback is that the front door with its side glass panel becomes about 14cm (6 inches) narrower. Also, the ceiling should probably be recessed by about 1.40m (4 ft 7 in) around the staircase to allow enough headroom.
Instead of a shower in the WC, I would plan a small wardrobe for everyday clothes and shoes.
What do you think is the better solution? Or do you have other ideas?
Best regards
Tobias
I am currently planning a two-story single-family house with a basement together with an architect. The basic floor plan is set, but I haven’t yet reached a decision regarding the staircase and entrance area.
Two options are shown in the attachments.
Option 1: Straight Staircase:
I like the look of this option, but what bothers me is that you always have to pass through the “dirty zone” by the front door. I would extend the stair treads further into the hallway so you can enter from the side, but it’s still not ideal.
Option 2: Quarter-Turn Staircase:
The advantage here is that the entrance area is somewhat separated. The drawback is that the front door with its side glass panel becomes about 14cm (6 inches) narrower. Also, the ceiling should probably be recessed by about 1.40m (4 ft 7 in) around the staircase to allow enough headroom.
Instead of a shower in the WC, I would plan a small wardrobe for everyday clothes and shoes.
What do you think is the better solution? Or do you have other ideas?
Best regards
Tobias
M
Matthew0323 Jan 2019 14:51...if only they could be opened from the outside as well
In general, I actually find the idea quite interesting—you wouldn't have to go through the whole house when you take garden tools out of the basement, etc.
In general, I actually find the idea quite interesting—you wouldn't have to go through the whole house when you take garden tools out of the basement, etc.
Just a quick reminder before things get confusing:
Sofas usually have a neat, finished, and attractive upholstery on the back, so from the outside (since you can see through the window) everything looks nice. A TV stand, on the other hand, often has unattractive openings with various cables hanging out, and the black, dusty plastic on the back of the TV just hangs there... -> Sofa is acceptable. Also, just imagine how it looks from the inside when the edge of a window is interrupted by something like that.
A reminder: 1 square meter (about 10.8 square feet) of window normally illuminates 10 square meters (about 108 square feet) of room. Consider whether you actually enjoy the view while working during the day, or if you sit down just to watch. How long can you really sit and watch?
I think it’s really great. The window lights up the hallway in that corner, including the basement staircase when it’s open, and the door can be opened as needed. It’s a nice exit for an evening cigarette, a sundowner, or for laundry that needs to dry outside.
enfield schrieb:
The TV doesn’t necessarily have to be pushed so far into the corner. When I think about how many people place a sofa in front of the window...
Sofas usually have a neat, finished, and attractive upholstery on the back, so from the outside (since you can see through the window) everything looks nice. A TV stand, on the other hand, often has unattractive openings with various cables hanging out, and the black, dusty plastic on the back of the TV just hangs there... -> Sofa is acceptable. Also, just imagine how it looks from the inside when the edge of a window is interrupted by something like that.
enfield schrieb:
But I’ll also look at how it would look with narrower windows in the living room. I just don’t want a dark corner to be created.
A reminder: 1 square meter (about 10.8 square feet) of window normally illuminates 10 square meters (about 108 square feet) of room. Consider whether you actually enjoy the view while working during the day, or if you sit down just to watch. How long can you really sit and watch?
enfield schrieb:
The door between the pantry and stairs leads to nothing, so no problem.
I think it’s really great. The window lights up the hallway in that corner, including the basement staircase when it’s open, and the door can be opened as needed. It’s a nice exit for an evening cigarette, a sundowner, or for laundry that needs to dry outside.
Have you considered swapping the kitchen and pantry with the living room? As it is currently furnished, you end up carrying plates through the dining area instead of going directly from the kitchen to the outside. This change would likely make furnishing the kitchen and living room easier. It would also create a clear path to the terrace—straight through the middle.
Here is a sketch without the pantry, because I find the kitchen really spacious like this. However, you could also move the kitchen unit to the left side of the plan and add a pantry behind it.
Here is a sketch without the pantry, because I find the kitchen really spacious like this. However, you could also move the kitchen unit to the left side of the plan and add a pantry behind it.
The wall where the TV will be is about 2m wide (6.5 feet). I think that should be sufficient. I’m not really keen on rotating the sofa, although it would have some advantages in terms of space.
I also considered an alternative layout for the kitchen and living room, which is certainly not a bad option. However, I never really liked the living room in that setup, and most importantly, I would like the option to separate the living room, for example with a sliding door. That’s no longer possible with that design.
Upstairs, I also thought about placing the master bedroom all the way to the left, underneath the bathroom, with a walk-in closet next to it. But that always resulted in very awkward layouts for the children’s rooms.
Maybe someone here has a good idea? The advantage would be the proximity to the bathroom and possibly a better way to arrange the master bedroom.
I also considered an alternative layout for the kitchen and living room, which is certainly not a bad option. However, I never really liked the living room in that setup, and most importantly, I would like the option to separate the living room, for example with a sliding door. That’s no longer possible with that design.
Upstairs, I also thought about placing the master bedroom all the way to the left, underneath the bathroom, with a walk-in closet next to it. But that always resulted in very awkward layouts for the children’s rooms.
Maybe someone here has a good idea? The advantage would be the proximity to the bathroom and possibly a better way to arrange the master bedroom.
A quick follow-up on the modified entrance area that we discussed at the beginning:
Are the dimensions as shown sufficient? No one responded to that, so I assume it’s not too bad?
Upstairs, I would like the master bed positioned facing east. But what about the window on the east side? Should it be removed entirely? Would that leave the exterior facade looking incomplete?
Alternatively, there is a completely different layout, as briefly mentioned in the previous post. I actually prefer the bathroom-master bedroom-dressing area arrangement this way, but I’m less happy with the children’s rooms. Do you have any ideas on that?
Are the dimensions as shown sufficient? No one responded to that, so I assume it’s not too bad?
Upstairs, I would like the master bed positioned facing east. But what about the window on the east side? Should it be removed entirely? Would that leave the exterior facade looking incomplete?
Alternatively, there is a completely different layout, as briefly mentioned in the previous post. I actually prefer the bathroom-master bedroom-dressing area arrangement this way, but I’m less happy with the children’s rooms. Do you have any ideas on that?
Many of your designs are still functional. But attractive or award-worthy is something else.
I find the entrance area lacks depth. The 1m (3.3 ft) closet feels quite cramped. But it still works.
The guest bathroom is tiny – but it’s still usable.
The kitchen is difficult to furnish, but it’s manageable.
The living room area is too narrow – but if that doesn’t bother you, it’s still okay.
This pattern continues across the board. The rooms on the upper floor are okay – but nothing that really impresses me.
You originally wanted to talk only about the staircase. Now the discussion is expanding, which I actually welcome. But slowly, the details from the pinned questionnaire (see initial thread) are starting to be missing.
I find the entrance area lacks depth. The 1m (3.3 ft) closet feels quite cramped. But it still works.
The guest bathroom is tiny – but it’s still usable.
The kitchen is difficult to furnish, but it’s manageable.
The living room area is too narrow – but if that doesn’t bother you, it’s still okay.
This pattern continues across the board. The rooms on the upper floor are okay – but nothing that really impresses me.
You originally wanted to talk only about the staircase. Now the discussion is expanding, which I actually welcome. But slowly, the details from the pinned questionnaire (see initial thread) are starting to be missing.
Similar topics