ᐅ Floor Plan: Living in a Dream Home or a Nightmare?

Hello dear building community!

We are currently in the planning phase of our single-family home and would like to present our floor plan for your critical feedback. Thank you in advance for your time!

Everything that is not yet filled in is not final. Here is the information about the plot and the plan:

Development plan/restrictions
Plot size approx. 730 m² (7,857 sq ft)
Slope: No
Floor area ratio: 0.49
Edge development: No
Number of parking spaces: 4
Roof type: Gable roof
Terrace orientation: South

Homeowners’ requirements - <Description (priority)>

Garage:

• Garage with space for bikes, lawnmower, etc. (1)
• Access to the house, possibly with a small cloakroom. (1)
• Additionally, a small separate workshop. (2)
• Workshop access to the outside. (3)

Laundry room:

• Should be near the kitchen -> ground floor (2)

Kitchen, living, dining:

• Semi-open plan (possibly with visual separation) (2)
• Kitchen island (1)
• Kitchen near the terrace (1)
• Kitchen on the west side, ideally with morning sun. (1)
• Glass frontage facing southwest, privacy towards east or L-shape layout. (1)
• Window seat in front of a large window near dining table/kitchen (1)
• Covered terrace (1)

Ground floor entrance area:

• Staircase in the entrance area (1)
• Entrance area may be open to kitchen or living room (2)

Master bathroom:

• Toilet separated within the bathroom (3)
• Not too large (3)
• Direct access (through dressing room) from bedroom (1)

Bedroom:

• Space/distance between master bedroom and children’s rooms (3)
• Dressing room connected to the bathroom (1)

Children’s rooms:

• As large as possible and as similar as possible (1)
• Children’s rooms next to each other (2)

General:

• Higher ceiling height (at least 260 cm (8 ft 6 in)) on ground floor (2)
• Small light well on ground floor (3)
• Gable roof,
• Single-family home
Basement Yes
• Number of floors 2
Number of occupants 2 adults, 2 children (from 1 year)
• Space requirements on ground floor office (home office), laundry room, living and dining, WC, double garage. No guest bedrooms as guests will use sofa in office. Semi-open architecture (e.g., living room separable with sliding door). Modern construction. Open kitchen with island.
Number of dining seats 8
Fireplace Yes
Balcony Yes
• Other: To the east is a 3-story apartment building overlooking the plot
• (Only) the garage is allowed to be built closer to the property boundary

House design
The planning was done by a planner from a construction company.
What we especially like is the layout on the upper floor. All bedrooms have a wide view over the meadow.

On the plan, the 3-story neighboring house to the east is shown in gray. The terrace is intended to provide privacy, which is achievable with the 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) deep balcony. However, we are unsure whether the kitchen and living room will be too dark because not much sunlight will reach these rooms. Possibly, the issue with privacy/wind protection/light could also be addressed with an L-shape (see pencil sketch as an example).

Could give up the relatively large master bedroom; also, the children’s bathroom is somewhat large.
Could not give up a privacy- and wind-protected terrace, office (home office), passage from garage, laundry on ground floor, equally sized children’s rooms, two bathrooms, large dining/living area.

Why is the design as it is now?
Because of our own wishes, input from the planner, and examples from magazines.

What do you think is particularly good or bad about it?
The rooms are located on the floors and oriented in the directions we wanted. On the west side of the kitchen, there is a row of cupboards, but we’re unsure how best to use this corner (any tips are welcome). It is probably a bit too far from the kitchen to place the oven or similar there.

What is the most important/fundamental question about the floor plan in 130 characters?

We would appreciate feedback on the entire floor plan. We are especially interested in:

• Option 1 or Option 2 (pencil sketch)