ᐅ Floor Plan Planning: Who Has the Master Bedroom on the Ground Floor?
Created on: 27 May 2024 17:46
P
Pfefferfisch
Hello everyone,
Since we (M31 / W24) will soon have the notary appointment to purchase our desired 463 m2 (4991 sq ft) building plot in our hometown in southern Baden-Württemberg, we are currently starting to think about the plot and floor plan design. Fortunately, we are not in a hurry to start construction due to a very favorable rental situation.
First of all: we are already in contact with an architect who will create a preliminary design for us. Nevertheless, we are curious about completed projects that reflect our ideas.
We would like a classic single-family home of medium size (170–180 m2 (1830–1940 sq ft)?), for which there are countless proposals. However, it is very rare to see our wish realized: in addition to a large living/dining/kitchen area, a guest WC, and a utility/technical room serving as a passage to the attached garage, the master bedroom with a walk-in closet and a suitable bathroom (WC, double sink, large shower) should also be located on the ground floor — not just as a “possible option for old age,” but right from the start.
We understand that such a design will naturally consume a rare amount of space on the ground floor, while there is plenty of space available upstairs. This wish comes from my physical condition, as climbing stairs is sometimes difficult for me (balance issues, etc.).
Since we do not yet know whether having children is in the cards, we are considering planning only an office and a storage room upstairs, with the larger remaining area designed as a possible granny flat or separate apartment, which could be integrated back into the main living space during the “20 years with children” phase if a family develops.
As an example, the Living Haus Sunshine 210 is in this class but seems quite large to us.
So, what do you think? Has anyone implemented something similar and can share pictures, advice, or tips that should be considered for this specific kind of planning?
Good luck,
David
Since we (M31 / W24) will soon have the notary appointment to purchase our desired 463 m2 (4991 sq ft) building plot in our hometown in southern Baden-Württemberg, we are currently starting to think about the plot and floor plan design. Fortunately, we are not in a hurry to start construction due to a very favorable rental situation.
First of all: we are already in contact with an architect who will create a preliminary design for us. Nevertheless, we are curious about completed projects that reflect our ideas.
We would like a classic single-family home of medium size (170–180 m2 (1830–1940 sq ft)?), for which there are countless proposals. However, it is very rare to see our wish realized: in addition to a large living/dining/kitchen area, a guest WC, and a utility/technical room serving as a passage to the attached garage, the master bedroom with a walk-in closet and a suitable bathroom (WC, double sink, large shower) should also be located on the ground floor — not just as a “possible option for old age,” but right from the start.
We understand that such a design will naturally consume a rare amount of space on the ground floor, while there is plenty of space available upstairs. This wish comes from my physical condition, as climbing stairs is sometimes difficult for me (balance issues, etc.).
Since we do not yet know whether having children is in the cards, we are considering planning only an office and a storage room upstairs, with the larger remaining area designed as a possible granny flat or separate apartment, which could be integrated back into the main living space during the “20 years with children” phase if a family develops.
As an example, the Living Haus Sunshine 210 is in this class but seems quite large to us.
So, what do you think? Has anyone implemented something similar and can share pictures, advice, or tips that should be considered for this specific kind of planning?
Good luck,
David
ypg schrieb:
..whether it should be a "standard floor plan" or rather a standard bungalow with stairs and a shallow roof pitch, so that the desired children's room and a multipurpose hobby room (alternatively used as a bedroom for new parents) can still fit in the attic. The ground floor would then be self-contained without a basement, which wouldn't be practical to frequently access several times a day for cleaning supplies and drinks.
I had already considered the idea of a bungalow as well. However, the plot size of about 4xx m² (4xx x sq ft) is not very generous.S
Siedler3416 May 2025 21:40I think the floor plan is well designed.
In our kitchen area, we also don’t have a window, but the room is bright enough overall due to large window surfaces, so it works well for the kitchen too. And when I really need to work, I just turn on the light anyway.
We also have the bedroom on the ground floor and sleep very well there.
A truly wheelchair-accessible floor plan is not easy to achieve. If that is a requirement, I would personally review the relevant DIN standard again. Especially in the bathroom, I would position the connections from the start so that everything will work later.
In any case, I would not plan to have the washing machine in the basement. Carrying a full laundry basket up the stairs is one of the most common household accidents, even for people without balance issues. Therefore, I would at least provide the option to place the washing machine somewhere on the ground floor.
In our kitchen area, we also don’t have a window, but the room is bright enough overall due to large window surfaces, so it works well for the kitchen too. And when I really need to work, I just turn on the light anyway.
We also have the bedroom on the ground floor and sleep very well there.
A truly wheelchair-accessible floor plan is not easy to achieve. If that is a requirement, I would personally review the relevant DIN standard again. Especially in the bathroom, I would position the connections from the start so that everything will work later.
In any case, I would not plan to have the washing machine in the basement. Carrying a full laundry basket up the stairs is one of the most common household accidents, even for people without balance issues. Therefore, I would at least provide the option to place the washing machine somewhere on the ground floor.
Musketier schrieb:
However, the plot size of 4xx m² (4xx square meters) is not generous. However, with a floor area ratio of 0.4, 160 m² (1,722 square feet) of floor area should be sufficient. I don’t want to focus too much on the budget, but considering only the wishes and necessities of the original poster, I don’t see the need for three floors.
What some people wish for here—namely to live on just one level—is practically already decided in this case due to the physical limitations involved.
M
MachsSelbst16 May 2025 21:59I haven’t read everything, shame on me. But if your sense of balance and ability to climb stairs are already in question at the young age of 33, how secure is that well-paid job? Will you still be able to do it reasonably safely for the next 10 to 15 years?
I don’t want to paint a gloomy picture, but a house costing around a million is a 30-year investment.
If it’s already becoming clear that disability could be an issue in 10 years, that’s a concern.
Especially since you’ll probably have to outsource absolutely everything for the house eventually—gardeners, and so on.
Other than that, having a bedroom on the ground floor is doable. You can get used to a small living room, and the kids upstairs will be happy about having huge bedrooms.
I don’t want to paint a gloomy picture, but a house costing around a million is a 30-year investment.
If it’s already becoming clear that disability could be an issue in 10 years, that’s a concern.
Especially since you’ll probably have to outsource absolutely everything for the house eventually—gardeners, and so on.
Other than that, having a bedroom on the ground floor is doable. You can get used to a small living room, and the kids upstairs will be happy about having huge bedrooms.
W
wiltshire16 May 2025 23:01Let me suggest a different idea. I understand that you want to avoid stairs due to physical condition. That’s understandable. Now, you’re trying to fit everything important on one level and end up building a lot of unnecessary space upstairs. With a building cost of 3,000 per square meter and a price of around 40,000 for a shaftless home elevator, it might be more cost-effective and better for you to plan for two levels and simply install an elevator. This way, you build less enclosed space. The entire floor plan becomes more spacious, and you can make optimal use of the two levels that your building structure provides. If you have special requirements, you should allow yourself to think differently. If you’re already moving away from the standard approach, why not fully commit to it?
We have never regretted our unconventional house for a second and have deliberately ignored many conventions after careful consideration.
We have never regretted our unconventional house for a second and have deliberately ignored many conventions after careful consideration.
I would look for a way to make the upper floor accessible even with mobility issues, whether that’s an elevator or a stairlift. The ground floor is somewhat cramped. It is only partially suitable for mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers. A basement will be built – how should laundry be transported up and down with motor impairments and an upper floor with a lot of “empty” space?
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