Hello dear forum members,
We have a plot of land in mind and want to build a house. While looking for a basic concept for the house itself, we came across the plans of some friends (we visited their shell construction) and we just love them! We are now considering building a very similar house (also with their architect), so I would like to ask for your opinion on these floor plans! Maybe you will notice something that we as laypeople might not consider!
We will definitely change the roof design, opting for their alternative (a ridge running lengthwise and then two large dormers, one facing front and one facing back), because we don’t have the advantage of their rooftop terrace and would also like to have some attic space. Also, our basement is unfortunately more embedded in the slope, so there would be a large “courtyard” in front of the lower ground floor.
Returning to the original layout (which I think is still visible), with three children's rooms (one entrance was through the cleaning closet on the upper floor).
Looking forward to your feedback!
Best regards,
Traumhaus2013
PS: Our friends don’t mind that we almost copy the layout!
We have a plot of land in mind and want to build a house. While looking for a basic concept for the house itself, we came across the plans of some friends (we visited their shell construction) and we just love them! We are now considering building a very similar house (also with their architect), so I would like to ask for your opinion on these floor plans! Maybe you will notice something that we as laypeople might not consider!
We will definitely change the roof design, opting for their alternative (a ridge running lengthwise and then two large dormers, one facing front and one facing back), because we don’t have the advantage of their rooftop terrace and would also like to have some attic space. Also, our basement is unfortunately more embedded in the slope, so there would be a large “courtyard” in front of the lower ground floor.
Returning to the original layout (which I think is still visible), with three children's rooms (one entrance was through the cleaning closet on the upper floor).
Looking forward to your feedback!
Best regards,
Traumhaus2013
PS: Our friends don’t mind that we almost copy the layout!
T
Traumhaus201319 Feb 2012 11:06Good morning,
I have modified the staircase again! This way, there is space for a computer/work area on the upper floor, and the ground floor hallway feels much larger! You could create a lot of storage space under the stairs with a built-in closet...
Have a nice Sunday,
Traumhaus2013
I have modified the staircase again! This way, there is space for a computer/work area on the upper floor, and the ground floor hallway feels much larger! You could create a lot of storage space under the stairs with a built-in closet...
Have a nice Sunday,
Traumhaus2013
U
unser Haus20 Feb 2012 20:44Hello, we are starting construction this year. Regarding your floor plan, I think it looks good overall, but personally, I find the kitchen too small. That said, I have to add that I (we) don’t like having a dining area in the living room. We are all “kitchen people” (maybe it’s a generational thing 😉)
T
Traumhaus201321 Feb 2012 08:14Thank you,
yes, unfortunately the kitchen is not very large! We have already (with friends helping us) experimented with turning the staircase and enlarging the kitchen, but that makes the upper floor look completely unbalanced. However, if there could be a solution for that?
Otherwise, we are wondering if we should visually separate the dining area from the living area with a large opening. We were advised that the living area is quite long...
Best regards,
Traumhaus2013
yes, unfortunately the kitchen is not very large! We have already (with friends helping us) experimented with turning the staircase and enlarging the kitchen, but that makes the upper floor look completely unbalanced. However, if there could be a solution for that?
Otherwise, we are wondering if we should visually separate the dining area from the living area with a large opening. We were advised that the living area is quite long...
Best regards,
Traumhaus2013
I find the floor plan nice and simple.
Did I overlook it, or are the cardinal directions for the plan missing? I assume the bottom is south; if so, I don’t like the bedroom arrangement on the upper floor. For me, children’s rooms should always face south because kids spend time there during the day. A walk-in closet would be better placed on the north side.
The entrance area seems very large. Comfortable and nice, but also costly. Is the space under the stairs open?
No basement? I would miss storage space on the ground floor (vacuum cleaner, broom, drink crates, tools, ironing board, etc.).
I find the living/dining room quite elongated—definitely try out some furniture layouts!
Will the heating system fit in this small area? A friend of mine also has geothermal heating, and in her 3.5m2 (38 sq ft) utility room, it’s extremely tight (lots of pipes!). Considering the size of the toilet, the space seems insufficient in your plan.
Is there a shower option on the ground floor? I would at least plan a connection for one, in case it becomes necessary later.
In my own plan, I like to have the technical room, laundry, kitchen, bathrooms, etc., close to each other—not only to save on piping but also to reduce waiting time for hot water.
I would also consider whether having a separate toilet on the upper floor is necessary. We are thinking about having a dedicated children’s bathroom.
Have fun planning!
Did I overlook it, or are the cardinal directions for the plan missing? I assume the bottom is south; if so, I don’t like the bedroom arrangement on the upper floor. For me, children’s rooms should always face south because kids spend time there during the day. A walk-in closet would be better placed on the north side.
The entrance area seems very large. Comfortable and nice, but also costly. Is the space under the stairs open?
No basement? I would miss storage space on the ground floor (vacuum cleaner, broom, drink crates, tools, ironing board, etc.).
I find the living/dining room quite elongated—definitely try out some furniture layouts!
Will the heating system fit in this small area? A friend of mine also has geothermal heating, and in her 3.5m2 (38 sq ft) utility room, it’s extremely tight (lots of pipes!). Considering the size of the toilet, the space seems insufficient in your plan.
Is there a shower option on the ground floor? I would at least plan a connection for one, in case it becomes necessary later.
In my own plan, I like to have the technical room, laundry, kitchen, bathrooms, etc., close to each other—not only to save on piping but also to reduce waiting time for hot water.
I would also consider whether having a separate toilet on the upper floor is necessary. We are thinking about having a dedicated children’s bathroom.
Have fun planning!
Good morning,
Personally, there are a few things about this floor plan that I would find problematic:
- Why do you have two entrances to the bathroom? I imagine this could cause some issues. Of course, you don’t have to go through the hallway to get to the bathroom in the morning, but:
Both doors in the bathroom always need to be locked. You’ll often find yourself standing in front of a locked door because the kids forgot to unlock it again, or you might have guests who forget to lock the second door. If you then walk in suddenly, it could lead to embarrassing situations. Also, this setup takes up a lot of usable space.
- The walk-in closet will become a rather narrow, dark room once wardrobes or shelves are installed on both sides. I don’t find it a pleasant passageway into a bedroom.
- On the ground floor, the utility room and guest toilet seem to be quite large, while the boiler room and kitchen (not much bigger than the utility room) appear rather small.
What if you placed the staircase along the opposite (exterior) wall? I would position the staircase next to the front door on the left side (when viewed from the hallway). You could then integrate a coat area under the stairs. This might also allow you to widen the kitchen by a few centimeters, and in the spot where the staircase currently is, possibly add a pantry.
On the upper floor, you could do without the children’s/walk-in closet niche and create a direct access to the master bedroom.
The route from the bedroom to the bathroom would also be much shorter.
Between the walk-in closet and the bedroom, I wouldn’t install a door but leave an open passage instead. This still provides enough separation to avoid waking your partner in the morning with light or noise.
Best regards,
Boergi
Personally, there are a few things about this floor plan that I would find problematic:
- Why do you have two entrances to the bathroom? I imagine this could cause some issues. Of course, you don’t have to go through the hallway to get to the bathroom in the morning, but:
Both doors in the bathroom always need to be locked. You’ll often find yourself standing in front of a locked door because the kids forgot to unlock it again, or you might have guests who forget to lock the second door. If you then walk in suddenly, it could lead to embarrassing situations. Also, this setup takes up a lot of usable space.
- The walk-in closet will become a rather narrow, dark room once wardrobes or shelves are installed on both sides. I don’t find it a pleasant passageway into a bedroom.
- On the ground floor, the utility room and guest toilet seem to be quite large, while the boiler room and kitchen (not much bigger than the utility room) appear rather small.
What if you placed the staircase along the opposite (exterior) wall? I would position the staircase next to the front door on the left side (when viewed from the hallway). You could then integrate a coat area under the stairs. This might also allow you to widen the kitchen by a few centimeters, and in the spot where the staircase currently is, possibly add a pantry.
On the upper floor, you could do without the children’s/walk-in closet niche and create a direct access to the master bedroom.
The route from the bedroom to the bathroom would also be much shorter.
Between the walk-in closet and the bedroom, I wouldn’t install a door but leave an open passage instead. This still provides enough separation to avoid waking your partner in the morning with light or noise.
Best regards,
Boergi
T
Traumhaus201321 Feb 2012 10:57Brilliant!!! You're right, how could we have missed that! This is the perfect spot for the staircase! We had four people (!) sitting over the plan and still didn’t see it! This also makes a huge difference on the upper floor! I’ve already sketched it out! THANK YOU!!
The walk-in closet is now gone, but the bedroom still fits both the bed and a huge wardrobe. So it’s better to skip the walk-in closet and have really large children’s rooms instead! Once they move out, we can still swap (and then close the door to the bathroom). In addition, there is now a small work corner with south-facing windows, which could even be partly separated with a shelf! And a storage room!!
I don’t see any problem with the bathroom having two entrances! It’s the family bathroom! At home, we never locked the door (if someone was on the toilet, you just came back out) and I hope my children will be just as easy-going! Plus, there is a niche planned for the toilet that isn’t directly visible! If it does become an issue, you can always permanently close one door. Until then, we’ll keep using the second entrance!
Oh, and about the utility room, a lot probably still needs to go in there (distribution boxes, water pipes, and only the pump fits in the niche). Depending on how the architect assesses it, we’ll see!
Regards,
Traumhaus2013
The walk-in closet is now gone, but the bedroom still fits both the bed and a huge wardrobe. So it’s better to skip the walk-in closet and have really large children’s rooms instead! Once they move out, we can still swap (and then close the door to the bathroom). In addition, there is now a small work corner with south-facing windows, which could even be partly separated with a shelf! And a storage room!!
I don’t see any problem with the bathroom having two entrances! It’s the family bathroom! At home, we never locked the door (if someone was on the toilet, you just came back out) and I hope my children will be just as easy-going! Plus, there is a niche planned for the toilet that isn’t directly visible! If it does become an issue, you can always permanently close one door. Until then, we’ll keep using the second entrance!
Oh, and about the utility room, a lot probably still needs to go in there (distribution boxes, water pipes, and only the pump fits in the niche). Depending on how the architect assesses it, we’ll see!
Regards,
Traumhaus2013
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