Hello forum,
we are 25 and 27 years old and currently in the “early stages of building a house.” That means we are still considering whether we want to build at all. Therefore, we are thinking about how “our future house” should look. We mostly agree on the basics – we both really like our neighbors’ house (built in 2005). What the neighbor would do differently today, for example, a larger dining room and a smaller living room, is something we also agree with.
I have now drawn a floor plan and have tried hard to make it different, but I keep coming back to the same design. Apparently, there is a clear image in my mind that I can’t change.
For now, it’s mainly about the ground floor. In my opinion, the other floors are less important.
What the ground floor should have:
- Eat-in kitchen
- Living room can be smaller to give more space to the dining area
- Pantry
- Toilet
- Utility room / office / storage room – whatever it’s called – not a must, but it would be nice.
I’m uploading the floor plan here, maybe someone has a good suggestion or some “sample floor plans.”
I’m quite happy with the dining area labeled “24” – but I somehow don’t like the living room labeled “23.”
we are 25 and 27 years old and currently in the “early stages of building a house.” That means we are still considering whether we want to build at all. Therefore, we are thinking about how “our future house” should look. We mostly agree on the basics – we both really like our neighbors’ house (built in 2005). What the neighbor would do differently today, for example, a larger dining room and a smaller living room, is something we also agree with.
I have now drawn a floor plan and have tried hard to make it different, but I keep coming back to the same design. Apparently, there is a clear image in my mind that I can’t change.
For now, it’s mainly about the ground floor. In my opinion, the other floors are less important.
What the ground floor should have:
- Eat-in kitchen
- Living room can be smaller to give more space to the dining area
- Pantry
- Toilet
- Utility room / office / storage room – whatever it’s called – not a must, but it would be nice.
I’m uploading the floor plan here, maybe someone has a good suggestion or some “sample floor plans.”
I’m quite happy with the dining area labeled “24” – but I somehow don’t like the living room labeled “23.”
N
nordanney28 Mar 2013 20:14What kind of feedback do you expect when you start by saying that you’re not even sure whether you want to build at all? Then, within a few hours, several floor plans appear, none of which are really well received by the forum members.
Don’t get stuck focusing on your neighbor’s house. Consider alternatives (open-plan living-dining-kitchen area) and also think about your future. For example, children almost always play in the living room, which seems to be of minor importance in your plans. Or the good book that can be read comfortably in the cozy living room in front of the fireplace. In your case, you would have to go to the oversized kitchen for that, which is not always practical.
Criticism can also be taken positively.
Don’t get stuck focusing on your neighbor’s house. Consider alternatives (open-plan living-dining-kitchen area) and also think about your future. For example, children almost always play in the living room, which seems to be of minor importance in your plans. Or the good book that can be read comfortably in the cozy living room in front of the fireplace. In your case, you would have to go to the oversized kitchen for that, which is not always practical.
Criticism can also be taken positively.
Just search around online. When looking up house construction or home builders, you’ll find plenty of ideas, advice, and tips on how to build sensibly (or right here in the forum).
Using Google Images, you can find thousands of floor plans. This might help you get a better sense of how rooms are designed. You won’t become any less informed.
Using Google Images, you can find thousands of floor plans. This might help you get a better sense of how rooms are designed. You won’t become any less informed.
So, we are a bit further along and planning with an architect – I would strongly recommend that to you for the following reasons:
- The staircase and hallway need to fit both on the ground floor and the upper floor
- Do you want a fireplace? If yes – it needs to be integrated into the plan on both levels
- Structural engineering!!! – a professional is necessary here
- Orientation – where are the cardinal directions? This determines the placement of the rooms
--> For example, living rooms in the southwest, study rooms facing north, etc.
- Plot of land – every plot is different
- Zoning plan / building permit – this defines the building envelope, whether there is a fixed number of floors allowed, and so on
Regarding your plans, I find the position of the staircase poor – you basically rush up the stairs, and it’s not possible for several people to stand in the entrance area at the same time.
We have been working on the staircase location and shape for weeks – we have now placed it on the north side. How large should the staircase be – in terms of space, how many square meters should you invest? Does it make sense for the study room to only be accessible from the living room? Don’t you want a guest toilet?
We planned the living-dining area in an L-shape.
So, the dining area borders the kitchen, and around the corner is the living area – this creates a kind of visual separation between kitchen and living space, while still being one room. This is also a common solution in prefabricated houses.
My mother has a kitchen with a dining table for 4 people (though for more guests there is a separate dining room) – the table is in the middle of the kitchen – the functional area of the kitchen is L-shaped, one side has a window with a radiator, and the other side is where dishes and a cupboard for the vacuum cleaner, iron, etc. are located.
There are many kitchens with a corner bench. I also currently have an open kitchen – with a good ventilation system, you can’t even smell the schnitzel 5m (16 feet) away on the couch. But, of course, that comes down to personal preference.
- The staircase and hallway need to fit both on the ground floor and the upper floor
- Do you want a fireplace? If yes – it needs to be integrated into the plan on both levels
- Structural engineering!!! – a professional is necessary here
- Orientation – where are the cardinal directions? This determines the placement of the rooms
--> For example, living rooms in the southwest, study rooms facing north, etc.
- Plot of land – every plot is different
- Zoning plan / building permit – this defines the building envelope, whether there is a fixed number of floors allowed, and so on
Regarding your plans, I find the position of the staircase poor – you basically rush up the stairs, and it’s not possible for several people to stand in the entrance area at the same time.
We have been working on the staircase location and shape for weeks – we have now placed it on the north side. How large should the staircase be – in terms of space, how many square meters should you invest? Does it make sense for the study room to only be accessible from the living room? Don’t you want a guest toilet?
We planned the living-dining area in an L-shape.
So, the dining area borders the kitchen, and around the corner is the living area – this creates a kind of visual separation between kitchen and living space, while still being one room. This is also a common solution in prefabricated houses.
My mother has a kitchen with a dining table for 4 people (though for more guests there is a separate dining room) – the table is in the middle of the kitchen – the functional area of the kitchen is L-shaped, one side has a window with a radiator, and the other side is where dishes and a cupboard for the vacuum cleaner, iron, etc. are located.
There are many kitchens with a corner bench. I also currently have an open kitchen – with a good ventilation system, you can’t even smell the schnitzel 5m (16 feet) away on the couch. But, of course, that comes down to personal preference.
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