ᐅ Renovating an Existing Home – More Space for Kitchen and Bathroom – Any Ideas?
Created on: 17 Oct 2018 09:55
T
Tobibi
Hello,
we have visited a house that is being offered to us for purchase. It was built in 1983 using timber frame construction. Overall, it is a very nice house. What bothers us about the floor plan is that both the kitchen and the bathroom on the ground floor are quite small. We would be willing to move some walls if it could create more usable space.
This is meant to be a collection of ideas. Suggestions on how to simply reorganize the layout are also welcome.
Completely opening up the kitchen is difficult because there is a built-in corner bench precisely fitted into the bay window area of the living room.
We have already considered replacing the kitchen door with a sliding door to avoid losing any space behind it and to create at least some additional counter space.
Best regards
we have visited a house that is being offered to us for purchase. It was built in 1983 using timber frame construction. Overall, it is a very nice house. What bothers us about the floor plan is that both the kitchen and the bathroom on the ground floor are quite small. We would be willing to move some walls if it could create more usable space.
This is meant to be a collection of ideas. Suggestions on how to simply reorganize the layout are also welcome.
Completely opening up the kitchen is difficult because there is a built-in corner bench precisely fitted into the bay window area of the living room.
We have already considered replacing the kitchen door with a sliding door to avoid losing any space behind it and to create at least some additional counter space.
Best regards
Really? That would mean changing the entire exterior wall, probably also on the upper floor?
Well, with the first option, you would have to install the piping for the kitchen, etc. I still thought it would be cheaper.
Can you roughly estimate what something like that would cost?
Well, with the first option, you would have to install the piping for the kitchen, etc. I still thought it would be cheaper.
Can you roughly estimate what something like that would cost?
Running the pipes shouldn’t be much of a problem since the bathroom is right there. You should be able to get water supply and drainage easily. Otherwise, you can also check in the basement and install the pipes there. The biggest challenge might be the drainage, but since the bathroom is next door, there has to be something available.
Whether the wall can be removed without issues needs to be clarified. Otherwise, you can install a “structural opening,” for example, supporting columns on each side made of steel beams with an appropriate beam on top to carry the load. In the end, it’s not a major problem! I believe the bay window will be a different matter and, in my opinion, significantly more expensive. We had something similar installed, and the total cost including drywall was under 3000€ (approximately $3,200). Of course, additional costs may arise for things like flooring, etc. But a bay window is, in my view, a different level altogether!
Whether the wall can be removed without issues needs to be clarified. Otherwise, you can install a “structural opening,” for example, supporting columns on each side made of steel beams with an appropriate beam on top to carry the load. In the end, it’s not a major problem! I believe the bay window will be a different matter and, in my opinion, significantly more expensive. We had something similar installed, and the total cost including drywall was under 3000€ (approximately $3,200). Of course, additional costs may arise for things like flooring, etc. But a bay window is, in my view, a different level altogether!
It might not be obvious at first glance, but in the first proposal, all the interior bathroom walls and the new bedroom wall are shifted, as otherwise there wouldn’t be enough space for a double bed. This means that nearly all the wall installations in the bathroom would be affected, including tiling and electrical work. Plus, the entire kitchen would be impacted.
On the other hand, an extension on the ground floor would probably be relatively easy to connect. Floor-to-ceiling windows could be installed and possibly widened, a base slab laid, a small lean-to roof, electrical work, plastering—all done. Well, avoiding thermal bridges and connecting the gutter as well…
Okay, probably not much difference after all. 😉
On the other hand, an extension on the ground floor would probably be relatively easy to connect. Floor-to-ceiling windows could be installed and possibly widened, a base slab laid, a small lean-to roof, electrical work, plastering—all done. Well, avoiding thermal bridges and connecting the gutter as well…
Okay, probably not much difference after all. 😉
I also played around with the layout a bit. I have no idea if this will work structurally.
- Remove the wall to the kitchen and angle the countertop so it extends into the room. The bay window provides plenty of workspace on both sides. Unfortunately, the corner bench has to go.
- Replace the door and window with a sliding door unit. With the sliding door, there is no door leaf blocking the table.
- The dining table size needs to be determined based on requirements.
- I extended the wall by the fireplace further into the room. This side is intended for the TV. On the other side of the wall, you can place a cabinet or shelf. The sofa would then go in the corner. Unfortunately, the terrace door is in the way. It might be possible to move it, or otherwise replace it with just a window and live with the sliding door for terrace access.
Whether the dining table and sofa fit in terms of space can only be determined once precise measurements are available.
- Remove the wall to the kitchen and angle the countertop so it extends into the room. The bay window provides plenty of workspace on both sides. Unfortunately, the corner bench has to go.
- Replace the door and window with a sliding door unit. With the sliding door, there is no door leaf blocking the table.
- The dining table size needs to be determined based on requirements.
- I extended the wall by the fireplace further into the room. This side is intended for the TV. On the other side of the wall, you can place a cabinet or shelf. The sofa would then go in the corner. Unfortunately, the terrace door is in the way. It might be possible to move it, or otherwise replace it with just a window and live with the sliding door for terrace access.
Whether the dining table and sofa fit in terms of space can only be determined once precise measurements are available.
If the structural analysis allows it, I would open up the kitchen wall to the dining area and separate the living room with a wall. This would also create space for a tall or built-in refrigerator—either a sleek galley kitchen or a U-shaped layout. I don’t see many other good options if you want to avoid compromising the house’s original layout. The house is what it is, after all. I don’t think the bathroom is too small either. Is there another one upstairs?
Otherwise: keep looking 🙂
Otherwise: keep looking 🙂
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