Hello everyone,
We have a plot where we are allowed to build a semi-detached house. The exterior dimensions can be a maximum of 7 m x 10 m (23 ft x 33 ft), with 2 full floors.
We have visited several carpentry companies (we want to build with solid wood) to get quotes. Each one designed a slightly different plan, but in all of them the children's rooms are quite small (between 11 and 12 square meters (118 to 129 square feet)).
Our requirements were:
- Ground floor with living/dining area, kitchen (preferably also separated), bathroom with shower, pantry
- Upper floor with one bedroom, 2 children's rooms, and a bathroom with shower + bathtub.
A basement is also planned, as the floor plan is already quite small. It will house a hobby room and a boiler room.
My question now:
Is it not possible to get larger children’s rooms with these exterior dimensions? Or has anyone built something similar with a completely different floor plan?
If more space really isn’t possible, is 11 square meters (118 square feet) enough for one child?
We have a plot where we are allowed to build a semi-detached house. The exterior dimensions can be a maximum of 7 m x 10 m (23 ft x 33 ft), with 2 full floors.
We have visited several carpentry companies (we want to build with solid wood) to get quotes. Each one designed a slightly different plan, but in all of them the children's rooms are quite small (between 11 and 12 square meters (118 to 129 square feet)).
Our requirements were:
- Ground floor with living/dining area, kitchen (preferably also separated), bathroom with shower, pantry
- Upper floor with one bedroom, 2 children's rooms, and a bathroom with shower + bathtub.
A basement is also planned, as the floor plan is already quite small. It will house a hobby room and a boiler room.
My question now:
Is it not possible to get larger children’s rooms with these exterior dimensions? Or has anyone built something similar with a completely different floor plan?
If more space really isn’t possible, is 11 square meters (118 square feet) enough for one child?
We had a small storage room in the apartment, similar to the last layout, accessible from the kitchen and located where making a wall opening didn’t cause any issues. I thought that worked well.
However, if creating additional circulation space for those 3 square meters (approximately 32 square feet) is necessary, I would skip it, especially given the limited space. If the 3 square meters instead open up to the hallway and can be used as a wardrobe area, I would probably also forgo the pantry. Otherwise, you don’t really have any space there for coats and shoes.
However, if creating additional circulation space for those 3 square meters (approximately 32 square feet) is necessary, I would skip it, especially given the limited space. If the 3 square meters instead open up to the hallway and can be used as a wardrobe area, I would probably also forgo the pantry. Otherwise, you don’t really have any space there for coats and shoes.
I already like the new plan on the ground floor much better. In my opinion, there is a huge difference between your first plan and this one. On the upper floor, I find the bathroom possibly a bit too large (in proportion). Maybe you could swap Child 1’s room with the bathroom and then optimize the walls a bit to get around 12 m² (130 sq ft) there. However, the children’s rooms shouldn’t be any narrower because, although you might gain more square meters, they wouldn’t be as easy to furnish properly.
In my opinion, this one is better than the first. However, there are still some issues in certain areas.
I noticed the different door widths. Are those space-saving doors on the ground floor?
The pantry probably won’t be practical due to the door and window placement.
The bathroom also seems quite large in proportion.
Are you sure the staircase of that size works without a wall?
Take a look at semi-detached house floor plans. Usually, the stairs are located along the shared wall, often as two quarter-turn flights.
You have standard requirements, so perhaps you’ll find a suitable floor plan there.
I noticed the different door widths. Are those space-saving doors on the ground floor?
The pantry probably won’t be practical due to the door and window placement.
The bathroom also seems quite large in proportion.
Are you sure the staircase of that size works without a wall?
Take a look at semi-detached house floor plans. Usually, the stairs are located along the shared wall, often as two quarter-turn flights.
You have standard requirements, so perhaps you’ll find a suitable floor plan there.
7x10m (23x33 feet) is really small. I think 11m² (118 square feet) is appropriate for children's rooms at this house size. With such a small floor area, there are only limited compromises to make. You always choose the smallest staircase, the smallest door, the smallest furniture, and so on. I would definitely not recommend closing off the kitchen either. That just makes everything feel even tighter and smaller.
Attached is the standard staircase with a minimum size of 2m x 1.90m (6.5ft x 6.2ft). For larger children's rooms, a wardrobe in the bedroom only 50cm (20 inches) deep is possible. The window in the entrance area is not ideal – it’s difficult to solve. Maybe someone has an idea.
Kern-Haus has a similar design -> Kern-Haus Doppel Twin.
Attached is the standard staircase with a minimum size of 2m x 1.90m (6.5ft x 6.2ft). For larger children's rooms, a wardrobe in the bedroom only 50cm (20 inches) deep is possible. The window in the entrance area is not ideal – it’s difficult to solve. Maybe someone has an idea.
Kern-Haus has a similar design -> Kern-Haus Doppel Twin.
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