Hello everyone,
After almost a year’s break, we have resumed our building project and are planning a new floor plan.
We’re stuck when it comes to the open-plan living area, so I would like to hear your opinions!
Our garden faces west, and to the south, the neighboring property begins after three meters (10 feet).
Option 1:
Overall, we like this option best. BUT: Is it possibly too tight? About one meter (3 feet) between the sofa and table—is that too cramped? It’s enough for walking through, but maybe it compromises comfort on the couch? Currently, we have much more space between the couch and table, but not as much room depth as in the planned layout. We are thinking of trying to place the table this close to the sofa in our current apartment to get a feel for it.
Pros: Great window view to the west, a skylight to the south (brings in plenty of light but prevents the neighbor from looking into our house), from the couch you can see the room, the garden, and the TV.
Cons: Is it too narrow in width?
Option 2:
Same setup, only the table is rotated. Basically, a table with a footprint of 1.00 x 2.00 meters (3 x 6.5 feet) requires a total space of 2.00 x 2.00 meters (6.5 x 6.5 feet) to accommodate chairs. In this arrangement, all guests could look out to the garden. In option 1, both the sofa and the kitchen island have visual contact with all guests.
Option 3:
The sofa and the entertainment wall are swapped. The skylight to the south changes to a floor-to-ceiling window, but the window to the west is removed.
Pros: More freedom of movement in the room, sofa hidden behind the fireplace, more coziness.
Cons: No view of the garden from the sofa, loss of a west window, view of the fireplace only from the side.
We have gotten so lost in the planning that we can’t see the forest for the trees right now.
What do you think?
Thanks and best regards,
Ypsi
After almost a year’s break, we have resumed our building project and are planning a new floor plan.
We’re stuck when it comes to the open-plan living area, so I would like to hear your opinions!
Our garden faces west, and to the south, the neighboring property begins after three meters (10 feet).
Option 1:
Overall, we like this option best. BUT: Is it possibly too tight? About one meter (3 feet) between the sofa and table—is that too cramped? It’s enough for walking through, but maybe it compromises comfort on the couch? Currently, we have much more space between the couch and table, but not as much room depth as in the planned layout. We are thinking of trying to place the table this close to the sofa in our current apartment to get a feel for it.
Pros: Great window view to the west, a skylight to the south (brings in plenty of light but prevents the neighbor from looking into our house), from the couch you can see the room, the garden, and the TV.
Cons: Is it too narrow in width?
Option 2:
Same setup, only the table is rotated. Basically, a table with a footprint of 1.00 x 2.00 meters (3 x 6.5 feet) requires a total space of 2.00 x 2.00 meters (6.5 x 6.5 feet) to accommodate chairs. In this arrangement, all guests could look out to the garden. In option 1, both the sofa and the kitchen island have visual contact with all guests.
Option 3:
The sofa and the entertainment wall are swapped. The skylight to the south changes to a floor-to-ceiling window, but the window to the west is removed.
Pros: More freedom of movement in the room, sofa hidden behind the fireplace, more coziness.
Cons: No view of the garden from the sofa, loss of a west window, view of the fireplace only from the side.
We have gotten so lost in the planning that we can’t see the forest for the trees right now.
What do you think?
Thanks and best regards,
Ypsi
P
pagoni202020 May 2021 13:48Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
1) A couple of friends with a child come to visit. Then we all sit together at the dining table while cooking is happening nearby in the kitchen. This happens OFTEN.
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
2) Half the family visits for birthdays, get-togethers, mulled wine parties, or other occasions. Number of people >8: this takes place in the conservatory, which is also easily accessible from the kitchen. This happens RARELY.
In my opinion, the rare occasions can always be handled spontaneously and individually, plus there is the conservatory for that........
If the “spark didn’t catch” with using the conservatory as a dining room, I would seriously reconsider placing a nice, longer table directly attached to an island or extended work surface. Nowadays, you should check out pictures of those setups. We decided on it, and suddenly there was space in the open-plan living area. You don’t sit on bar stools but still remain close to the person cooking.
Y
Ypsi aus NI20 May 2021 13:49askforafriend schrieb:
My issue definitely wouldn’t be the space, but rather that the kitchen doesn’t face the main terrace, although that’s a matter of personal preference.What do you mean by that? That the dining table is in front of the door to the terrace instead of the kitchen?
askforafriend20 May 2021 13:51Which one will be your main terrace? The one facing south or the other one?
Y
Ypsi aus NI20 May 2021 13:53pagoni2020 schrieb:
That happens OFTEN
That is RARE
In my opinion, something rare can always be achieved somewhat spontaneously and individually; then there’s the conservatory...
If the "spark didn't catch" with the conservatory = dining room, I would seriously reconsider placing a nice, longer table directly next to such an island or extended countertop. You should look at some pictures of this. We decided to do that, and suddenly there’s space in the open-plan area. Plus, you don’t sit like on a bar stool but still stay close to the cook.It’s not that rare for us at all. Our entire family, including all siblings, live here. We often have a full house. But let’s see what happens after COVID and how things might change with a child.
But what you’re saying actually supports separating the conservatory. Why would I have a table for 10 people there when I usually sit with just two adults plus child(ren)? That would feel strange.
With an attached conservatory, I see it more as an optional space I can fall back on.
Or am I making a mistake in my thinking here?
Y
Ypsi aus NI20 May 2021 13:54askforafriend schrieb:
Which one will be your main terrace? The one facing south or the other one?Definitely not the one facing south, only three meters (10 feet) to the neighbor's boundary. The terrace and conservatory are oriented to the west.
H
hampshire20 May 2021 13:54I would neither furnish this room with a "wall unit" nor with a "corner sofa"—therefore, I don’t like either of the options. Sofa with its back to the window—bad idea. Removing the window for a "wall unit"—also a bad idea.
Conclusion: Buy furniture that fits the room.
I prefer the table facing the garden.
Conclusion: Buy furniture that fits the room.
I prefer the table facing the garden.
Myrna_Loy schrieb:That’s exactly right: @Ypsi aus NI is thinking about their own life in the house. If not everything works, you can remove some things.
But now I understand why you’re having trouble developing the floor plan. You’re trying to combine too many self-imposed must-have requirements.
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:No mistake. That’s exactly a reasonable way to look at it.
With an attached conservatory, I basically have this optional area I can fall back on. Or am I making a mistake in my thinking here?
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