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
So! My quotes are in, and here you come with my suggestion 😉
I wanted to point out that you are making a mistake in your thinking. If you plan two dining areas—one for everyday use and one for large gatherings—that might sound great (look, two dining areas), but the downside is that one stays unused most of the time and everything ends up cramped together.
Therefore, I support your option 4, but modified. A door opposite the patio door, oven position not placed where people bump into your back, and so on.
If you like sitting at the counter, there’s the U-shape option where you sit facing a window. Otherwise, as I already mentioned, your neck might be under your head 😉 But other habits can also develop.
About the L-shape with integrated conservatory as a dining area: the bigger the table, the better. With two people, you sit opposite each other by the window; with three it also works; with four everyone even looks towards the terrace 😉 What is not filled by people can be decorated or used as a laptop or sewing machine workstation, puzzle area, or play space. And the living room is separated by the area in between. I’m in favor 🙂
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
But what you’re writing actually argues for separating the conservatory (or sunroom). Why would I have a table for 10 people sitting there if it's usually just two of us plus children sitting? That just feels odd.
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
With an attached conservatory, I have this optional space I can retreat to. Or am I making a mistake in thinking this way?
I wanted to point out that you are making a mistake in your thinking. If you plan two dining areas—one for everyday use and one for large gatherings—that might sound great (look, two dining areas), but the downside is that one stays unused most of the time and everything ends up cramped together.
Therefore, I support your option 4, but modified. A door opposite the patio door, oven position not placed where people bump into your back, and so on.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Often, the two of us also just sit at the counter and look outside while eating.
If you like sitting at the counter, there’s the U-shape option where you sit facing a window. Otherwise, as I already mentioned, your neck might be under your head 😉 But other habits can also develop.
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:😱 For heaven’s sake, how can you keep the island under 3 meters (10 feet) ??? Joking aside: You say you move around a lot in the kitchen. So why plan a showcase island? That length is very tiring, and it doesn’t achieve ergonomic efficiency. An island is also counterproductive for buffet-style serving. Make a U-shape and distribute the work surfaces optimally. Your kitchen salesperson will plan for what you want, not what actually offers advantages.
I tried a very rough sketch anyway. Another advantage: the room can lose one meter (3 feet) in depth without losing quality.
About the L-shape with integrated conservatory as a dining area: the bigger the table, the better. With two people, you sit opposite each other by the window; with three it also works; with four everyone even looks towards the terrace 😉 What is not filled by people can be decorated or used as a laptop or sewing machine workstation, puzzle area, or play space. And the living room is separated by the area in between. I’m in favor 🙂
Tolentino schrieb:What do you mean “really fine”? When there is plenty of space, nothing is more generous and airy than having an area between patio doors and sofa. Only everyone is against it and builds flower windows under the sofa because a) space usually isn’t enough to waste, and b) extra windows are usually expensive when building. It’s like with the stairs: at the entrance, stairs are optimal when floor space is tight. The larger the living area, the more you can afford to take the stairs out of the corner.
I’m going to place a sofa in front of each window. 😱
With some space, I think that’s really fine. A grand piano is fixed; plant shelves will go there for my wife.
askforafriend20 May 2021 16:57Tolentino schrieb:
Well, many people still think that a floor-to-ceiling window in the sofa area is a waste or a no-go.
What would you consider a sufficient distance?
I have planned with 1 meter (3 ft 3 in). Who cares – you live in your house, not the others.
Off topic:
Tolentino schrieb:Enough space to walk behind it comfortably, so it doesn't look cramped... about 90 cm (35 inches)...
Well, many people still think that a floor-to-ceiling window in the sofa area is a waste or even a no-go.
What would you consider a sufficient distance?
I have planned 1 meter (3.3 feet).
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
What
What is so wrong about that? JUST TRY IT!Nothing! However, he/she meant that it fits...I wonder, though, how someone can still not know what they really want after more than a year. 😎
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