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
Y
Ypsi aus NI20 May 2021 11:27Hi Papagoni,
Everything is still open for planning.
Putting the table next to the island has also been considered. But then you can’t use the island from both sides.
No children yet ;-)
From the couch, you could already have a view of the garden if it’s placed on the west side. But you’re probably right: the couch is primarily for TV time.
As mentioned, it’s a pity with option 3 that the fireplace can only be seen from the side :-(
Maybe it could be placed on the opposite west side and simultaneously act as a room divider?!
The floor plan was sketched by us and is currently being translated into actual wall dimensions by the construction company. For example, we calculated 50cm (20 inches) exterior walls as a worst-case scenario. We will make full use of the plot width, and any additional centimeters in width from a precise drawing will be added to the open living area. We will see where we end up regarding width.
That is a good point about the light!!!
Somehow, that is the real key question: a table facing everyone towards the garden or the kitchen island.
For me, it depends on the time of day:
During the day, you want to enjoy the sunlight and the garden view. In the evening it’s dark anyway, so maybe everyone prefers to look towards the island where the cooking happens?!
Everything is still open for planning.
Putting the table next to the island has also been considered. But then you can’t use the island from both sides.
No children yet ;-)
From the couch, you could already have a view of the garden if it’s placed on the west side. But you’re probably right: the couch is primarily for TV time.
As mentioned, it’s a pity with option 3 that the fireplace can only be seen from the side :-(
Maybe it could be placed on the opposite west side and simultaneously act as a room divider?!
The floor plan was sketched by us and is currently being translated into actual wall dimensions by the construction company. For example, we calculated 50cm (20 inches) exterior walls as a worst-case scenario. We will make full use of the plot width, and any additional centimeters in width from a precise drawing will be added to the open living area. We will see where we end up regarding width.
netuser schrieb:
Option 3 with the rotated table, so that everyone sitting at the table can look out the window towards the garden or the light falls evenly on the table.
That is a good point about the light!!!
Somehow, that is the real key question: a table facing everyone towards the garden or the kitchen island.
For me, it depends on the time of day:
During the day, you want to enjoy the sunlight and the garden view. In the evening it’s dark anyway, so maybe everyone prefers to look towards the island where the cooking happens?!
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
Basically, a table with a footprint of 1.00 x 2.00 meters (3.3 x 6.6 feet) always requires a space of 2.00 x 2.00 meters (6.6 x 6.6 feet) because of the chairs. Officially, you should allow 75 cm (30 inches) for chair depth since they need to be pulled out for sitting.
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
From the clerestory What do you mean by "clerestory"? A clerestory is light coming from above. Are you referring to a ribbon window?
Where is the access to the terrace? How many people need to be able to sit at the table daily?
Try angling the table or placing it by the island, possibly with an extendable table?
Your fireplace takes up walking space and feels somewhat disruptive.
Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
Somehow this is the ultimate question: table facing which way—toward the garden or the kitchen island.
For me, it depends on the time of day:Who is sitting there? Children don’t really mind where they are looking; at least, the garden view doesn’t matter to them 😉Ypsi aus NI schrieb:
Somehow this is the ultimate question: a table facing towards the garden or the kitchen island. This is definitely a personal preference.
But do you really want to face the kitchen island, where dishes might be piling up, or where the cook might feel watched (for example, by guests or strangers)?
I/we always prefer the view outside and arrange seating accordingly.
At least in our family, this is always appreciated.
ypg schrieb:
Who sits there? Kids don’t care which way they face; at least they don’t mind the garden view 😉 No, my experience is the opposite.
“Dad, look, a rabbit!... a squirrel... a bird... the sun…”
In our case, no one wants to sit with their back to the window/garden.
Y
Ypsi aus NI20 May 2021 11:38ypg schrieb:
Officially, a depth of 75cm (30 inches) is standard for chairs, as they need to be pulled out to sit.
What do you mean by a clerestory window? A clerestory is a window positioned high up. Are you referring to a ribbon window?
Where is the access to the terrace? How many people need to be able to sit at the table daily?
Try angling the table or placing it by the island, possibly with an extendable table?
Your fireplace takes up walking space and feels somewhat intrusive. Then I suppose I mean a ribbon window ;-)
A window with a sill height of about 1.50m (5 feet).
The floor-to-ceiling window in the kitchen leads to the conservatory. The floor-to-ceiling window at the dining table leads to the open-air terrace area.
There are currently two of us, but the space is planned for four people plus frequent visits of one to two guests.
The fireplace is intended to partially separate the living area, like a kind of room divider. We already have a similar fireplace projection today, which slightly separates the dining and living areas, and we really like it!
M
Myrna_Loy20 May 2021 11:38When we have friends over for dinner—or when we are guests at someone else's home—nobody looks into the kitchen or the garden. Unless the cook calls for help, that is. People talk and focus more on each other.
I’m not running a cooking show!
I’m not running a cooking show!
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