Self build extension plans : thoughts/advice/criticism welcome!

[Jayha88]

Hi All,

 

After about two years of planning, we’re within reach of starting our self build extension. The only problem is, each time I look at the drawings I wonder if there’s a better way to reconfigure the layout. And the wife has told me we’re only doing it the once!
 

We knew we wanted more space to make this house liveable for 10-15 years while our children grew up. We also knew we wanted a utility, wanted to incorporate the fireplace into our living room space and where possible not compromise on loosing the space we already had. 
 

The internal layout has already changed slightly, in that we are going to put banquette seating under the window where the snug is situated, and drop the snug down into the space next to where the utility is currently shown. 
 

I guess the reason I am posting is to call on the experience out there to tell me if there are better ways to use the space other than what we have drawn currently. Having not done this before we have no idea how practical our design is until it could potentially be too late! 
 

many thanks in advance. 
 

J

[ProDave]

I am not convinced your stairs will work.  Don't base your plans on what is there, it will be a new staircase based on current building regs.  Replacing the second set of winders on the existing stair with a new quarter landing, will make the overall length of the stair longer and that is before you allow for modern building regs limits on rise and going which may add another stair if the old one was steeper than current regs.

 

Go to one of the on line star suppliers and model it properly on their design tools.

 

The "snug" is not very snug is it?  If you want a proper "snug" swap the kitchen and snug over so the kitchen joins the dining and living, and the snug can be a proper separate room at the front.

[the_r_sole]

It's a bit o a strange layout for me - I don't really get a feeling for what you are trying to achieve, there's a huge distance from the front door to the kitchen which seems a bit problematic, why have you changed the position of the kitchen away from everything, is there different light or something in there?

I'd almost be tempted to put the kitchen where the snug is shown and have kitchen/dining/sitting across the rear (and access the utlity from the kitchen) then have the snug as it's own room where the kitchen is, potentially accessed through the hallway cupboard. A snug for me can't be in the busy corner of the main space with a rooflight over it, you're getting no peace at all there!

[Jayha88]

ProDave, the_r_sole - thanks for your views and thoughts. 
 

I agree the stairs is a bit of sticking point, one which we will ensure we get a designer out to ensure compliance and feasibility before the build gets underway. And yes you’re quite right the snug isn’t that at all! 
 

The kitchen move was predominantly for more space, to accommodate a utility and capture the majority of the sunlight which doesn’t come to the back of the house until mid afternoon in most cases. 
 

One of our previous drawings was with the hallway cupboard being knocked through to create a hallway; we steered away from it to avoid having to rewire fuse boxes, telephone lines etc. Plus it’s massive and hides a lot of accumulated ‘stuff.’ We unfortunately don’t have the luxury of ample loft storage due to first floor head height taking up that space. 

Edited March 10, 2021 by Jayha88
Spelling