Remodel Help around Basement Stairs
Looking to redo the layout of our home. (see rough layout sketch below). Ultimately, we'd like to expand the kitchen to get more workspace and potentially turn the whole back of the house into a large master suite. The middle "Office" room is currently a waste of square footage that we would like to bring into the home as useable space. We would like to do this remodel without touching the two side guest rooms and full bath there. They're perfectly fine "kids" rooms, and we might need to live in them while the remodel is happening.
Questions/Options:
1. How much could it cost to relocate the stairwell to the basement behind the fireplace (entering from that hall next to the full guest bath perhaps). This would require cutting a new floor opening and sealing up the current opening. The stairs go to an unfinished storage basement, so they don't need to be pretty. The current stairs are perfectly functional and we would be open to reusing them if that's possible. The basement below is open space, and stairs could be moved with minimal repiping and wiring. To be honest, even if we could move them parallel to their current location but over toward the middle of the house, we could comfortably fit a larger island in the kitchen.
If we can move the stairs affordably, then we have more options for layout of the kitchen/living space. (Suggestions welcome!) If we cannot, then we were considering the below option. I know the cost of the below options (just the stair cost is a ?? to me), but other advice/ideas would be welcome!
2. If moving the stairs is too expensive, considering turning the "Office" into a hall along the staircase wall and laundry/half bath next to each other behind the fireplace. Then removing the half bath in the front of the house and opening all that up to expand the kitchen forward a bit. Reposition the closet in the "Office" to face the hall as a linen closet.
3. Converting the back of the house (current family room and master) into a large master suite with walk-in closet and double-vanity bath.
Most curious to answers to #1 above, but open to any suggestions about the layout of the remainder of the house as well.
Thank you!!
Comments (11)
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Basement Bathroom Remodel. Need Layout/Design Help
Comments (2)Opinions on your questions: 1. Pocket vs. swing door: I'm not a big fan of pocket doors on bathrooms because they're more of a pain to close and lock. If you close and lock bathroom doors in your house. :-) 2. Benches are not mandatory. I prefer niches for storing shampoo and soap. Benches are usually to put your leg on when shaving. If you do have one in that corner, I'd recommend a triangular shaped one instead of square. There are pre-fab, ready-to-tile benches like this: I think the shower controls are fine where you drew them, on the bottom wall. Other thoughts: 4. code says toilet back to front should be 5' clear. Can you bump the wall a few inches to attain that? 5. I'd hinge the shower door on the other side. That will allow a towel rack on the bottom wall. You can easily fit a 48" vanity in that space. I'd definitely do it. On design, the typical "period appropriate" materials would be subway tiles in the shower and hex tiles on the floor. You could use natural marble on the floor if you wanted to splurge. I used larger hex porcelain in a powder room (not technically "period" but "in the style of"): With a neutral white/gray in the permanent stuff, you could pick your favorite splash of color for the walls. Or use that dark gray that's greenish, and use accessories, towels, etc. for the color. Your dining room is to die for, btw. Great work!...See MoreDebris from kitchen remodel falling in basement. Need help.
Comments (7)What climate do you live in? I would be concerned about humidity fluctuations, ceiling boards shifting, and the bead of caulk cracking and dust still coming through. Vacuum as best you can, seal it up, but in the end, you may find yourself with a drop ceiling after all....See MoreHelp! How to remodel a tricky staircase
Comments (29)I have to say the "fear of stairs" contingent is a bit over the top. Millions of homes across the world have stairs. In certain geographic areas, stairs are the norm. Afraid of stairs? Build or buy a ranch. But disparaging someone for living in a historic home with stairs is not helpful. If you are mobility impaired or elderly you probably would not be purchasing this home. If you have small children, safety gates are in order. Common sense prevails here. OP, there seems (from the pictures at least) not enough of a "run" to get these stairs "up to code." Further I think they look adorable. Lots of ideas to paint or make them stand out. We have a back staircase in our home that is similar to this.Handrails and treads can make these safer. I see no reason to rip them out or change them. Generations lived with stairs like these and did just fine. My grandmother had an extreme staircase in her rowhouse in Copenhagen. She lived until 98 and never had a stair injury. I don't discount that people can fall down stairs, but the more we fear them and whistleblow on the danger of an extremely common home element, the less people use them or get used to how to navigate them safely. Physicians have even commented that stair climbing can increase mobility into the later years....See MoreSteep stairs to basement need help
Comments (3)Those are indeed scary. Here's an article about making steep stairs safe--not encouraging information. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/make-steep-interior-stairs-bigger-96844.html In the meantime, think about treads. Never wear socks, backless shoes, or high heeled shoes on those. I hope your laundry isn't down there, but if it is throw down laundry before descending....See MoreRelated Professionals
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7 years ago- 7 years ago
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoPossible affordable option:
There is a back hallway with hooks for jackets, below a shelf.The kitchen isn't wide enough for an island with seating, so I drew a narrow work table--ap 24" deep. If you skip the work table, the base cabinets could be pulled out from the wall, to increase counter space.
GW discussions--deeper counters
Alternate layout with separate prep and clean-up zones, with dish storage near the DR:
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago- 7 years ago
Hi all! Thank you for your help.
We do currently enter from that side door that leads into the Family Room typically as the garage is in the back of the lot there. However, we are planning a deck extension off the back, so wouldn't be against relocating the entry to where the current master is. It would look something more like below.
Mama Goose - thank you for the recs and drawings! We feel (and our realtor agrees) that a second dedicated living space will really help with resale value one day rather than a giant master. While preferred of course, much larger masters aren't typical of the area. Below is a rough sketch (I'm no builder for sure). We will have a contractor measure out official plans to figure out which walls to close, where doors go, etc.
Any other thoughts/recommendations/cost-saving ideas?
Thanks!
- 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
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