Studio apartment front door walks right into kitchen/dining - help!
HU-388518625
5 years ago
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Another floorplan (Studio/Garage apartment) for comments, please
Comments (13)view from the bedroom versus kitchen I am a firm believer in having the view from the room that is used the most. We have east and south views of the mountains and lake. We have it from our kitchen and dining room. The whole family enjoys it every day. If the views were from the bedroom, it would be limited to one room only. Not only that, in the mornings when the view is most spectacular with sunrises, we would not be able to enjoy it since we would be eating in the kitchen where there was no view if the view was limited to the bedroom. I think when you actually live with the view, you give it to the spaces that you use most often. I would put the room that you will use most in the best view side. For example, if you see yourself working there, put your desk out to the view. We see the mountains and lake every day as we eat our breakfast. Half of the year, our dinners also have views. (in the winter, it is too dark outside) We just looked at a house where the view was limited to the living room and bedrooms. (A very old house where the kitchen was hidden in the back). We would not change the way we live where the view was limited to tiny portions of the day.... We would see this as losing view even though the view from the living room is more spectacular that what we have. This is what you learn as you live with the view.... BTW, I have woken up in bedrooms that had spectacular views. It is lovely.... But the entire house had spectacular views... Not just the bedroom! ....IMHO...See MoreHelp with Plan for Mother's Studio Apartment
Comments (20)Just a thought with this (in reference to iread and some of the others who have suggested "downsizing" the functionality of this addition (no w/d, bare minimum kitchenette, etc.). You don't know what the future might hold...at some point you or a future owner may want this to become a freestanding/income producing rental income (assuming that you are zoned to allow that), so if it were me, I would make this as much of a functional apartment as possible with the thought that someone that is not family might be interested in living there. I'm assuming that if you opted to make this into a rental unit at some point in the future, having a private entry, a w/d, and a functional kitchen would be postitive features. Also, not to be overlooked is the opportunity to give your mom a sense of independence and privacy which can sometime be a difficult transition when a loved one comes to live with family members. Don't underestimate the psychological side of all of this. Also, I would try to give her as much input in the design as is reasonably possible. giving your mom her own sense of privacy and the opportunity to enjoy her own place as much as possible, but being able to interact when it is a positive for everyone. Design it with the thoughts of it ultimately being a self-sufficient apartment with a private entrance, w/d, kitchen, and storage as much as you can. If it's financially possible, I would also consider doing separation of utilities, even if you are the one that is financially taking care of the bills, again with the idea of possibly making this an income unit at some point in the future. Easier to do these types of things now than at a later date....See MoreStudio Apartment Challenge
Comments (35)Terrik, congratulations to your daughter for graduating college and getting a job as a graphic designer. I'm thrilled for you both. I think your idea of using bookcases in the entry is the best solution. I lived in a studio apartment and I know I wouldn't have wanted my bed to be the first thing anyone saw when I opened the door. Besides bookcases give great storage. I shopped at Ikea for your the plan I drew up for you daughter showing names, pictures measurements and prices for the items I picked. The TV I shopped WalMart for. I also used all the furniture your daughter already has. I angled the bed so that one side was to the back of the bookcases instead of using it for a headboard. Personally, though I didn't draw on it, I'd look for one at thrift stores or on Craigslist. I'd make sure to attach the bookcases to each other and if possible to the bedframe for more stability. I know it might make making the bed a bit more difficult, but I'd rather than then having it be knocked over in the middle of the night. You'll notice the center bookcase is deeper. I did this because everything one needs or wants to store/display doesn't always fit the depth of a standard bookcase. The lower part of the doors could also be frosted by using "clear" contact paper in order to somewhat hide things you'd rather not show. Clear contact paper when put on glass looks frosted. They do have frosted contact, but it has a design in it that might not go with your daughter's style. The chair I choose folds out into a bed incase she needs room for an over night guest. Possibly a place for her when you and hubby come to visit. The kitchen table is an island. The stools fold and will fit against the wall when she needs the island as a prep area. You didn't mention she had a TV so I added an LCD one on top of her current dresser in the corner since I doubt she's be allowed to attach it to the wall in a rental. I put her desk against the closet wall and in front of the kitchen island. It works space wise, but that will something she'll have to see how it looks in person. Anyway...here's what I'd do if it were my studio apartment. Will you be able to visit her when she moves in? I was able to be with our daughter when she got her first apartment and helped her furnish it. We had so much fun! I linked below to photos of it. I helped her with the living room and kitchen. The rest of the furniture didn't arrive until after I had to go home. She's Air Force. Here is a link that might be useful: Katie's first apartment...See MoreNeed help with a tiny NYC loft/studio apartment layout (IMAGES INSIDE)
Comments (4)I would suggest a 24-36 inch wide commercial metal shelving unit, floor to ceiling, behind your current ladder location. Adjust one of the shelves to approximately counter height and house your coffee pot, toaster and other small appliances on it. Use the lower shelves to store your heavier kitchen items - canned goods, pots & pans, etc. Use the higher shelves for lighter items - trays, cookie sheets, paper towels etc. I've been using a shelving unit in this capacity for the past year and it works quite well. I bought some metal S hooks to hang my untensils - ladles, spatulas , spoons as well as smaller skillets and frying pans. If you don't like to see all of these items you could easily incorporate bin and box storage....See MoreHU-388518625
5 years agoHU-388518625
5 years agoOlychick
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoOlychick
5 years ago
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