Loft stairs disappointment

5 years ago

I don't know if anybody can help me feel better about this, but the Builder we chose is not a very good help with designing and this is the way the stairs to our loft is turning out. When we walk out of our bedroom we will walk right into the stairs. They are taking up so much room I wish we wouldn't have built the loft. I was talked into it because we would have extra room but it's causing so many problems. I thought I would vent here first so that maybe I won't have to vent to my husband. (good luck with that)
When you look at the staircase from every direction can anybody give me some tips and advice on some nice ways to utilize space and make the most of the way it's turning out?
When you're looking at the lowest step, you're standing in the great room, and to the right is our bedroom door. We will have a fireplace and television on the wall behind the stairs. I just don't see how everything is going to fit but it is what it is at this point.
ideas for tiny spaces around stairs would be helpful.

Featured Answer

SapphireStitch

5 years ago

Teri, I'm about to have an anxiety attack just reading about your house...I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you! I just want to offer three thoughts:

If you want to age in place you HAVE to think about stairs, width of hallways, etc. My husband and I are working right now on modifying our house to be able to age in place. We're in our 50s, but we just went through moving my 88yo parents into a retirement village because they could no longer manage at home. Stairs that are good exercise can also become huge obstacles at any time. You are taking measures to stay fit and that's great, but you still can't predict disability and illness. Those stairs (either having to use them to access an important part of your home or having to maneuver around them on the main level) could make the difference between you aging in place or going to a nursing home.
I can tell you are a woman of faith and you've been taught to respect your husband and follow his leadership. I grew up in a similar faith tradition, so I understand that thinking. What I learned along the way from some strong older women is that God doesn't put two people together and make one of them unnecessary. God gave you brains and talent and ability to use and your input is very much needed. You need to speak up to your husband, kindly, as a partner, and tell him all the problems you see with the way this has all turned out.
There is a concept in economics called the "sunk costs fallacy". Basically it says that humans have a tendency to throw good money after bad decisions. You've spent X amount of money on a bad decision, therefore you have to just keep on with it. Nope, that money is spent and gone, true. But you have the option to STOP, acknowledge the mistakes, regret the money spent, and then figure out how to move ahead in a better direction. There are lots of talented people here giving you great ideas for how to move ahead, and I can't improve on anything they've suggested, but I'm going to strongly urge you (as others have!) to STOP NOW. Don't spend one more cent on continuing a design that none of you are really happy about. It will not magically get better as you go along.

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Comments (191)

PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

Shove the kitchen wall back, ditch stair or be left with nothing to sit on. The dotted line is a living space/furniture/movement space exactly the size of your very SMALL master bedroom.Hubby loses two feet of "office, the grand kiddies climb a ladder.. Or you ALL SIT IN THE WOODS. That will be the deal as you have it now. It's always inches, inches inches. Certainly still not ideal..... but at least you can sit the hell down. You pay for shoving wall back, and make the builder pay for stair removal, and the new ladder to get UP there.

Bear in mind, a 13'8 inch x 13 ' space is basically a kiddie bedroom. When hubby assures you "He thinks it will be okay"? Have him go chalk off a sofa and a couple of chairs on the dusty floor beyond that intrusive stair and "new" island. He will find he still needs a couple feet . That...is the fridge wall. And he will realize the stair must go. A lot easier now, than later.
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
Teri - do you understand how to read a floor plan? I ask because most people don’t. If all the plans that have been shown to you this far haven’t made any sense it would make sense to get someone local out there to help you. We keep saying to measure it out but don’t be shy saying you don’t understand what to measure out. It really really makes sense to get a handle on this ASAP. Pretend there is no tomorrow.
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thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
And Jan I’m not convinced the stair wouldn’t be an impediment into this lounge space even if it was turned the other way as shown on the original plan. If you look at riser height/tread depth the stair would still need to bump into the white out area.
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
Ok I just reread what Jan wrote and realize she is recommending a ladder for the loft.
Sheree Sesok
5 years ago
Following
mnmamax3
5 years ago
I suspect the doors have already been ordered, but a slider instead of a swinging door in the master would give you better usability in terms of not encroaching into the space. First and foremost, make those changes that deal with the kitchen and stairs.
lauriebr24
5 years ago
Following
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You can lead a horse to water. You can't make him drink. There is a reason you plan furniture in conjunction with floor plans showing you "vast" hahahha" blank space. There IS a reason and this thread is but one. People and furniture and living and moving...... take up SPACE. All homes have space that is finite, whether large or small spaces. Jeeeeesh.
ulisdone
5 years ago
I can’t believe a new house is being built with NO SPACE to sit down and eat!
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
My gut instinct is that there will be no further architectural modifications so that leaves the kitchen order with HD. If you can totally start over and consider a smaller kitchen similar to this in scale (and see my quick sketch from a few days ago)
loft · More Info

The fridge and cooktop would be nestled under the stairs and the sink would be in a small island and would face the large windows. This opens up the great room to have a dining table at least. The stairs would always impede on the lounge but it would feel more open overall. Somethings gotta give.
greenfish1234
5 years ago
This is so sad. Sorry you are going through this! Who wants to give up a living room for a reading nook! That's what a living room is FOR! Our architect measured our furniture and built it in to the design. I hope your husband gets on board and helps you make some sensible changes.
gm_tx
5 years ago
Following!

You've gotten some great advice from previous posters. It seems at this stage you CAN fix this. Don't be shy about speaking up - whether it's with builder, architect, or hubby. Get it fixed NOW instead of living with a lifetime of regret.

You can do this! Good luck!
gm_tx
5 years ago
Wanted to note that a 27-in W island seems very narrow. Consulting a local designer (not the HD cabinet salesperson) would be WELL worth it, to help you fix this situation.

I do like thinkdesignlive's suggestion of moving the kitchen into what's currently marked as an office/study.
suezbell
5 years ago
Applause to

GN Builders L.L.C

His open curved stairwell idea idea (four days ago) is the best one.
suzyq53
5 years ago
Everyone poo pooed a spiral.
Lyndee Lee
5 years ago
Very wise advice from Elizabeth. You know the problem exists and you can have pain now or regret for a couple of decades to come. If I thought you did not have any valid options, I would say deal with it but you don't have to accept this situation as it is now going.
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
I have to disagree - a spiral would take up the same footprint as that landing plus a couple of stairs so virtually the same as the current projection. Anything other than a ladder impedes upon the space.
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We lost the op. Move on because I guarantee nothing will change here. : ) Except perhaps the island. Which will not be enough as anyone who can read the plan fully understands. Just a bunch of bad ideas squashed into too small a footprint.
shirlpp
5 years ago
Teri.....How did your visit to HD go? Are you feeling better about the kitchen after?
thinkdesignlive
5 years ago
Let’s hope Teri is in triage mode. Please don’t be scared away Teri - we want the best for you and your husband. And if not the best than at least functional :).
Sheree Sesok
5 years ago
Her husband probably forbid her from using the Houzz app...
Teri Ziegler
Original Author
5 years ago
I just wanted you all to know that I'm still here, reading your comments, but I had to take a break for a while because I couldn't sleep at night and I woke up anxious every morning. I'm going to be watching my grandson for a week and I couldn't go in that condition. My husband got out the tape measure and we measured for furniture and our fireplace in the great room, we won't have one in the bedroom, and we have room for a decent size table and chairs in our breakfast nook. we will have a sliding barn door across our bedroom so that won't interfere with the great room. the stairs will stay and I will make them beautiful. I'll try to post pictures down the road...
this has not been a waste even if I only made a few changes.
grateful_michelle
5 years ago
That all sounds great, Teri!

I can’t wait to see the pics!
donnatrus
5 years ago
Good luck Teri! Would love to see photos when it’s done.
PRO
Studio Geiger Architecture
5 years ago
My suggestion would be to have someone draw the actual plan of what is built now even if it’s rough so you can see what’s happening. Do this right away!

Then study it with the architect and come up with a plan that works for the loft and stay so you are happy with the decisions.

Best of luck!!
felizlady
5 years ago
Builders are rarely designers. That's why architects or designers do the plans and the builders follow the plans.
If there is no doorway or other obstacle under the stairway,
a good use for the space would be a built-in storage unit with doors. You could have a closet section for coats and winter stuff, another section for storing a vacuum cleaner, and a section for things which will be used in the room at the base of the stairs. Look at photos of "stairway storage units" on Houzz for ideas.
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
She has decided. Let it go. Five grand could have solved a lot of problems for the long term.. Hubby doesn't think there is a problem. You can't fix a problem you don't "have" . : ) So.....that's that.
shirlpp
5 years ago
You have to be brave to post on Houzz and get all of the opinions that might not jive with yours. I am not that brave, so kudos to you for doing what you feel is right for your home!...Best Wishes!
mnmamax3
5 years ago
Thanks for checking back in with us Teri. Enjoy your time with your grandson and wishing you all the best in your new home!
Karen
5 years ago
All the best, Teri! (And sherses, how 'bout joining the sisterhood?! :))
Shawna Lewis
5 years ago
Following
Sara
5 years ago
We are considering a loft ladder instead of stairs because it takes up a lot less room.
Loft ladder · More Info
CLC
5 years ago
Any updates, Teri? I hope everything is working out for you!
Teri Ziegler
Original Author
5 years ago
CLC, no updates yet, we are very behind and the Builder is a big disappointment so lots of negative things to deal with but still hoping for a wonderful outcome. I am so trusting God to bring this to final completion soon and working it out in a way but I will be happy with. thanks for checking on me.
CLC
5 years ago
Bummer, what a disappointment for you. I admire your faith and optimism.....I’m sure you will find the silver linings in all of this. I hope things go well from here; please update when you finally get to start enjoying your new space!
Cheryl Hannebauer
5 years ago
>>following >>
txandmt
5 years ago
Following
User
5 years ago
Following
Laura Villar
5 years ago
following
Dre
5 years ago
Using the office/study space for your kitchen would be my solution. An office can be put in the spare bedroom (install a Murphy bed on a wall, office system on another, use the space most of the time as an office, then clean up and use bed for guests as needed). So how to make the room correspond to the great room? I would cut out an enlarged doorway towards the island, and place most kitchen items in what is currently your office. This will make a huge amount of space available for the great room. Btw, it's hard to read the room measurements on the architect drawing you posted. Good luck with your project! It will be wonderful.
Dre
5 years ago
I also meant to add that I think the stairs should stay. Stairs are much safer than a ladder for all, regardless of age.
Dre
5 years ago
Lastly, an idea to consider is a U-shaped kitchen arrangement, which works well for us. The area marked BAR is taller, which hides the kitchen mess from the dining area, and also helps delineate the two areas. It also makes for a nice sitting area with tall stools when people want to watch the chefs in the kitchen. The one very long countertop in the kitchen makes up for the otherwise small proportions of the kitchen, and is the main food prep zone. The open floor plan makes for lively gatherings when family comes to visit, although I'm not sure how these measurements compare with yours. Again, good luck!
ams15
5 years ago
I think that since you added the loft space, you could move the office up to the loft and open up the downstairs so you have a great room, and take advantage of the views that you will be enjoying. If you relocated the kitchen to the wall where you have the fireplace, keeping cabinets exactly as you have them, you can create a more private corridor for the master bedroom. Switch the loft stairs around so they come down leftward instead of rightward. Add a little eating nook.
Teri Ziegler
Original Author
5 years ago
For anyone else who is reading this or wants to make a comment, we are no longer in that phase of house building. We are almost done with the house now and this post is a little bit old. I appreciate everyone's comments and I guess when a post gets older, people can still comment but we aren't in need of advice for this post anymore. thank you all.
User
5 years ago
Hi Sophie Wheeler miss you and your comments! To me you don’t need an L shape staircase for this area just a straight line going on up. How wide is the staircase?
User
5 years ago
My apologies for sending a late comment. Since everything is done mind sharing with us the finished product?
Teri Ziegler
Original Author
5 years ago
yes, I would love to do that as soon as it's actually finished. they're still working on it but it should be done within two weeks. there's been lots of other challenges to work on since this one
mnmamax3
5 years ago
Hang in there Teri! This has been a long journey for you both. I hope you can find peace in the home you end up with, but truly the joy will come from spending time with the grandkids and enjoying your beautiful lake view. Can't wait to see how it all turned out...
Teri Ziegler
Original Author
5 years ago
mnmamax3, such beautiful words. You are so right. thank you for that. I needed that!