Need help! Which floor plan is better? (House/Kitchen Remodeling)
flamingyue
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
Related Discussions
Need feedback on home remodel plans and kitchen layout
Comments (8)I know what you mean by "feature wall"....our home had 3 landings, being a split level,and it does make it nicer to stylize some of those pause and turn spots. However, a feature wall shouldn't command your planning. Gaining the enlarged space at family room area would be wise. You won't believe how much you will love that end of the home if you are going to do this. [ours was a great room built into the split level design in 1960-ahead of it's time and it still is current..it wasn't a mcmansion by any means-just really liveable].a few options: on "featurewall"-is a return down at the right by the UP staircase...perhaps use the right half of the wall therefore for building the closet ....keep the left half for the "feature"....then,the entrance to study [justone] could be moved to hallway area. If the depth of the return on the right can't work then perhaps cripple the studs and build closet going deeper back into sq footage of study....that gives you interesting options-like 2 hinged closets with solid wood carved doors vs bifold door for one closet. Doors can be quite the feature these days.for the size of study..allow for basics and not much extra.. can really be a counter these days....some storage....room for a 2nd chair and ESPECIALLY, an in/out that does not mix in much with the living part of home. If someone wants to tutor/home school/have a sewing business/see any type of customer, the NON mxing of the entry with main areas of home will be valuable. back to the closet thing: at the other entry points of home are there drop zones/closets? this is why waiting on the project really benefits because the finer points/needs emerge after you live there. I'd try shaving 3 feet off the 13 foot length of study for starters.tinker some with this part of the plan-you'll get the kitchen you want so work on the hall/study for a bit....you have wasted space currently....See MoreWhich remodel would be better for my house value?
Comments (17)I vote for the bathroom. If you are "looking ahead", here's our story. In 1989 we bought a 2bd 1ba cottage with an illegal 2-room apartment on the ground floor/garage level. After taking a hideous 18 months to remodel it in fits and starts, in 1991 it became a 2bd 2ba with a master suite downstairs to replace the apartment. When the RE appraiser came to look at it, he criticised us for putting in such a "disproportionate" and "huge" bedroom suite. Remember this is 1991 - very few people had ever seen big remodeled kitchens and master bedroom suites in our (older housing) city, let alone HAD them. We didn't get the appraisal amt we hoped for and couldn't refinance. Fast-forward to 2003. Neighborhood is gentrifying fast, old people moving out and young couples moving in. We decide to take out some equity and try the refinance again. Appraiser comes out, walks in the door, and says, "Wow, great job!" (tall cathedral ceilings, big picture windows looking out towards the hills). He goes downstairs and says, "And you even have a master bedroom suite! Gee, lots of people want these nowadays and so few of the houses around here have them!" We got an incredible appraisal, in fact he pulled comps on 3bd homes because he said so few 2bd homes in our area had the features we did. My niece and nephew, both of whom own homes and are getting married this year, would kill to have a master bathroom ensuite. Go for it!...See MoreLayout Help - Kitchen/Floor-plan Remodel
Comments (25)KathyNY76, We looked at the option of a longer island and would love to have been able to do that. The biggest issue the width of the kitchen. If you look at GreenDesigns drawing, the door that swings open would actually only leave a few inches of space between the door and island. The current island is only 30" from the base cabinets as it stands now, hence why we are considering eliminating it. The issue is the drawings I posted show a little more room width wise than what is actually there. My apologizes for this. For a better sense of what I am referring to, here are a few pics reposted. This is facing the wall where the peninsula is shown in the drawings. The wall is not load bearing. This is facing the same wall from the kitchen. There is currently 30" of space between bottom cabinets and island. This is facing in opposite direction. We usually use this door to come into the house. So given the above, any changes in opinion?...See MoreKitchen Remodel- floor plan help
Comments (9)A few things: No need to steal space from the powder room. You wouldn't gain enough to be worth the expense. It looks like you would have to relocate plumbing to make it significantly smaller (and then it wouldn't be that much smaller). You don't have room for an island. It's already tight between the peninsula and the cabinets on the wall. In your mind, make the peninsula an island by adding a walkway on the other side. See how much "island" you have left. You wouldn't have much of an island; it would be more of a sand bar. Update your lighting! Since the dining room will become your new office. it is a good idea to put the pantry there. I would think about taking the door down, but not filling in the opening. Put a bookcase in front of it in your office, and a cabinet in the new pantry. Then when it is time to sell, you can just take the cabinet and bookcase out and put the door back up. Or this might be a time for a barn door in the office (it just never opens)???? Still thinking about that one myself.........See Moreflamingyue
2 years agodamiarain
2 years agoflamingyue
2 years ago
Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGNRemodeling Your Kitchen in Stages: Planning and Design
When doing a remodel in phases, being overprepared is key
Full Story
INSIDE HOUZZWhat’s Popular for Kitchen Islands in Remodeled Kitchens
Contrasting colors, cabinets and countertops are among the special touches, the U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study shows
Full Story
KITCHEN WORKBOOKHow to Plan Your Kitchen Space During a Remodel
Good design may be more critical in the kitchen than in any other room. These tips for working with a pro can help
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESRemodeling Your Kitchen in Stages: The Schedule
Part 3: See when and how to plan your demo, cabinet work, floor installation and more
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNHow to Map Out Your Kitchen Remodel’s Scope of Work
Help prevent budget overruns by determining the extent of your project, and find pros to help you get the job done
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESPlanning a Kitchen Remodel? Start With These 5 Questions
Before you consider aesthetics, make sure your new kitchen will work for your cooking and entertaining style
Full Story
ECLECTIC HOMESMy Houzz: Kitchen Remodel Unifies a 1950s Texas Ranch House
A budget-minded couple seamlessly mix modern upgrades with vintage decor in Dallas
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Remodel Spurs a New First-Floor Layout
A designer creates a more workable kitchen for a food blogger while improving its connection to surrounding spaces
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDES5 Trade-Offs to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen
A kitchen designer asks big-picture questions to help you decide where to invest and where to compromise in your remodel
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNModernize Your Old Kitchen Without Remodeling
Keep the charm but lose the outdated feel, and gain functionality, with these tricks for helping your older kitchen fit modern times
Full Story
Becky Atiyeh