If this is a vacation home and never meant to be a full time home, is a walk-in closet even necessary in the second floor master bedroom? Also, instead of having two closets in Bedroom 1, why not make the one closest to the hallway a linen closet?

@Rachel Thanks!!

No, I don't think a walk in closet is necessary.. But what would you put in that 2nd floor master bedroom space instead of a walk in closet? I've always found even at a beach house you find ways to fill up closets... :) Beach bags, floppy hats, clothes for two people in theory.

We could divide the closets differently in BR1 and BR2 - We actually did it that way so BR1 had some wall space opposite the bed for a dresser/TV.. But could just do one regular size closet in BR1... Would be worried about just one very small closet in BR1 though...

In the third floor master, what about putting a reach in closet in the corner between the bathroom and the lower wall? It’s not huge, but bigger than the one shown now. You could them either slightly enlarge the bathroom, move the shower to where the small closet is, and enlarge the vanity, or keep the small closet for more storage.

In the second floor master I would go to one sink to get a larger shower. I think there also might be a way to convert the closet to a reach in and use the space behind it for a shower.

Also, perhaps consider a built-in Or integrated refrigerator so it doesn’t cut into your aisle quite so much.

Overall I really like your changes from last time.

@MBAK I was thinking reduce the walk in closet space for more bathroom space. You could lengthen the dimensions of the shower to 4'x4' or even 4'x5'

For the third floor master could you use some of the space above the stair way? You may need a raised floor area to accommodate the stairway ceiling but you could get some more storage in the closet.

I’d suggest moving the door to the laundry closet around the corner right by the closet and make it a pocket door. You need every inch there. Also ditch the door at the stairs - that will be a death trap trying to open and close / maneuver without falling down the stairs.

Every inch counts but if the project is governed by the IRC, the top floor stair doesn't have sufficient head clearance as drawn. Whatever is put above it must be pulled back 9 or 10".

The fixtures in the half bath must each have a 30" clear space in front of them and a 21" deep space in front of the toilet. Therefore the smallest room size is 4-3" x 5-0" with the fixtures on the larger wall. Please don't resort to using a short round front toilet.

You need to get the plans up to code before trying to modify them.

Why would you need or want a pair of door to the roof terrace?

Put a closet in the master bedroom between the windows next to the door to the bathroom and put a TV on the stair wall. IMO a vacation house is a place with snall closets and no over-sized beds. If you live there for months at a time its not really a vacation house.

@Kristin S Thank you so much for the rendering! I was having trouble picturing what you were saying, but that is very helpful! And at least doubles the closet space. We had talked about them over there but I was worried about the weird cut out space by the window, but I think a built in bench sounds lovely.

I definitely am losing the door to the other doors to basement and bathroom! That was a bit of an oversight leaving that on. But the basement will just have door under stairs going straight down to basement...

And I will definitely look into a built in refrigerator to flush that.. I didn't realize that would make such a difference in it's imprint! Thank you!!

@Anita Great minds... :) That is what I was hoping to do! But the headway clearance from the stairs to the next ceiling/opening need to be at least 6'8" so I'm being told that is all we can cover of the stairway opening! I had asked just that.. to put the closet over the stairs and cover the opening as much as allowed.. but that dinky closet is all I got which is just a bit too small...

@thinkdesignlive That is a great idea. So keep closet and laundry where they are, but instead of door opening to kitchen (which I didn't love) put a door on side by closet facing opposite the door to the outside? I really like that if a door will fit! But then you'd have to really enter that little laundry space to get to washer/dryer.. does it feel too tomb-like to have to really go into that room? Something about opening the door and just accessing from front feels less claustrophobic?

Please fix that basement door, for my sanity. It drives me crazy every time I look at the various plans lol! I know you need a door because it’s a utilitarian basement, but hinge it on the side near the outside wall.

@User Thanks for the feedback!

Very helpful to know about the half bath measurements! Guess I will keep 5x5 then...

I will check RE: Third floor stairs - but I was told as drawn is OK and to code. I had asked about covering stairs more and they checked and said 6'8" is the height from the ceiling to the stair.

Are you asking why would I want big sliding doors from bedroom to roof terrace on third floor? I was thinking about going to one glass door, but a lot of people have remarked that they would not do that and love the big glass doors for lots of light etc?

@bpath Yes! LOL sorry there will not be any door at all that goes to that space. We are just doing a door straight under stairs to basement! I promise LOL

In the two other bedrooms upstairs I'd combine the two closets in the middle bedroom and move the closet in the bottom bedroom. 1 larger closet is much more functional than two tiny closets.

The other issue is your laundry. It's almost unworkable. How will you stand inside a 3' wide space and sort laundry etc? It would be better off if just the machines were enclosed by doors and not make it 5'2" deep.

Thanks, Megan, I feel much better now. On with my day. :)

Thank you @cpartist We were going back and forth with that... (the things I drive myself crazy with)

I like the idea of a dresser and/or TV across from the bed in BR1 so was trying to create that wall space. BUT you don't think that's worth it?

@bpath Haha! Anything else glaringly annoying like that or any other thoughts? I truly value and appreciate the feedback!

I don’t know that you need the doors from the third floor master to the deck (It’s not that much farther to just go through the main doors, and you don’t lose privacy since you’re on your own floor), but I would want an equal width window there instead for the light.

One other thing I noticed. Your island is not large enough for cabinets and seating unless you're doing bar height. If you're doing counter height, no. For seating at an island with cabinets you need a minimum of 40.5". 24" for the cabinets. 15" for legroom for seating and 1.5" for overhang on the work side of the island. I enlarged it so it's about right (I say about because I did it by eye.) Yes that will now give a bit less space to behind those seating but in such a small space, I think you'll still be fine.

Here's what I'd do for your laundry. I'd make your closet a bit smaller to add a pullout next to the stackable. Otherwise, where else will you hold laundry detergent, etc? I'd put bifold doors on the laundry area. Now at least you have room to sort, etc.

One thought. Do you have a view to the front or the back of the house?

More importantly, I'd flip the guest bathroom upstairs so the toilet isn't against the bedroom wall.

Oh just saw one more thing. I'd flip the shower and toilet in the master bath too so once again the spouse doesn't hear the noise in the middle of the night.

Hi Megan, You probably did understand what I was saying but just in case this is a quick sketch.

The brown lines are "larger steps" built above the stairway ceiling. This is similar to my childhood closet. I didn't have the shelves built in for shoes, just a solid wall. But if the space is there, you might as well use it.

I'd keep the walk-in closet in the second floor master. It has extra storage space that could be used if needed or you could put a stackable washer/dryer in there if you wanted extra laundry space on the second floor. Just leaves you with more options as time goes.

I wouldn't flip sink and toilet and the door on the powder room because as they are now they are not visible from anywhere if someone leaves the door open.

I like Kristen's idea on the 3rd floor.

For the island cabinets you can also order cabinets with less depth - although depending on the cabinet line that may or may not be an upcharge, but may be worth it to have counter height seating.

Edited to add: I would swing the door outward for the laundry and with hinges so it could lay flat against the powder room wall. This way you can have a load laying on the floor waiting for the washer to be done and still close the door so it's not visible.

Thank you all for your suggestions! We came up with a new layout for the third floor - Wondering if y'all think this direction is better or worse than how we had it?? This reduces bedroom size, but it was fairly long before. It gives us a bigger closet and bathroom. It creates a wall to put a TV. But it also has a smaller door to deck so less light and maybe less of a statement?

Do folks like original? @Kristin S also had some good ideas I was leaning towards.. Or this is new suggestion?

Help?

I like the layout in theory, but it seems like a waste to give all those great windows to the closet. Also, while the closet is bigger, I’m not sure you actually get that much more storage since you can only do hanging down the one side.

Also, just noticed there is no room for nightstands. That would be a deal breaker for me - I want somewhere to put my water, lip balm, book, etc. by the bed.

@Kristin S you are so right re: nightstands - I did not notice that! And closet space - given two windows it's really not much extra space to hang/stack.

Here is a plan with reach in closets. I've given you the same amount of hanging space as the walk--in, although it's more useful since none of it overlaps at the corner. The black square could be used to enlarge the reach in closet, or as a linen closet accessed from either the bedroom or the bathroom (or both, I suppose).

More privacy in bathroom since the reach in closet buffers the sound to the bedroom. Shower is larger. I moved the window down to sit between the 2 sinks, so that when the door is open the light from that window reaches the bedroom, but it could go anywhere you like along that wall.

Partim, so much better.

Your master bedroom ideas are good. I added another closet to give you a long wall to hang the TV you wanted there. Use sliding doors for the closets, not regular swinging doors.

Thank you @partim Just when I think there's nothing else that can be done, someone visualizes something else! Very helpful.. I like how much more room you've given both bathrooms. But for the 2nd floor I have this mental block where I don't want the bed facing closets so I have to think about that one and what is more important.. :) Thank you!

On the second floor the bed is facing a solid wall. The closet doors face the open area.

What is your concern about the bed facing the closets? If it's aesthetic, I think you can solve it by designing an attractive closet. To me the tradeoff would be worth it for the much-improved bathroom.

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