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Building a Home Design Dilemma

Reconfigure Floor Plan

3 years ago

We are thinking about putting in an offer on a Bungalow which would require a complete renovation and reconfiguration of the floorplan. The house backs onto the train tracks, (we are not bothered by as we already live near the train tracks) but we are thinking we would move the bedroom to the front of the house and have an open concept kitchen/living area in the back. The backyard is on a slope so the basement has a walkout.

An extension or second story is a possibility but it's just the 2 of us so we don't need anything huge. We like the more modern/contemporary style homes.

Our Ideas/Wants:

Open concept kitchen/living/dining

2+ bedrooms (2 on main, 1 in basement)

Master ensuite

Guest bathroom on main level

Guest bathroom in basement

Office (for 2)

What would YOU do?? Just wanted to get some preliminary ideas. Thank you in advance!

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Comments (8)

mindshift
3 years ago
Is the floor plan the way the house is now? I ask because the bedrooms are shown in the middle of the house rather than the back.
bpath
3 years ago
Where’s the front door? Now, or as planned?
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I like the new plan because you don't have the sink opposite the stove. When the sink is opposite the stove you wind up with two people bumping into each other (one is making a mess at the stove, the other wants to start washing up). I have a not-new house and I think you have a good mix of open and closed spaces here. Your living room is still closed off and your foyer is pretty closed off (there are doorways but not open walls). I'm biased because we did a similar thing - we opened the kitchen and dining room to eachother & kept the living room closed off. It works well for us and it lets the darker rooms (on the North side of the house) benefit from the light from the brighter rooms. Here's the one thing that I don't like ... I don't like the powder room at the end of the mud room. I think mud rooms often get cluttered and chaotic as they cycle between tidy and total mess. A powder room is often the bathroom guests see, so I would not like sending people thru a mudroom to get there. I'm not sure how to resolve that, I'm assuming you have plumbing there right now and want to re-use that to save money. So that's what I'd change but again, I don't have brilliant ideas on how.
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jlnuge
Original Author
3 years ago
@mindshift yes that is what it is now. I guess bedrooms don’t have to come all the way to the front! Whatever makes sense really...
jlnuge
Original Author
3 years ago
@bpath the front door is by the dining room and would likely stay there.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
Wow I think you will need an architect and an interior designer to get the best from this home. To me the whole main needs to be reconfigured and I of cours do not have any idea of your budget. I will say homes near busy train tracks are hard to resell no matter where the bedrooms are. I think the idea to put the bedroom at the back is a good one but the kitchen is in a very odd space I think the master with bathroom could all fit into the great room space so if at all possible I would just gut the mainfloor and start over with all the living space forward of the great space . BTW the bedroom in the walk out will need a bathroom and that laundry is sure a long walk to get to . I would try to make a main floor laundry space . You will also nIMO need a powder room on the main floor.
res2architect
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
A second bedroom on the ground floor would be very small. Can it be in the basement? Can there be deep window wells in the basement for emergency escape and rescue?

This will be a "shoehorn" design so you should start with site-measured plans and a realistic idea of how tight the rooms can be and still be comfortable.
bpath
3 years ago
What is so special about this lot that backs up to the tracks? Is it otherwise a perfect location with stellar views? Is there an empty lot nearby where you can build the house you really want?
mindshift
3 years ago
I understand how an older home can be desirable. Despite the railroad tracks, the neighborhood may be a good one. These neighborhoods used to be the suburbs, and the lots may have large trees. One is almost certainly closer to cultural and civic infrastructure.

However, I cannot see any way this won't be a major remodel/renovation. Moving the kitchen means plumbing, both supply and drainage, would need to be redone. The house would benefit from new electric runs, but all that means ripping down to the studs. For a room to be considered a bedroom it must have a builtin closet. It must also have a window large enough and positioned to be accessible for egress. The patio door at the back of the basement does not count! I agree with everyone who said you need an architect.

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