Bi Level/Raised Ranch Mud Room
Wendy Wesselhoft
2 months ago
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Wendy Wesselhoft
2 months agochispa
2 months agoRelated Discussions
bi-level island
Comments (2)BTW...we recommend one-level counters here to maximize the usefulness of the counter. One-level counters offer a wonderful expanse of workspace for large projects such as baking, crafts, homework, science fair, gift wrapping, etc. Bi-level counters not only cut into available workspace (b/c of the need for a slight overhang on the working side of the island/peninsula), but they usually have very little space on the top level (when the top is 42" high). Remember, if you plan to eat at the counter, you need room for a plate...usually they're 10" to 12" in diameter...as well as "wiggle room" so the plate isn't easily knocked off the counter. Then you need drinking glass room out of the way of hands/arms/elbows, which usually means above the plate... It's up to you of course since it's your kitchen, but I wanted you to be aware of the pros/cons and think about what you'll be using it for and what will meet your needs/wants the best. Seating space and minimum overhangs recommended by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA): Guideline 9: Seating Clearance 30" high tables/counters ("table-height"): 18" overhang Allow a 24" wide x 18" deep knee space for each seated diner and at least 18" of clear knee space 36" high counters ("counter-height"): 15" overhang Allow a 24" wide x 15" deep knee space for each seated diner and at least 15" of clear knee space. 42" high counters ("bar-height"): 12" overhang Allow a 24" wide x 12" deep knee space for each seated diner and 12" of clear knee space. Remember: These are minimums Here are a couple of threads discussing single vs bi-level counters and related topics: Thread: Tell me about your bi-level island Thread: Anyone do away with their kitchen table and extend their island?? [Contains NKBA recommendations for various aspects of islands and peninsulas]...See MoreHome addition_massing _ Raised Ranch Exterior _ How does this look ?
Comments (44)suezbell - some great ideas, thank you ! I really like the idea of extending the breezway back to make a foyer and covered porch on top. I love porches ! One thing though - the top of the floor of the breezeway is at grade whereas the top of the floor of the house lower level is about 2 feet below grade. It doesn't look like I would have room for a porch above, plus stairs would be required to access the porch from the living room. Also, I don't think we have the budget for anything additional to what's proposed. So, you think the garage with the shed roof looks ok with the breezeway & addition ? Definitely will consider a single door w/ sidelights at the breezeway entrance. Makes perfect sense. Still on the fence with windows at the front of the addition. See post above this one that shows possible window scheme. I'm not so keen on octagonal windows. The upper level full bath is existing. My design can keep it exactly the same except for the door. I could have the entry to the bathroom placed in the media room if I moved the bathroom sink across the room to where the proposed door will be. I know that it seems a little strange to go through a pantry. But it could be interesting. The pantry won't be a typical pantry - but more like a provisions store/ apothecary / elixir bar sort of thing. We are a bit unconventional. I agree that the living room is a bit long at 23'. based on this feedback, I moved the fireplace and sofa/sitting area towards the stairs by a few feet. The idea of a partition and closet is a good one- very practical. Something to consider, but I'm guessing my better half will want the expansiveness and view of the two story stairwell. I did manage to squeeze in an 18' long closet on the lower level at the front of the addition. You can see this in the renderings just above this post. What do you think of this closet ? Your idea of accessing the pantry/ storage from area near the stairwell is a good one. Something to look at further. As you mentioned, maybe split up the pantry into two seperate rooms. I would probably still want to access the pantry from the kitchen, but at the same time, I could get another 8' high wall cabinet in the kitchen. It would also give the kitchen a even more refined look. Below is a rendering of the kitchen as it is proposed now ( with the entry into the pantry). Again, thank you for all of the feedback. Very good information and much appreciated. I will take a closer look at your ideas and see what I can do. Mike...See MoreRaised Ranch Back extension
Comments (22)@tartanmeup "From what I understand, this style has a raised front entry presenting the double stairs and the space is clearly separated on two levels. A split will have three levels." *shrug* Huh. I guess all the houses where I grew up that were called "split level" were actually raised ranches, then, because they were all exactly as described here, and none had three levels (unless you count the tiny entry/landing so aptly described by @remodeling1840). You learn something new every day! :-) OP, I did a bit of Googling and found a discussion about raised ranches, and a woman who added a two-story bump-out to the front entryway, which made the house look more like a Colonial and gave her both a larger landing/entry and a walk-in closet upstairs. I don't know what you might use the upper area for, but she was very happy with her bump-out and apparently at least one of her neighbors liked it so much they added one to their house as well. I of course can't say how it would look on your actual house, but on the one in the photo I think it could be quite nice; bring about ten feet around/including the door forward to the edge of the porch there, and replace the section of angled roof above it with the second floor of bump-out. Widen the window beside it (the small one that I assume is either the DR or a bedroom) and I think it would make both sides look more even and remove a lot of that angled roof, thus eliminating or at least dulling the "mushroom" look you dislike. I think it could look really nice. But I don't dislike the house in the photo, or this type of floor plan--when I was a kid, the houses like that in my neighborhood were more expensive (our house was just a basic ranch with a walk-out basement accessed by stairs, off the dining area), so I guess I grew up thinking of them as being very snazzy; stairs in the entryway, the height of "fanciness" to a kid in the 70s! Lol. ETA: Found a couple of pictures to show kind of what I mean: This one is only one story, but you see how it changes the front. This actually looks like they've bumped out the entire house, almost like they added a three-sided wrap-around with an angled roof that covers the front and two sides! Which brings to mind another idea: how about a covered porch extending along the whole lower-level facade? Add weight at the bottom, eliminate the "mushroom," and update it so it doesn't look quite so much like an office building....See MoreRaised Ranch/ Bi-level Home needs a facelift!
Comments (7)IMO those columns are needed to support the roof. As for a portico i don’t see an easy way to do that but a new siding color would be my first choice and this is one of my faves for trim and siding with brick . BTW I think pianting brick is the fasteset way to devalue a house so only as a last resort if the brick is in bad shape, the shutters are all wrong for those windows ....See MorePatricia Colwell Consulting
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)