OS features in your living space--what do you look for?

FairyPrincessk

Hi:wave:

I'm thinking of moving flats in about six months, and I'm in the process of making a list of things I want to look for when I start viewing. Primarily, OH and I will need more space, as our current flat is very small and we may both need to work from home at times next year. While I've been listing things like energy efficiency, it has occurred to me that living spaces can often hinder/help OS living. I know there are some obvious things, like a kitchen with enough space to knead bread (not much but I've lived with some that didn't have it!) is useful. What other sorts of things might you look for?

This is what I have so far:

Out-door space to dry washing
Ample freezer space (not one of those ice cream boxes!)
Kitchen workspace, big enough for kneading bread, rolling out pastry etc.
Storage space for pantry/stockpiling items


Mind, this is a wish list. We don't have a large budget and are hoping to trade our post code for a bit of space as both of us may need to work from home at times next year and that isn't feasible with our current arrangement. I'm good at improvising, but the older I get, the more OS I get!

rachbc

potential to grow food - so if a flat a balcony or window sills that can take window boxes for lettuces/ cherry toms, herbs etc

FairyPrincessk

Excellent idea rachbc! My current plants are always a bit sad because I don't have much light, so I'll take that into account too.

caitybabes

I would look for space to dry washing inside, either on a clothes horse or radiators. Also, room to keep all your cooking/baking equipment well, that'd be vital for me anyway!

flutterbyuk25

a big drawer for all my tupperware my new house has got a perfect one. And a garden for growing veg and drying clothes in summer

x

HelenYorkshire

Double glazing, gas heating/modern boiler. High ceilings give more light but take too much heating. Extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom (damp = cold). Plenty of power sockets per room.
Garden and outdoor store was very important to me - also planning to use this as a root cellar.
I'd love to have room in the kitchen for a proper table (or a kitchen-diner set up) - check the floor cleans up easily.
Accessible cupboard space - my biggest cupboards are the ones where you have to climb in to reach the back corners
Built-in cupboards fit a room and save dusting/hoovering around furniture - but they might not be functional. I've added extra bookshelves into mine with bricks and planks.
I'd love one of those clothes dryers you pull up on a pulley to the ceiling!

Ermm...

angeltreats

It's nice to have some sort of storage cupboard where you can keep stuff you buy in bulk when it's on offer. Cleaning products, kitchen/loo roll, toiletries, that kind of thing.

meritaten

ample worktop space and storage in kitchen - given a flat with large kitchen, small living room or small kitchen large, living room - I would go for the large kitchen! oh and storage space - modern rooms are all very nice - but where do you put things you dont want on display?

budgetboo

Draughts! Even some of the new build homes I've visited recently have had horrid draughts from the windows.

Space to put a clothes horse indoors without having to hang it over the bath or last nights curry - a hall way is fine. Even if you have a garden - this is the UK & it rains for weeks! Likewise in a rental flat - space for a washing machine as it's suprising how many don't and the laundrette is expensive.

As much kitchen space as you can afford. Somewhere to sit and eat a meal, even if it's a tiny fold up table and 2 stools in the corner of the living room.

angeltreats

budgetboo wrote: »

Space to put a clothes horse indoors without having to hang it over the bath or last nights curry - a hall way is fine. Even if you have a garden - this is the UK & it rains for weeks! Likewise in a rental flat - space for a washing machine as it's suprising how many don't and the laundrette is expensive.

We used to live in a tiny one bedroom flat in London with no outdoor space, and we had no tumble dryer. I used to do all the laundry and anything that could be tumble dried got put into a big laundry bag and my husband (who is great at carrying heavy stuff) would walk up the hill to the laundrette and dry it all for about £3. It was a lot better than having it draped all over our little flat all week trying to get it dried.

I actually wish we had a tumble dryer now, I'd be quite happy to pay the extra electricity to be able to get stuff dried without waiting days for it.

FairyPrincessk

Wow, these are all great suggestions! Most of them probably fit into the "dreams" category as we're both perpetual students but some of them are definitely manageable right now.

Don't worry, laundry is already on my list. A flat that either has a washer inside, or one shared by the building is a non-negotiable feature in my mind. I have a bit of a laundry fixation:D. Where I live now has a decent set up-two washers in the basement for four flats and a tumble dryer. However, I try to never dry washing in the flat as it causes damp problems so I use the tumble dryer a lot. When its nice outside I do my best with improvised clotheslines and dragging my clothes horse out but it would definitely be nice if there were a proper line up.:o

A big kitchen is something I dream about! I even have thoughts about layout because I'm left-handed. I would love to have room for a table in the kitchen--not only space for more prep (I currently can't really learn to do pretty icing on cakes because I end up frustrated with the lack of space) and spread out when I batch cook.....but I'd also love to be able to have friends sit in the kitchen when I cook.

Great list everyone:T