What can we do with this room....

Mojisola

74jax wrote: »

We were thinking of making the current kitchen a utility, and making the large current 'dining room' a kitchen diner.

But on measuring, due to windows, patio doors etc we would just be moving the same size kitchen into the dining room and having therefore just gaining the dining table in the same room.

If you're going to use the current kitchen as a utility room, won't you be leaving the washing machine, dishwasher, maybe the freezer out there as well as storing "store cupboard" food? If so, you'll be spreading the current kitchen space out over two rooms so the new kitchen may only be the same size but you will have more space in it - if you see what I mean.

I would go for a new kitchen/diner in your position if you're planning to stay in the house for some time. If a move in the next few years is on the cards, live with it as it is because you'll probably be reducing the price of your house as it will be going from a "2 reception rooms and a kitchen" to a "1 reception room and a kitchen/diner".

74jax

Mojisola wrote: »

If you're going to use the current kitchen as a utility room, won't you be leaving the washing machine, dishwasher, maybe the freezer out there as well as storing "store cupboard" food? If so, you'll be spreading the current kitchen space out over two rooms so the new kitchen may only be the same size but you will have more space in it - if you see what I mean.

I know, that's what I finally got my head round last night :rotfl:I was thinking we were moving the whole kitchen :eek: whereas we're not, we're moving the cooking part really. I can't believe I'll have cupboards for things.

I would go for a new kitchen/diner in your position if you're planning to stay in the house for some time. If a move in the next few years is on the cards, live with it as it is because you'll probably be reducing the price of your house as it will be going from a "2 reception rooms and a kitchen" to a "1 reception room and a kitchen/diner".

This is a big point. We will be moving 'at some point' probably when DD has finished school, so 3-4 years time. Loosing such a large 2nd living room is a big decision.

I just wish we could find a use for it other than a kitchen/diner. A utility would be a godsend, if only for all OH's wet kitesurfing gear.

Mojisola

74jax wrote: »

This is a big point. We will be moving 'at some point' probably when DD has finished school, so 3-4 years time. Loosing such a large 2nd living room is a big decision.

Living for four years in a house you're not comfortable in would be too long for me.

Treevo

I think you need to do some sums OP.

If you spend say £10,000 on a kitchen but then lose a reception room- you may knock a significant amount of money off your houses value. Let's say £25,000 as I don't know the value of your house. You'd be -£35,000 and moving in three years.

But if you spent £20,000 on opening up the space then you'd add value for when you come to sell.

greenbee

I'm not sure that the changes the OP is suggesting would necessarily reduce the value of the house. If she wants to look into that the local estate agents might be the best people to approach. Certainly round here people are looking for large eat-in kitchens and a small kitchen plus dining room doesn't sell as well.

The tiny amount of cupboard space the OP has would certainly put me off - so the house may appear more spacious and attractive with all the laundry/kitesurfing kit in a utility room and an uncluttered and welcoming kitchen/diner.

74jax

Treevo wrote: »

I think you need to do some sums OP.

If you spend say £10,000 on a kitchen but then lose a reception room- you may knock a significant amount of money off your houses value. Let's say £25,000 as I don't know the value of your house. You'd be -£35,000 and moving in three years.

But if you spent £20,000 on opening up the space then you'd add value for when you come to sell.

I'm thinking the house is only worth a certain amount, whether I sell now or in 5 years. I bought it for 40k so if I spend 10k as long as i can sell it for 50k i'd be happy, and thats totally possible. I'm not thinking if I sell now I could get say 100k, but if i sell in 5 years I'd only get 70k as I've done this - does that make any sence...............

greenbee wrote: »

The tiny amount of cupboard space the OP has would certainly put me off - so the house may appear more spacious and attractive with all the laundry/kitesurfing kit in a utility room and an uncluttered and welcoming kitchen/diner.

The kitchen is very off-putting at the moment, but I keep thinking 'well I bought it'. Although I bought it to do up (10 years ago..........)

Lunar_Eclipse

I would move the kitchen, or open up the space. The kitchen is the most important room in the house, according to surveys into buying & selling houses.

But, you also asked about other uses for your current dining room, which really should be dictated by how you spend your time in your house. Does your daughter have space to entertain friends for example? I thought I'd let you know the spaces we have created in our family home in case it helps. In addition to a kitchen/breakfast room, we have an adjacent dining room, utility, library/reading room (wall of shelving units, funky chairs & sideboard), snug for TV viewing and a huge creative space in our largest room (used to be the lounge) which has computers, musical instruments, tables for Art or homework and lots of floor space for playing. It works brilliantly. Personally, I find the Ikea catalogue sums up how we live in our home more than the traditional house details set up. If you have an Ikea nearby, it might be worth a visit.

74jax

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

I would move the kitchen, or open up the space. The kitchen is the most important room in the house, according to surveys into buying & selling houses.

But, you also asked about other uses for your current dining room, which really should be dictated by how you spend your time in your house. Does your daughter have space to entertain friends for example? I thought I'd let you know the spaces we have created in our family home in case it helps. In addition to a kitchen/breakfast room, we have an adjacent dining room, utility, library/reading room (wall of shelving units, funky chairs & sideboard), snug for TV viewing and a huge creative space in our largest room (used to be the lounge) which has computers, musical instruments, tables for Art or homework and lots of floor space for playing. It works brilliantly. Personally, I find the Ikea catalogue sums up how we live in our home more than the traditional house details set up. If you have an Ikea nearby, it might be worth a visit.

We have an Ikea minutes from our home and guess where I'll be tonight!

I think I might have a total re-plan of current kitchen and see if the space can create the cupboards I would like.

tesuhoha

The way I see it is that you are not using the rooms to their fullest extent at the moment so whether it knocks money off or not the layout doesn't work as it is. I think you should use the dining room for a pleasant kitchen diner which will become the heart of the house and somewhere that you use every day to cook, eat and socialise.

As for the utility room, that is a very good idea too as it will take your washing machine etc. How about incorporating a downstairs shower room into that area? Then every part of that space will be used and having two bathrooms adds value to a property.

Treevo

74jax wrote: »

I'm thinking the house is only worth a certain amount, whether I sell now or in 5 years. I bought it for 40k so if I spend 10k as long as i can sell it for 50k i'd be happy, and thats totally possible. I'm not thinking if I sell now I could get say 100k, but if i sell in 5 years I'd only get 70k as I've done this - does that make any sence...............



The kitchen is very off-putting at the moment, but I keep thinking 'well I bought it'. Although I bought it to do up (10 years ago..........)

That amount can change. You also have to bear in mind your market and who you'll be able to sell it to. Most families are looking for two reception rooms. If you remove one then you might find that people just won't buy it.