Knock 2 reception rooms into 1 or leave as is ?

franklee

penguine wrote: »

The disadvantages to open plan are having to heat a larger area, fewer walls to put furniture against and having to keep the entire area tidy because if one area is cluttered it ruins the look of the area.

Another disadvantage is noise especially if there isn't a separate utility room. Not much fun trying to watch TV with the washing machine or dishwasher going in the same room. I'd make the dining area a separate utility, it's view is already compromised by the conservatory.

seven-day-weekend

GoldenShadow wrote: »

I hate open plan. I hate lounge diners. It would take something massive for me to buy either.

I agree to a certain extent. I hate the newfangled phase of having the kitchen open plan to the sitting room. However, a kitchen with room for a table and a separate sitting room is my ideal, and hopefully what I'm going to have in the bungalow I'm hoping to move into before long.

Old_Git

bikingbarney wrote: »

Here is a picture showing the current layout ......


Both lounges are big enough to fit a 3/4 seater sofa and also the larger room also comfortably fits another two seater. The wall to the left of the staircase is the original outside wall.

leave the stairs where it is .The wall to the left of the stairs is probably load bearing .
For me the best option is to move the diner into lounge 2 and knock lounge 1 and the diner into one big lounge .To access the kitchen from the front door you have to go via the lounge so it makes sence to make that a diner

kinger101

Don't worry too much about the resale value. Just do whatever works for your family. It's primarily your home, not an investment.

questionss

bikingbarney wrote: »

Another idea was to also knock the wall out between the smaller lounge and kitchen to have a massive open plan kitchen,diner and snug and then keep the larger lounge separate.

This sounds best to me

Kim_kim

bikingbarney wrote: »

Here is a picture showing the current layout ......


Both lounges are big enough to fit a 3/4 seater sofa and also the larger room also comfortably fits another two seater. The wall to the left of the staircase is the original outside wall.

How about lounge 2 & kitchen into one, makes a huge family kitchen.

Then the biggest folding doors you can get between lounge & dining room. Then you can open up for entertaining or close off to create areas for people to do different things.

No need to mess about with stairs & probably the ultimate lay out!!

bikingbarney

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

We aren't actually living in it at the moment as we currently rent it out until we move back down south from Scotland.

We haven't actually spent any time in the house ourselves having completed on it late on the Friday and then our tenant moved in on the Tuesday after a hectic long weekend getting it up to scratch.

It was planned to be our forever home and quite possibly will be as its a very nice house in a nice part of town.

It's just that we aren't that sure what to do on the layout and cost wise if it worth doing or maybe put that money towards and even nicer house.

FatVonD

questionss wrote: »

This sounds best to me

I agree with this too (knock the wall out between the smaller lounge and kitchen to have a massive open plan kitchen,diner and snug and then keep the larger lounge separate.)

The snug would provide a perfect day room/play room that *I think* would be attractive to families, ie you can be busy in the kitchen while still watching the kids while still having a bigger, more formal reception room.

Tigsteroonie

GoldenShadow wrote: »

I hate open plan. I hate lounge diners. It would take something massive for me to buy either.

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I agree to a certain extent. I hate the newfangled phase of having the kitchen open plan to the sitting room. However, a kitchen with room for a table and a separate sitting room is my ideal, and hopefully what I'm going to have in the bungalow I'm hoping to move into before long.

See, I don't really like open plan - but it is more important for me to be able to shut away the kitchen, so we have a through lounge/diner with separate kitchen ratehr than a kitchen/diner with separate lounge.

dodger1

GoldenShadow wrote: »

I hate open plan. I hate lounge diners. It would take something massive for me to buy either.

That's the problem with OPs question, different people different ideas. I love open plan and would knock the wall down in a heartbeat.