There are many ideas about the kitchen on your other post , I have no idea what the purpose of a full bath on the min floor serves since there is no bedroom on that floor.

the office could function as a bedroom if needed. thinking for elderly parents if they ever had to move in with us to have option of first floor living

Speaking from someone who's done this...- if moving your elderly parents in might be a real possibility, I would suggest re working the bath for better accessibility. Chances are if residing in your home, it means they have mobility issues and need looked after. Balance issues, walkers, needing a helper, are all things to consider, so not to be faced with surprises.

On these same thoughts,

-The closet is tiny in that room. If ever having to accommodate clothing or even extra bath linens, you'll need more space.

-Measure as well for possible bed location. We had two twin beds for my parents. A comfortable chair by a window is also a nice idea. It offers them privacy, if wanting to stay in their room.

-Opt for one door instead of a double, elderly can't manage two.

-Plumbing for laundry in your mudroom, even for a future stackable, might be a good idea. This affords a place for their laundry and even yours if ever needed.

Considering your upstairs, the master closet seems very maze-like and the bedroom itself is large with quite a bit of wasted space. I think both these could be simplified to be more efficient. Same idea for the bath and closet in bedroom #2. The angled walls are awkward. Even the laundry sink tucked back, seems off to me.

How many children do you have? Is both bathrooms a necessity or could one large hall bath work better for your family?

Regarding your great room, make sure to plan and measure for your furniture, accounting for traffic paths. Do you expect the window seat to get much use? Another idea- two lower built ins with symmetrical windows above, flanking your fireplace. Offers a bit more storage, maybe a tv spot and some nice extra light. :)

What are your plans for the space at the bottom of the master bedroom, behind the child's bath?

Here are elevations, cannot change window in laundry..should we bump back washer dryer into closet more? Planning to use that part of Master for sitting area..could take for something else though not totally necessary

Have you looked at the dimenstions around your dining table? I'll bet you rotate the table ninety degrees in order to get adequate circulation space between the table and the walls.

I played with the master bath, closet, laundry a little (it's a dreary day today). Just like with a corner pantry there are pros and cons on a closet through the bathroom. I do not judge (well, I do, but...lol) I like your thought to push the machines back, it gives more space in there for baskets, drying rack, ironing. And it's a nice excuse to push the landing wall back, too.

Oh, I moved the master bedroom door, too, thinking that the door doesn't open right onto your bed, maybe a bit of privacy?

And, I added some closet space to the laundry.

Oh, yeah, Virgil is right, of course the table will be turned. Family of 4? and if you ever have company for dinner? Yes, that table will need to be turned. Actually, there's better flow without the beverage center but I like a wet bar.

How do you plan to arrange furniture in Bedroom 3? There don't seem to be a lot of options. What will go in there besides bed, nightstand, maybe dresser? A desk? Bins for toys? Bookcase?

Is there a reason bedroom #2 only has windows on one side, rather than two?

How many children do you have? It would seem the the bedrooms are far from equal in their amenities - #4 is the biggest, with a walk-in closet and windows on two sides. Bedroom #2 is a little smaller with only a reach-in closet, but does have it's own bath, and it could have windows on two sides. The poor occupant of bedroom #3 has only one window, a reach-in closet, and a shared bath. I know siblings squabble no matter what, but this seem like a setup designed to put them at odds.

Personally I prefer a master closet that's not accessed through the bath, so I would try to rework that space, but if you have a strong reason for preferring it, then bpath's version would seem like a good streamlining.

Kristin, I prefer a master and bath separate too (of course, I prefer a reach-in, too, but that's just me). Anyway, I tried this on for size. It wreaks havoc with the front window, but it was inappropriate for the closet to begin with. And it only works if Kaitlin is willing to give up the tub and toilet room (the bath part is similar to what we have now, and we like it. Just the right amount of space. That thing next to the toilet is a linen cabinet, builtin.

I like what @bpath did with laundry closet! Not willing to give up toilet closet or tub though! We wanted windows in closet although I agree those tall windows are a lot for a closet but we want that look for exterior elevation...bedroom 2 smallest will likely be just a playroom


@bpath do you have any other recalls for pantry and kitchen I have another post about this! Thanks!

I took a look over in Kitchens, I agree on the L! See what I tried, but I'm not happy with it, it all depends on your storage needs in the mudroom closet. And you'd lose the opportunity for the door in the mudroom that I suggested. How many kids, and what is your climate?

Looks good to me but maybe on the front elevation you might want to add a stone base along the bottom. It'll look great!

I avoid:

1. Designs that do not relate to the site.

2. Closets where hanging clothes turn corners.

3. Windowless walk-in closets.

4. Kitchens with overly large work triangle.

5. Large expanses of exterior wall without windows.

6. Walk-in closets that will be difficult to walk into.

7. Hallways less than four feet wide.

8. Stairs less than 3'-6" wide.

9. Freestanding tubs that do not have sufficient space to clean around.

10. Future bedrooms that will not function well as a bedroom.

11. Master bathrooms with little counter space.

12. Closets with doors that insufficiently provide full access to the closet's content.

13. Bedrooms next to a bathroom without a sound barrier.

14. Clothes closets accessible from a bathroom.

15. Pocket doors in spaces that need a door that are heavily used.

16. Gas chambers without windows.

17. Gas chambers.

18. Looking through a screened porch from a living room to any view.

19. Jack & Jill bathrooms.

20. Corner bedrooms with only one window.

21. No coat closet at exterior entrances.

22. Kitchen appliances inappropriately sized to the kitchen.

23. Corner pantries.

24. insufficient space beside a door for the light switch.

25. Angled walls.

26. Rooms without windows.

to name a few.

Mark, how long have you been counting...? :-)

From a one minute review I would delete the sink counter in the dining area, turn the table and open up the stair wall.

On the exterior I would delete the ghost gable and ask the designer for a 3D model to see what it would really look like.

Too long.

I think Mark adds to his list of "avoids" like ARG adds to his list of yearly quotes.

ARG's are funny.

Mark, my intent was not to disparage your list(s). I just meant that this time your list seemed longer than what I've seen previously, so it seemed as if you add to your list when you see a new floor plan that has something that you don't like and would avoid.

I created a list on one of the threads a while back. Many items on that list are common to a lot of the plans posted here on Houzz. So each time I see a plan posted and I care to comment, I cut and paste the list, then customize it to the plan at hand. Most of the items on the list are thing I would not do and I do not consider to be good design. The most important item on the list refers to the house not relating to the site upon which it sets, and that goes beyond property lines.

>>following>>

Avoid like the plague #25 of Mark's list.

KMG had good points on the office as a future bedroom for parents.

The master closet is a waste. Consider the difference between perimeter and area, and which is the priority in a closet. You've gotten some better ideas on that, but when a plan has a lot of issues, you need to sometimes redesign a lot more

Imagine walking up the stairs. you're met by an uninteresting solid wall, and solid walls with doorways to your sides.
Similarly the foyer is a long uninteresting passage. That should be improved on.