Building a Home Bathrooms Storage & Closet

New house plans

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hi-

ive been referred to this site for help with house plans

Hopefully this question will make sense. We are in the planning phase of building our house and I am trying to decide if we should keep this closet/rectangular ‘box’ of walls in this spot (I circled it in red). We are opening up the wall to the left of it, so basically the question is, do you keep that closet and have it break up the space a bit, or go for truly ‘open concept’ and no walls at all between entry, kitchen, living area?

I’m thinking pros of keeping it would be to store vacuum and cleaning supplies? If they tell us we need to keep something there for structural support, could sub it out for a column or post? Feels like we need something there...

Thoughts?

open to other comments on overall design, in particular the master bath and walk in closet. I want room to fit a stand alone soaker tub- we are just starting out and appreciate any input.

Featured Answer

Najeebah

7 years ago

Hi. Often, without knowing what to look for in a house plan, you'd try to find an existing one and adjust it slightly. I'm assuming that's how you came to this? Adjusting anything requires adjusting something else, and yet something else... and inevitably, you limit yourself.
Also, the plan does not work optimally for your land and lifestyle, as it was designed for no one in particular, living on a flat piece of ground. So you end up ignoring your land and adjusting your lifestyle. The best houses are designed in context, and for this it's best to work with an experienced architect to start from scratch, with no unnecessary limitations, to design an optimal space.

About your question, a completely open plan area including the entry is not something I find appealing. You don't get the feeling of "entering" and then moving inwards. You get the feeling of "outside" and suddenly "inside". Also affords no privacy, which is underrated.

But aside from this, evaluate the plan, start with the kitchen - it's thouroughfare.
When someone, or sometwo are busy walking between the fridge and units. you have kids running in from the mudroom or office. If you have guests, they have to pass through the mess to get to the powder room. The office may be a spare bedroom - opening onto the kitchen. And you need to review how much space you actually need for a dining area. But altering these things isn't feasible. Yuor timme, effort and mooney are better spent with the correct professionals.

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Comments (11)

dan1888
7 years ago
I wouldn't feel it fit with no wall to the left.
Mrs Pete
7 years ago
I have lived in that floor plan ... well, flip-flop the staircase and make the kitchen a "U", and I lived in that floor plan.

Yes, definitely keep the closet. The house would be "too open" without it.
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PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
7 years ago
Is this a modular home?
Suzanne Lorraine
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes.
samarnn
7 years ago
Suggest drawing that dining table & chairs (or bench) to scale as I think that will significantly affect balance in the room.
CLC
7 years ago
I like the plan as drawn....I would not open up those walls at all
Karenseb
7 years ago
I agree with CLC. Keep the plan as is. Make the living room your office.

You are not allowing enough room for a dining room table. If you want the table there, then use the whole room.

In the family room, skip the fireplace and use book shelves surrounding a tv.

This will give you more space in the family room. See if you can totally remove the small wall between the kitchen and family room in the original plan.

Can you move the door or window in the kitchen closer to the family room?

Move the sink and window farther from the stove. Add a bank of drawers or trash pullout to the right of sink.

I think you are trying to fit too much into the bathroom. Put a nice shower/tub in the hall bath and a nice shower in the master.

get graph paper and draw your plan to scale. Cut out tables,chairs, sofas, beds, dressers, tubs vanities, and showers. Use real dimensions for the cutouts. Lay it out to see how it fits.
lyfia
7 years ago
In the master I would expand the bath and closet to where the double lines are drawn. Ie the middle axis of the house. You should then be able to fit a tub in there too. I would also consider putting the bath on the outside corner and add windows and then put the closet where the bath is currently.
emilyam819
7 years ago
Put the fridge to the left of the dishwasher or else you’ll never use all the counter space on that island.
artemis_ma
7 years ago
Keep the closet. It helps break up the space.

I think leaving the office where you've designated it is best. It will provide space as a bedroom if ever needed - whereas modifying the actual living room as a bedroom would not work. (I've broken my ankle... so glad I could recoup on the same floor as the kitchen and a full bath.)

The dining table won't fit as drawn. The tiny wall between kitchen and family/dining could be removed. Bench seating is always annoying to anyone forced to sit in the middle. Always. You could move the couches down further into the living room area. If you keep the fireplace, move that down as well. Centering the thing is less critical than actually feeling comfortable in your space.

How many are there of you, and what ages are the children?

Don't know if it is possible on a modular home, but do see if you can add more bedroom windows on those walls that have no windows at all. Natural light is wonderful!