Fix my frankenhouse floorplan!

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Two years ago, we moved into this 100 year old home that has undergone physical relocation and 6 additions in its history. The floor plan on the main level is poorly laid out and very closed off, leaving lots of unutilised ”dead” space based on furniture placementand an awkward side entrance. We’re exploring removing the wall between the family room and dining as well as between the dining (living room on plans) and foyer, but if we do that where would the furniture go that would allow for larger gatherings? I’m afraid that taking out the wall may not really solve our issue of creating a more functional living/dining area. Would like to keep the existing bedroom if possible but can make it smaller. Center horizontal wall is load bearing, the rest are partition. Below are the plans from 2nd story addition put on in 1996. Please help with ideas for furniture layout or Floorplan changes! Thanks!

Featured Answer

rebasheba

2 years ago

I could see widening some of the cased openings off the foyer. But I think your intuition is right, that removing walls is not going to necessarily make your life easier! Walls can be useful!

I think I would suggest spending the "large support beam" money on upgrading the living room furniture and getting a few colorful rugs... and reconfigure that room to create a little conversation zone and play zone that are more defined. If you did sacrifice a little space from the bedroom to the living that would more doable!

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Comments (6)

PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
Not every home has an online solution - "just do this"

You need a structural engineer, you need an architect. You've got a structure that is 100 years old, has suffered a bunch of reno and addition.

It's cut up, and cut by 38 feet of load bearing.

It might be time for a move, or a tear down
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
I’m not seeing a floor plan
Andrea C thanked HALLETT & Co.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
Come on no pics , no floor plan and we have no magic ball. Post a to scale floor plan here in a comment DO NOT start another post on this subject. The plan best done on graph paper showing every window, doorway where those lead every space named posted here in jpeg format ina comment and all things dealing with thei sapce in comments here. How do you know what is load bearing tn this situation You need an engineer probably for aday to figure it out
Andrea C thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Andrea C
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks it got removed somehow! We did consult with a structural engineer/architect who advised us to remove those walls (which would also require us to level the floors that are 3.5” lower on the south side of house). Just want to make sure that would actually improve the layout (considering furniture and traffic flow) before embarking on a messy and expensive project!
Andrea C
Original Author
2 years ago