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just bought new build - tips for odd built in desk

This was built in just off of the kitchen and living area. It seems odd. There are definitely some things I can do with it, but I’d rather remove it and build in a corner dining banquette. The HVAC is under it though. Any idea what I can do and if this would end up being pretty costly?

Comments (38)

  • PRO
    9 days ago

    Is there enough space to actually do this? Check the dimensions.

    You might be able to lower the air return in the wall if you select a banquette with legs.



    Really....there's no other place to locate a table? There's not really enough room in this location unless your living area is flopping over into what should be the dining area.


    With this small banquette you're only going to be able to accommodate a 36" round table and a chair, maybe two. It's going to be tight.


  • 9 days ago

    Yes there’s lots of space! That first picture is deceiving. We would even have room for a dining table and chairs. I just like the corner option so there is more room to walk out the back doors.

  • 9 days ago

    Can you share the floor plan?

  • 9 days ago

    Here it is!

  • PRO
    9 days ago

    I really dislkike banquette seating so for me a round table and chairs and it does not appear to be large enough for more than maybe 4 chairs

  • 9 days ago

    Here’s a video for more context. The current Fortnite is the staging furniture. We will likely have a sectional facing the entertainment system

  • 9 days ago

    Furniture * (not Fortnite lol)

  • 9 days ago

    There are no videos on Houzz. I would probably make the living room my dining room and leave the desk.

  • 9 days ago

    I was debating turning the living room into a multi purpose working space/living space. It has a lot of natural light which would be good for my home office. I do have a few bedroom options upstairs for the home office, and am torn if I do it there instead. Less windows in those rooms.

  • 9 days ago

    The floor plan is quite deceiving w the space and it shows dining overlapping with living and kitchen when really that’s walkways and not useable space

  • 9 days ago

    That’s why I thought a corner banquette would work. And would leave that space open for walking. I was just there today and there is space

  • 9 days ago

    How many do you hope to seat? Will you have barstools/seating?

  • PRO
    9 days ago
    last modified: 9 days ago

    Looks from your photo that your TV might be above the fireplace??? You'd have much more room with a different furnishings layout for the living room area.


    So this configuration will work depending on where the window begins.




    Don't drag the office in the entertaining space.



  • 8 days ago

    This layout will block the doorway to the back. It’s doable but will be a bit crowded there.

  • PRO
    8 days ago

    Not sure how the layout blocks the access to the doors. Is the area wide enough to drive a truck though it? Nope, but it's a normal residential walkway


  • 8 days ago
    last modified: 7 days ago

    Tape out the length/width for size of table needed + allow for chairs. Consider where best to locate, avoiding the vent/leaving enough room for people to get in/out easily on that side. I really like the idea and hope it works out.


  • 8 days ago

    You could get paper and measure it out on the floor or cardboard etc. really helpful for visualizing.

  • PRO
    7 days ago

    Is this piece facing the entry ? IMO looks to be at the end of the entry so I would leave it and treat it like an entry table

  • PRO
    7 days ago

    Am very much liking the tables and chairs being presented here by Houzz members. Would suggest those instead of a built in banquette.

  • 7 days ago

    This space is much smaller than you think once you account for the following:


    - Coming up the stairs, turning the corner and NOT running into the edge of a table or chairs immediately.


    - A walk way through your 8 x 9 ft box. It really reduces the size of the usable space in that box.


    - Table needs to be pulled far enough from banquette to get into banquette. And when a person is seating in a chair, they need to be far enough from the table but not blocking the walk way.


    Can you cram a banquette and chairs in here? Sure. Manhattan apartments and other small kitchens make use of these tiny areas to sardine family members together for a cup of coffee. Or two kids with bowls of mac and cheese like in these pics below.







    But the scale of your island is large, the size of this floor in your home big enough, that a cramped little eating space is going to look like you cut and pasted a pic of a tiny home into the corner of your moderately large home. It's going to be out of whack.


    @BeverlyFLADeziner 's layout makes much more sense. And if you still want a banquette feel, you can embrace where she has placed the table area so it feels like these more spacious arrangements.






    As to your workspace - that is so personal. Work where you feel most comfortable. What lighting, sound, privacy, storage, separation from the rest of your life do you want and need? Only you can answer that.


    Also, do you have kids? How many live in your home, eat dinner, hang out while cooking is happening?

  • 7 days ago

    Your island doesn't have much of a counter overhang - are you even planning on having stools there?

  • 7 days ago
    last modified: 7 days ago

    A banquette with a round table is a huge waste., as you can see Kendrah's pics. Why bother with a long bench when no one can eat there!?? Be sure the table spans the longest part of the banquette to get as many as you can eating.

  • 7 days ago

    Okay I am not married to what I’m suggesting, more so looking for expertise and ideas. I find this current build in to be a bit weird, but we could certainly make good use of it (like a bar when hosting or something). I do think either option will be right. Even with the table and chairs (not a banquette).

  • 7 days ago

    There is very little to no overhang on the countertop which is unfortunate and surprising. We may do saddle seat stools if we can find the right ones.

  • 7 days ago

    Sorry that should have said either option will be tight (not right)

  • 6 days ago
    last modified: 6 days ago

    I would not look at that piece as a desk. A console at best. I am curious about the entire wall. This place has interesting ceiling and wall changes. There's a built in tiny book case around the corner from this "desk" why? What's the point of the wall the desk is on? I see the bulk head above the 'desk' and wonder is that why they put the wall there??? The floor plan offered does not match the pictures. The 'dining area' in photos is no where near the footage darkened in the floor plan. There's no counter seating due to the sink. At best it will be a serving area for parties as long as no one needs to use the sink. If you want help finding a dining space in your new home better /more pictures from more angles are needed. PS pictures that get smaller when you click on them are the opposite of helpful.

  • 6 days ago

    Would you consider moving the dining table to the front living room. if desired you could turn the pantry into a butlers pantry for easier serving.



  • PRO
    6 days ago

    Might be very doable!

    You'd need to either get the havac into a toe kick in the banquette or put it on legs.



    Let it be said, that every condo, townhouse, senior living, any!! place that hands out these ridiculous floor plans minus informative wall and window dimensions should be taken to the woodshed and beaten senseless.!!

    Get your 25 ' tape measure! Put dimensions on every solid wall. Put a dimension for island end to window wall, and from island long side to banquette (long) wall.

  • 6 days ago

    Before you add the banquette get seating at a restaurant in a banquette with other people - add kids for better perspective. Arrange with others that each person will need to visit the restroom at different times. Awkward getting in and out? Opt for more flexible seating and allow for as much space as possible to not displace everyone all the time.

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    It's banquette, or she leaves the space alone. There's an entire living room, which will be used...how?

    I'm sure she's been in a restaurant with a banquette:) even if with other adults

  • 6 days ago

    Are the pictures the model home? What furniture for this space do you already have? I’ll say it again? Get cardboard and tape and plot out where things can go. It’s free and easy.

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    You don't need tape, you don't need cardboard. You need a tape measure, a sharp and bold pencil, and 1/4" graph paper. ,.......and the recall of the fractions you learned in fifth grade.

    Everything you need would fit in your handbag!!

    One square box of the paper = Lazy American 12" and exactly ONE FOOT!!!

    These are your three best friends in any house, any room......

    The magic tools to answer.....what fits here?

    Will this fit......here?

    I have this wall...: )

    Put it all in a pretty box and label it

    My Genius Genie.




  • 6 days ago

    Jan, I know you love a good to scale drawing but many people actually need to see things in the space. This isn’t uncommon and really helps people visualize. Not everyone operates as you do with a scale plan.

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    ^^

    True to a degree, certainly, and even to the extent some folks would forever struggle ....

    BUT... It's surprising what you can learn when you try, and then it becomes... "Wow, not as hard as I thought! Sort of fun too!"

  • 6 days ago

    Thanks for everyone’s comments. We’re not in the house yet, I’m exploring options and considerations. We have lots of time to figure this out. Yes I will be measuring. Of course. There are lots of options, I don’t have any experience with design. I literally downloaded this app for input. But I have common sense and will of course measure things. Was just trying to understand HVAC implications if I removed that built in and decided to put something else there. If we removed it, we’d have a lot more options regardless of what we decide. I just don’t know how much that would cost or how big of a project it would end up being. Again, no experience.

  • 6 days ago

    It depends what you put in front of it. We have a bench in front of one of our panels like yours and notice zero issues with this.

  • 6 days ago

    If we put a bench for a banquette, we may need to lower it.

    If we don’t, no need to do anything with the HVAC. Would just perhaps remove the built in.

    Trying to understand potential costs for both options.

  • PRO
    6 days ago

    For that , you just need what you have up here, and a contractor: ) A drywall repair is next to "nothing" relative to any renovation.

    Hvac? Depends the opening behind, and more. Nothing you can estimate, here.