Layout Conflict

last month

last modified: last month

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of adding an extension to my semi-detached home and already have drawings completed. Before submitting everything for permits, I’m starting to question whether the space is being used as efficiently as it could be.

Because the house and lot are on the smaller side, the addition is fairly constrained. My main concern is the second-floor bedroom layouts, which feel quite long and narrow—almost like “bowling alleys.” I’m wondering if there are smarter ways to configure the space so the rooms feel more balanced, comfortable, and functional.

Given the limitations of a semi-detached home and a modest extension, is this type of layout fairly unavoidable? Or are there alternative approaches—wall placement, circulation changes, storage strategies, etc.—that could improve how the space feels overall?

I’d really appreciate any general layout advice or things I should be thinking about before moving forward with permits.

To clarify: the photos alternate between proposed and existing layouts.

• Photo 1: Proposed second floor

• Photo 2: Existing second floor

• Photo 3: Proposed main floor

• Photo 4: Existing main floor

• Photo 5: Proposed basement

• Photo 6: Existing basement

The dark lines indicate the proposed addition. Happy to clarify further if helpful.

Also, if there’s a better way to organize or present this post to make it clearer, please let me know—I’m new to Houzz and still finding my way around.

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

3onthetree

last month

This is actually a pretty involved remodel. A new stairway, entirely new plumbing layout in the basement, a small upper floor addition on the front, and the rear addition which includes a basement addition.

Considering that, there should be some flexibility in what you consider in the scope of remodel - in other words, if doing something more involved results in a better design, it shouldn't cause pause because of difficulty or expense.

However, I see some things that would actually reduce the scope, and might provide a better layout at the same time:

First thing is I would move the Powder Room to where the refrigerator is, or along the stair depending on where you are at (not in the U.S. you have more oportunity for a smaller footprint). It is not optimal open to the Living Room;
I would look at enlarging the front brick wall opening (between front door and stair) in order to have a clearer Dining Area that doesn't have main circulation going through it;
I would look at putting the Master Suite in the rear addition, and leave the existing 2 bedrooms as is. That would eliminate the front addition, not have such elongated bedrooms as the proposed, and might provide better opportunity for the Master Ensuite layout with a better closet vs bathroom demarcation.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
You have been on jhere often enough to know how to post plans so we can read them . I am not even sure what part is existing and what the addition is
noelleop
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
Hi Patricia,

I’ve actually signed up 24 hours ago, so no, I did not know how it’s typically posted.

Thanks for pointing that out — sorry for the confusion.
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noelleop
Original Author
last month
Thank you so much for your comment 3onthetree. Really helpful insight.
WestCoast Hopeful
last month
For the bedrooms how wide are they? I cannot read the dimensions.
apple_pie_order
last month
What country are you in? Looks like your measurements are metric.
noelleop
Original Author
last month
Canada!

bedrooms are 7 ft 4 wide and 14’7” wide
WestCoast Hopeful
last month
That is extremely lacking in width. Barely functional.
noelleop
Original Author
last month
Thats exactly why i posted. i feel there might a better way to configure so it is functional. i feel a bit lost and would like to present some ideas to our architect as he seems fairly certain this is the only layout we could do.
3onthetree
last month
Sorry, overlooked the fact it is semi-detached. So you cannot leave Bed3 where it is and have a window if you add an addition on back. Please disregard the portion of my comment about moving the Master to the addition. I cannot think of a good solution to the oblong skinny bedrooms.
apple_pie_order
last month
The OP wrote: "bedrooms are 7 ft 4 wide and 14’7” wide".

Take some cardboard boxes, old sheets and blue tape to build yourself the proposed bedroom inside of one of your current bedrooms. You'll be able to tell if the proposed bedrooms are too small, barely tolerable, or just fine. Same thing with the proposed tiny bathroom.

BTW, you may want to double-check that the architect has drawn the beds to the correct scale. They don't look right to me for twin or double beds.