Last week we shared our general planning ideas and kitchen layout options for our new apartment with you.
The biggest change we’d like to make to our new apartment involves relocating the kitchen to the front of the apartment. We still need to check that the changes we’d like to make are possible but we think it would improve the layout and make the space more user-friendly.
The biggest money saving tip I can give you when renovating a home is to keep things where they are. Moving entire kitchens and bathrooms means new plumbing and new electrics but even just switching the location of your WC and shower, for example, could end up costing a lot more than trying to work with the current locations of your water and drainage connections.
Having said that, we’re obviously ignoring our own advice as relocating the kitchen is our top priority!
We’ve still not decided on exactly which option we’ll be choosing for the kitchen (we’d love your feedback and you can read about our plans here) but we’ll have to make a decision soon as most of our plans revolve around relocating the kitchen from its current position.
With the kitchen relocated we can then move the bathroom from it’s current position to where the kitchen used to be. It all sounds more complicated than it is, so let me show you the options we’re considering. We’re trying to keep an open mind and we’d love your feedback, too!
At the moment the space we’re talking about looks like this.
The bedroom is a really good size but the slim room at the end of the hallway is just a bit weird. The bathroom has only recently been updated so it’s a bit of a shame to be moving it (maybe we can reuse some of it) but we think that it’s just a bit too small. The apartment is quite large and having just one small bathroom seems a bit disproportionate.
Option 1
With the kitchen and bathroom relocated we’d be left with one large space which, if we removed the wall to the long and narrow room, could easily be split into two generous and fairly equal sized bedrooms.
This is probably the sensible option. We’d have an additional guest room which would definitely give us more flexibility. This side of the apartment also faces the courtyard which means that it’s quieter than the rooms at the front of the building. Another reason that having the bedrooms here seems like the most sensible option.
Option 2
This option involves the same first steps as option one. We would move the kitchen to the front of the house and relocate the bathroom to where the kitchen used to be.
Then, instead of knocking down the wall to the narrow room we would just add a large opening to create a walk in wardrobe and one huge bedroom!
This is definitely a much more luxurious option and we’re definitely being greedy. It would limit our flexibility but on the other hand it could be a totally spectacular space. Another reason for this option (apart from having a walk-in wardrobe!) is that it’s also only the two of us living here so it kind of makes sense to make the apartment work for us and not bother about where guests sleep! I know that sounds a bit mean but we will still have one large guest bedroom!
Option 3
This option came to us at the weekend when we were doing some measuring and planning at the apartment. It would still involve moving the kitchen to the front of the apartment and we would also still turn the long and narrow room at the end of the long hallway into a walk-in wardrobe.
The biggest difference compared to the other two options is that we wouldn’t knock down the wall to the current bathroom and would turn the existing bathroom into an en-suite and small utility room. The room where the kitchen used to be could then be an amazing bathroom.
Arrgghh. So many options and decisions to make. Which one do you think is best?
We’d love your feedback! Do you think we should opt for two equally sized bedrooms or one large and luxurious bedroom? Or would you choose the third option with a large bathroom but smaller (it’s still a really large room) bedroom?
*Update*
We keep mentioning the bedroom ceiling in our comments so it only makes sense to show you what we’re on about! All of our planning so far has been fairly “flat”. What I mean by that is that we’re going through options and are trying to find out what would work best. We haven’t really taken anything like ceilings, features or (to a certain degree) utilities into account and have just been designing our layouts in a very 2D way.
Fatima says
I love option 1. But I am curious to see if you can get away with the kitchen being moved to the front if the house. And the same goes for the bathrooms. If the the construction is similar to Portugal, I think you might have a problem. Not just redirecting your plumbing, but also factoring in the sewage pipes connected to the building. I assume that all kitchens are in that area.
As for the bathrooms I’ve always heard that changing location of toilets is the main problem. I tried to do it in my house in Portugal on the first floor, and got a straight No :(. Maybe because it’s concrete, I don’t know if that’s what makes it all very difficult. I managed to do it on my ground floor one because I was able to digg way down and direct the sewage.
Here in Oz construction is similar to uk so not much of an issue unless you have a brick walls and concrete floor.
I do have a question though. If you have a bathroom in the ensuite and another on the opossite side for guests. Do you think it’s worth having the toilet near the entrance?
Good luck can’t wait to see it all come together.
Fatima
Christine says
Thank you for your feedback, Fatima. At the moment we’re still trying to work out what we’d like to do more than what’s actually possible. We know that there will be some constraints but for us it’s more important to find out what solution would be best and then work back from there. Having said that we have taken the current plumbing situation into account.
Moving the kitchen to the front of the apartment shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Our floors aren’t solid so laying pipework accross the apartment shouldn’t be too difficult. There are also kitchens at the front of the house in the other apartments (almost directly below where we’d like to move ours to).
The bathroom situation is admittedly a bit more complicated. We know where the current pipework is so we have made an effort to not move the toilet positions too much!
You’re right about the toilet in the entrance. It’s probably not necessary if we install an additional bathroom. For now we’re not planning on doing anything with it but we might change our minds once we live there. ;)
Cx
Fatima says
That’s great news then!!
If plumbing won’t be a major issue, then perfect.
Have you thought of living there for a while and then working out the layout that suits you both? Sometimes you can get a different feel of what really works for you guys. Or is the plan to do Reno, be moving in?
Fatima
Christine says
It should hopefully all be fairly straightforward although I’m sure we’ll end up with more than a few surprises once we get started. The apartment layout is fine as it is, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if we couldn’t change some things.
We’ll definitely live there for a while before we start to make any big changes and I totally agree with you about getting a feel for what will work for us. Even just spending a bit of time there measuring up at the weekend made me rethink some of our initial ideas!
Cx
Maura says
Oooh, it’s all so exciting! I am a fan of more rooms, as long as they are comfortably sized (I prefer a cozier bedroom reserved for sleeping), but losing the great plaster ceiling might be a deal breaker. And a nice big wardrobe; that is lovely. Do you have storage outside of the apartment? A basement unit or anything? I’d be extra tempted by a large closet if you don’t have storage elsewhere.
Here in the U.S., the ensuite (we call it the Master Bath, ooh la la!) is often the largest and nicest bath in the house, or at least has become so in the last couple of decades. The owners each get their own sinks, and the guests and kids can go hang, ha ha. In my 1970’s house, we have a cramped little ensuite, but our future remodeling plan will swap the size of the master bath and hall bath, and steal some from our oversized laundry, so we can have a little more luxury, and improve our home’s value.
Speaking of laundry, is that what the utility room in plan 3 is for? If you don’t have a utility room, will laundry facilities be in the kitchen? After having a laundry closet in my kitchen for 15 years, I really enjoy having the laundry separate from the cooking area (it is next door but in it’s own room).
I can’t wait to see what comes of the new space!
Maura
Christine says
Thanks for the feedback, Maura! Both bedrooms would be a good size if we divided them. It’s difficult to get a sense of scale just from the drawings and I hope it’ll all be a bit clearer when we’re in the apartment and can share pictures with our furniture in the rooms. I’ve just added a picture to the post showing the bedroom ceiling I keep referring to – it would be such a shame to loose it! Every time we’re at the apartment we discover new things although not all of them are as lovely as the ceiling! ;) I have to admit that I kind of forgot about it when planning the rooms!
We do have some additional storage in the cellar and there are a few quirky extra storage areas in the apartment (we’ll share more on that soon) so I don’t think storage space is going to be an issue. We also had a huge clearout when we moved and I’d like to avoid collecting as much junk as possible.
It’s so interesting how different countries have completely different preferences in terms of layout and features in their homes. Even if they don’t seem to be popular here, I’d love an en-suite or master bath ;) and can totally understand why people would create a luxurious space.
Yes, the utility is for laundry and storing other bits. In the UK it’s common to have your washing machine in the kitchen but here in Germany, they tend to be in the bathroom. I have to admit that I don’t particularly want my washing machine in either room but depending on the layout situation and possibilities it might be a compromise we’ll have to make.
I love planning and imagining what our new home will look like but now I just really want to move in and start DIYing!
Cx
LESLEY THOMPSON says
Hi You Two , Congratulations on the new place it looks FAB . After a year in our new house we still have not decorated !!! since the house was built in the late 1970’s it calls for a more modern finish and as you know I loved our Edwardian house in Heaton Chapel , so still thinking ????? . As for your question on design, have you thought about keeping the small long bedroom as an office and redividing the space on option 3 as an ensuite and an small walk in wardrobe . Would that also keep the ceiling in the master bedroom intack?????
Christine says
Thank you, Lesley! It’s always difficult to make decorating decisions – I’m sure it’ll look amazing when you’ve done. We had considered keeping the long bedroom as an office but it’s at the back of the house without a view and I know that I wouldn’t find it an inspiring place to work. It’s definitely worth considering turning the bathroom into a walk-in wardrobe, though! That would keep the ceiling intact, we’d have an extra bedroom (even if it is really long and narrow) and we’d still have a bathroom and en-suite! So many options and so many decisions to make!
Cx
Sian says
Hello! Recently found your blog and I am finding it so, SO helpful – Thank you! Definitely me new favourite home improvements blog. And I still have so much more to read, yay! I was just wondering (and sorry if you have answered this before) do you use a software programme to create the floor plan designs you’ve used? They are so great at translating ideas from your head into ideas for others to understand.
Christine says
Ohhh, thank you so much for your kind comment, Sian! It’s always lovely to hear that people enjoy what we’re sharing. We have a friend who helps us with the drawings and does them in an architecture programme. We usually sketch out our plans first and then have them transferred. You’re totally right about them being ideal for getting down onto paper what’s in your head. That’s probably not much help for you but a sketch usually works just as well!
Cx
Gabrielle Mercedes Bolívar says
Option 3! You will have your own ensuite that you do not have to share with your guests. Given that this space is only for the two of you and I recall you mentioned in a previous post you plan on making this your permanent home for years to come- make it for the two of you! Give yourself what you want. If you do choose to sell in the future- I suspect that ensuite could be a huge selling bonus given the rarity in the housing market where you are. Who knows? As your moving day comes closer and you spend more time just being in the space you may come up with even more grand options. Thank you for sharing and including your readers. This is so exciting! Gabrielle- Portland, Oregon, USA
Christine says
I’m leaning towards option three too, Gabrielle (I do keep changing my mind, though) and I think that you’re right about making the apartment work for us. It’s really weird how few en-suites there are here, even in luxury apartments. Who doesn’t love their own bathroom?!
You’re sooo right about how spending time in the apartment gives us more ideas! Option 3 wasn’t even on our list until after our visit at the apartment at the weekend.
Thanks for following along and for the feedback, Gabrielle!
Cx
Laura T says
We’ll see if yet again I have the odd one out recommendation or not, but I would recommend Option 1. Assuming of course that the bedroom is a decent size. You had talked before of wanting to have lots of folks over for dinner parties (which may or may not be overnight guests) and you had also mentioned the plan to use one of the bedrooms for office. I think Option 1 still allows you to have the separate office space and guest space. I think it gives you the option to use those spaces for secondary uses (aka hobbies, reading, etc.). I would recommend thinking hard about what you would use all that extra space for in the master? That’s the big question, you have the whole apartment to yourselves, so what will a large master get you? I think Option 1 gives you a lot of flexibility and seems to give 2 nice bathrooms to your home. Those are my two cents.
Good luck figuring it all out!
Christine says
Haha, it just goes to show that different people like different things, Laura! Both bedrooms would be a good size (they’d be about 18m² and 19m² which would make them both larger than the main bedroom in our Edwardian house) and you’re completely right about it being the most flexible option. We would loose our office if we reduced the number of rooms – definitely a drawback with the other options.
Also a totally good point about how much time we spend in the bedroom. In our current apartment, we moved the office into the larger room and have squashed our bed into the much smaller bedroom because we figured we only go there to sleep and would rather have the additional space where we spend more time. That’s probably an approach we should take in our new home, too!
One thing I didn’t go into are the plumbing issues which might make this option a bit more difficult. There’s also an amazing plaster ceiling in the current bedroom and the new wall would go straight through it. :(
Thanks for the feedback, Laura!
Cx
PS. Having spent some time at the apartment at the weekend we’re now leaning towards your preferred option for the kitchen. Initially, it was probably our least favourite but I think the big double doors might be large enough to create the connection to our living space that we’d like.
Lucy says
Stuff the guests go for an awesome master bedroom! Option 3 looks epic :)
Christine says
Haha, I’ll tell them you said so when there’s no room for them to visit! ;) (Totally agree with you, though!)
Cx
Chalise says
A personal question (sorry!) – are you planning on having children in the future? If this is your forever home if you think there is even the slightest chance of kids whether birth or adopted or inheritated then I would go with option 1. You will regret losing the extra bedroom! If it will always be you two for certain then option 2 with a beautiful massive luxury master and big ensuite for definite! I would think a tiny utility would be a waste if it means your ensuite is crampt so would rule out option 3 for that reason. I know we never know what the future might bring – so hard!
Christine says
That’s a totally valid question, Chalise! We’re not planning on having children and all of our planning is aimed towards just the two of us living there (maybe there’ll be a furry addition to our family at some point). I agree with you about possibly compromising the en-suite for a little utility room (although the en-suite is still about the size of the current bathroom) and I do like the idea of a huge master bedroom.
It’s so difficult planning really long term!
Cx
Anna International says
Ooh, decisions! I’m having similar issues myself with my kitchen, but I have the opposite problem to space – lack of it!
I think Option 3 sounds best. No point in having two huge guestrooms if you’re not likely to have more than 2 guests on a very frequent basis, so go with a huge spectacular Master for yourselves, why not?! And adding a small ensuite is definitely a good idea always. Esp for house value these days, people tend to expect them!
Good luck deciding! x
Christine says
Isn’t it weird how both spaces that are too big or too small can both be a problem! We’d not even considered option three until we were back at the apartment at the weekend. I keep thinking I have a favourite and then change my mind again. ;)
En-suites here in Germany seem to be really rare. Even in new-builds we looked at (and really expensive homes I got carried away looking at) didn’t have any! If there’s any way we can install one we definitely will as I think they’re great.
Cx