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New Extension Open Plan Living

by Jo

Hi Charlotte, I am new to your e zine and enjoying it very much, it's amazing the time you put into it!

I'm embarking on a large double extension and will be using your advice!

I'm going to have open plan living in the back of my house keeping one additional lounge at the front but having a kitchen living room and dining area open plan at the back and I'm finding it hard to plan although I have lots of space... or thought I did!

Would be great to have some ideas?

Kind regards

Jo

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New Extension Open Plan Living

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Nov 16, 2010
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Excellent Extension!
by: Charlotte

Hello Jo

Thank you very much for contacting me - I'm glad you like the website and the e-zine.

Wow - your new extension sounds absolutely great! And I think an open plan area will really make the most of all available space.

Don't worry if the space seems smaller as the build starts and you see the footings and walls going in - in my experience the finished room(s) will appear a good size even if you do have some doubts as the build is in progress.

Do you have a lovely garden or view that your extension will look out on? If you do it is always good to make this a feature of your new space, with large windows, or doors opening out onto the space, and an arrangement that makes the most of this too.

It is nice that you can keep a second lounge too - as your new space will not need to be all things to all people - perhaps your current lounge could be a quiet, private, cosy space, and your new open plan area designed as a more informal, social area where cooking, eating, relaxing, socialising can all merge into one happy area.

There are some ideas on open plan living on the page here...

I think with a kitchen, you could maybe try and incorporate it in such a way that you can join in with socialising while cooking, but then clear away your dirty pots into the kitchen and not have to sit and look at them while relaxing in your living and dining area.

A good kitchen designer should be able to help you with this - many offer these services free as part of an initial design process/consultation.

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Nov 16, 2010
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Continues from above comment
by: Charlotte

Continues from above comment...

You should definitely plan your layout very carefully before you start your design process and any furniture purchases. Normally for simple room designs I recommend a simple layout plan drawn yourself, but for a bigger project, you might like to try one of the softwares available for just such planning purposes.

There is of course, no reason why you can't draw your own plan and add furniture suggestions as you'd like them.

I recommend my pages below on layout, ideal spacing between furniture, walls etc and some standard furniture sizes, which can help you with drawing your own plan:

Click here for the pages on layout and furniture arrangement

If you think you might prefer to do the planning on computer with a program, I have some suggestions here...

You can also make your way gradually through my 'how to design' process to thoroughly and 'professionally' interior design your new space:

How to Design

Hope the information helps - wishing you much success and luck with your new extension project - it sounds lovely - can't wait to see how you get on - do remember you can always post us pictures of the finished design (or work in progress) here...

...or ask more questions here...

Best wishes

Charlotte

Nov 17, 2010
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Thanks!
by: Jo

Hi Charlotte

Thank you for your reply and all the useful links, I will enjoy studying these.

I also look forward to any ideas from other readers.

I do have a garden to look out onto not very big but not overlooked which is nice and I plan to have double doors opening out into it.

I have drawn some plans but can't decide which one to go with just yet. The actual size and shape of the extension is sorted just not how I plan to do the inside.

I can take a photo of my very roughly drawn plans if you like and e mail it to you?

Kind regards
Jo

Nov 17, 2010
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Some more ideas for kitchen layout...
by: Charlotte

Hi Jo

Thanks for your reply - yes please send a photo of your plans, I've emailed you about sending this to me, and I can get it put on here.

Just thinking that you will probably want to position your kitchen part on an outside wall - and close to a water supply as well.

There is a page here on the best places to position certain appliances in your kitchen.

And another page on kitchen layout too.

You might find these very useful for planning the kitchen part of your project.

I look forward to seeing your photo.

Thanks for your reply

Best wishes

Charlotte

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Interior Design It Yourself
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Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. II: Room by Room
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E-book Version - Save 65%
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Interior Design It Yourself
Vol. III: Styles by Design
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Interior Design It Yourself
Perfect Personality Palettes
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Interior Design It Yourself
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New Extension Open Plan Living

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New Extension Open Plan Living