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Posted on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.

Put the space you have where you need it in your home

By Marcia Lyon

In many homes there may be ample square footage, but just not where it is needed. We all know so much life “happens” in the kitchen and eating areas, but that doesn’t mean that is where most of the space should be.

People without family rooms “live” in their living rooms. That is not all bad, but usually they don’t want that lived-in space to be the first thing seen when guests arrive.

When things just don’t work, it’s time to evaluate all of the spaces and reallocate them.

PROBLEM

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This very traditional ranch home in Ann Arbor had a very static layout. The entry (A) opens into a small coat closet and then traffic can go through the oversized living room (B) or into the bedroom hallway (C).

The fireplace (D) is squished in a corner, and it is impossible to arrange furniture to view it.

The three bedrooms and hall bath functioned well enough for this family. Their kitchen (E) was way too small and could not accommodate more than one frustrated cook. The dining area (F) was okay, but it shared the traffic way to the deck (G).

The half-bath (H) by the back door (I) was adequate, but they wanted to add a shower to make it a three-quarter bath. They wanted a bigger kitchen and some semblance of a family entry with a real coat closet by the back door.

SOLUTION

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What was needed was to completely re-orient the spaces, changing the living room (B) from horizontal to vertical (J). This sounds drastic, but we left the plumbing area where it was, adding piping only for the sink in the new kitchen (K).

The half-bath (H) was an easy convert by bumping into the garage to add a 3x4-foot shower, making it a three-quarter bath (L). A portion of the old kitchen was claimed to create a new first floor laundry (M), which wasn’t even wished for, but the family welcomed the possibility.

A family entry (N) was created with elbow room, built-ins for shoes, a generous coat closet and a “To Go” shelf.

The kitchen (K) features a walk-in pantry (O) and a great island (P) that seats five and makes the ideal prep space for our cooks.

A new dining area (Q) is in a perfect location between the entry and the kitchen. We even found a place to build in a buffet cabinet.

The second entrance to the bedroom hallway(R) is blocked off to create a better living room. We used this extra space to build in a bookcase on the living room side, and an additional linen closet on the hallway side.

Marcia Lyon is a professional remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the U.S. and Canada. Her new book on remodeling design, “The Essential Planner for Home Remodeling,” is available at www.creatingspaces.net. You may contact her at Marcia@creatingspaces.net or at 515-991-8880 to set up a consultation.

Comments

Gordon

Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.

In my opinion this may work for the family; but this house would never sell without a deep discount. It is not a good floor plan from a buyers view. Some one is held up in traffic and has to go thorough the kitchen eating area to get to their room. If you had guests it would be awkward at best. With small children you have an open invitation to little ones running into a kitchen that still doesn't have enough room for little people under foot. As said before the dining room / eating area is open to anyone droppng over. Just a tough floor plan to work with.

Borbsi

Fri, Sep 30, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.

If you looked at it from a family daily use, the new plan is much better, especially if the back yard is pleasant.

Fatkitty

Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.

Personally, I would rather that my guests "land" in the living room when they arrive, rather than the kitchen/dining area and have to see all the mess from preparing a meal.

Mike

Thu, Sep 29, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.

I was kind of thinking the same.............