Floorplan Fails - When Bigger Isn’t Better.
At first glance, this home recently advertised for sale appears to be the epitome of a move-in-ready dream home. The photos showcase a beautifully renovated space with well selected finishes and a kitchen that will be desirable to many. But as we delve deeper, it's clear that the pursuit of a 'desirable' large kitchen has come at a significant cost to the home's overall functionality.
This is something I regularly address with clients, and it’s worthy of discussion here. We are fed a constant cycle of beautiful, financially unattainable homes that typically feature a number of spaces that aren’t 100% necessary to the average family home. Outside of dominant alfresco areas and multiple living spaces, the one thing I guide my clients on time and time again is island benches and butler’s pantries.
De rigeuour with any drool worthy Instagram account or episode of The Block, our standard sized homes from the 70s and 80s often times cannot support these two inclusions - but many feel they must have them in a classic case of keeping up with the Jones’. A far better outcome is to hone in on what you actually need to create a functional AND beautiful home that maximises your footprint.
Here’s a classic example of where form has outweighed function.
The Kitchen vs. Living Space Conundrum
The expansive kitchen, complete with a butler's pantry, dominates the floor plan. While it's undoubtedly stylish, this emphasis on kitchen space has severely compromised the living area. There's barely room for a modest sofa, let alone a dining table where a family can gather. The open-plan concept feels more like a showroom than a comfortable living space.
Here the butler’s pantry wasn’t necessary - there’s sufficient space in the kitchen to house all the necessary functions and to have created adequate storage for this average sized family home.
The images below start to tell the story of where things have gone wrong. On entry you’re greeted by a well planned zone with seating and a welcoming aspect. Straight away however we start to see how far the kitchen is intruding into the space, not to mention the undercooked view through to the alfresco.
The European Laundry Dilemma
In an attempt to maximize space, the traditional laundry has been replaced with a European-style setup in the walkway to the alfresco space. While this might appeal to some, many families find this arrangement less than ideal. The lack of a dedicated laundry room can be a deal-breaker for those who value practicality in their daily routines.
A Missed Opportunity for Outdoor Connection
The home boasts an updated alfresco area, yet the view from the main living space is a stark white wall. There's a noticeable absence of greenery or a seamless indoor-outdoor flow that many homeowners desire. The potential for creating a tranquil connection with the outdoors has been overlooked in favour of interior aesthetics.
As we look at the floorplan, we quickly see the compromises that have been made to accomodate the kitchen, and the negative flow on affect this has had to the remaining footprint. Whilst a lot of time and money has been invested into creating a visually appealing interior, key elements have been overlooked.
If we dig a little deeper, we find the original floorplan prior to renovations - there were opportunities here to achieve the beautiful kitchen and maximise the living footprint without the need for the butler’s pantry and even potentially the island bench. This is not an expansive home, so planning here is even more critical in getting the spaces right.
At left the new floorplan, at right the original.
Final Thoughts
Planning is key when renovating, and having a solid understanding of spatial planning will prevent these sorts of expensive mistakes from occurring. At the core of every successful project is a robust plan that looks beyond the surface and identifies how best to utilise the space. In this case, the design choices, whilst trendy and appealing, may not align with the functional requirements of families looking to purchase.
Got a similar dilemma you’re looking to solve? If so, get in touch, and let’s chat about your project!