For two adults, the floor plan is okay; with two children, it gets tight.
I agree with that for both designs.
In one, the hallway is missing, where the family can get dressed and undressed together; wardrobe cabinets are completely missing; in the other, the action area is right, the cabinets are there but not enough.
Kitchen: in both cases, totally oversized for the rest of the open space. In one, there is only a stylish work island that dominates the room; in the other design, the proportions are off—the couch faces the main door, and there is too much unused space in the middle, which is missing in the dining area.
The planner has not designed a house suitable for families in either case.
So check for yourself:
- An entrance hallway should provide enough space for the family to come home and sufficient storage for coats, jackets, and shoes, boots and bags, hats, and scarves. If applicable, a place for a stroller may be necessary. Also, a chair or bench can help when taking off shoes. Not every resident is equally agile.
- The guest toilet can be small. If a shower is intended for guests or family, it should preferably not be planned in the entrance area, where the dirty zone is located.
- Stairs should conveniently connect the floors. A stylish staircase is often integrated into the living area, but even in space-saving construction, e.g., terraced houses, it is often placed in the open space. One should consider that it can then cause disturbance but also limit privacy when friends come over. In that case, one should possibly arrange the sofa area out of the line of sight.
- The kitchen should offer enough storage space as well as work surfaces. This often depends on the number of residents but also on usage habits, including how many cooks should ultimately feel comfortable there. The arrangement of kitchen elements should be ergonomic, meaning not too far apart and everything reachable with few steps or a turn. - A pantry is usually unnecessary nowadays. A backup kitchen should not have to replace the main kitchen. An open kitchen is not always the best solution. One should check for oneself whether one prefers to sit at the counter or rather at the table.
- The TV or chill area with a sofa should provide enough cozy seating for all family members. Ideally, it is planned in a secluded area. Also, one should not feel like falling out of the cozy room part or have to look toward the door or traffic areas. There should be an option for family members to use the sofa as a relaxation spot.
- The dining area should be large enough to walk around the table and occupied seats. Even if a bench or corner bench is planned, these are often not suitable for adults or older visitors. So if one often receives adult guests in the evening, the bench should be replaceable with chairs. Note: a corner bench is a possibility to seat everyone at one table in a small space but is rather unsuitable for guests.
Whoever plans an open space combining lounge, dining, and kitchen should ensure that the space ratios are balanced: a large kitchen with a small lounge area is not balanced.
- The technical room usually has to provide space for laundry and storage. A partition wall for cabinets and shelves is an advantage. The technology does not run quietly. Therefore, care should be taken that the room does not disturb the daily routine and the life of the residents.
- The master bedroom is usually only entered and used in the dark. Therefore, it can be somewhat smaller. Each person should have roughly at least one meter of wardrobe space; another meter serves for bedding, towels, and family laundry.
Around the bed, one should be able to move safely even in the dark without bumping into anything. Some manage with a 160 cm wide bed, others need 2 meters width.
- The children's rooms may be somewhat larger if the house size allows. Because children, young or old, live in their rooms. Whether they only chill on the bed or actively pursue a hobby cannot often be foreseen. It is often preferred to place the rooms on the south or west side so that they get enough daylight in the afternoon. Street noise should not bother them much.
- The family bathroom should be practical. Too many privacy walls are annoying when help is needed due to illness or frailty. Too many room walls also block light from windows. Whether privacy screens are needed within the family should be reviewed.
Basically, the arrangement of rooms and furnishings should be reviewed and aligned with the behavior and habits of the residents. Behavior can change over time. Life changes for a couple when children live in the household or when residents grow older.
- Traffic areas such as hallways should be wide enough for two people to pass side by side comfortably. Every room benefits from daylight, so always plan windows and, if necessary, use inward-facing clerestory windows. Even in heavily frequented areas like hallways, it can be disturbing if one is forced to rely on artificial lighting.
And all this has nothing to do with style or personal preferences but is a matter of logic and spatial theory.
Maybe the planner should get some tutoring in designing family houses!
