Forward-looking floor plan design upper floor

Tell me, would you want to have the bedroom upstairs later, but then no toilet and no bathroom? If so, you need to start thinking now about where the new bathroom upstairs should be. These will be expensive measures later (is it financially worth it?) and nerve-wracking. Honestly, I don't see this being implemented :)

That's right, thanks. I'm thinking that with age, the wishes regarding sleeping and the bathroom probably change. At the moment, the bedroom (which is very minimalist for us to unwind, we only "sleep" there) and the bathroom play a minor role for us. We have only planned the bathtub for the children. Neither my husband nor I have taken a bath in probably 20 years. We just don't like it. That's why our new bathroom will also be a simple standard bathroom; apart from wood-look tiles, we won't treat ourselves to anything extraordinary there.
The house is 180 sqm, and I pretty much don't know anyone who says: perfect size for two. On the contrary: everything has to be kept clean and in good condition. We ourselves have seen how it was at grandma's with the many empty rooms (she used to have holiday guests). Not exactly nice.
Yes, the guest room will get a bed and a large wardrobe. Possibly a dresser as well. That's all. But we don't need 10 sqm just for storage. And as I said, we regularly have guests who are important to us and whom we also want to offer a nice room for staying overnight.

We will soon start the detailed planning of the living room. Then we will again carefully look at where everything goes, using measurements.
9.45 m in length is not generous, but we had the choice between longer and narrower or shorter and wider. We chose the latter because we both like it better. Overall, we definitely don't want it to be larger. It was actually planned to be 160 sqm.

I can understand your concerns about the bedroom. How and where would you arrange the bedroom?

@Ysop Hm... yes, thanks for your objection. Indeed problematic. At the moment, I don't really care where the bathroom is, whether upstairs or downstairs. Especially since everything is haphazardly pieced together in our current house. But later on, it is definitely not practical to have the bedroom and bathroom on different levels. Whether the project will be realized, like so many things, is uncertain, that's true. But having a very rough plan for a future separation still doesn't seem completely wrong to me. Especially since I also think a bit about our children. It is easier to rent out an office space and a 140 sqm house than an entire 180 sqm house. At least here, where we live. Before someone rents such a large house, they might as well buy it. But hm... well... what happens later, and what the children want, is just as uncertain, of course.

The house is 180 sqm and I hardly know anyone who says: perfect size for two. On the contrary: everything has to be kept clean and in good shape.

I think you misunderstood me. At least in this part. I actually recommend building somewhat smaller. My example refers to often planned 160 sqm, which is necessary when you add children's rooms larger than 12 sqm with an office room to the usual living area. There are also those who get by with 140 sqm. Others live in 109 sqm, also not unhappier. You have a large utility room (ok, you can always use that for pantry, tools, freezer, and laundry). But it is above average in size. The children's rooms are also not small, then there is the gallery with nearly 17 sqm and a second guest room ("second", because many, precisely for the reasons that bother you, combine guest and office rooms, as otherwise it simply becomes too much living space). Don't get me wrong: I am not advising the 120 sqm if you can also afford 150, but I just wanted to show how one might deal with sqm of living space a bit more systematically—then you save yourself a complicated house construction which has to be completely and expensively rebuilt in 20 years, with the consequence that you have to tolerate strangers on the property and your garage and less comfort in old age.

We ourselves have seen how it was at grandma's with the many empty rooms (she used to have holiday guests). Not exactly nice.

That's why I also wouldn't build "many rooms", but rather effectively "with an eye".

We only planned the bathtub for the kids.

That is also okay, the idea. But what if you need medical baths in 20 years? Simply your needs change? I still don't fix it on the bathtub, but on spatial comfort. Between the necessary space and age-appropriate barrier freedom with grab bars on the walls comes the need for open space; finally, the kids have left the house, back and hips come into play, then you are glad to enjoy your built area.

Currently, the bedroom (is very puristic with us to relax, we only "sleep" there) and the bathroom play a minor role for us.

That's why you may still plan it functionally and nicely. For example, we also iron in there, so it can be nice even in daylight,

I can understand the concerns about the bedroom. How and where would you arrange the bedroom?

How old are you? If you are around 30, you can still live a good 40/45 years in this house. You could plan the house somewhat smaller, for example, the gallery probably only came about because there was too much space. Then you could install lightweight walls in the children's rooms and later turn them into a hobby room. Not to forget are grandchildren who would actually also be happy about a small area. And suddenly, you have a house that has no vacant spaces and doesn't need strangers. If the budget allows it, build your house as it fits and is necessary now. You will be able to enjoy another 20 years without children, giving space to new hobbies. And what comes after that: shrug your shoulders! Then you will still see. We rebuilt again at 45 without kids: 135 sqm. And what can I say: after 30 years, thanks to Corona, the sewing machine was brought out—the space is missing now. A place for a caravan had to be created, and now the space for SUP and co. is missing. My husband carries in a spinning bike, space had to be created for it, and generally :D You can vacuum 20 sqm better than 10.

If you don't need the money from renting, I would never do it. 180 sqm can certainly be nicely used by two people. ypg has already said most of it. Not only the grandchildren, but also the children are happy when they have a place to stay if they happen to live in another city or country. Many couples start snoring as they get older and are then glad to have separate bedrooms. And wellness in a nice bathroom, preferably with a sauna, is also something nice for most older people. Without children, you have much more time for things like that. And sometimes a virus comes along that suddenly requires 2 home offices instead of one and a room for exercise that used to be done at the gym or elsewhere.

I would divide the floor plan differently as well. I would either put only small technical rooms downstairs and include the utility room there, or move the office upstairs. You probably don't use the gallery much. You could make that the guest room (e.g. with a sofa bed) and use it the rest of the time as a reading room. It could have double doors that are always open. The guest would then be the office.

Downstairs you would then have more space to arrange the kitchen, dining, and living areas.