Many homes in the UK have similar layouts. Often you will find the living room at the front and kitchen at the back overlooking the garden. There may be a dining room downstairs and even a downstairs bathroom. The norm is for bedrooms and main bathroom to be upstairs. But, sometimes doing something a little different can be far more beneficial. There is no law saying you need to set out your home a specific way although windows are a requirement for certain rooms. Why not create a home that works well for you and stands out for great reasons.
Turn Your House Upside-down
It makes sense that the main living areas in a home are usually downstairs, and the bedrooms upstairs. Or at least that’s what we are used to. But are there advantages to flipping things around? One benefit you can get from having your living spaces upstairs and your bedrooms downstairs is an increase in privacy. When your living room window faces out onto the street, you will often end up using net curtains or opaque film on windows to stop people peeking in. This means you have to compromise on the amount of light that comes through as well as your view outside.
A bedroom doesn’t benefit from a great view outside as much as a living room where you’d spend much more time. There are advantages to having your living space upstairs. When you use your bedroom in the mornings and evenings, keeping the curtains closed or blinds needn’t be an issue.
Consider an Open-Plan Living Space
There are many ways to create an open-plan home. Some people choose to have absolutely no walls at all, dividing their home into different spaces using the furniture. Alternative options include having glass walls, sliding screens, half walls or doorways with no doors to divide up spaces. Open-plan arrangements can help to make spaces feel bigger. It’s important to note that there are still ways to create privacy and flexible spaces when you choose an open-plan layout.
Single-Storey Living
Bungalows aren’t just for pensioners. They’re great for all, making the home more accessible for people of all ages and physical abilities. They’re also cheaper than a house, making it easier to get onto the property ladder or a great option for those downsizing. Keep it open-plan or separate rooms, the options vary and depend on your requirements and preferences. Many bungalows have conservatories or lovely outdoor areas that can be enjoyed in dry and warm weather.
Multipurpose Spaces
We often think of rooms in a home as having to have a specific purpose. Even when we have a more open-plan arrangement, we tend to have defined zones for certain activities. If you have a shortage of space or want to do something different, there’s always the possibility of mixing things up a little. A single room or space can serve several purposes at once, or perhaps offer a flexible space that you can reconfigure whenever you need to. For example, one part could be a workspace during the day, but in the evening could turn into a fun space by sliding items out of the way and pulling out others. The use of flexible furniture and fixtures can help to create multipurpose spaces.
More Than One Living Area
Most houses are single buildings intended for one family. Some people may have lodgers or family members staying in a spare room. Some homes have separate accommodation within the grounds like a converted garage or a guest cottage / granny annex that can be used for guests or rented out for additional income. Alternatively, use it as a workspace if you work from home, a playroom or even a games room.
Don’t Forget the Back of the House
The front of a house is usually the focus when it comes to design, but it is important not to forget the back of the house. You can create a beautiful space indoors via a conservatory or outdoor area to enjoy that allows you to take advantage of the privacy that your back garden can offer.
Obviously, we are all limited by the funds we have to sink into projects but it’s worth saving up or doing a little at a time to create the look that suits our lifestyle and needs.
If money was no object, what would you do to improve your home?
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We have 2 living rooms and it’s perfect for us as it means there is always a place for quiet time, a place that is mainly tidy and free from toys.
It also means that we can separate the kids if need be!
I love the idea of turning the house upside down!
I’d love a separate room for the kids. That would be lovely.
For me I am all about open living space, I want my home to be spacious and airy as much as possible
It can look lovely when your home is open plan.
I’d love to live in a bungalow as I find it really difficult to get up and down stairs nowadays thanks to my Scoliosis 🙁
I’m so sorry to hear that Louise. Hope you get to move into one at some stage x
I would love a home with that view – so beautiful
I agree with the open-plan living space. It makes the house a little bit bigger and clutter-free to look at.
Having it clutter-free is important. Not easy when you have kids though.
I think if you have gorgeous views, then it would make sense to have your living room upstairs.
I agree. It can be lovely to have a nice view.
We lived in a house once that had the living room and kitchen on the first floor and we loved it. We had great views over the river and we were away from the noise on the street. It’s definitely an idea to change things up sometimes
It can be great to have lovely views each day.
This is a nice post. It’s always good to utilize the space available in such a way that it’s not crowdy and it’s not bare. There should be a balance— of course while considering one’s pocket. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked the post. It is important to keep close to your budget.
I would really like do have a new kitchen. Hopefully one day I win the lottery !
A new kitchen can really make a big difference to a home.
Even though there are standard when it comes to building design and construction but sometimes we got to overlook them to give our home the kind of taste we want. But while doing so we also have to consider other standard that are there for our comfort and safety.
Safety is key. You can, of course, work around this depending on your home.
If money was not an issue, I would want to have an awesome patio, with a firepit, a pool, and a zen garden, a small pond with koi fishes. I’d like lantern roofs over my living room, and a fully equipped entertainment room. Dream on!
That does sound lovely. I’ll have one too please 🙂
Those were a really great ideas. What a perfect post. My mum is planning to build a house and looking for the best ideas. I should share this with her.
Aaahhhh thanks Alexandra. I hope your mum finds it useful.
If money was no object I would update our garden and front lawn. I would also improve our kitchen. Currently too small now.
Sounds like a plan Stella. Hope you get to do some of those at least soon.
I always think open plan is good. that said it is nice to have a sectioned off space especially when it comes to a room like a office xx
I totally agree. A sectioned off office is important where you have space.
I love a good outdoor area! Recently, we just made our patio and it\s stunning you’d not feeling like getting indoors. Anyway, since I saw a house with a beautiful open plan, I’m all for it!
I love open-plan spaces. They look and feel great.
I’m a home design and interior lover so I must bookmark this blog. I’m always looking for new ideas for my own home.
I’m so pleased to hear you found this useful. I’m sure you will come up with a lovely layout for your home.
I would most definitely have an outdoor living area for the kids to play and the adults to relax and like the idea of turning house upside down.
Turning your home upsidedown can work exceptionally well. I love the fact that you can get such a nicer view this way.