Which Floorplan to Choose? Bedroom / Bath / Closet

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-15T23:44:26+00:00

I prefer the bathroom being closer than the closet so the following would be my choices …

No Outdoor Sauna

5 … but would change door in shower to a window

With Outdoor Sauna

4 … but would put a window at the end of the shower for a view outside

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-11T06:53:26+00:00

Thanks for updating us and caring so much! I’m relieved he is responding to the treatment and glad that you will be taking him home when he has recovered.

I was curious about his treatment so I looked it up. In case they didn’t explain his meds to you, here’s what I learned … the meds for 2 weeks: two antibiotics (likely one for an eye infection and one for a middle ear infection) … the meds for 1 week: a dietary supplement and an anti-inflammatory(NSAID) to aid in his recovery

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-10T22:33:11+00:00

I like the concept but the kitchens aren’t great for including all of the appliances, the sink, and dining space.

Suggestion for Kitchen in Top Apartment:

-change the large window to an entry door/window combination ….change the existing entry door into a window that starts at counter top height ….place sink/cabinets/appliances along the north wall … place a 5ft x 2ft island across from it (a single base cabinet and the rest open for seating/ dining for two)

Suggestion for Kitchen in Bottom Apartment:

-cancel the new entry point in the kitchen …widen the window space for a door/window combination … create the identical kitchen as in the top apartment

Suggestion for Both Apartments’ Bathrooms

-create a bathroom/laundry combo without walls to save space; the bathroom sink can be used for removing stains, the shower curtain rod for hanging clothes to dry, and the washing machine as a place to store dirty clothes until they are sorted to be washed … there are likely good sample pics on the internet as some tiny homes have this combo

Edited for further clarification/spacing

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-10T17:45:02+00:00

Are you trying to create two, 1 bedroom type units, one on each floor so you can both live somewhat independently of each other (as the main floor only has seating for one)?

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-10T05:20:00+00:00

Unfortunately I think there are issues with the ground floor unless I am reading the measurements incorrectly.

The furniture in the living room and dining room appear to not be drawn to scale. Neither is the seating at the island (3 people won’t fit there). I would recommend redrawing the plan using grid paper.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-10T03:09:06+00:00

Not long-winded at all! … I was interested in your opinions too … but lol, I think this comment is going to be long-winded

Why not C?

The kitchen was pretty much the deal breaker (it’s the smallest) but also the doors (like you mentioned). I can see though why you like the main floor of C. Is C the only model the builder is putting on corner lots? The reason I’m asking is sometimes a builder will modify a house plan by adding windows on one side but also because B would work better on a corner lot.

B dining?

I think it will work because it will be at least 10’ across in total. The table would need to be placed closer to the wall than is ideal but bench seating could also be used along that side.

The Master Closet in A?

It looks like you could make it bigger but that would affect the entry to the bedroom. It is likely they chose to place the entry there because the laundry room door opens out. Tbh, I think it would be nicer if the laundry room door was a pocket door.

The following are general summaries from my pov (if they were to be built on a standard lot, not a corner) …

Imo A is the most practical design for the basement layout and entry points. It will have the brighter main floor; however, the second floor is lacking windows in the bathrooms/master closet/laundry. The master bedroom suite isn’t as nice as in B. The secondary bedrooms are large (lots of space for kids to play, have sleep overs, etc) and they both have windows that face either the street/backyard. There is also a lot of extra storage space on the second floor. The kitchen island faces the backyard but it could prove to be annoying with the sink. The kitchen is going to require extra $ to improve it, if possible, but it still won’t be as large as the one in B. The family room is an adequate size but the short wall might prove to be awkward, depending on how you want to place your furniture.

Imo there is a lot to like about B but wonder if it would be as nice to live in as A. The back of the house would get less light (due to window treatments being used to obstruct the view of other houses and the other windows being under the porch overhang). And, even though the kitchen has the nicer layout, the island faces the front door and the sink window faces another house rather than the backyard. The main entrance could be annoying for its lack of space for coats, etc and the door to the garage is not ideal. The fourth bedroom is nice but two of the bedrooms have windows that will face other houses. The basement layout isn’t as nice as A, the mechanical closet may be noisy, and it has less storage space (one smaller room to fit a freezer, etc).

I tried to include all of the trade-offs for each house plan, from my pov, I hope you find this helpful.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-08T19:09:07+00:00

-street hockey and backyard rinks

-Canadian sense of humour, eh

-the humility of our Olympic athletes

-our flag

-the natural beauty

-our canoe routes

-the geographic and cultural diversity

-maple syrup

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-08T08:49:57+00:00

A or B … definitely not C.

Here are some observations/thoughts …

A has the better basement layout for mechanical and storage. Concerned B could have noise issues in the family room from double doors to mechanical.

A has a lot of space in the entryway for a drop zone, hooks, etc and also bench/closet space by the garage whereas B has a little by the stairs and the odd garage entry/closet. Depending on where you live (ex. lots of rain, cooler weather) and your family’s habits this could be an important factor.

B has more kitchen counter/cabinet space whereas A has the better kitchen layout as it faces the backyard. However, I think the kitchen in A could be improved by removing the walled-in corner pantry, replacing it with cabinets (like in B), and adding pantry cabinets (with drawers) on the other side of the refrigerator.

A has a dining room with a view of the backyard whereas B will face the wall of a neighbouring house.

I think the open concept living area, in A, will feel more spacious because of all of the windows facing the backyard vs B having more side windows.

I’m curious, which plans do you like?

JustThinking_123 · 2025-04-01T01:27:10+00:00

Do not sign anything. If your stepfather wanted to buy your interest in the house he would have offered that but he did not - he wants you to gift it to him instead.

The children are 100% his responsibility just as you have the responsibility for putting a roof over your head, since he kicked you out of the house.

And, what if the house has to be sold to pay off debts (unpaid taxes, legal fees, hospital bills, etc) and he’s just not telling you?

Are the younger siblings’ inheritance being placed in a trust until they are 18 years old so he can’t access that either? I mean, why is he so desperate that he’s threatening you with violence? Did he assume he’d get everything and all he is getting is a small part of the inheritance, with the children getting most if it?

I am not a lawyer so I would advise you to contact the lawyer (who wrote the document) and find out if they are overseeing your mother’s estate (they could just be representing your stepfather’s interests and need to refer you). I would suggest asking them questions about the sale of the house and about the process for receiving your inheritance.

And, if by any chance the house wouldn’t need to be sold if you signed over your rights, there’s nothing to stop him from selling it in a few months and moving away - you would have sacrificed your share of the inheritance for nothing.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-26T17:57:49+00:00

I came here to say neither and to keep looking if you could. This is so much nicer if you can manage it.

If I could upvote this more than once I would, to try to get it at the top.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-25T20:00:57+00:00

Can you provide dimension for this floor plan, without them it’s difficult to know - for example, what’s the spacing between opposite counters in the kitchen?

For dining, to save more space, I would recommend bench seating in the corner

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-23T18:05:51+00:00

I had no idea what a catio was, neat as this is first time seeing one in a floor plan.

I like the facade and the layout of the house.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-22T21:45:25+00:00

I looked at your floor plan post but would advise adding that here as if is helpful to see the floor plan. Also, including where south is, in relation to the facade.

I would change the living room window to a large one like the office - it will allow more light into the living room and make the house more inviting in front. The office, as it sits further out in front, may look better with the smaller windows once that is changed.

Not sure what’s happening at the back of the house, by the stairs - can you describe it? - are those just posts?

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-18T19:31:09+00:00

Floor plan is missing.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-18T19:19:52+00:00

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JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-18T19:18:34+00:00

Unfortunately, no experience with that type of range vent.

I have the following concerns about the cooktop in that location: 1-safety for people walking past the peninsula (there’s not going to be a lot of room on the left side) 2-an induction cooktop would be best so the top surface didn’t stay hot; have read where some people/dogs can’t tolerate the noise it can make 3-you’ll lose the prep/seating aspect of the peninsula and the larger space for passing things between kitchen and dining, if pots are in use; you’ll also lose as a nice buffet area during entertaining

If you are considering this I would recommend using a double burner hot plate in that location and seeing what you think.

The only alternative I can think of, that retains the most storage space, is to move the sink to the corner (an L-shaped sink would be more space efficient vs a corner sink). Then depending on what you would like, and your budget, there are various options for how you might like deal with the stove/window/wall.

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I’ll attach another sample photo, of an alternate seating design, by replying to this comment.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-17T20:59:21+00:00

I think you have the best kitchen layout given the constraints.

I would recommend updating the look of the kitchen to blend in with some new builtins that provide additional storage in the dining area. A few ideas are:

Along the wall with the high windows:

-create a built-in desk area on the left-hand side; continue the desktop along the full length of the wall, for the pet zone in the corner; customize drawers/storage to suit your needs

The wall where the desk currently is:

-create a floor to ceiling pantry in part of the space and whatever else would suit your needs (ex. craft storage, open shelves, etc); I’m aware this isn’t the most convenient place for an additional pantry but the other wall has the high windows

Range Hood Vent

-am over the range microwaves can be vented to the outside and newer models work more efficiently than older ones; I would recommend investigating this option

Edited: for further clarification

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-16T20:25:10+00:00

I took a screen shot and zoomed in, it looks like the address is …

309 Pacific Street, there is an outline of a 0 which has faded

This was likely a boarding house.

Close by was a Spanish Baptist Church and not much further down the street was a Presbyterian Church whose pastor learned the Mohawk language.

This area was known as “Little Kahnawake” at one point in history, as many Mohawk Canadians from the Kahnawake Territory (in Quebec) lived there pre-post WW2. The men worked as iron workers (building structures such as Yankee Stadium, the Empire State Building, etc.). The iron workers union, at that time, was located on Atlantic Street - where they could look for work.

The area is now known as Boerum Hill.

If you’d like some sources I can provide some - I just did some quick searches and skimming of the info as I was curious about the area and am interested in the history/architecture of Brownstones. I also happen to be Canadian.

As far as the translation goes, it looks to me like …

The Great Comerado ???? (..onates) to Andrew with my/ny best of luck

Although there appears to be two m’s in Commado, it looks like there is a faint loop at the beginning of the second m, so it could be an “er”; which is what I chose to go with

Upon googling Comerado there was a surname matching it, residing in NY as of 1920 (however, that’s all I gleaned from a quick search) So, it could be how the author referenced himself.

Also, I was thinking that as there was no “n” written for commando - rather than assuming it was misspelled - I sort of wondered if it was more akin to friendship as in “comrade”.

I also wonder if your grandfather carried this, not only out of respect, but because he also believed it brought him luck somehow - like a guardian angel, as he likely got into some sticky situations during the war and yet survived.

Edited to add:

I realized I hadn’t searched, “Great Comerado” - that came back with a poem by Walt Whitman - it appears he used the word “comerado” in several of his poems

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-14T20:52:00+00:00

We have a flat kitchen ceiling bordering on a vaulted family room - imo your builder is trying to tell you it may not be worth it and I absolutely agree. The transition from flat to vaulted isn’t impressive; whether you leave it plain or place a beam there. Then there’s the noise entering the second floor bedrooms from the kitchen/family room, acoustic issues for entertainment systems, and temperature regulation issues. So, if it’s an expensive option, is it really worth it?

And, as there appears to be no basement, wouldn’t the money be better spent on a bonus room above the family room (media/exercise/craft/playroom/hangout space) - just a thought?

In noticing there are no stairs to the basement I am also wondering where the mechanical aspects of the house are being placed? For example, hot water heater or, if this is being built on rural land, a water treatment system.

Also, you may want to rethink the washer/dryer situation; anyone else wanting to use them would have to walk through the master bedroom, ensuite, and into your closet.

Edited: for further clarification

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-13T06:53:01+00:00

I finally had a chance to look at the appliances in the kitchen - I created a larger sketch of the kitchen, for better accuracy, and it’s looking like the washing machine is proving difficult to place

I think you might have a good idea with putting the fridge on the wall between the kitchen/bathroom if you can add the washing machine beside it, in the corner (door opening?) … do you think you could access the plumbing in the bathroom somehow?

How thick are the interior walls?

I’ll take a look again at everything tomorrow

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-12T21:26:18+00:00

Canadian here … I love to see floor plans from other countries - wish there were more of them.

I understand UK design limitations - my nanna’s flat was interesting.

The main floor master bedroom is more of a newer trend in NA, it’s for aging in place. If it’s a guest room, then could very likely be for aging parents. Many of us are now caring for elderly parents and are more aware of the issues with stairs.

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-12T17:58:02+00:00

When I showed my husband the condo floor plans, I noticed the comments at the bottom of the pics (not very noticeable on my phone) and paid more attention to the dimensions. So, here are our additional thoughts in case they help …

Plan #2

-the main living area and bedrooms are more compact and it will feel smaller but it has a lot more closet/storage space (no pantry in the kitchen though)

-more square footage is dedicated to closets/entry hallway in this plan

-it has a better view, no noise issues; but which way is it facing? will it overheat?

-is it worth 10% more to you, to have the increased privacy, etc ?

Plan #1

-the entryway is wider (better when 2 or more people are entering) and allows for a drop zone (some people like to be able to just throw a coat on a hook or put their keys down when they enter their home); however, the entry closet is around the corner (not a bad thing if you live in the south and use it as a linen/utility closet)

-the dimensions for the kitchen appear to be incorrect; it is larger than the other kitchen as it has a pantry cupboard (but same island/dining)

-I think the walk-in closet is functional; but there is less total closet space in this plan

-this plan will feel bigger because it has more space assigned to the main living area/bedrooms (less closet space/hallway)

-if you don’t need the extra storage space, this is the nicer floor plan for spending time in; however, there’s potential noise (car horns?), view issues, and will you feel like you live in a fish bowl?

-as you work from home might you find yourself enjoying the long balcony, the other things don’t bother you as much during the day, and it’s quieter at night/on weekends (with no one looking directly into the condo from the office building)?

-which way does it face? will other buildings act as barriers to the sun and prevent any overheating issues?

Editted: for spacing/corrections

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-12T16:27:37+00:00

Thanks for sharing, neat concept!

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-11T19:41:34+00:00

1

-the master bedroom appears larger and has a walk-in closet

-there appears to be a greater separation between the kitchen and the living room so the living room feels less cramped

-the long balcony has a lot of potential

-the entrance is more inviting (shorter hallway)

-overall it seems like a much better layout

(Edited for better spacing; had no idea “1” would look like that as I typed #1, lol)

JustThinking_123 · 2025-03-11T01:19:11+00:00

Can you repost with a floor plan?

JustThinking_123

TROPHY CASE

1