Which of these floorpans? (office/bathroom addition)

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 3:43 pm

These are the two options I have for an addition I am planning to build onto my bedroom. Both also include a little desk/office area to be used occasionally by myself or my husband to WAHM when the public areas of the house are too busy (kids home, etc.). And a bathroom with the minimum footprint that I could come up with, since there's not a lot of outdoor area out there and I don't want to use it all up on the addition.

One option has a wall immediately behind the desk, and the door to the bathroom a little further out--I don't like that it brings the addition really close to the round window facing it (my daughters' bedroom). I also doesn't like that the door opens out into an area of the yard that is already more public. But does having that extra space there make the desk area substantially more functional?

Or is the kind of thing that in in any case if my husband is let's say using the desk and I need to squeeze behind him to get to the bathroom, we'll equally find ourselves in each other's way--might as well go with the more minimal design. I'm leaning towards that, but I guess I wonder what others think.

I would love any input!

amother

Cerise

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 3:48 pm

I don't see measurements but can you put the chair back against the wall & face the bathroom wall, not the door, you can hang art on that wall across from desk chair and make an L shaped mini desk? Maybe even that folds in under the side peice when not in use.

T h en when closed it will look like a chair & a side table.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 4:33 pm

I’m not sure I understand. are you looking at the first picture I posted here?

if I understand what you’re saying here—I don’t think there’s really room to do that unless we widen the hallway and allow the addition to extend further into the yard than it it is projected to do now. I’d rather not do that, especially as I don’t really expect or need this to be a full-fledged office space but more a place where one of us can occasionally retreat to with a laptop.

doodlesmom ↓

Mon, Sep 02 2024, 9:08 am

I’m wondering in general why you aren’t continuing with the curves that are so prominent in the original house?
I guess it’s the back and you don’t want to use more space?

amother

Oxfordblue

Mon, Sep 02 2024, 9:19 am

I like the second layout. I think that avoiding that extra piece of wall near the outside door will give the hallway a more open feel. It also won't block any sunlight from your daughters windows.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Mon, Sep 02 2024, 1:53 pm

thanks, guys! I appreciate each answer. oxfordblue of course you are saying what I kind of think... I'm a little scared though to do something as "crazy" as having a bathroom door open directly behind an intended workspace (even though we don't do many Zooms).

doodles mom yes it's in the back of the house. I don't have a passionate skilled architect working with me to create harmonious architecture, and I definitely don't know myself what to do to incorporate curves--so I'm just focused on keeping the footprint small where it just won't be noticeable from most other angles where it will be seen.

amother

↑ Tealblue

Mon, Sep 02 2024, 2:00 pm

amother OP wrote:

Re: bathroom door and zoom. Presumably the door will be closed if someone is using it. And if someone need to use the bathroom during a call, they'd be seen on the camera walking to/from the bathroom either way, regardless of door location.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Mon, Sep 02 2024, 2:46 pm

amother Tealblue wrote:

yes that is my thinking too. I’m getting advice in the opposite direction though—so it helps me that you also see this too.

I guess if we would do the plan with the extras hall space, presumably someone could come in from the exterior door if they wanted to access the bathroom without disturbing… but really I just don’t anticipate it being a problem very often, at least as far zoom. could be if my husband would be working late at night I’d be in and out of the bathroom behind him which might be uncomfortable for us regardless of zooms.

amother

↑ OP

Tue, Sep 03 2024, 3:51 am

well, it's technically feasible. it's me and my husband. but if my husband is working late at night it will definitely be annoying for me to be shut out of our bathroom/shower when I want to get ready for bed. not impossible though.

he says that if he does have a zoom call, he can use a background so that what's behind him doesn't really show--but it's not something we have experienced, so I don't know how reliable that is.

amother

DarkOrange ↓

Thu, Sep 19 2024, 1:52 am

If it's not too late...
I would take the curve from the 11 & 3 girls room and continue it up to the edge of your room.

In other words, make a rounded corner that meets both walls.

You lose a little more outdoors but I think it will look better than an awkward bump. And you will have a bit more space to work with, maybe even turn the desk area.

I can't go back to the pic while I'm typing but the desk area looks tiny to me. Also a window will make it feel less cramped.

Also maybe the curve lends itself to an oval shaped tub... if you didnt decide yet, I can try looking tomorrow on a computer instead of a phone.

(I'm not an architect but I did take a couple of courses.... and was very involved in a few building design projects)

amother

Strawberry

Thu, Sep 19 2024, 5:50 am

amother DarkOrange wrote:

Sounds like a good idea but it'll cost op a lot more.

amother

↑ DarkOrange ↓

Thu, Sep 19 2024, 5:23 pm

It's all relative.
Depending on what you can afford, but once you're doing a renovation it's really a shame to kick yourself afterwards that you made it too small!

I made myself a little sewing room off my bedroom, plus a minimal bathroom but with a nice sized tub. In the original plans, sewing room is 8' 7" x 6' and bathroom is 5'3" x 7' 8" (Not sure why that makes sense, they are both the same in one direction...)

I am pretty sure I remember that my contractor said I can't do the bathroom that small, and it's probably at least foot wider (which we took away from the sewing room) I know I have a nice sized counter on either side of my sink (the better to fill with clutter....)

I don't zoom in my sewing room (there is really no reception) but I really wouldn't want it smaller, I think I'd never go in there...

penguin ↓

Thu, Sep 19 2024, 6:18 pm

Here's an idea for you. Take some painter's (or masking tape) and map out the area somewhere (basement, playroom etc)

Draw the walls and the desk area. Sit there in a chair and see how the space feels. Of course hard to say without real walls, but easier to perceive than on paper. For a little more effect, take some large cardboard cartons and open them up and have your kids hold them up to simulate walls.

amother

Phlox

Thu, Sep 19 2024, 6:27 pm

why don't you put the door to the bathroom on the wall facing the bedroom?
The desk nook is so small if it doubles as a passage way to the bathroom I'm not sure how much use you'll get out of it...

↑ doodlesmom

Thu, Sep 19 2024, 7:38 pm

amother Phlox wrote:

why don't you put the door to the bathroom on the wall facing the bedroom?
The desk nook is so small if it doubles as a passage way to the bathroom I'm not sure how much use you'll get out of it...

Funny op, as soon as I saw this thread bumped I was gonna mention the option of having the bathroom open up straight into the bedroom ( I know it’s an outer wall so it might not be so simple), and then the desk niche gets more room and options.