We have decided to remodel our home with an add-on!! Eeeek!! Very exciting stuff around here. I have to admit I was nervous about going though with it. We had a realtor come over and give her thoughts and it wasn’t what we thought she would say about our home. Our home is not on the “perfect street”. One street front or back would be more ideal to remodel and do an add-on. But I disagree. We bought this home. The yard is not one you often find in this area. And the home itself is an emotional purchase. We loved a lot about this house more than others that made us emotionally buy it. And now with all that we have done to it, I could see someone doing the same. And if we plan to stay in the area, then emotionally it is hard to leave it.
Often when you are making big changes, like adding-on it is a good idea to consult with a relator in your area to see if it makes sense to do what you are doing. Especially if the home is not your “forever home.” If you are planning on living in your home as long as the eye can see then you really don’t have to worry if it “makes sense for resale”. We do not know how long we will live in this home, so we want to be smart. But at the same time we are not the type of people to sit back and do nothing because it isn’t forever. Why wait. Enjoy where you live now (but be smart with your money).
To make a long story short, we live in a flood zone. We are less than a mile to the beach (praise hands). So we do have flood insurance and restrictions on how much we can add-on to our home before we have to fill in the basement with cement. We basically are allowed to spend around $100k, (based on the value of our home) before we have to pay $10k for dirt to go in our basement. What that means is, we can go out 8 feet from our home, one level (about to our deck) and not have to fill the basement.
And yes, $100k is going to be tight….But there are ways to make it work, it is more based on the basic cost of things (from what I gather).
Our basement is not livable. Nor would it ever be considered livable by insurance if we decided to fix it up. BUT we would be giving up a lot of storage if we filled it in. Our washer and dryer are in our basement. I was going to move the washer and dryer upstairs by our kitchen, but many of you brought up a good point. Noise and mess. Right now I can sort the laundry in a large open space down there. Or I can throw bedding down there and leave it until I have time to wash it. Same with beach towels etc. Ideally we would want to have a laundry room on the floor where all the bedrooms are, but our bedrooms are split up right now. In our phase 2 we can add a washer and dryer to the second floor.
This is what we are planning on doing so far-
Add-on about 280 square feet (8 feet back) now. Extend our kitchen, add a master bathroom and master closet. We can also adjust our main floor bathroom and add a stackable washer and dryer.
Then in one year, if we are planning on staying longer we will add-on to the second floor and thus not have to ever fill in the basement. You can get out of filling in the basement if you do it in stages. You do save money on flood insurance if you fill in the basement. But we really lack in storage and would hate to just fill all that storage space with dirt. Maybe phase 3 would be a garage!
Our home is paid for. We made sure to pay it completely off, insuring that we had cash to do this remodel. So it feels really great to be able to make changes without going into debt. That is important to us and our values. I share that because I don’t want others to think they should go into debt to make their home bigger or “better”. It is not worth it. We would not be doing this if we didn’t have the money for it.
We have lived in this home as-is for 4 years and loved the area we are in and the school, so much. It has served us well. We are looking forward to making a few tweaks that will serve us even better and anyone else who might possibly live here in the future.
Below are three different floor plans that our architect put together for us. Can I just say how excited I was to get these???? SO EXCITED!!!!!!
We would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave us a comment!
Floor Plan Options-
Option A- Extend the kitchen, move the sink to the back wall, add an island. Keep main floor bathroom as-is. Keep master as-is but add a master bathroom and a master closet.
Option B- Extend the kitchen, basically leave kitchen set-up similar to what it is, add an island, add a mini locker mud-room space by back door. Main floor bathroom we would move the door out past where the hall storage is and take the master bathroom closet for storage in bathroom or have it be a stacking washer and dryer. Keep master as-is but add a master bathroom and a master closet.
Option C- Extend the kitchen, move the sink to the back, add an island, add a mini locker mud-room space by back door and have the back door be a straight shot to the back yard. Main floor bathroom we would move the door out past where the hall storage is and take the master bathroom closet and have it be a stacking washer and dryer also do a pocket door. Keep master as-is but add a master bathroom and a master closet- all with pocket doors.
This was the final drawing after we had talked and added my thoughts. Pocket doors save a bunch of space. Also I didn’t want to lose that wall in our master to a door to the closet (our dresser is currently on that wall). So now the plans show that you get into the closet from the bathroom. I do want to have the master shower also be a tub, so we will still adjust that. We are also opening up slightly the entrance to the kitchen, taking off the door frames and making it wider (you will see what I mean if you compare option A with C).
I will say our realtor (who is darling and so helpful). Suggested that we make the main floor all open and move the master bedroom upstairs and get rid of the center bathroom. Making it a wide open floor plan. Also take down the wall in our living room that now separates our kitchen. If we did what she is suggesting we would lose our basement and have to do the second floor addition right away.
Love to hear your thoughts!!! What would you do???
Stay tuned to see my design plan for these spaces! Yes, we are going to completely do a new kitchen. New floor, new appliances, new! If you aren’t aware our kitchen cabinets are actually reface-ed meaning they are really the old cabinets with just a face lift. So I am excited to have our kitchen be a little more swanky!!!
Option C! Don’t open it up. Your house is so charming, opening it up would make it look like every other house.
I would love to see them open it up and pit there own touch on it, I SUGGEST PUTTING THE WASHER AND DRYER IN THE MASTER CLOSET! Plan B IS MY FAVORITE.
Congrats on the renovation! Option C is my favorite. Looking forward to the process and seeing the after reveal.
How exciting! I’m sure you will make the right choices and look forward to seeing this happen.
I would never give up a first floor master bedroom though. That was a must have when we were searching for our current home. I insisted on that and a main floor laundry room. I live in KY and not having a main floor master does hurt your resale value here. Also not having a basement makes it very hard to sell a home here. It doesn’t have to be finished, but people want that storage space!
🙂
How fun! I think I really like option C. Having one less door in the master will open up some wall space, and the flow in the kitchen seems really nice. I’m sure whatever you choose will be great!
this is so exciting, brooke! i love option C personally. i like where the island and seating is in relation to the range in that one which seems most conducive to hanging out with the family while you cook. i could see kids at the banquette doing homework and one at the island helping you cook or just sitting and talking while you cook. it just seems the most functional/conversational that way.
I like option C best too, with a tub added in. I don’t at all agree with your realtor! I know she knows the main part of the current market, but there are also a lot of people looking for more cozy, less open homes these days, and I think you would have that with option C. You wouldn’t lose the charm of your home as is.
So exciting! I agree with both sentiments above. I love option C and also agree that a master on main floor is a plus. We are actually planning to add one to our two-story in the near future. I love open floor plans but would hate to lose a basement, finished or otherwise. Good luck and can’t wait to see the progress and end result!
I’m surprised your realtor would suggest getting rid of the first floor master. We are currently selling our house and the #1 complaint has been a 2nd floor master. We’ve had at least two prequalified buyers walk over it. I would definitely keep the first floor master.
oh thanks for sharing!! Yes, a lot of homes in the area are like 3 and 4 levels and all the bedrooms are up!
There are still a lot of families that enjoy having their master away from the kiddos for privacy. *ahem* and houses with them separated like yours are hard to find. I don’t think realtors always think about how families live compared to what’s popular with young couples buying who haven’t yet thought about needs AFTER they have kids.
Love Option C as well. Always keep a first floor Master for resale. Re the laundry room situation, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. You can have both! A W/D in the basement for bedding, beach towels etc and units in the remodeled center bath upstairs for daily use. Having the W/D option upstairs as well will be a game changer for things like throwing your kitchen napkins and towels in every night since you are a paperless home! Excited for y’all!
Yes, I agree with Ashley. You want a first floor master. With two bedrooms down and that darling family room upstairs, your rooms become versatile. In a resale situation, Finns room could easily become a den or a dining room and you would still have two upstairs bedrooms. Having a laundry room on the main floor is heavenly. I’ve had a basement laundry room and 1st floor. I stay on top of it now. The bottom line is, what works for you and how you live, not a realtor telling you what they think is best. I didn’t think any if her suggestions sounded viable. I love plan C. It utilizes space efficiently. If you want your second bathroom on the first floor to seem more line a powder room, drape the tub from ceiling to floor.
Before I got to Option C I was thinking POCKET DOORS EVERYWHERE. If I ever build a house I will have those on every bathroom and closet!
Love them all though and can’t wait to follow along!
yes! I actually wouldn’t mind adding a a pocket door to all the doors on our main floor!!!
Option C all the way! Sink close to stove, washer and dryer, keep your wall space in master.
I like option C. I’m so excited for you all. Love the door between the master closet and bathroom (you’ll love that). I love the idea of bar stools by the island. The kitchen will be such a nice gathering place! I can’t wait to see the transformation. Thanks for sharing with us.
Except if someone is on the loo and you want to get your clothes out of the closet 🙈
Yes! I’ve built 2 homes and both had master closet entrances through the bathroom BUT, we closed off the toilet in its own room. Showering, brushing teeth, going to the closet, could all be restricted if someone else is using the room. I would definitely put the toilet behind a door!
So exciting! We have a similar home to yours, no master bath or closet, small kitchen, no mud room. We looked into an addition as well, but it wasn’t an option with property size and city restrictions. So, we decided to move and I am SO EXCITED for a master, kitchen storage space, and mud room. Lacking those 3 things made our home frustrating daily with a busy family. I think these plans make so much sense! You will be so happy with it & I can’t wait to see how it comes together!
I’m so excited for you Brooke! I love that you are able to pay for this with cash, makes it feel all the more special! My husband and I are currently paying off our debt through the Dave Ramsey method, love hearing from couples and families who are living a debt-free life. We’ve been married for just over a year.
I know open concept houses are popular right now, but I personally love your home set up. I love that the rooms are separate because spending time together as a family is intentional rather than just a side effect of having fewer walls. I know whatever you choose you will make it feel homey and perfect for you family. So excited to see all this unfold!
Congrats on paying off debt! We also used the Dave Ramsey plan, it took 3 years but so worth it and we became debt free in March 2019 . . . hang in there!! Funny how others thought we were strange, my husband who is in senior management was able to share how to get debt free with many of his staff of nurses whose pay range was $32 to $45 per hour, plus shift differential, overtime and bonuses. A few listened, a few went into further debt but his silent examples of daily sack lunch, coffee, water, driving older car and being completely happy have made a lasting impression. So keep plugging away, so happy for you and the bright future you and your spouse have ahead!
I am probably in the minority but I hate open concept. It’s so loud, no privacy, and hard for furniture placement. I like specific rooms instead of having a home feel like an open apartment. I love old homes with traditional dining rooms and living rooms. Our last home was a 1927 Colonial and our current home is a 1931 Tudor. I live on Long Island so I’m pretty close to you and I think East Coasters tend to be more traditional and want specific rooms instead of open concept homes that are typical in new builds.
yes!!! I am 100% I do not love open concept. that is why I am always wanted an older home. They are so charming to me! the only time I ever want it open is the rare occasion we have a big party.
I agree with you completely Brooke, an open floor is nice when you are having a big gathering but other than that I don’t see the appeal
I agree with most of the comments. I love option C. You have your mud room area and possibly the washer/dryer on the first floor. And adding pocket doors is brilliant. I can’t wait to see the transformation. I love your style!!!
I also love pocket doors! I initially liked Option B Kitchen (wouldn’t have to move stove gas line) but Option C won me over since I love having a window overlooking the back yard to watch the kids. I am a realtor (in WI) and I also think your realtor is wrong for suggesting getting rid of the main floor master and losing the living/kitchen wall. In small houses, those walls can be valuable to create privacy, and to define a space, hang a TV, put a fireplace, etc. Option C all the way (with a master bath tub)! Can’t wait to see how everything comes together!
I also live in a small Cape so I was so excited to see your plans! I love that in options A & C your sink overlooks the backyard! That would be so great to be able to watch the kids play. I really like option C and totally agree with the use of pocket doors! How will this addition effect the back exterior of the house and are you planning on building a new deck as well? Thanks for sharing!
I am so excited and happy for you! I agree with Tracey. Don’t ever give up a downstairs master bedroom. I really like your honesty as well. Explaining to your followers that you are in a financial good standing to allow this expansion is so important. Can’t wait to see all the progress!
Hi! I can’t comment on the plans, as I cannot visualize them for real. However, I can speak from the experience of being flooded in Harvey and also 10 years ago, building a lake house from scratch.
I agree that a first floor master is a must. We got old faster than we thought! Also many years ago, I had my Injured mother move in for a few months. In Houston, we don’t have basements, but anything you can do to minimize flood damage do it. We bought a brand new house in Houston, large, open concept, not a fan of the giant kitchen living area etc. But I do love the butlers pantry, 2 pantries and 3 linen closets! And the bigger the master closet the better. Also, I have a tiny laundry room…boo, but again at least on first floor. .
Our lake house, small, but a full bathroom on every floor, first floor masters and built in drawers in wall to minimize furniture in the smallish master. And enjoy your renovation, read dozens of ideas..don’t forget the double trash drawer in the kitchen, drinking water filter if your area water is not so great…and I do love me, pocket doors! Barn doors are fading…just some random thoughts!
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Hi, Brooke! Just wanted to share with you that your soon-to-be old kitchen is inspiration for my soon-to-be new one. I’m with you in the belief that your surroundings effect your mood, and your kitchen just makes me so happy! Specifically, the dramatic floor and the butcher block countertops are what I am looking forward to the most. I hope it is as functional as it is spirit-lifting!
With regard to your remodel, I say trust whatever has guided you thus far. You always seem to make good design decisions for your family, and I look forward to watching it all unfold from afar. And being further inspired!
I love option C but would get rid of the wall between living room and the newly remodeled kitchen. You could continue the built-in’s behind the eating space to serve as a buffet and blend with the shelves in the living room. You would lose the fireplace but I think you would love the sight lines into the living room from the kitchen! I would definitely keep the main floor master. Love the plans for the master bath and closet with pocket doors too!
Very excited for you! Just out of curiosity: did you get a quote for a new garage too? You mentioned you could consider one in the future. Depending on the restrictions where you live, you could have a really nice, custom garage built (storage area, loft room above for guests or office space, etc.). But bumping out the back of your house could potentially affect those future plans for a garage for you or a potential new owner (encroachment, utility easement, etc.). My family and I are in the same boat as you so I just thought I would share some of our process. We are trying to consider all options to maximize our projects but also eliminate the ripple effect that comes when you add on. Wishing you lots of luck!
This is so exciting & I can’t wait to see your touch on your transformation! You have such a talented eye. I think I like Option C best. Love the stackable washer on the main floor. Also was wondering with your table to the back of the kitchen would you miss your window or being able to look out while you are sitting at the table? Can’t wait to see the changes!! Congratulations!
I did think of that with the window too!!! But the window will be nice by the sink!
i don’t totally agree with your realtor in regards to the open space. I also live in a small 1,300 sq. ft. bungalow and when we were looking, I hated the houses where they removed all the character to make them open. Small old houses are supposed to be a little more segmented and you would think people looking for an old home aren’t looking for an open concept!
agree 100%
I agree, too!! That’s exactly what I thought when I read your realtor’s suggestion. I am an interior designer (by trade/education…I’m more of a church planter’s wife right now) and every time I see the shows on HGTV where they knock out all the walls on smaller, old homes, I cringe! One day, this open-concept thing is going to be a thing of the past. People are going to be rushing to put up walls! We live in a smaller house, too, open-concept, new construction, and I get tired of seeing one mess in one “room” from everywhere else in the house. 🙂
Can’t wait to follow along Brooke!
Each of the plans have merit and our well thought out. My thoughts are that your actual eating area needs to be a little larger. Kids grow, family and friends join you and the deck isn’t a dining option in the winter. I know that you have size constrictions. What a great project, Where will you put a temp kitchen area while work is happening? Basement perhaps, sink and mini new stove with a table and brighter basement lights, oh fridge too.!
I don’t even care what you do, I’m just so excited to see it all! So fun!
The open concept is very trendy and will eventually go out of style. We have a semi open concept but still have a formal living and dining room which I love the separation of rooms. Congrats on paying your house off!!! xoxo
I vote for Option C! (although i would still have the entrance to the master closet off of the master bedroom…just my preference for getting clothes or dressing when someone is already going to the bathroom. lol)
I also vote not to open it all up. Your house is so charming!
Option C, for sure! Having gone through a ton of renovations in our house, I can’t tell you how happy I am that we did pocket doors on our master bathroom. It is such a huge space saver and totally convenient, while still maintaining the style/vibe of the house. It think Option C will give you everything you’re looking for and will allow you to still be true to the character of your lovely home. Keep us posted!
So excited for you & can’t wait to see the finishes plan! I am loving option C but I am nervous about the main floor bath being a pocket door since those don’t always lock real well when people use them! lol. At least that was my experience when I was younger. Are you going to re-do that bath as in the tile work cause it looks good as is..
I know the trend has been lately is the open floor plan for the main floor but it can make a room feel dirty easily ( we have an open main area for our tiny 1 bedroom apartment) & if the kitchen is a mess & I have people over after eating it tkes every single ounce of self-control not to start cleaning the kitchen. Most of the time I loose this battle & clean while I have guests which isn’t good.
I agree with the above comment I love the master bedroom on the first floor. my mom is now an empty nester, & it doesn’t make sense for a master upsatiars. She now can keep the upstairs at higher temp to help save i little on her electric bill. Also, it is one less area to clean as regularly. Just two perks on having master on the first floor!
So excited for y’all!
I was thinking about that too….the pocket door issue!! And I LOVE the marble tile in our main floor bath, so maybe we can just work with it.
Love Option C. When you do pocket doors, make as many as you can with glass, so you don’t lose light–unless privacy is an issue. There are beautiful glass inserts these days! Also, master downstairs is usually preferred, where we live–Northern California. Maybe as you do phase 2 you can open up the front downstairs bedroom to make it a library or other sitting area, assuming you can reclaim the bedroom upstairs. DON’T open up all the rooms by taking walls down. Your house screams cozy and charming. In taking the wall down you would lose your banquet, which is so perfect for your family.
Have fun with the process!!
Whitney
I don’t think I would want a window in my closet. You would lose valuable hanging/wall space. I would go for a skylight or a nice light fixture instead. Would you ever consider putting the washer/dryer in your closet? I can’t tell how big it is but it looks like it’s the same distance from your bedrooms as it would be in the bathroom so noise wouldn’t be too much more. Plus you would be able to hide the laundry pile 😉
This is soooo exciting!!! I am an architectural designer not too far from you. These layouts look amazing & functional. You are packing a lot in to a small space. My only suggestion would be to use normal doors on your bathrooms. In the firm I work with, we won’t use a pocket door for a bathroom, as they let sounds & smells out more so than a regular door would. The suggestion the realtor made sounds like a great idea, but not very functional for your family & the way you use your house. Good luck with your renovation! I can’t wait to follow along!
I like the work triangle in option B. You do lose some counter space though. In options A and C, the stove and refrigerator are on opposite sides of the island which may become a pain. So if that’s not an issue, I like the layout in Option C. It looks like it gives you a bit more counter space. I like the bathroom in option C as well, but I would not put a stackable washer/dryer there. If you do, you would lose storage for towels, sheets, toiletries, etc. It also allows for a bigger vanity. I think you could put some type of storage to the left of the vanity because of the pocket door. In option C, I like the wider openings into the kitchen and living room. Look forward to seeing what you choose and how it turns out. I am not a fan of wide open floor plans either. Agree with the others, your home is very warm and cozy.
Exciting for you! Whatever you choose will be great! I love pocket doors, we have them in our home separating the living room anand dining room.
Also I get the realtor suggesting open concept because I know it’s trendy and what buyers want but in a Cape?! It just doesnt go with the style of a cozy cape and would look out of place. I’m still annoyed at the people who bought my grandmother’s Cape after she passed. They got rid of the wall your realtor suggested and it looks just wrong to me. They recently put the home on the market so that’s how I know lol. They improved a lot, too, but sometimes I think people get too caught up in what’s trendy instead of what works for your home and your family. Which is in the end what really matters.
Yes, option C! I wouldn’t take down the wall for a full open concept.. although that seems to be the “trend” you would lose a lot of charm. Plus you’ll still have a cozy living room with a fully updated kitchen. Also, I’d keep master on main floor.. currently house hunting and LOOKING for a two story with a private master downstairs and kiddos would be upstairs ❤️
I agree with C! I’m an East Coast girl and don’t find the master upstairs to be that appealing. Honestly when home shopping, the houses with first floor masters and full baths had so much more open house traffic than other homes. Also important, don’t loose the basement if you don’t have a garage. Lastly, I mightnopen the wall a bit to the living room if you didn’t have that lovely banquette in the kitchen for people to lounge around. We just went from a 1700 house to a new open concept house but we have a rec room for noise, it’s a lovely blend to entertain in, otherwise I would not adore the open concept as much as I originally thought.
I love option c as well! I find that realtor’s opinions aren’t always the best when it comes to renovations. Do what you need to do for your family. It’s not like you are removing restrooms or bedrooms which may make your property value decline. Are you living there during the renovations?
I love them all, but option C is my favorite. I think more people are moving away from open floor plans. Your house is so traditional, opening it all up would not match the rest of the home. Also, leaving first floor bedrooms and adding the first floor laundry and bath would make it a forever home option for someone so they may age and not have to worry about climbing stairs. I love your home and I am sure your family will pick what is best for y’all. 💜
A or C although I love the idea. Of the washer and dryer in the main house as opposed to basement, I don’t think I’d Ike it in a bathroom. Just too tight of a working space. Good luck! Can’t wait to watch!!
Can’t wait to follow along! I like the kitchen layout in option C. Here’s another idea just for fun- what if you moved Finn’s room upstairs and opened up the wall that abuts the stairs/ front door and closed off the door to his room…this would really
Enlarge your living space into two areas on either side of the center stairs. His room could move upstairs to your bonus room and then when you do phase 2 you could add another room upstairs…In doing this you could remove tub from downstairs main bath as well- giving you room to add it to master bath or to enlarge the laundry area.
Oooooooo, I love and second this idea!!🥰
Option C for sure!
I like C. I grew up in a Cape Cod with 2 bedrooms on the main floor and a bathroom I think you should embrace the house vs make it look like a new build which is what it almost sounds like the realtor suggests. Personally I like the wall between my kitchen and living room area in my current home. Keeps cooking smells in the kitchen vs my sofa! And I wouldn’t get rid of he basement for anything if you could help it! Anyway love the idea of making a master suite and enlarging the eating area of you house. Can’t wait to see it!
I personally love option B because I love the seating area in your kitchen. It makes it so cozy! I love the added mudroo . The only thing I would change is doing the master bathroom/closet like option C with the floor plan of B.
And yes don’t open it up! It would lose the cozy cottage feel!
Love option c. It keeps the charm with adding a little something extra. I can’t wait to see the process!! We are dreaming of doing something similar.
We used Bill as our architect too. Great choice! We also put in a washer/dryer on our main floor outside our downstairs master and the convenience is amazing. Good luck!
I feel like I’m saying the same exact thing everyone else is saying but if this were my project, I would definitely go with option C! Not a fan of open concept. I like a floor plan that flows nicely, but one big open space does not work well for my family. We also have three (very busy, very LOUD) kids, and it’s nice sometimes to have some separation from the toys and mess. Also, a messy kitchen makes it hard for me to enjoy my dinner 🙁
I’m so excited to see how of this all comes together!!!
I love it! We gave up our master bathroom when we moved to VA and I miss it, so I’m excited for you!
I think you are wise not to open everything up. I read an article about the open floor plan being a fad, and people are already seeing the downside to it. I know that in our last house, which had an open concept downstairs, it was impossible to watch tv in the family room without the sound traveling all over the house and keeping people awake. Very hard to watch tv when kids were sleeping, and in the days when the kids were little, that was the only time my husband and I did watch tv!
I can’t wait to see how this turns out! I always appreciate the way your share everything with your readers so naturally and in such a friendly way. I get so many helpful ideas from you!
=)
Option C. However one thing you may not have considered, is perhaps adding a pocket door for the bathroom to be private. The MB closetbis used as the new entrance to bathroom.The door slides along the staircase to the hallway creating privacy for the bathroom.
As a child growing up with a bathroom near the kitchen I hated not knowing company arrived until I came out of the shower.
Plan C with a tub in the master🥰🤗
Even though I hate the pocket door on my bathroom…option C really sets up your space so nicely considering you love wall space to decorate. I also love having the stove and oven on an exterior wall- it heats the space less (wait I live in the south so you might want that) .
We can’t wait to see your exciting project unfold! We work in construction and I’m seriously just going to pray everything goes ahead of schedule for you! If not, have patience and it will be worth it.
Also – don’t fill that basement in!!! That’s so crazy that she would suggest that!!!
I like option C, but are you concerned that if someone’s in the bathroom with the door locked, you couldn’t get into the closet? I know you’d lose a wall with two separate doors to the bathroom and master closet, but you’d gain a window with two doors and you might not need a dresser with all the new closet space. Just me overthinking it…
My experience with pocket doors anywhere near a bathroom is they swell and pretty soon you won’t be able to slide them in and out with ease.
Love C! We have a pocket door into our master closet and absolutely love it!
Option C, I am a real estate agent also. Positives you keep your triangle between the sink stove and fridge and it has a clean defined walk way from entry to exit. The other designs make you have to walk through seating and around the island. Good luck! We are in the same process currently.
Love this! It’s going to be gorgeous regardless of which you choose. Be careful with having a door to your closet from the bathroom. My master is right off the bathroom and it’s gets steamy in there. I had to buy a dehumidifier to help keep the humidity down. I wish the door to the closet were outside the bathroom (I live in Florida so humidity is an overall issue for us). Can’t wait to follow along and see how it turns out!
Option C!! That’s my fav, I love having my closet in my bedroom, it makes everything easier! And agree on the pocket doors!
I like option C too like the other commenters! But if possible, I would keep the new master closet door opening up to the bedroom, not the bath. More hanging space! And if your spouse is using the bathroom, you don’t have to walk through the bathroom to the closet. (It might not bother y’all, but might bother the next homeowner one day!)
I personally like Option A the best. C is a close second, but for some reason I cant get behind the fridge being on the opposite side of the seated island? Maybe I’m just not visually seeing it right. I think for sure you need one of the options with the sink against the back wall. I love seeing out to my backyard when I am at my kitchen sink. I feel that’s where we spend a lot of our time. We love our master on the first floor as well. Can’t wait to see how you design and decorate this addition! Have fun!!
I love all options and know whatever you decide will be great!
Option C! I live in Fairfield County too – we’re on our 2nd home here and saw soooo many capes that were opened up like youre realtor suggested…they lacked charm & privacy and were loud and awkward during open houses.
These older homes weren’t designed that way intentionally & even though i’m sure you have wonderful professionals involved, I cant help but think you’re taking more away, and at great risk, from the home instead of adding when you make such structural change like that. The 1st floor bath and master bath are so much more important in the long run.
Option C. Way more functional with pocket doors and open spaces don’t leave room for charm. Its just a warehouse. Go with your gut. Your home is my design inspiration for mine, so yay!
Love it! What I love about plan C is the backdoor. I love that the kiddos can run through the kitchen and not have to go pass the stove. The other two plans are great, but they are the direct path for anyone to go outside. I love cooking, so it makes me think about if I’m cooking/baking, do I want to worry about the kids being around while hot food is cooking or if I’m opening up the oven.
I also LOVE the pocket doors and that is provides a lot more wall space. Maybe you won’t need your dresser, now that you have a walk in, but of course there will be a design element that you can put into place where you couldn’t if there was a door.
Option C!!! I love all three though. I would never open that up completely. I hate that you would lose the built in cabinets outside the current bathroom! I absolutely love that piece. Maybe you could put it somewhere else in the house!
Option C. That being said have you thought about making a den out of main floor secondary bedroom and converting upstairs family room into a bedroom? You could also make main bathroom into powder room with laundry are
Option B! Walking past people with their chairs pulled out during meal times to get into the kitchen from the main part of the house can be a pain. Having the main eating area toward the back of the kitchen keeps the main flow of the house open and when dealing with smaller square footage it will keep it feeling more open when the spaces are being used.
Never ever lose a 1st floor master!!!! Definitely one of the first things people look for in a new home. Love “C”
Option c! Also keep your current laundry room and just have the stackable be a plus not an instead of!
I’m soooooo over the whole open concept house! I like options C best. It’s your home and you know what’s best for your family. Do what will make yall happy in the end.
Option C looks good. This may seem silly but I have never liked the idea of having to walk through a bathroom to get to my wardrobe closet….particularly when in use…hmmm. Just a thought…. Can’t wait to see your special touches on the additions!
I’m on the C train!! Never give up that base floor master! I know it’s probably normal there to have upstairs master (I watch house hunters 😆), but they are the real estate kiss of death in TX and Oklahoma. Also, one day your parents will be old and need a place to sleep when they visit, without all the stairs. And just a little separation from kids is nice when they are bigger. I’m so excited for you and proud of you for paying your house off and paying for this week it has cash! Something I’m thankful you are sharing with your readers. So counterculture! 😘
I like aspects of all plans. Thought:
1. Definitely think sink should be under the window to the back yard. You will spend hours anchors in front of that sink and it is nice to see outside! I am probably 20 years older than you and have lived in a lot of places. Nothing is better than a sink looking to your back yard!
2. I like the option of the mini-mud room in the kitchen, but depending on your family habits and where you park the car, if you typically come in the front door, the stuff will all end up there anyway. I have never been able to convert my family to the back door, due to the way our driveway is. Seems like this space will be well used in summer, ut maybe not in winter, but all in all good to have.
3 I would use regular doors on both bathrooms – have lived with pocket doors on bathrooms and they just are not sound proof.
4. I like having the closet entrance separate from the bathroom – I think a pocket door would be fine there. . That way closet can be accessed if partner is using the bathroom. Also I don’t know how humidity affects clothing – have always wondered this! Also, you may be able to use the dresser in the closet (or have built in drawers and not need dresser, and may not miss the wall space.
5. I would consider widening the opening from the living room to the kitchen and kitchen to hall, as much as you can – getting a bit more of open feel without taking down the wall, which may be structurally important. Maybe even take it all the way back to the fireplace? I alway like being able to see out the front of my house from the kitchen and taking some of the wall away might facilitate that as well as add to open feel.
6. I love that you are adding a window to the back of the house – have you considered moving the bedroom closet to the opposite wall (the wall shared with the other bedroom) and gaining a window in the actual bedroom – maybe making a bed nook where th closet is?
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Also- I would consider keeping a walk in shower in the plan instead of a tub, unless you ar ereally, really a tub person. Two tubs on one floor seems a bit unnecessary. A walk in shower is far preferable to most and will be great for resale – especially if next owners are older – or even when YOU are older!!!!
I would keep the laundry on the main floor even when you redo the upstairs. Have you considered adding a a laundry shoot? Pocket doors are great. We live in a small house and have several of them. The only thing I miss is a hook for my p.j.’s on the back of the closet door. Also, in the kitchen and baths, use as many drawers (rather than cabinets) as you can afford. They are so much handier! You’re going to have fun!
I love option C! I’m wondering whether you could remove the wall between your living room and kitchen, remove the banquet area and make the island longer (and suitable for family dinners either by having counter height chairs all around or having a 2-tiered island). That would give you the openness that makes houses feel bigger and visibility to your common areas downstairs… not to mention the natural light! Open concepts aren’t for everyone, but I really love having a large entertaining space in my 1600 SF home. No matter how you proceed, I’m sure it will be so wonderful in the end!
I cannot wait to see the end result!! I also prefer option C. I don’t like open concept homes. It makes the one room feel bigger, but I don’t feel like the home overall feels bigger with open space concepts. I much prefer the feel of a more historic home with separate living areas. As a potential buyer, I would prefer to have a 1/2 bath with a full size washer/dryer on the main floor. I don’t know that I would utilize two full size bathrooms on the main floor of a two story home. This might not be the popular answer though. My parents have a pocket door in my childhood home, and I love the space-saving it offers! I am pro pocket doors, but I will warn you that they can be more difficult for kiddos to use. We’ve had some smashed fingers with our littles and if they are too rough, they can potentially make them go off their track. The locking mechanism also doesn’t provide as much privacy as a standard door. I would still choose a pocket door knowing all these things! In my area, master bedrooms on the main level is preferred with the additional bedrooms on the second level. I also second the above comment about not having a window in the master closet. It’s nice to have the full space for storage, and I actually know a lot of people who temporarily utilize their large closets for nursery space until their little can move into their own room. I know whatever you do, it will be beautiful!
I pick option C. In my opinion open floor plan is played out and very trendy. With a cute cottage like yours I think it would lose some of its character. So excited for you guys, and can’t wait to see the process.
SO exciting! I’d personally go with the option C kitchen, and option A bathrooms and closets! My small home has the back door in my kitchen and the island in option C to block traffic from going through the kitchen workspace caught my eye right away! And who doesn’t love overlooking the backyard at the sink? Gorgeous! I’d definitely leave the master on the main floor in any future plans. I would also want to keep the storage space in option A for the vacuum cleaner, linens, etc. Also.. pocket doors don’t really lock well, maybe it’s just me, but they give me anxiety on bathroom doors. Happy renovating! It’ll be beautiful!
Love option C.
I would consider part of what your realtor said and take the wall from the living room down so the left side of the house is totally open and do a dinning table instead of a booth (even though booths are so charming, entertaining a lot of people is what buyers look for). The bathroom, master, etc leave totally as is.
Thanks for sharing this exciting news. I love a good home improvement! What happened to the windows on the back wall in plan B? I don’t see them drawn in the plans. I like plan B best, if there are going to be windows on the back wall near the banquet. I just love sitting at a table for a meal/project and being able to see outside. I would also add the pocket doors to the master bath and closet.
I love the layout of the kitchen in option C best, as well as the washer dryer stacked next to the main bathroom. Seems best functionality-wise for a family. Can’t wait to see it!
Option C all the way! Has everything you need!
I really like all three options and would lean toward option c because I love pocket doors. I look forward to your future posts!
My husband and I (like 99.9% the hubs) just completed adding 1200sq ft to our 1920’s farmhouse. We live in Texas, started in July 2018 (horrible Texas Summer Heat!) and just finished the small touches. We were mostly moved into the new part in February this year. Oh-did I mention I was 38 weeks pregnant when we started this master project. We decided to tackle the entire project at once and with so much equity in our home it was the right decision for our family to complete it at once.
Our cute little 2bdr, 2bath farmhouse is now 4brs and 2 living rooms with a carport and new and organized laundry room. A toddler, an infant and working full time after maternity leave made it probably one of the hardest challenges in our marriage. It was so hard BUT SOOOO rewarding now that it is all done!
I encourage everyone to do what is BEST for themselves individually. Everyone’s story online is only a small glimpse into the reality. If it is well with your heart, then pushing through the trials makes it a bit more bearable.
You will do what’s best for you’re family and I know it’s going to be amazing whatever way you decide. Best of luck!
P.S. they are all great floorplans! I prefer C. Maximize your square footage to the extent with those pocket doors
Option C is my favorite! Just one thought – in the master bedroom have you thought about moving the door over so that you walk through the closet to get into the bathroom? That would resolve the privacy issue of not having access to the closet if the bathroom is already in use.
Option C and pocket doors everywhere!!! We have a little 1960’s home on Flaming Gorge (yay Utah!!) and almost every room has pocket doors. They are the best for blocking/corraling kids and pets. If I ever get the chance to build a home, it will have POCKET.DOORS.EVERYWHERE!! And I HATE with the flames of a thousand million fires open concept homes (Which 3 of 4 homes I’ve had as an adult have been). If it isn’t one person complaining about “too much garlic” while laying on the couch with their head 5 feet from the stove to not being able to have a place to hide all of the crap in a hurry when people unexpectedly text to say they are ‘stopping by’ or just being able to close the door on a room and not look at it for a while. Love you!
I vote option C! And what an accomplishment having your home paid off at your young age and cash for your addition! Very impressive!
I love kitchen A the best and the Master bedroom Reno of plan C! I can’t wait to see it all!!
I love your plans! I know it will turn out beautifully! The master bedroom on first floor is an asset – so nice to have a bedroom (especially if there’s an injury with crutches- my husband has had 2 sports injuries and it was nice not to do a ton of stairs for a few months.) I would love the wall down between the kitchen and living room – just so cozy to have those 2 rooms joined together. If there’s any way possible to do it without losing your basement!
One more thing: if you have a bigger closet you won’t need a dresser – yay! We have 6 people in our 1400 sf home and no dressers! I love the extra space. Actually my twins have a dresser, but it’s in the closet, so it doesn’t interfere with their play space.
Not A…traffic in and out the back door has to walk right through the work area of the kitchen and very close to the stove. Can’t wait to see the end result!!
I ‘m so excited to see what you do! We have a very similar layout but master is in front and second bedroom is used as an office. We are currently discussing turning the office into a master bath/closet and adding laundry and mudroom as well as a possible kitchen extension so seeing your plans is exciting and so encouraging. I totally agree about a pocket door to master closet.! 😉 Looking forward to following your progress! ☺
I think option C. I wonder if there is a way to move the fireplace over and little bit and then open up the wall between the kitchen and living room a little more. Anyway, you are the sweetest family and I wish you all the best with your remodel! I’ll be following!
So happy for you! Option C is my favorite. We’ve updated two kitchens and my most favorite feature is having my garbage and dishwasher under my island. My dishwasher is right behind my sink, so not sure that would work with your plans, but consider moving your garbage. Having the garbage under your island makes it easy to wipe crumbs straight from the counter. Make sure you put an electrical outlet in your island too. Nice for your mixer when you’re making cookies. Something for you to consider. I’ll be following you through this project and cheering you on!
How exciting! I think I’d lean towards option C. Have you considered moving the door to Finn’s room to the corner near the entrance to the house/stairs? You’d lose your coat closet, but then you could move the entrance to the master and gain another 10 sq ft or so in that bedroom. Just a thought!
I also vote for option c! The kitchen flow looks functional as well as the island bar stool/chair seating for extra seats. I also am a huge fan of the master closet being off the bathroom. Our previous house had the master closet off the bathroom and I loved the flow of it, being able to get dressed without having to leave the bathroom and go out into the bedroom. If you are concerned about privacy if someone is using the toilet and you’re wanting to get into the closet, perhaps you could consider making a small change by adding a door or something over where the toilet is to make it it’s own space—I’ve seen tons of houses where the toilet is in its own “room” with a door. Otherwise love all the revisions and especially moving the laundry up—I would love to do that in my house!
Definitely plan C! I think creating a drop area in the kitchen is needed when there is no mud room/breezeway.
A big plus to have the area in the bathroom ready for washer and dryer.
Pocket doors, as many as possible, are a BIG PLUS. Although, my husband always states, that typically a wall hiding a pocket door isn’t the strongest(but obviously, your architect is aware of this being a possible issue).
I love our connecting master closet/master bathroom. Definitely gives you more usable space in master bedroom.
The only suggestion I would add, would be to eliminate the coat closet by front door so your son’s closet could be bigger. I feel a hall closet just collects things especially since you will have a drop area in kitchen. Extra family coats or the such can be hung in stairwell to basement. Company coats can be hung on hooks behind front door or in master bedroom/closet.
Have fun!
Love option C, with stackable in the bathroom. Pocket doors will be a life saver for small living. My only comment is that if you center the sink on the window, I would try and get one large window, or threww versus the two. That way you can see outside without a divider in your face 🙂
Plan A but with pocket doors. I had pocket doors at my last house for bathroom and closet and I loved them. Such space savers. Want to add them to my new house.
I initially liked C the best, but the more I thought about it, I think plan C would look the most attractive, but plan B would be the most functional. I wouldn’t love having to go around the island while using the range to get to the fridge, even though the sink under the window is so charming. The pocket doors save so much space, but my husband and I just stayed at a hotel for a week with a pocket door on the bathroom and I would not recommend it. We made a lot of visits to the public restroom in the lobby because of the lack of privacy. I do think pocket doors are perfect for closets though, and love that and the windows added in option C!
My two cents. kitchen C. Straight traffic flow from the back door without walking through workspace. Bathroom B. Guests like a real door. The best pocket door can be hard to manage and lock. Bedroom C. You would miss the wall. Good luck.
So very excited for you!! Can’t wait to follow along! But wait, are you saying that you paid off your mortgage in 4 years?? I think a lot of us could use a blog post about that!!
I have always loved your style and seeing what you do with your home. I personally really like option B, because it requires the least amount of construction in the kitchen. However, option C is very nice as well. I will say that my husband and I live in a very similar layout of home (first floor), but we do not have a window in the bathroom. Boy, do we wish we had one. Without a window, the bathroom is darker and very stuffy. If you don’t mind not having a window in your bathroom then full steam ahead. Good luck and I’m excited to see the changes. Have fun!!!
I think it’s a hard tie between B and C. The main reason why I love C is the placement of the sink looking out the back. But I really think the table looks bigger and more natural by the back door too. I respect an open floor plan but the charm of your house, with this extra space, is perfect. And if you elementary the downstairs bathroom I think you would seriously regret it. At least a half bath is a most on a main living floor. This is exciting!! Can’t wait to see it all done and which one you pick!
You are in the right track for your master bedroom/bath/closet in Option C. I have a similar set up. My suggestion is you don’t need a sliding door between the closet and bathroom. No purpose. Also if you move the doorway from the bedroom to these areas to the right a few feet so that when the slider is open you’re not looking into either the bathroom or the closet you gain a little hallway, a wall for art to be seen from the bedroom. No one can see into your bathroom. You don’t have to close that slider nearly as often. You also end up with 2 corners of that bedroom wall available for dresser or chair.
Another idea we did was to put that closet window high enough to hang a rod below it or a row of hooks for jeans etc. we did a large round mirror for morning light but kept privacy since it’s on the front of the house.
Happy to send ohotos of snapshot of our plans. We built 4 years ago.
I like option C. If you’re at the kitchen sink it looks like you can see the kids in the backyard? Also, I like the layout of the master bath and closet for that one. It seems as if you or Kevin are up early, you can get ready without disturbing the other.
I LOVE this part!! The drawing, disecting, over analyzing, so fun! My 2 cents….I think option C…but I’m looking at the barstools – walkway – fridge doors, potential traffic jam. Personally, that would bug me. But I also can’t tell how much space is actually there. The master closet door coming from the bathroom is so much better, and makes the usable area in the closet so much better too. This might be a duplicate of what someone else said, I started to read through comments but there’s SO many (so much love for you 😉 ). I can’t wait to watch it all unfold!
Congratulations!!! Each of the floor plans look great but C is by far my favorite. Pocket doors in the master is 👌. The island and kitchen layout 😍. I’m glad you and Kevin decided NOT to move the master bedroom upstairs. A master downstairs is something that’s hard to come by! Can’t wait to see the finished product. I know it will be gorgeous.
Blessings!
Brooke- I vote option C also. Love the sink looking out ito the backyard, the mud room, the large stove and the fact you will have one less door in the master. I would switch the pantry and fridge however. You want a little tighter working triangle with the fridge, stove and sink. We have remodeled 5 times and it is a challenge but worth it! We used lots of pocket doors in our master. So glad we did! I liked the suggestion right before me that suggested moving the doorway slightly so the batgroim is not a visual clear shot. Good luck! So excited for you!
I love the last layout, but wondered if you considered the option of a large farmhouse table for dining and workspace instead of a separate island and banquette. It seems I’ve been hearing more lately about people opting out of islands and going back to the days when large kitchen tables were standard. I think “Young House Love” discusses it in one of their podcasts. I like the idea. Islands seems to be wasted space to me. But to each his own. Just wondering if you considered it and what your thinking was.
A good blogpost about kitchen tables: http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2014/02/kitchen-tables-in-kitchen.html?m=1
I love option C, except for the kitchen. Option B seems like a better layout to me for that. I worry that with option C, if someone is sitting in one of the chairs at the table it could make it tight trying to get into the kitchen and then I have the same concern for someone sitting at the island and you trying to get into the refrigerator. (My mother’s house has the island problem and my house has the table issue.) This is all very exciting and I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Congrats!!
true! I hate trying to get into our fridge now and if the chair is in the way!
I like B’s kitchen but C’s master bath and closet with the one entrance and pocket door. So I would mix the two! I would miss having my banquet next to the back window. Y’all get so much light in your dining space now and a nice view of outside while you eat. So I like B because of that. I would also miss having that second window in my master bedroom. I’m a huge lover of windows windows windows everywhere, ha! But I understand that it’s probably a trade off that is worth it.
I really think Option 3 works the best but they are all good. The kitchen is so important, especially with the amount of time you and your family prepare meals and entertain. I prefer having the table area away from the back door. And the mudroom area also works better away from the table. It doesn’t matter as much in the summer but you know how cold it can get and if someone needs to open the back door while people are at the table you will have a draft. I understand what your realtor is suggesting about an open design, but I personally prefer open but separate. Would it be feasible to just enlarge the opening between the LR and kitchen a little? I also like a downstairs MB (with a bathroom) and think that is more important than a big open area, as long as you have good traffic flow. It’s all about compromise, even with a new build!
Option C. The kitchen is not a diagonal cut through. In a small space it creates traffic flow issues when diagonal. Pocket doors – win win! Consider changing entry door closet to a pocket along with the bedroom closet behind it. Small change & lower cost when doing a larger renovation. Bath/shower in master is best for resale.
C for sure! I definitely wouldn’t open it up! 🙌🏻
Option C. Love the pocket doors! Instead of the washer & dryer in the bathroom, is it possible to turn them to be accessible from the hallway? Maybe use a fold out door? Also, do you want guests using seeing your undies rolling around in the washer while using that bathroom? 😉 Remember to plan ahead… kids grow quickly! I have two girls & speak from experience that they will want privacy, spend more time in the bathroom and won’t want others entering the bathroom to do laundry. A door between the master bathroom and closet is a necessity. Toilets in their own room are preferred, but may not be possible. Whatever you choose, it will be beautiful!
I wouldn’t open it up. Our house is wide open and it’s just never clean, you can’t just tidy one room and keep it clean, everything runs together and all the time. If we do another house I want there to be separate rooms.
I love your home’s cozy cottage feel! I like an open floor plan, but I don’t think I would pick it for your home. Option C seems ideal with the kitchen, because as you come in you won’t have to weave through where all the cooking is happening. The kids could walk straight through to the rest of the house or run out to the backyard. 🙂
Would you consider eliminating the main bath downstairs so that you could have a small powder room and an actual (small) laundry room? I have just a closet for laundry and I am forever wishing I had a room. Maybe Finn could share a bath with the girls? Are you planning to move him upstairs eventually and then move the family room downstairs? As I typed that, I realized you might then want the full bath downstairs for guests. Would it be worth spending a little to make a pretty laundry room in the basement? You can tell I’ve never had a nice laundry room. It’s one of my biggest concerns when thinking about future homes. Haha. For some reason, I’ve convinced myself it will make me enjoy doing laundry. Ridiculous.
I love plan C although a it looks like there will be no storage for towels and bathroom things. I would change to a shower and then add storage. Also the washer and dryer love that it will be on the main floor. I moved mine to the main floor and it was game changer. I can’t tell where the door to the washer and dryer will be but I wouldn’t have it open in the bathroom.
Sounds lovely! Option c! Seems like you don’t mind your laundry downstairs but have you consider making the guest bath a walk in shower only or perhaps just a powder room with no shower? If you’re doing a tub in the master, you could use the space in the guest bath for a laundry closet (with room for cabinets, hampers, counter). Now that’s assuming you have a full bath upstairs as well so it would be a 2.5 bath house with a main floor laundry.
I, like everyone else love option C. It seems to flow really well and I like the idea of the pocket doors. I also like the back door being more central. I’m so excited for you guys! Also I am completely inspired by you all paying off your mortgage so fast. That is going to be our new goal with our new house. Although it will still take us awhile! Can’t wait to see the finished product. How are you going to live in your house during the remodel?
I also live in CT and grew up in Wilton. A smaller home in Fairfield County is usually for first time buyers or young families (like yourself) who may only stay in it for 5-10 years. I never would have bought a home with a first floor master bedroom as a young mother – I wanted to be able to hear my kids at night (I didn’t want to I guess/I needed to)! Also having had a home with a basement laundry room – I would NEVER buy another house with laundry in the basement. Our laundry room is in the mudroom which is next to the kitchen. I don’t think it is too noisy. Lastly, the window by the sink overlooking the backyard is a must! Good luck with the renovation! Fairfield is a great town – you’ll be sure to recoup your money!
Greetings! I’m a REALTOR in Texas. Ditto, ditto NOT losing a downstairs master! -for the same reasons mentioned above. Plan C is what I would choose, also for the reasons afore mentioned.
The one thing I would do DIFFERENTLY… if you’re accustomed to doing laundry in your basement and don’t mind that, why take up valuable storage space on your main level (linens, small supplies, etc) and add a stackable in such a small space? -awkward access and no room for folding (except the kitchen table), etc.
If the ability to add it in the future for another homeowner is a thought, ask your contractor to add the proper electrical/vent when you’re doing all of the construction (should be less expensive to add it now rather than later) but keep it as cabinets/shelves for storage for your family.
Be careful with your washer/dryer placement! Keep in mind, having them in your master bath can raise a huge space issue, especially if you are used to throwing piles down “to be washed.” You might not want your new master bath to be filled with piles of dirty laundry and beach stuff; and as your children get older, you might not appreciate having family traffic, in and out of your master bath. I’ve had basement laundry and loved being able to have piles, and run an indoor clothesline as needed. I now have a 2nd floor laundry closet in our hallway and I love the convenience, but miss the space from basement laundry area.
My vote would be keep it in basement for now, enjoy your master bath closet, knowing you could convert it in the future if desired and wait to put it on second floor in a more family friendly central space.
Good luck!
thank you!!! Totally feel the same, especially after the fact thinking of how much we like to make piles in the basement and hang things to dry!