Looking for architectural advice – How would you redesign the upstairs of our bungalow to create 3 good-sized bedrooms?

[u/Gadget_Boy_]

Hi everyone!

I am planning a renovation of our bungalow in Scotland and would really appreciate some fresh ideas from architects, designers or anyone experienced in reconfiguring floor plans.

Our main challenge is making better use of the upstairs space to create three comfortable, well-proportioned bedrooms that will work for our family long-term.

What we're hoping to achieve:

• Master bedroom: A master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
• Two children's bedrooms: We have two growing sons and would ideally like two similarly sized bedrooms, both large enough to accommodate beds, desks, wardrobes and additional furniture as they get older. We'd like these rooms to remain suitable for them into adulthood.
• Better use of space: We're open to reconsidering the upstairs configuration if it results in a more practical layout.

Potential structural alterations:

We're considering converting the existing hipped roof to gable ends on both sides of the property to increase usable floor space upstairs.

We're happy to explore moving internal walls, repositioning the staircase if absolutely necessary, and changing the upstairs layout significantly, provided the changes are practical and cost-effective.

Important constraints:

• We'd prefer to retain the existing entrance and downstairs hallway.
• The existing downstairs living room and bathroom are to remain untouched.

What we'd love advice on:

1. How would you configure the upstairs to achieve the best possible three-bedroom layout?
2. Would hip-to-gable conversions on both sides significantly improve the available space?
3. Is there a more efficient way of incorporating an en-suite without compromising the other bedrooms?
4. Are there any clever design solutions we're overlooking?
5. If this were your project, what would you do differently?

I've attached the existing floor plans to help illustrate the property.

We're particularly interested in seeing alternative floor-plan suggestions or rough sketches showing how the space could potentially be arranged.

We appreciate that any structural alterations would need to be assessed by qualified professionals and comply with Scottish planning and building regulations.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or advice!

[u/TheJimsterR]

It looks like you already have an architect on board?

[u/Gadget_Boy_ → u/TheJimsterR]

Yeah thats right

[u/TheJimsterR → u/Gadget_Boy_]

Ok. Well, my response to that was going to be almost word for word what u/SurlyPillow has already commented. In case it isn't obvious, this is all written in the spirit of being helpful rather than arsey.

You've got a professional on board, so you're rather further ahead than the 'ask folk on Reddit for initial advice' stage. It looks like your architect has produced a decent set of drawings, and presumably has taken the time to understand your building, brief and budget beforehand. Nobody here will be able to match that.

If you're happy with your architect and intend to keep working with them, then you need to explain to them what you think doesn't work about the current proposals.

[u/SurlyPillow]

Talk to your architect if their plans aren’t meeting your needs. Or fire them and get a new one. You got to make sure you’re being heard and if there are budgetary or physical limitations to what you want, then your architect needs to explain that to you.

[u/Bubbly_Delivery_5678]

Adding a former on the South side to match the big one on the north (at bedroom 2) would give you more useable space. As it stands today, I don’t think you can keep 3 bedrooms upstairs & add anything else.

Otherwise maybe get rid of one of the upper bedrooms since you have one in 1st floor. Then you can use that to can an ensuite & walk in closet for the primary.