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I did exactly what you are describing. I moved my kitchen and living room downstairs, and turned the existing Kitchen and LR into a master suite and upstairs laundry. It's a fairly big job, but if you need a new kitchen anyway, now would be the time to do it. PM if you'd like to chat more and/or get our architect's info.
We put the kitchen and dining room where the garage was, and it included breaking up the existing slab and digging down and pouring a new one, but we have 8 foot ceilings. We could have gone higher, but it didn't seem necessary. The den and living room are 7'7", which is cozy. Plenty of old houses have lower ceilings than that.
When you look out the kitchen windows, the sill is only about 1.5' above grade. But, it doesn't feel like you're below ground. YMMV, and ours is a fairly large high-ranch by Long Island standards. We love the layout, and no complaints about the entrance being to a landing where you can go up or down. We enter through a mudroom, set next to the kitchen, which is on the side of house, 95% of the time anyway. We "lost" our garage, but I have a nice sized shed, and we plan to build a detached one in the next 5 years or so. Also, the rear of our house is at grade, which you can see through a french doors in the dining room.
I did exactly what you are describing. I moved my kitchen and living room downstairs, and turned the existing Kitchen and LR into a master suite and upstairs laundry. It's a fairly big job, but if you need a new kitchen anyway, now would be the time to do it. PM if you'd like to chat more and/or get our architect's info.
We put the kitchen and dining room where the garage was, and it included breaking up the existing slab and digging down and pouring a new one, but we have 8 foot ceilings. We could have gone higher, but it didn't seem necessary. The den and living room are 7'7", which is cozy. Plenty of old houses have lower ceilings than that.
When you look out the kitchen windows, the sill is only about 1.5' above grade. But, it doesn't feel like you're below ground. YMMV, and ours is a fairly large high-ranch by Long Island standards. We love the layout, and no complaints about the entrance being to a landing where you can go up or down. We enter through a mudroom, set next to the kitchen, which is on the side of house, 95% of the time anyway. We "lost" our garage, but I have a nice sized shed, and we plan to build a detached one in the next 5 years or so. Also, the rear of our house is at grade, which you can see through a french doors in the dining room.
Here are some photos of the downstairs:
Show off! LOL
Great house, very pretty... where are you located?
Ha! Thank you. I'm in Northport. When I was planning this, literally everyone told me to just sell the house and scrap the idea (just like in this thread), but I didn't want to. I have a great backyard, and I live on a great block. I also like my house, and since I needed a new kitchen anyway (previous one was 45 years old), now was the time. My inspiration was a friend who did something similar.
Raised ranches aren't for everyone, and I much prefer my new layout to the original, but there is no reason why the OP can't move her kitchen, dinging, and living rooms downstairs. All it takes is some creativity, a good architect, and a design that is compatible with your budget. Sure, it costs more than just slapping up some new cabinets in the old kitchen, but it doesn't cost more than adding dormers and bump-outs, which tons of people do.
Ha! Thank you. I'm in Northport. When I was planning this, literally everyone told me to just sell the house and scrap the idea (just like in this thread), but I didn't want to. I have a great backyard, and I live on a great block. I also like my house, and since I needed a new kitchen anyway (previous one was 45 years old), now was the time. My inspiration was a friend who did something similar.
Raised ranches aren't for everyone, and I much prefer my new layout to the original, but there is no reason why the OP can't move her kitchen, dinging, and living rooms downstairs. All it takes is some creativity, a good architect, and a design that is compatible with your budget. Sure, it costs more than just slapping up some new cabinets in the old kitchen, but it doesn't cost more than adding dormers and bump-outs, which tons of people do.
Darnit you're a little far, lol. I was about ready to pack my bags and camp out on your couch
The ceiling in the kitchen / dining room / mud room is 8 foot. There is a step up into the LR & Den, which is about 7'6". Since 90% of the time, we are sitting (and not standing) in those rooms, the 7'6" ceilings don't feel too low. Actually, when I'm watching TV, it feels good. Low ceilings in media rooms often feel much more cozy. Also, the added benefit is when you step down into the kitchen area, the 8' ceilings seem even higher.
This house used to be a high ranch. New owners did over, adding extension to left side as you look at front. Now more "open concept" type of home than colonial but definite improvement inside. I'm sure it cost a pretty penny to redo!!
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