CountryPlans Forum

General => Owner-Builder Projects => Topic started by: bonkers on January 29, 2015, 11:23:35 AM

Title: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on January 29, 2015, 11:23:35 AM
Hello all.  This is my first attempt at posting on this site though I have lurked for years. I am looking for impute on plans I have drawn over the last few years. I will post them when I have time and would like any advise on possible problems that any of you can see in the designs.  My goal is to build as small as possible and still have a comfortable place to live in. I look forward to seeing the feedback. I'm still trying to figure out Photo Bucket so as soon as I do I will post my first floor plan. Thank you all for your help.  (https://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q626/caplock2/f5aa8056-e604-495e-b236-8c79a8348ab8_zps32b46a4d_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: John Raabe on January 29, 2015, 12:17:44 PM
Try editing your first post and inserting this (the address for the image)

https://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q626/caplock2/f5aa8056-e604-495e-b236-8c79a8348ab8_zps32b46a4d_1.jpg

Paste this between the brackets produced with the Insert Image button - 3rd icon on the bottom row
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on January 29, 2015, 01:06:20 PM
Ok, I'll try that.
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on January 29, 2015, 01:42:50 PM
 John, Thanks for the help! I must be missing something at Photo Bucket, I saw the code you posted but couldn't get it to copy the first few times I tried.  I'll play around there and see if I can make it work.  d*
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: John Raabe on January 29, 2015, 02:00:02 PM
I'll post the image here so you can see the code...

(https://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q626/caplock2/f5aa8056-e604-495e-b236-8c79a8348ab8_zps32b46a4d_1.jpg)

I went to the image at Photobucket - in your earlier post - right clicked on it and copied the url. Back to editing the message, click the insert image icon and just insert/paste the url you just copied (Ctrl P).
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: John Raabe on January 29, 2015, 02:00:58 PM
Looking at the top I see you got it! :D :D :D

PS - nice layout for a small house. Good feel and utility.
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on January 29, 2015, 02:21:43 PM
Here is an image from the kitchen.

(https://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q626/caplock2/dinningroomshot_zpsbee4fd23_1.jpg?1422559153973&1422559154333)
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: flyingvan on January 29, 2015, 04:35:35 PM
    I'm a huge fan of small houses (I own three, two of which I built...) There are a few architectural tricks to make a small house feel bigger than it is---one of which you incorporated perfectly, your entry is also the kitchen space.  Dual use of a high traffic area.
    The other important thing is, you should be able to look past where you are to somewhere bigger.  Your plan doesn't do this, but could----I'm not sure what to call the room off to the left there that opens to the deck (den maybe?) but it doesn't seem to be a bedroom...I would eliminate the wall between the kitchen and that room completely.  That way when you enter the kitchen, either from the garage or the kitchen door, you're looking past the kitchen all the way to the deck.  It will still be an area distinct from the kitchen/dining area since the wall takes a jog there but it will open things up a lot.  It will also help with cross ventilation and heat distribution
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: rick91351 on January 29, 2015, 11:59:40 PM
I am not understanding your small room off the garage labeled crawl space.   ???  If you get rid of the door then you might have room for a rollaway tool box.  Your crawl space access could be located in the bedroom closet.

I like Van would eliminate the wall between the living room and the dining area.  What is on the dining room wall next to the bathroom wall?  Labeled but I am not read it....

Like the layout very well..... 
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on January 30, 2015, 09:42:28 AM
Having an open floor plan is always a great way to go, my only concern with a house this size is my need to have time to be alone and to shut out all the distractions of every day life. If it were me alone living there the wall would be wide open but a small space for two people and there can be the need to escape.  :-\  The couch would be a pull out bed so if someone came to visit the room could be used as a make shift bedroom.  The wall between the bathroom and dining room has floor to ceiling cabinets and a place for a desk/computer work area. Not sure I like that as clutter tends to build around those areas, It could go in the bedroom as an alternate location.
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on January 30, 2015, 09:54:17 AM
The crawl space area off of the garage is an open pit area just inside the door that gets you into the area under the main house.  There would be a ladder inside(more like a ladder/stair combo)to get down the 3 1/2' to 4'. Its a tight area but enough to get a new furnace down there if it were ever needed in the future. The floor would be concrete so it can be used to store all of the seasonal things that need to be stored.
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: rick91351 on January 30, 2015, 12:07:15 PM
An escape or quite place is important not only to you but also needed by anyone else living in a dwelling as well!!  Having lived in a couple small houses nothing also says I am not welcomed in my own house more than a closed door. The house we just built though not a small house.  It is the first time in a long time I do not have a real in home 'man cave'.  A to die for honest to goodness man cave....  But now we are in I am finding I can write, read and do my thing pretty well from a couple locations. But one thing is I am not a TV person so I do not need a spot for that.  If you can find such locations and still keep the openness you will be a lot more pleased with what your build.  Nothing closes in like doors and walls especially in small sized home.  Dwellings that use 'large flowing openings' it give a lot larger sense of your surroundings.   Then if I really need to get away I escape to the great outdoors..... 
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on February 03, 2015, 03:58:14 PM
Here is another image from the bedroom looking out to the kitchen.

(https://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q626/caplock2/bedroompic_zpsd6a6b8b8.jpg?1422996966731&1422996967007)
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: bonkers on February 14, 2015, 10:04:38 AM
Here is another plan. I want to narrow down the plans I have drawn to two or three and then change anything that doesn't work well. All you who live in small houses have the info I am looking for to learn what works and what to avoid. Please take a look and let me know! Thanks!

(https://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q626/caplock2/628sqft_zpsb468db62.jpg?1423925466007&1423925466558)
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: CajunCubsFan on March 01, 2015, 11:04:28 PM
Hello, I am new to these forums this is the first post that caught my eye. I have been a home designer for 14 years and I am really looking hard at a tiny home for myself and family. "Bonkers" I have a few comments. 1) don't worry about a tanked water heater, Go with a tankless. Saves lots of closet space. 2) I am in the south and our crawl space access is on the out side of the house near the kitchen or laundry room.  I like the two plans, there are a few things I would change but for the most part there interesting.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: steps5592 on March 02, 2015, 12:55:40 PM
Good looking plan. My input is based on my experience but my place is more of a weekend place.  I noticed that the bed room had a fair amount of open area to it. My opinion would be to try and get some of that open area into the kitchen/living room area. The image I made is a little better than a "sketch", we all know when you sketch things everything fits, the reality is "the devil is in the details". The image is kind of choppy, I did a lot of cut and paste but I think you will get the idea.
(https://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag1/mbranca3/Country%20Plans/test%20plan%201_zpszzdkvm4m.png) (https://s1296.photobucket.com/user/mbranca3/media/Country%20Plans/test%20plan%201_zpszzdkvm4m.png.html)
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: rick91351 on March 02, 2015, 01:08:42 PM
I don't know is we ever established where you wish to build.  Like State or Provence   ???  Reason I ask is this last drawing has problems if in a high snow area.   
Title: Re: Plan reviews
Post by: Texas Tornado on March 02, 2015, 02:34:41 PM
An area I would like to see is a exit door much closer to the bedroom.