Lower level layout

Taking laundry down the steep steps this morning, I smiled thinking about the plans we’d recently approved (click image to enlarge). In the future, I would be schlepping under improved conditions (1).

What will change? The first step is 10 inches down, the rest are seven inches. Now I take 12 steps, turn left, turn left and then turn right into the mechanical room (2, which remains unchanged). The new landing (3) over the flex space / library party / room (4) should make this particular chore less treacherous.

This approach to the lower level was a cost-saving move—no longer will the stairs wrap around the fireplace (click image); instead they’ll stay in the same place but become wider (more than 31 inches; the laundry basket is 25 inches wide) and safer (every step will have the same rise and run).

In a room that the real estate agent called a third bedroom but is barely good enough for storage, we’ll finally get our second a bathroom (5). A friend had done this drawing for us ages ago, but we couldn’t find a plumber willing to take on the job because of the mysteries contained within the walls.

In new space we’ll have an actual third bedroom (6). To the left is a mud area (7) to complete the transition in from the back yard, which begins with steps ideal for hanging out (8).

Cost-cutting put the ax to our swimming pool. But we’ll still get a luxury water feature: a custom hot tub (9) in a room that can open completely to the back yard (10), with the continuation of the hanging-out steps leading to a patio (11).

Instead of cold, dreary space staged to look like a room but used only as a hallway to the back yard, we’ll have usable space to play. Want to party with us?