Controversial question isn't it? Inside I am screaming, "don't do that!! Bedrooms add value" but this particular project isn't an investment property, so the rules of investment don't really apply.
A client of mine bought a large bungalow as their "downsize" home, they have recently retired and no longer have any children living at home. The bungalow as they bought it had 3 bedrooms, lounge, dining room, small kitchen, pantry, plus large garage, attached utility room (about the size of a garage) and conservatory.
The kitchen had a tricky layout with 3 doors and a large window and was lacking storage, which was compensated for using the utility room and pantry.
My clients wanted to use the existing utility room as a home office, so it wasn't practical to have the washing machine, etc in there. With the washer and dryer moved into the kitchen, there wasn't much room for anything else. So to make the most of the kitchen, the first step was to take the room back to brick and assess the space, I decided to move one of the doors as it was only 25cm from the adjacent wall meaning that the space to one side was wasted.
The new position of the door
Once the door was moved, it happened to be across the hall from the third bedroom, an average size single bedroom sandwiched between a bathroom and ensuite, which gave us the idea to change it from a bedroom to a utility room.
Normally I would do everything to save a bedroom but this wasn't a money making project, this is a home, and although the change from a 3 bed to a 2 bed will most likely decrease the value and saleability, my clients didn't buy to make money, they wanted a home that worked for them, and a small kitchen without utility simply wouldn't work.
Will the pressure taken off the kitchen with the pantry and the new utility room, the kitchen was designed to make the best use of the space without being overcrowded.
(These photos will be updated once works are 100% complete)
The utility houses all the usual appliances, plus an additional freezer and cupboards for storage.
The most important thing is that the clients love it and it will work for them in their "forever" home. It might be tricky to sell, but they hope that won't be for another 20 years, by which time it will more than likely need another renovation anyway so everything can change again.
So I guess the moral to my story is that while there are rules for investment, if it is your home and you don't have to worry about short term return, then make your home work for you and your circumstances.
