Property: 9 unusual homes with upside-down layouts
Turning a traditional layout on its head makes perfect sense in some properties. Rather than having their living spaces downstairs and bedrooms above, their floor plans are flipped.
Locating the rooms that are used the most upstairs maximises daylight and makes the most of views, and shows off any features such as vaulted ceilings that are under-appreciated in sleeping spaces. Unconvinced? These amazing upside-down homes for sale are all the proof you need.
1. Leith, Edinburgh, offers over £225,000
Newly-renovated, this ground and first-floor duplex forms part of a former school that was converted into apartments around 10 years ago. The ground floor comprises a good-sized hall with space for a desk, a bright double-bedroom with built-in storage and a contemporary bathroom, and an open tread staircase takes you up to an all-in-one kitchen/living/dining room occupying the entire first floor. Available via Coulters through ESPC.
2. Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, offers over £350,000
Like its neighbours, this detached house was designed to take advantage of its hillside setting and far-reaching countryside views. It’s bigger than it looks, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility and boiler room on the lower ground floor, and a kitchen/breakfast room and open plan living/dining room – both with doors out to a full-width south-facing balcony – on the first. The décor’s rather dated, giving the next owners the opportunity to put their own stamp on it. From Dacre, Son & Hartley.
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3. Southsea, Hampshire, £750,000
If you’re after a flexible seaside retreat, this breezy half-weatherboarded house will tick a lot of boxes. Tucked away at the end of a small development only two minutes from the beach, it has a large first floor living/dining room, a huge garden room to brings the outside in, three ground floor bedrooms and balconies at either end. There’s also self-contained one-bedroom annex, a loft room and planning permission to extend. Through Purplebricks.
4. Aberdovey, Gwynedd, £849,000
Gorgeous views over the Dyfi estuary were prioritised when this light-filled detached house was built, as the spacious kitchen/diner and living room are on the first floor, with three ensuite bedrooms underneath. A large, glass-balustraded balcony – which makes a fantastic space for entertaining in better weather – can be accessed from both these rooms. On the market from Fine & Country.
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5. Fowey, Cornwall, £1.195m
Currently run as a holiday let, this timber-clad property sits in a conservation area high above the Fowey estuary. When it was converted from a derelict print works in 2014, the three-ensuite bedrooms were positioned on the ground floor and an open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room is above. This room includes a hand-built kitchen, a high vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and bi-fold doors opening out to a deck providing sweeping views up river and of the lush surrounding countryside. Through John Bray Estates.
6. Torquay, Devon, £1.395m
Craig Vara was constructed in the 1950s and recently upgraded so that its views across the treetops and over Lyme Bay and Tor Bay can be enjoyed all the more. Includes three ground floor bedrooms and bathrooms, and a first floor kitchen, dining room and living room. Full-height glass doors lead out to a cantilevered terrace that’s carefully positioned to get the sun right through the day. Available from John Couch.
7. Park Avenue, Brighton, East Sussex, £1.595m
Boutique developer You Are Home is about to launch a pair of sustainable new-build houses in Brighton’s Preston Park. Each has a garden, a large open-plan living space on the first floor with three bedrooms and three bathrooms underneath, and is A-rated for energy-efficiency. A Polestar 2 electric car’s thrown in for buyers paying asking price, who’ll be pleased to discover that charging points are included. Find out more from You Are Home.
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8. Alcester, Warwickshire, £2m
Grade II listed Tudor Barn feels like it’s on top of the world, as it’s within the historic Oversley Castle Estate, sitting 350 feet above sea level with views – on clear days – over five counties. Dating back to the 17th century, the timber-framed barn has been fully restored and the layout reversed, incorporating a three-storey reception hall, three bedrooms on the ground floor and a kitchen/family room and dining room on the first. A snug – that could be turned into a fourth bedroom – is also on this level, and there are two mezzanine rooms plus a one-bedroom annex. Contact Pritchard & Company.
9. Marylebone, London W1, £7.25m
A 3,570 square foot architect-designed duplex in a grand period building close to Marylebone High Street and Regent’s Park. There are high ceilings throughout the ground floor, which contains a large kitchen and two reception rooms – one opening out to a terrace – and a glass-enclosed staircase leading down to the basement level. Here you’ll find four ensuite-bedrooms and a central sunny courtyard. Find out more from Carter Jonas.
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