advice on kitchen/dining room knock through

8 years ago

We live in a typical 1960s semi with a rectangular lounge diner and small square kitchen off it. Been thinking about possibly separating the lounge section with folding doors and then knocking through to create a kitchen/diner. I'd also like to re arrange the windows as so that we have patio doors over the garden and a window that looks out over the garden rather than my neighbours fence.

Have been told will need building control but not idea really where to start and also what the ballpark cost for something like this would be. I think it would give us better family space as currently the dining room section is just a corridor,

Any advice, inspiration ideas more gratefully received.

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Laraine Clarke

8 years ago

The way you describe it sounds good. We did a similar thing last year. To me there is one thing to consider, when you have guests over for dinner the kitchen will be looking its worst which can detract from the dining experience. It's really worth seeking a way to minimise it, I wish I had thought that out more. The plus is that you will have a separate sitting room to move to. Don't let me put you off, I'm really glad we made the change; its certainly great for everyday living.

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Comments (7)

Jonathan
8 years ago
There is a site called Building Sheriff which will give you an idea of costs.
Assuming you believe it is affordable then phone the councils planning department who will tell you the building regs required. It is likely you won't need planning but do ask as it can vary by road.
Eleanor Graham thanked Jonathan
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Eleanor Graham
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks to both - we don't really entertain much and if we do with two young kids it's more likely to be friends for pizza or a barbeque so not really bothered about having a formal dining space. The one thing I do slightly worry about is not having a proper back door as such (we'd have patio doors) and also that the kitchen wouldn't be able to be properly shut off for washing machine noise, cooking smells etc. Although saying that our kitchen door is very rarely shut. At the stage of getting some quotes so will see what they come back with.
Cakelady
8 years ago
My friend has a house which sounds a simular layout to yours. When you walk in the front door you have the lounge door to the right and stairs and kitchen door directly ahead. She extended the back of the house behind the kitchen and dinning room about 4m, knocked the kitchen and dinning room together and put a wall up between the old dinning room and lounge. She now has a wonderful big sociable kitchen dinner. She has French doors one end (where the original dinner was) with the dinning table in front of them. It's a lovely space with room for a breakfast bar and a 2 seater sofa near the dinning table which backs up to the wall which now divides the lounge. I personally think double doors would have been good to separate the lounge and kitchen but that's because I like the idea of being able to have the whole space open when entertaining, obviously down to personal choice. I don't know if you have a garage but she divided her garage and put a utility room at the back of the garage and the front of the garage is used for storage. She also has another extension off the back of the garage about 6m which gives room for a WC and a kids playroom and she has a door off of that room leading to the garden. It's great as the kids can go from their playroom to the garden without going through the kitchen.
Cakelady
8 years ago
You may already know about this website but I found it useful when planning our extension. http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/
Eleanor Graham
Original Author
8 years ago
Your friends house sounds lovely Emma. In an ideal world we'd love to do but can't afford to at the moment. I think the change of layout would make a difference but just need to convince husband that it would be worth the hassle!
Laraine Clarke
8 years ago
Hi again. I don't have a back door, use my patio doors all the time. It works well. As for the washing machine and dishwasher, I don't find the noise a problem. Most of the time I'm working when the washer is running, but am often watching telly in the family room end when the dishwasher is on. Remember you still have your sitting room to go to.

advice on kitchen/dining room knock through

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advice on kitchen/dining room knock through

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