Help needed for kitchen refurbishment

10 years ago

I really need some ideas & inspiration for my kitchen. We have a medium size area split between a kitchen & utility room but the layout is not practical. We had to utilise the plumbing in the utility room to have a dishwasher so I have it & the fridge housed in this room! There are lots of cupboards but no space - so non-everyday items sit at the very back of the cupboards. Should we knock the wall between the utility room & the dinning room to make one big kitchen/ family area? Attached are kitchen/utility/dinning room photos. Thank you.

Featured Answer

Jonathan

10 years ago

My first idea was to create a galley by simply moving the door to the utility. The kitchen could then be opened up to the dining room.

My second idea was to keep the dining room separate but steal a little room from the front facing room (bedroom?). The benefit is that you get a deeper room that allows you to have an island that faces the garden. At the end of this island I have put a breakfast/ drinks area. I think this island and the garden door tick the box for social✔️
This is the more expensive option as likely putting in these doors (which are likely bigger than your existing windows will eat up £4/5k.
If you did the second option you could still open up the room to the dining room. Furthermore you might think the Back door becomes redundant and use this space for the washing machine instead of putting it in the middle of a kitchen run.

Option 2 is my favorite but there are likely many options and you might choose to find a concept planner who, for a reasonable hourly rate, will give you a number of options to consider.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Artichoke
10 years ago
Is there a plan of the space? It would help.
Nicole Gordon
Original Author
10 years ago
Here is the ground floor plan. Thank you for looking.
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PRO
Artichoke
10 years ago
Do you use the Garage? The obvious approach would be to remove the stud between the kitchen and utility to create a single room, and puncture a door into the garage and add a wall into the garage where utility and freezer goes.
Nicole Gordon
Original Author
10 years ago
I agree, however our house is at the top of a hilled avenue, one side has elevated houses and as you walk up - the houses opposite (our side) step down to access the main house. Our garage sits at an elevated position (street level) to that of the house, hence our quandary.
bookworm987
10 years ago
I would block up the existing dining room door and open an archway to the dining room. You can then get rid of the kitchen table, giving you space to redesign the kitchen so that you have more workspace. With a clever design you should be able to bring your fridge and dishwasher back into the kitchen, and store the non everyday items in the utility instead. This will all make your kitchen/ diner a more pleasant place to be!
Alecia
10 years ago
A big change, but you could knock the wall between the dining/kitchen through and then block the dining room door and move the kitchen to the dining space (entrance through the existing door to the kitchen). You would then have a large l shaped kitchen with island in the old dining room and make the most of the views to the garden in the new dining area - possibly even turn the windows into doors in the future!
Nicole Gordon
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for your comments. We now have some great ideas here and we have realised we need to speak to a designer to achieve exactly what we want and that is a large open practical and social space. We definitely need to change the windows as the garden is great!
PRO
House Martin Online
10 years ago
Think about the lighting. Maybe use some indirect uplighter coving to infill the shadow areas with light. Michael.
PRO
Pat Oliver Interior Design
10 years ago
Going back to your question of whether or not to keep the utility room separate, you need to consider how this room is used. Is it strictly for laundry or is it a mud room for dogs, coats, boots, etc?

If it is relatively underused, can you resite your washer and dryer to a large bathroom upstairs or a hall closet (stacking the machines)? Many American homes have their laundry space upstairs where the majority of the soiled items are generated. This would free up the utility room to incorporate into a larger kitchen.
whizzywig
10 years ago
It obviously depends on your budget but I would suggest you consider knocking through from lounge to diner to make a lovely large kitchen/diner/living room there, with a snug/lounge where your existing kitchen and utility are: looking out over your lovely garden..

Help needed for kitchen refurbishment

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