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What would you do with this floor plan?

7 years ago

Hi, please find the attached photo of the ground floor of my 2003 built home.

I plan to remove the wall between the kitchen and family room opening that out and moving that part of the kitchen (where the wall was) onto the kitchen wall opposite the window

Then open out (structural engineer to confirm) the wall between the family room and the dining room.

This would create a good open L-shaped living / dining area.

Sadly the little wall at 'the breakfast area' is load bearing , ideally I'd remove that also to open things further....

What would you do ?

Thank you

Featured Answer

PRO

Croydon Window Company Ltd

7 years ago

Hi Craig, a very exciting project! We work very closely with a design and build company where we install our doors and windows for them Depending on location feel free to contact Brett at Speargold Ltd, or email: brett@speargold.co.uk

Here are some of their work with our installations...

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Comments (12)

Tom Hudson
7 years ago
As you are making a big space, you could turn that area in to a play room/study space and possibly put a bookshelf on the other side of the breakfast area wall. Small things like that would work if you structurally couldn't knock it down you could just use that as a separate little space and let the wall divide it up.
Craig Morris
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the comments, I'll keep those in mind for later down the line.

Any other ideas welcome :)
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Nine Aud
7 years ago
I would definitely remove the wall in between the kitchen and family room and bring a large island towards the middle of the new room, by blocking off one of the doors leading to the hallway this allows you to put a bank of units across one wall. Whichever side you feel more comfortable with would include the dining table.

I would be tempted to have a bifold doors to let the light stream in and to add symmetry.

Personlly I wouldn't change the dining room, I would keep it as it is and make a snug or office and avoid the L shape.

Whatever you decide it's exciting times for you, and I wish you success.
User
7 years ago
What an exciting project! I think knocking the family room into the kitchen is a great idea and will give you a lovely open space. Could you consider blocking off the breakfast room and turning it into a utility room? That would mean that you could remove most of your white goods from the kitchen, gives you a space to hide your laundry and gives you a workable space for your kitchen diner.
kikiamack
7 years ago
If you have kids, I would also leave the dining room as is, or have some method of closing it off. As they get older it's good to have games consoles and a second TV that is not blasting noise into your living area.
amandabox79
7 years ago
I would use the breakfast room as a large walk through butlers pantry to free your kitchen cupboards of all the bulky items that take up too much space, this would entail blocking up the door to the outside, but would still give access to your utility room. I would knock the kitchen through to the adjoining room but I wouldn't knock through to the dining room as I don't think you would have enough wall space for units. And a separate room is great as a tv room or children's room, or leave as a formal dining room if you entertain a lot. Have fun!
PRO
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I had a play around with a few options and please bear in mind there are no dimensions, so you'd have to view it as a sort of artists impression.

I take on board the first idea, but i feel the placement of furniture for the living area could be awkward with no walls that really fit the bill for sofas, t.v placement etc.

This would be a good tweak on that plan.
An alternative might be this:- You won't be facing the Kitchen whilst relaxing and watching T.V. You get an area next to the kitchen to eat week day dinners and a formal dining room that's easy to walk to from the kitchen.

Whatever you decide, it's well worth employing a professional planner that can blow the plans up in 3d and let you visually walk around the space. Think about furniture placement and what you want in there.
Craig Morris
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you very much for the comments and drawings, I recently found this forum and it's been a great help!

We did think of having the kitchen coming down near the family room into an l-shaped breakfast bar , with pendent lights and stools, however would this then create a 'divide' and break flow?

Also, we do like the idea of the family room still being used for watching tv in the summer with a couch , possibly l-shaped in the corner?

Also,

How do I go about this , where do I start?!

A builder ? A kitchen company ? An architect? All of those?
Craig Morris
Original Author
7 years ago
Regarding the couch, we do like the 'man about the house' setup in that drawing.

Thanks for that option.
PRO
User
7 years ago
Hi Craig

Depending on your area, size of the project and timeline you can approach a company like ourselves and we will partner with you from start to finish to get the job done.

Depending on the above we can help specify the various services and products you need and manage the process of getting the various elements sorted.

This is a good article to help give you insight into the process and how it typically works.

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/the-remodeling-process/

Please feel free to make contact should you need more information.

Best,
The Siblingz
PRO
User
7 years ago
If you type in 'concept planner' at the top and search the Pro's section for your area, it will bring up, planners, architects etc in your area. You can then have a look and see what they offer, as they will all be different. You certainly need at the very least to start with someone ( structural engineer ) to check out that middle wall divide. Then I'd go with the concept planners such as Karen at OnePlan ( she works remotely - lots do), so it won't matter if out of area. Work with them to plan your space down to the last millimetre and then employ a builder. You can often find one that is happy to take on submitting for your all the needed building regs to your local council.

Good luck!

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