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How to make an open kitchen/diner cosy?

6 years ago

we have just finished our Extension and i need some help how to make this large space feel cosy. we will be adding a dining table below the pendant light. ignore the sofa that is there temporarily as living room isn't set up. I think a sideboard and shelving unit would look nice where the tv is currently? also maybe some rugs but where? any other ideas?

Featured Answer

Juliet Docherty

6 years ago

I would try to keep the colour palette restricted but incorporate lots of texture. I think it needs contrast - for example, if you buy a rug, consider an antique gabbeh which will have a natural look. Incorporate wicker, leather, sheepskin and slubby linen. Most importantly, art and books - the things that make a home a home. The long wall may benefit from being painted a much darker colour and then you could have long low shelving built to house book, TV etc.

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Comments (13)

Jen Lance
Original Author
6 years ago
j
minnie101
6 years ago
Hi. The room looks nice. You can add curtains and Roman blinds. Things to add cosiness are different textures, soft furnishings, plants/herbs/flowers, lamps, books, art etc. I can't work out if it will fit from the photo due to the light position but if possible I'd add a sideboard at the end of the dining table. Is there room for a sofa and chair where the ironing board is? Have you already bought the table? What styles and colours do you like as there's only a couple of pics in your ideabook? If you give more information hopefully people can help with shopping ideas
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What are you planning on doing with the current kitchen? You don't need all of the current kitchen space for the utility so why not have the kitchen running into that space and keep the dining room with the small nib near the dining room so the dining room still has a separate feel to it. If you then had a peninsula that Jen P mentions at the other end (say where the current utility wall is) is would definitely have the feel of being two separate spaces which you can connect further using the lighting and materials/colours used.
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I don’t think you’ll be too far off with 50k + contingency. We’re having something very similar done in Cambridge (also not a cheap place for this kind of work) and our quotes for the build (including glazing, plumbing and electrics) are around the 50k mark. We’re extending out by 3m but our overall width is 7.5m so slightly narrower than yours. We’re also having 6m of bifolds across the back wall which aren’t cheap so if you’re not fussed about bifolds that might be a saving for you. I would get a couple of architects to quote you for doing the drawings. The quote should be free and they will usually have a good idea about how much it would cost to build. Tell them your budget and they should be able to advise what you can and can’t achieve. If they all say it will cost more than 50k then you haven’t actually spent any money so haven’t lost anything if you don’t proceed at that point.
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I agree with everyone saying that open plan is good if you have a dedicated enclosed space for a snug or second living room. My son is an architect and he has seen a major change with people requesting ways to separate spaces to revert back to a more traditional layout. What about privacy for those moments when kids bring their friends over, they really do not want parents listening and being in their space! Designing a space for a growing family means trying to future proof the footprint. No matter how quiet appliances are meant to be, they will end up irritating you. We have a coffee machine, extractor fan, washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave, kettle in our current kitchen and are lucky enough to be able to move the kitchen into a 10sqm study to create a separate utility and then build a rear extension with a kitchen / diner / snug. We also have a ground floor loo and living room on the other side of the house. The noise of appliances we find exceptionally intrusive, partitions and half height walls may help reduce the noise but won’t eliminate them. Have you also thought about where you will store the kids toys, books etc and how easily you will be able to hide food preparation and washing etc from visitor? I do like the idea of having sliding doors if that is at all possible to zone off spaces when you do want a quiet area.
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Carolina
6 years ago
Hi,

I love your new kitchen. Some natural wood elements (chopping boards), art and soft furnishings will make it more personal and cosier. Like Minnie said: bringing in textures will bring in cosiness.

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Jen Lance
Original Author
6 years ago
wow great tips thank you. where y
would you suggest placing rugs as we have lots of floor space. I thought a long one in between the island and fridge but I think the wider space also needs one. do I buy the same rugs as Well?
Carolina
6 years ago
I'd have coordinating rugs. Not the same ones.

For example, just to show you what I mean with coordinating rug and runner:

or...
Carolina
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Will you have a sofa in the area where the ironing board now is? If so, I'd have a rug there and one behind the island, depending on whether you or not you wear shoes or slippers inside. I always wear socks indoors (no shoes or slippers) and have a tiled floor without underfloor heating in the kitchen. So I like standing on a rug whilst cooking. Softer and warmer.

But you may find you don't need that, in which case I'd keep the floor bare between fridge and island and perhaps use a rug under the dining table.
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
I think I would source and place the dining table and sofa and then choose rugs.
PRO
User
6 years ago
Artwork, plants, bar stools?
Jen Lance
Original Author
6 years ago
thank you for all of the great advice. any suggestions for sideboard and dining table material. I originally wanted a round dark wooden table but not too sure now.
minnie101
6 years ago
You could look at a gloss table paired with wishbone chairs (adding a sheepskin throw etc). One idea for sideboard shown as I love the matching shelving unit (the legs etc are brass which don't show up that well in the pic). It is quite similar in colour to the floor but you could add a couple of darker accessories, stems etc
Jen Lance
Original Author
6 years ago
I really like the last two pics. thank you
M
6 years ago
Gorgeous room. What colour are your walls if you don't mind me asking?

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