Kitchen and toilet decisions..

9 years ago

Hi there, I really want to make my small kitchen into a kitchen diner or at least have room for a table and 4 chairs. I am thinking about knocking an internal hallway wall out to give me the space but that would then leave the downstairs cloakroom/toilet opening directly into the kitchen. It doesn't really bother me too much, the other half is not so keen and wondering if future buyers may also think this undesirable?

Anyone done something like this before?

Featured Answer

Daisy England

9 years ago

Can you square the lounge off therefore making the kitchen that bit bigger for a table and chairs?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Helen P
9 years ago
I was going to suggest the same thing as Daisy - squaring off the lounge to steal the space for the kitchen. If you're thinking about re-sale, if at all possible, try to keep the hallway. I think walking straight through the front door into the kitchen could put potential buyers off, as could a toilet opening into the kitchen.
Related Discussions
Decisions, decisions!!!!.............whole house renovation!
Q
Comments (4)
Hello Scott, Adding to Jonathan's suggestions, Look at the bones of the space first before worrying about what's going in it.. To an extent.. You really do need to consider what the end result is that you want.. It doesn't have to be in enormous detail but it really does need thinking about as a whole.. Once the bones have been decided then you can flesh out the scheme... So unless you're making structural alterations and or requirements that need engineers, architects etc.. You may need these but you may only need a builder- that all depends on the works.. then you could work with an interior designer once you're closer to getting to where you need to be in order to start decorating and filling the home with furnishings etc.. It might also be a good idea to work with a designer initially to consider what should stay or what you can address to retain the character or inject that which may have been lost.. Someone who can advise you on a look that compliments you and your family? and of course the house.. Whether that be kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms or gardens. What oven, what sofa, what plant.. For a full and coherent look at the house as a whole regardless of whether you do it all at once. : ))
...See More
New kitchen - splashback and shelving decision
Q
Comments (13)
Thank you so much everyone for all the comments and ideas! I am definitely swaying towards tiles now or the opaque glass in same colour as wall. Very helpful to see other ideas too with some different style Splashbacks etc. Thanks for taking time to show a design on my photo that’s really helpful. I see what you mean about the shelves needing to be quite small on right hand side of hob. I was thinking of 1 or 2 small ones on that side and longer ones on other side. But yes other option is to have something more decorative on right hand side... but we already have a big brass/black antique style clock for the opposite wall which is a dark grey (see extra pic- but clock not up yet!). I will definitely post an update once we decide and get it done Thanks again Laura
...See More
Kitchen carcass quality...decisions decisions!
Q
Comments (4)
There is not much difference quality wise between carcasses, what makes a good quality unit is the doors and hinges, so this is where best to spend your money. You mentioned you are having your doors bespoke made, so the quality will come from these. Therefore it makes no odds whether you get your carcasses from Ikea or Howdens. Once the units are fitted you won’t notice the thickness of the carcass. I have heard there can be an issue with the backs of Ikea units, a good fitter is likely to know if this would be an issue in your property.
...See More
kitchen layout decision before 9 Dec!
Q
Comments (29)
Hi Today is the final day to sign off plans I got original date wrong! However, all going well until my daughter mentioned at 12th hour, either substituting a cupboard on the right for a void and using the area as a breakfast bar or overhang the worktop slightly to create an eating area. Would that look too fussy? Would it even work? This really is the very last day to decide!
...See More
A B
9 years ago
I would square off lounge then swap it for a large kitchen diner at the back, smaller separate living room at the front
Steve
9 years ago
Building regulations have changed. It's acceptable to have only 1 door separation now instead of 2 between Kitchen and WC. There must be air extraction and hand washing facilities. Personally speaking I would keep the hallway and knock the kitchen and lounge into one to make a kitchen/lounge/diner.
PRO
OnePlan
9 years ago
I'd also keep the hall - as it's more fire safe that way too.
So that leaves squaring off lounge to make kitchen bigger - or opening up into lounge/diner/kitchen ... what style of cooking do you mostly do? If very fragrant - might be better to keep a wall in ? Also if you do most of your laundry in the evening - the sound of the WM or TD could be a factor too keep separate kitchen too.
Steve
9 years ago
Yes, fire safety is paramount and an open plan kitchen would need a heat detector installed linked up with the existing system. A good quality extractor should get rid of most cooking smells and with the cooking surface adjacent to an outside wall would be straightforward. As for washer/drier, maybe a small utility room could be constructed by extending the existing kitchen/lounge boundary across the hall. Possibly using the existing door from the lounge as the entrance to the utility or a new doorway directly from the kitchen blocking up the lounge entrance?
Gary Brett
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks everyone really appreciate your feedback. Wish I posted this earlier this year as we have just redesigned the lounge and now moving that wall forward isn't an option, would have been ideal if I'd had your foresight :)

Cheers anyway, I've got a couple of builders/kitchen installers popping over so will see what they say.
PRO
Schmidt Kitchens Loughton
9 years ago
Realistically looking at that floor plan even if you were to remove the wall into the hall / downstairs toilet what are you likely to gain? This is the question I would ask myself you will still be left with roughly the same amount of space for the kitchen just with more doors and stair access all in one room. Therefore not being able to use the wall space for any kitchen units. Hope this makes sense.

I agree with above comments that you would benefit more from knocking through into the lounge creating an open space.

Would be happy to design the space showing you a kitchen in an open plan area if you were to send the measurements across.

Kind Regards

Schmidt Kitchens Loughton.
laurz84
9 years ago
If would put me off losing the hallway.

It was one of the things I wouldn't consider when buying a house, walking straight into a room.

I would think about reconfiguring, and this comes from someone who has had to back track! Currently doing an extension when money had been 'wasted' in the garden and kitchen but will be with it.
laurz84
9 years ago
This layout is very similar to a family members and they blocked off the original kitchen door, opened up kitchen into lounge and so had a u shape kitchen just on different walls.

So it goes lounge, diner and kitchen in zones, so full open plan but because the kitchen is tucked away you don't have to see any mess if in the living area.

Kitchen and toilet decisions..

Daisy England

Comments (10)

Helen P

Related Discussions

A B

Steve

OnePlan

Steve

Gary Brett
Original Author

Schmidt Kitchens Loughton

laurz84

laurz84

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kitchen and toilet decisions..

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

Gary BrettOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Gary Brett
Original Author