Help! Sacrifice utility for open plan kitchen diner?

6 years ago

Please let me know your thoughts on my dilemma.

Would you get rid of a badly placed utility? Ordinarily I would keep a utility every time but ours is basically a box placed on the edge of our kitchen. I’ve included a picture which the kitchen designers did for us of open plan and put a black box where our utility currently is (also currently a wall between dining room and kitchen)

im ring mad trying to decide what to do for the best.....practicality over looks? Or should I make a compromise and lose the utiliy for a more pleasing design?

Comments (5)

minipie
6 years ago
So, the obvious question - is there anywhere else to put a utility? Even if it's just a cupboard with the laundry machines stacked on top of each other (maybe somewhere upstairs)?

I really like sociable kitchens and so if it came down to it I would lose the utility to have a large kitchen/diner rather than two small spaces. But I would try really hard to find somewhere else to put the laundry machines.
Jennifer Quinn thanked minipie
Jennifer Quinn
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for your comment. I could make a utility in the garage maybe or put the washer dryer in a spare bedroom upstairs. We did consider making the downstairs toilet smaller and take some space out of the hallway to make a new utility at the back of the house, I was concerned that would make the hallway feel tiny and also cost too much but maybe I should revisit that.

see pic below. A small downstairs toilet would then go in front of the new utility,
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I would say first and foremost that as this is a large project, you can't do without a concept planner or someone that can draw up your plans in 3D so that you can 'vitually' walk around what you have in mind. You need to pay attention to your access doorways, they aren't marked on either plan. You will need to have the kitchen on the left and access both the pantry and utility from there. Therefore you will negate the whole of that wall for access to those two rooms. Placement of furniture that you would like / need has to be thought about along with the build. It's just as important. The 1st floor doesn't seem to work as there is no access to the Family Bathroom on the plan. Obviously you know the actual shape of the stairs and there are no dimensions which makes it difficult. However, you may need to create a landing and thus you would, if you use the layout given have to sacrifice one of the bedrooms or change the plan. A planner is essential, one that can give you the rooms sizes that you want and utilise the space available.
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colleen_osborne84
6 years ago
Could you fit the washer/dryer in the downstairs loo?
Jennifer Quinn thanked colleen_osborne84
Daisy England
6 years ago
Get rid of it. I did and I've never looked back. It became a dumping ground.

The kitchen and utility are now one room and it has offered a big square space that in turn has enabled me to have more units and an island. My washer is over the top of my dryer in a bank of tall units which have doors on the front (not integrated machines but we made them as such with the door on the front).

Can you have a tall bank of units in which you can place your washer and dryer?
Jennifer Quinn thanked Daisy England
Jennifer Quinn
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your advice! We can’t fit the washer dryer in the downstairs toilet as it’s quite small. I think I am coming round to the idea that because the utility is in a badly situated place I am going to have to get rid of it.

I will get a washer dryer integrated into the kitchen and try to leave a tall cupboard free to put the laundry in. Hubby and me will sit down and do through what cupboards we will have and designate a purpose for each to see how we do for storage and space. I will probably put my old washing machine and dryer in the garage (arg) as a backup. I feel like it will mean more work for me to keep the kitchen tidy but such is life!

I guess in all house design there has to be some compromise and it will be a really big nice space all open plan. We will keep the door on the side of the house which gives access into garden and garage. After ruminating for years over what to do I just want it done now!!

See photo below for final layout.

Help! Sacrifice utility for open plan kitchen diner?

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minipie

Jennifer Quinn
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Help! Sacrifice utility for open plan kitchen diner?

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minipie

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