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Smaller Homes Renovating Design Dilemma

Open plan living dizziness

3 years ago

Hello!

We are trying to figure out how to best use the below footprint for a kitchen/dining/lounge area. My partner likes the idea of a kitchen island, but I am not sure we have the space(?) We are planning to get the glazing put along the entire back of the house, opening out onto the garden. We are newbies to home renovating so any ideas would gratefully welcomed!

Many thanks in advance!

Caroline

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Comments (6)

Wumi
3 years ago
Hi Caroline,

A couple of questions!

1. Where are the doors leading into to the kitchen? Which direction do they open?

2. Will this be your main living room area or do you have a separate lounge?

3. Will you want a TV in the space?

4. How many are living in the house?
Dee Cee
3 years ago
Hi Caroline - I have similar questions to Wumi. Also, do you have a separate utility room or will your noisier appliances be in the same space (washing machine, tumble dryer)? With regards the glazing - all very beautiful to have such an expanse but which way does the back of the house face? If south facing be mindful which furniture will be exposed to the sun as it will bleach whatever it touches! Also, flooring - crucial if south facing - we have learnt from bitter experience just how it can warp from extremely high temperatures. You don’t need to be scared off by these things, just do your homework when choosing materials.
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Caroline
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Wumi and Dee Cee!

1. Please find a floorplan of the current layout below (we live in a 1960s bungalow) - in the sketch above I have kept only the door to the current bedroom 2

2. This will likely be our main living area, but we are open to better use of the existing footprint

3. Yes, hoping to have a TV in this space

4. Just me and my partner currently, but we would like the space to be suitable for family living later down the line

Sorry to hear about your floor Cee Dee :( On the existing floorplan "bedroom 1" and "lounge" face the street side, with a driveway leading to the garage. The lounge gets the evening sun. We plan to move our washing machine etc (currently in the "sun room") to the "utility" at the back of the house.

Thanks again!
Ellie
3 years ago
Yes I think you can do kitchen like that with island and dining, only if you reduce space between kitchen and island to 90cm.

First impressions though......assuming the door into this space us middle of wall at bottom of plan...... the first thing you are going to notice walking in here is the sofa that's right in front of you, I wouldn't have that there. Not sure of layout but that would be a big no-no. Also assuming stools on island? They would not be facing the views?
jessa61
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Do you have enough cabinet space? Might an l-shape with a peninsular be better? Or if you would prefer an island, I would do an L-shape but rotate your island 90 degrees so the back of the bar stools would be opposite the back of the sofa
Katy N
3 years ago
Personally I took out an island in a small kitchen and replaced it with a peninsula. My kitchen is in an open plan space.

I have so much more storage and the additional distance to walk round is negligible. I hate breakfast bars so have storage on the back of the peninsula and my dining table is right next to the kitchen.

The two runs of units are 1.1m Apart which gives plenty of space for 2 cooks/emptying. The dishwasher etc.

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