New kitchen / diner layout - which would you choose?

3 years ago

We have been working with an architect to reconfigure our home and have narrowed it down to two preferred options. Trouble is agreeing between us which is best so we thought we would post it here in case any words of wisdom from the Houzz community helps sway us one way or the other. It is how we deal with the kitchen / diner / utility space that is the cause of debate. Part of this space will also be a toddler play area in view of the kitchen initially but over time this could/will become a more typical informal lounge / seating area or possibly a home office.

Option 1

This option maximises the toddler play area to the right hand side of the plan which will be separate from the dining space by a half height wall or partially transparent screen.

The compromise is an internal utility cupboard (accessed from the hall) albeit big enough for a washer and dryer and storing hoover, ironing board etc.

A slight doubt with this layout is whether it makes the most of all the glazing (see how the utility area encroaches into the glazed space or perhaps we are just over analysing!).

We also have some disagreement over whether the peninsula on entering the room makes it feel a bit too corridor like or could be quite funky and actually works as its where people immediately gravitate to.

We are comfortable we could fit everything we need into the kitchen space and the four units closest to the table could be configured to help zone kitchen vs dining area.

A point to note as its not visible on the plan for some reason - there needs to be a structural column on the bottom right hand corner of the peninsula.

Option 2

This reduces the informal play / seating area but allows a larger utility. It is worth pointing out that the bottom right hand corner of the plan is really quite dark hence considering the utility here. A bigger utility is not a deal breaker for us albeit it may also free up room upstairs for a bigger bathroom by allowing us to relocate boiler/cylinder from an upstairs cupboard into the utility.

This option allows for a slightly wider entrance into the space with scope for a pocket door which we could replicate on the lounge. I personally like the idea of having a large broken plan space when the pocket doors are open but my partner is more a fan of individual rooms (to the extent that she would also probably prefer double doors into the play space).

We have some flexibility on the dining table to make sure its not in the way on entry - either a table that is not too large (can be extended when needed) or moving it toward the bottom of the plan to work with some bench seating along the bottom wall (the area to the left of the fridge on the plan).

The kitchen feels less defined and much more open which we are not sure is a good or bad thing. The island may conveniently sit between structural columns (whereas option 1 needs one of these to be moved once structural engineer has confirmed if right hand column is structural))

Not quite as easy to fit all the useable elements (sink, cooker, microwave, bins etc) into the kitchen layout and probably a bit less worktop space compared to option 1. Feels as though hob will have to go on the island (but space to make reasonably deep) and no hidden corner to hide away the microwave!

Would be really interested to hear peoples preference for option 1 or 2 and reasons why. Would also be really interested in particular to hear if anyone has a strong opinion on which option they think would 'feel' nicer and more impressive when entering the room.

Thanks in anticipation. Once decision made we are cracking on with the works so something to look forward to in 2021!

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Comments (5)

Nicola M
3 years ago
Hello,

quick question, are the window sizes & positioning set in stone? The sizes look different in the two options. I prefer the second version but just thinking of kitchen unit placement which would depend on the window positioning/if they can move.
newsonnewhome
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Nicola and well spotted! The windows shown in option 2 reflect what exists at the moment whereas option 1 shows what we could have achieved by partially blocking each window up. We are completely flexible about changing window positions so not fixed in stone at all albeit cheaper to adjust an existing opening than start from scratch. The windows look out directly onto a neighbours garden and large trees and the north facing aspect means they provide little natural light (albeit some) and are a pain in terms of lack of privacy. That means that for any windows we keep, we will either go for high level windows or use frosted glass. Also worth saying that we don't think it is necessary to have the sink in front of a window which seems to be the uk default. One possibility we thought about for Option 2 was to keep the left hand window near the dining table / possible bench seat and remove the other window altogether to provide maximum flexibility for the kitchen layout.
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Hi there, I have a idea for the kitchen. I think your trying to pop too much in the space. And in your proposed plan, ironically your creating a less efficient kitchen as you've lost the wall space. But when the wall is down your going to have a nice generous room which will be lovely for the family. My thought is that you should stop seeing the space as two rooms. But think of it as one large dual purpose room. Think traditional large country kitchens with the cabinetry around the walls and a central large table. of course this can be in any style. This way, you can leave the door to the loo where it is. The drains can stay put and you just need to open it all up. And probably take out the fireplace...maybe :D This is my quick sketch. Extend the counter to the doorway. Then you will have a nice long run of counter. Plenty of work space. Remove the chimney and fill up that wall with all the fridge and tall n' bulky stuff. So this becomes your pantry and other storage. Then pop your large table in the centre of the room. And as a Mr J Oliver likes to say - Happy days.
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Thank you everyone. We would like to spend more time in the kitchen (something we don't do now). Though, I can probably make the same argument for the dining room which has become a bit of a dumping ground. The general layout of the house is a typical 1930’s 3 bed semi. In an ideal world I’d extend but I don’t want go through all of that and end up selling it in a couple of years. My main intuitive argument for the larger dining room is that I do want to be careful of losing too much space to relax in. The idea of having a log burner in the fireplace is also very appealing. Equally, I don't want to just end up replacing the current cramped kitchen with something which just presents the same problem. I’m hoping that once the space is opened up then I might have some kind of epiphany. Kind of feel like I’m making it up as I go along by trying to be open minded and adaptable – I’m not sure this is the best approach :-)
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i think i would keep the hallway to kitchen and keep the separate reception room as it is - then it can be a messy playroom and you can close the doors and don't have to walk through it every time you go to the kitchen. i'd try and widen the hallway a little though to allow for recessed shelving along one of the walls so it becomes a bit of an art/books display area - to there's something to look at along the way, but it's 'within' the walls so it's not feeling like it's taking up space. see attached photo for the idea. also, i'd combine the utility and shower room (in your first option) to create utility/pantry - if you could divide them that would be great, but not sure there's enough room - have doors on cupboards in pantry area rather than open shelving and that will contain the visual mess and also keep food away from 'wet mess' from utility. then i'd make the proposed study into shower room. if you really really need a study spot, use a corner of one of the reception rooms to have a desk which can be tidied away at the end of the day. you might even have enough room in the utility/pantry for a bit of a desk there - if it's just for sorting mail etc - basically you're gonna live in the utility room!
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CWD
3 years ago
Definitely prefer Option 2. Having a decent walk-in utility/pantry will change your life and is much more useful than a laundry cupboard. Also prefer the island over the peninsula just for access from both sides and to have more routes around the space.
tamp75
3 years ago
I don’t like the positioning of the dining table in option 2. If you’re having guests over, you’d potentially have all your cooking detritus around (unless you’re a very tidy cook)! The table on option 1 feels slightly more removed from the main kitchen area, or I guess it could possibly be moved into the play area for entertaining.
Having said that, a utility room there works well too.
Nicola M
3 years ago
That's great if you can be flexible with the windows. I personally prefer option 2 but would swap the island and the dining area. A bigger utility would always be my choice. If possible, going for an integrated fridge/freezer would give you more space. I've 'guestimated' where the pillar is... could be in the totally wrong place!

I am thinking tall units with double oven/fridge/freeze (built-in) on the entry wall with the pocket door. Or go for combined fridge/freezer and use one tall unit as a mini pantry cupboard which could hide away microwave & kettle. (Light Blue)

Sink under the first window (can make it smaller) and then hob could also back wall if you don't want it on the island. Block up the second window potentially. Then can have more tall units by the dining table or low level with open shelves for the dining area. (Dark Purple). If you have tall units there, you can add a cupboard and have kettle etc underneath where the window used to be. Funnily enough, this is what we've planned for our kitchen.

Another option, (although I know not everyone likes this style, is run the table off the island). I personally really like this design.

New kitchen / diner layout - which would you choose?

Comments (5)

Nicola M

newsonnewhome
Original Author

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New kitchen / diner layout - which would you choose?

Comments (5)

Nicola M

newsonnewhomeOriginal Author

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CWD

tamp75

Nicola M

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newsonnewhome
Original Author