To knock through or not? Kitchen layout help!

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I live in a period property, initially were thinking of extending but have decided against- worried it may ruin the character of the property. We have plenty of space but possibly need to reconfigure the layout a bit to make it more practical for us as a family. Current kitchen is ‘U’ shaped- I hate it! Desperate for an island. We have temporarily placed a table and chairs in the kitchen which is lovely as we all eat together as a family now but it’s far too tight. We dont seem to ever eat in the actual dining room as it’s across the hallway and a faff to take food over. I have attached the original plan and various options. So should I go for:

Option1: L-shaped kitchen with island and seating. No Knock through to the front

option2: L Shape kitchen with island and knock through to front creating a kitchen- diner.

option 3: galley style kitchen with reduced depth units one side, no island seating and creating doors where the window is- this will allow the whole space to open up to the garden and allow more light but will be a lot more expensive and not sure it’s entirely worth it (window is pretty big already)

Picture of current kitchen also attached

Any suggestions would be gratefully received! :)

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Comments (11)

chapss89
3 years ago
Have you considered a large window seat? you can make the island longer either side and storage/pantry cupboards on opposite wall...
A J
Original Author
3 years ago
No, never considered a window seat. Not sure if it would restrict the units opening either side?
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I actually prefer the layout you've got at the moment (sorry!) with your table in the kitchen. Moving it to between the rooms looks really tight. Why not just redo your kitchen to get more functional space. You could maybe block up the door. Another possible option may be to move the wc and utility into the current garage, then you could knock through and double the size of your kitchen (and fit in an island!!).
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Ok, this is embarrassing. We STILL haven’t had it done. We’ve had structural reports and building regs done. Then another builder came round to quote... and... he thinks we should do it another way. Essentially he suggested what Minipie and Rinq suggested!! 👏👏👏 I’ve put a shambolic plan below. Basically keeping the utility (again, as suggested by you guys, I’ve realised I cannot live without a utility - especially now we have a dog!). So the builder said it would be cheaper and just as effective to push the bifolds down and remove the wall in between. So, now my concern is, will we have enough space for a seating area and dining table. If not, I’m concerned it’ll be a big space with not much in it? New wall in red.
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Like Sonia we too knocked ours through. It was one of the first things we did when we purchased our house 30 years ago and I have never regretted it. It is still defined as the eating area but the openness of the space Is great along with a wall mounted TV. Then when we decided to swap the kitchen round many years later the utility went too so we could have an island in the middle of the kitchen. That was another good idea for our family as it stopped the kids (at that time) dumping school bags in the utility leaving me no worktop space. It then made them put them in their bedrooms 😀
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I also prefer the second plan. A change I might consider is to put the door into the utility on the seating area wall (where it is on the first plan). This change wouldn’t significantly compromise the seating area but would allow for more kitchen cupboards extending the kitchen from L shaped to U shaped. Another reason for choosing your second plan is your concern for the kitchen not being attached to an external wall. Although not impossible to have that setup I am of a mind that it would be better and cheaper to have the drains as near to an external wall as is humanly possible.
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Jonathan
3 years ago
Alternative
User
3 years ago
Option 2 gets my vote. I had my kitchen and dining room knocked through, but the areas are separated by a peninsula housing the oven and hob (no room for an island). I had wanted a breakfast bar, but decided against it since it wouldn't leave enough room for my dining table. I still have room for a small breakfast table in the kitchen area though, which works for me.
A J
Original Author
3 years ago
@jonathan thank you for that, but I’m not so keen on bringing the kitchen to the front of the house as would mean changing all the plumbing and gas etc. Plus we have a lovely fireplace in that room we don’t want to lose.
A J
Original Author
3 years ago
@User thank you. I think I am also leaning towards option 2
Carolina
3 years ago
I vote option 2 too
A J
Original Author
3 years ago
@Carolina thank you!
Jonathan
3 years ago
Of course there is a cost implication of moving the kitchen into a different room but it’s likely not as much as you are imagining.

Separately you don’t have to loose the fireplace in the front room, you could change the kitchen design to incorporate it or you could move the fireplace to the former kitchen.

The reason to move the kitchen is that you are asking a lot of the smallest room downstairs and it’s easier to have the island and a better kitchen than you have currently if it’s in a bigger room.
SAMI
3 years ago
Option 3 for the benefit of space going into the garden. Especially if you have young children growing up! Obviously, will be more expensive. The sense of having access to the garden, especially during Spring/Summer will be priceless... socially too entertaining with some bifold doors would enhance the feel of the house.

Option 2 definitely if your on a budget.

Either way, having an island will be the focal point of the kitchen and you'll find that to be used the most.
honey line
3 years ago
Hi

gave You thought of an open plan where you could have kitchen diner and family lounge

or even knocking the wall of the kitchen and use the passage dividing the kitchen and family lounge

it creates a bigger room and will give a chance for all of the family members to be spending more time together

that passage is a dead space at the moment

ypu could add bi fold doors to the formal lounge so when there is a huge gathering you could open up and there will be free flow

To knock through or not? Kitchen layout help!

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chapss89

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To knock through or not? Kitchen layout help!

Comments (11)

chapss89

A JOriginal Author

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Jonathan

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A JOriginal Author

A JOriginal Author

Carolina

A JOriginal Author

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honey line

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A J
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A J
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A J
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