Help please. Kitchen and lounge layout
I've been wrestling with this for too long. I really want to open out the kitchen onto the garden, so least option would be patio doors. However we had planned to extend at the back, either just the kitchen, just the lounge or across both. That side of the house is facing east so trying to maximise the light coming through, especially in the kitchen. If we extend the kitchen we would then have space for a table.
I have also toyed with the idea of grabbing some space from the lounge. There is no fireplace in the lounge, we have patio doors. The windows and doors in the kitchen are subject to change to help with a better layout. Ideally would like somewhere to sit, even just an armchair as I often have to rest while cooking. Can't sit on kitchen stools though (health issues).
I also want to put bifold doors to separate the lounge so we can watch tv and relax without interruption.
What would you do? Would be grateful for any ideas.
Thanks for reading.
Below is a very rough plan of an idea I had, which was open the wall to the lounge to create more light into the kitchen. The blue block would be the open part. Would it be weird? I don't want full open plan and I'm worried about having to go through what would then be kitchen diner to access the lounge through bifold doors. Those doors would be roughly where the dots are.
Yellow block is proposed extension
Comments (6)
Amber Tallulah
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoVery rough plan of one idea I had, which was open the wall to the lounge to create more light into the kitchen. The blue block would be the open part. Would it be weird? I don't want full open plan and I'm worried about having to go through what would then be kitchen diner to access the lounge through bifold doors. Those doors would be roughly where the dots are.
Yellow block is proposed extension
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Comments (9)I haven't had long to look at it, but that is a tricky lounge. A decent size but an awkward shape. What would really help is knowing the measurements of each and every wall in that lounge. Moving walls and doors can be expensive and you should always consult a structural engineer. By moving the doors and walls, even though it makes the room technically smaller, it'll feel more useable. I moved the kitchen door to the corner, which frees up a bit of wall space to hang the TV. You would need to move some kitchen units, so I've put them against the stairs. You could fit more here anyway. I've moved the hallway door in a bit to square the room. I don't suppose you really NEED to do this, but it will make the room a more standard shape and make better use of the hall storage. Either of the layouts I can think of would equally work with the door where it is though. Sorry I haven't got the software or the time to draw the layouts but hopefully you can get the idea. The two layouts that spring to mind are 1) an L-shaped sofa in the window corner, with a single elsewhere (where the measurements were maybe?) You might fit a small desk by the double doors. OR 2) an L-shaped sofa partly under the stairs overhang, with the TV on the long wall opposite where it is in the photos. You could maybe put a single seat beside the double doors, and a desk in the corner near the window. Without moving walls, I'd maybe put an L sofa in the window corner and a single in the corner by the double doors. You might fit a small desk (110mm?) under the stairs. As I said though, if you could measure every wall, that would help get a better understanding of what could go where....See MoreAmber Tallulah
3 years agopazzomed
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoHi Amber
I can see why you’ve been wrestling with it as it is difficult to figure out the best options with such a long stretch of kitchen and lounge.
An extension could make both these rooms appear longer/skinny and maybe darker. My friends added a similar extension with a large window on one half and patio doors on the other, with both the side walls being solid brick. This did make their original rooms darker so if you did decide to go down this route, perhaps consider a design incorporating more glass than brick?
I did come up with an idea similar to what you had in mind but i don’t know if it is possible (I have left tiny parts of your dividing wall between your existing kitchen/lounge still in place in case supports are needed). There’s a rough drawing below to help you (and me!) visualise it.
- the kitchen is moved to the front of the house, the yellow rectangle represents a chair that you could tuck under the counter, or if necessary lose the counter and place an armchair here; alternatively you could place an armchair / swivel chair where yellow circle is?
- this could be whatever type of glass opening you like or combination window/door (you might be able to reuse part of what you already have?)
- dining table area
- this could be whatever you need it to be – a sofa with side tables, a sideboard with wall hung TV above, a floor to ceiling storage wall, etc
- bi-fold doors to close off the lounge (could go for half glass for added light)
- again, whatever is needed – another sofa, a media wall, a mix of units/desk and open shelving above
- this could be a place for a wall hung tv or fire or both! (if you did need to retain part of the original dividing wall to support a beam, you could make a shallow false wall behind 7 which would be great to hide any wiring, sockets, etc)
- could leave as original window if this works or make it into a glass door
- patio door to garden/bi-folds - match up with 8
- a longer section of wall here may be useful depending on how you intend to use the space
At the very least, i hope this offers some inspiration and stops the wrestling! Just consider what your family’s needs are and when you have decided on a layout, I would draw a ‘to scale’ plan with the actual size of your furnishings (incl. 5). This will make sure you are putting walls and sockets in the right place and help to determine what type/size openings work best.
Best of luck and would be great to eventually see the final productAmber Tallulah thanked pazzomedAmber Tallulah
3 years ago
Jonathan