Ideas for layout of open plan kitchen/dining/family area?
Hi,
We're currently starting to plan a side extension on our 3 bed semi-detached house. We are looking to create a bigger kitchen and dining area (which needs to comfortably fit a 6 seater table), a utility room downstairs and a fourth bedroom upstairs. Initially we were going to put the new kitchen/ diner in the extension but our architect has suggested knocking down walls in our existing kitchen, dining room and lounge to make a large open plan kitchen/dining/ family area and then put a new lounge in the extension. We really like the idea because we would love the family area to be in the same space as the kitchen diner.
Our lounge currently has a large front facing window though and we are struggling to come up with a layout where the cooking/washing area of the kitchen isn't "on show" to the front. We want the dining room and family area to have easy access in and out of the garden via bi-fold doors or sliding doors at the back, rather than the kitchen taking up all the space at the back and missing that connection from garden to dining/family space. The idea to knock down walls has already put us over budget so really don't want to start knocking down more walls or moving windows!
I've attached the architect's proposed layouts and our existing house plans. We really like option 1 with the big kitchen and island at the front as it gives us everything we want in the proportions we want, but the sink and cooker are right in front of the large front facing window and I'm worried we would hate that feeling of people watching when doing the dishes or cooking. The other alternative from the architect moves the kitchen away from the window but means the kitchen is much smaller than we would like (I think it would also feel cramped space wise with the dining table) and it has a larger family area which I don't think really needs to be so big.
We're really struggling to come up with any other layout ideas and it might be that blinds are all we need but does anyone have any ideas on layout for the kitchen/dining/family area?
Thanks!
Existing
Downstairs option 1
Downstairs option 2
Upstairs
Comments (17)
2 years agoI really like option 2. Which ever option you like shutters or blinds can help with any privacy concerns.
For what it’s worth I have taken a pass at the plan too.
Sarah M thanked Jonathan- 2 years ago
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Open plan kitchen/dining/living layout dilemma
Comments (8)Hi there, We recently reconfigured our downstairs as part of a complete renovation and have to say that having a professional on board was a life saver! We used Gina from Create Perfect (above) and she helped us work out how to configure the space to work best for our life. For what you'll spend on the building work and / or a new kitchen you'll probably be very pleasantly surprised by the cost (hundreds rather than thousands) A good designer will come up with 3D images of different layouts and configurations and from there you can pick your favourites and get them to take them a step further so you end up with 3D renders and also YouTube videos of 'walk arounds' in the space, so you can see exactly how the space would look and feel. Here's a few from ours if it helps... we're not finished but it does show how much Gina helped us with a vision to take three separate rooms through to a new layout for our downstairs (we have a separate lounge not included) Separate rooms to start with and a floorplan I was brain dead from looking at... The 3D pics we had to help from our designer... And a few of how it looks so far (lots still to do and most of the furniture still missing / makeshift at the moment but you'll get the idea) Without the help of a professional designer in deciding the new layout goodness knows what we'd have ended up with! There's only so many times you can look at a floor plan and try and imagine how it will all turn out! Good luck whatever you decide- sounds like an exciting project...See MoreSuggestions for open plan living dining kitchen for family of 6
Comments (23)Indeed! Lots of changes! I have 3 kids and having a front, separated lounge is essential: always tidy-ish and quiet-er! By putting a wall between lounge and kitchen, you could then use it to put floor to ceiling units in kitchen side( oven, fridge...) Then, get rid of units on left and have the space for the island of your dreams ! You could put a banquette on the right of the new extension , that might give you room for some seating. If it were my house, I would also make the entrance hall more spacious by getting rid of the first cupboard. ( maybe make the other one a little longer?) And as you only have 1 meter between the stairs and front door, I would open the front door the other way, so people walk in a spacious area, not a cramped space! I personally like a home with elbow room, rather than always have to squeeze by, going around furniture, bottled neck corridors, cramped hall where you cannot properly greet guests without brushing against each other... ‘Empty’ space can make a house feel luxurious... What ever you decide, your project is going to be life changing! Keep us posted!...See MoreOpen plan Kitchen living dining layout
Comments (1)First, you should decide what you want by the doors..... dining table or sofa? The corner door opening..... putting glass in those corners doesn't allow furniture to go there. I wouldn't have a sofa against the doors as to me it defeats the purpose. I'd shorten the expanse of glass. Also draw it on paper to scale with a table to scale, the dining table you have there can't be to scale, it would take up at least 2.5 m of your 4m width,...See MoreOpen plan kitchen family room layout help
Comments (1)Keeping the kitchen near where it is now saves on moving utilities. My suggestion would be to reinstate the kitchen wall by the side door - gives a long run for full height units. You could also relocate the door into this new space to opposite the front door - you now have an even longer wall and could have an L shaped kitchen along that wall and the kitchen window wall - then you would have options of an island or peninsular....See More- 2 years ago
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C-shaped kitchen dining at front and play at back? Barstool could be on whichever side u preferred
Sarah M thanked Bonnie - 2 years ago
I made two different layouts of your house. Hope it may inspire.
Left: First floor similar to yours, but some tweaks on the wardrobe and ensuite area, to make better use of the space (in my opinion). Ensuite is 170cm wide, so either walk-in shower or bath tub would fit. Hinged or pocket door, I'm not set on a type. Created a landing cupboard for towels and such.Utility could be a bit wider, as 160cm is tight. Hallway has a shelf or shallow shoe cabinet next to the front door, more place to stand and welcome people. Coats with bench can go a bit further in. Lounge rotated as interior psychology makes us feel more at ease when we can see who's coming in.
Kitchen in C shape, nice looking hutch opposite, tall units in the middle of the room, bench with storage (under and above) top right with table. And an extra sofa.
Right: First floor completely different. Extension has two smaller bedrooms and new bathroom. Two bedrooms on the right turned into master suite, bathroom wall moved over to the right. Again added a landing cupboard.Kitchen diner with an island looking into the room (though the whole thing could be rotated ccw if you don't want the sink to go under the window), round table with very comfy chairs, so a sofa is not required. Plenty space on the sides for storage and play.
(to return a favour paypal.me/rinkedit) - 2 years ago
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