Shall we block a wall?

2 years ago

Hello,

We would really like a kitchen with more workable space. The wall marked in red has been taken down and we have considered blocking either the green or the blue door (and moving the kitchen to that end of the house) to create more space. Our key things we'd like are 2 ovens at eye height, a breakfast bar/island and more usable workspace.

Our builder has suggested blocking the green door which is the door to the kitchen direct from the hall, which I think would create a lovely space, but would it be annoying to have to go through the dining room all the time, and would it impact the sale of the house not having that as a through area.

We're very conflicted.

In an ideal world we'd convert the conservatory and switch the sides of the house over, but quotes for that have been through the roof.

What do you think?

Featured Answer

lesleycurrant

2 years ago

This is pretty similar to our house, we took down the same wall, and our kitchen is an L shape across the left side of the kitchen with a large island. Our green door goes into a garage conversion, which is now a playroom/snug, but the only way into the kitchen from the front door is through the lounge and then into the diner/kitchen. I can’t see that it would make any difference to the value of the house? Our interior lounge door to the porch and our green door are both contemporary wood frames with a large safety glass panel in them to let the light through the house, it works a treat. Finally, eventually we opted for pocket doors separating the lounge from the kitchen/diner when we need to, they’re invaluable and though expensive, they were worth every penny for the flexibility it gives the space ;)

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Comments (12)

Daisy England
2 years ago
My choice would be to block the blue door out of the two. Walk straight into the kitchen workspace and keep the current dining room as your eating/sociable area.
PRO
Naturally Allard
2 years ago
if you blocked up the green door you could always move that door to the wall to the left so you have another route, is that an option for you with your living room the other side? the only down side is if you block up green then your hallway/stairway could look very dark with no real light going through.
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Daisy England
2 years ago
But if the doors are solid they won’t let light through anyway.
Tina Herlihy Marshall
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you. @lesleycurrant how did you fit a dining room table and an island? We're struggling to see how it could work.

@Daisy England My initial thought was to block the blue door too, and move the kitchen to that side but everyone tells me it would make the kitchen quite narrow
katlucy
2 years ago
Hi Tina,

I've drawn a few plans to perhaps get you started. I am, however, finding it difficult to get a dining table, island and tall cabinets and get the adequate work surface I think you would like.

I have assumed moving a window along, for symmetry mostly.

I haven't put tall cupboards along the sitting room wall, but that’s another option perhaps, and then you could keep the dining room in tact, but its a narrow room to be a walk through as well.

Sorry for the scruffyness, i hope you can make it out.
Tina Herlihy Marshall thanked katlucy
Tina Herlihy Marshall
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks @katlucy this is very helpful. Its a challenge to get everything in isnt' it. I know I will have to compromise on something, I'm just not sure which to compromise on first. What would you do?
katlucy
2 years ago
Hi Tina,

I would prefer a dining room, close, but separate, from the kitchen…. but I’d include a small table/or bar for breakfast and lunch, ours seats a max of five at a push….but then I dont like loads of people in my kitchen when I'm cooking and concentrating!! ….could you eat in the conservatory or sitting room?

I like both plans but maybe the big island would win (if budget allowed) for me, as I'm the main cook, that would be my domain, and then I would designate separate prep areas for drinks and toast making so you aren't tripping over each other. My other half would go for the upholstered bench and table so he was near the kettle all day….and if the hob was an Aga…. I’d never get him out!!

If you haven't got young children running around, and this isn't the main access to the conservatory, then the tall cabinets (ovens, fridge/freezer) and hob along the sitting room wall might work, if its deep enough, (swapping the seating and prep sink over ), then you could decide if you have enough storage so that the dining room could stay put?

Have fun with it.
Tina Herlihy Marshall thanked katlucy
Louise Burke
2 years ago
I wouldn't block up the green door as it will leave a pointless dead space in the middle of the house and prevent people going to the kitchen from the lounge. Instead forcing them to go through the dining part interrupting whoever is in there. Plus all shopping etc if that comes through the front door, will have to be carried through the dining area. Have you considered blocking off the door from the kitchen to the conservatory. That would give an additional big corner space to work with.
Tina Herlihy Marshall thanked Louise Burke
siobhanmcgee90
2 years ago
Agree with Louise. Block the door to the conservatory. Keep the kitchen to the back of the house and dining to front. Blocking the green door interrupts the flow and would likely be off putting to future buyers. Take away the pink wall completely and you can easily fit in your double eye-level ovens etc.
Tina Herlihy Marshall thanked siobhanmcgee90
Anna G
2 years ago
I'd block the blue door and put the kitchen where you have the dining room. Purely because that'd make it quite similar to the space I have and we're finding it works well. Sociable, but no-one gets in the way while you're cooking. And the corner where your blue door is is quite hidden so we dump used dishes there.
Tina Herlihy Marshall thanked Anna G
PRO
Pennine Kitchen Designs
2 years ago
We might be biased, lol, but have you spoken to a kitchen designer about reconfiguring the layout to fit in a small dining area in the kitchen? This would definitely be a less expensive option. Feel free to give us a call if that helps 01535 282021 :)
Tina Herlihy Marshall thanked Pennine Kitchen Designs

Shall we block a wall?

lesleycurrant

Comments (12)

Daisy England

Naturally Allard

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Shall we block a wall?

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