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Design Dilemma Kitchens Living Rooms

Help for open plan ideas

4 years ago

We are looking to open up the whole back wall of our house and extend to create a big open plan kitchen/dining/living space. We’re looking at blocking of the wall to the living room to create a snug at the front of the house. I have no idea how is the best way to do this! Any ideas or designs are greatly appreciated!

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Comments (8)

pauldrowan
4 years ago
Hi Jess, you haven’t given an indication of budget restraints or family needs etc so this is a basic layout sketch keeping a lot of the current structure in place to reduce costs. If you have a large budget then it is easier to start removing even more structure from the current layout.
A 4metre extension at the back should give you space for kitchen, dining and living in one space then utilise the current dining room as a snug, play space or office depending on your needs.
Costs will also accelerate depending on the amount of glass you incorporate into the extension either through bifold/sliders or roof lights.
If this was my house I would try to create a line of sight from front door straight through to garden using glass doors in the hallway.
Good luck with the project
Jess Tideswell
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you this is great!
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Now I get it! So "man shed" is the back of the garage, right hand side is Dining near the bifold then Kitchen as you have it, then make the "Study" into the Utility. Do you have a side return and are you interested in changing the window on the right in the current Study to a door so that you have a side entrance and then the Utility becomes a mudroom, too, and entrance for bags of shopping and kids with stuff? Make the "Playroom" the Study and decide whether you really want/need two doors into it. Playroom area where you have "More Lounge?" is great because then you can see the kiddies from all parts of the open plan area. Now what to do with the area currently drawn out as "Utility".... I'll see if I can describe a suggestion without the aid of software or pen and paper.... Have a big door or doorway from the hall lined up with the front door, keep the current outside wall opposite and fill in the doorway that used to go to your conservatory, build a wall to the right of that that is wide enough for you to have your TV - marked in blue on your plan, right? - and then on the playroom side of the former exterior wall build deep cupboards or drawers and shelves to put the extra kids' toys and on the side you will see from the front door make it a sort of reception/coat hanging/bookshelf space - maybe bookshelves all along this side of the exterior wall, a console table and mirror on the left hand wall so you can see it all the way from the kitchen, and a coat rack or stand in there somewhere? From the lounge you'll have a solid wall in the middle for your tele but it'll actually be hiding storage either side of it. I don't know if that makes any sense! Let me know if I'm totally off track or if I should look for some pictures for examples. Don't have pokey little doors between the front of the house and the extension - let the light flow in and make it more to scale with the big lovely extension and the giant windows and doors.
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Thanks for these. Im not sure if we can do the extra corner bit for number five, but I do like the layout, it will depend on cost, also don't need two tv areas, as we have a front lounge in the house anyway. the office was supposed to be a mixed use room, as a playroom with kids storage and also an occasional bedroom, so sofa bed In there. I know many people have hobs and sinks on islands, but I just think i'll end up dumping things on there.. I have four in the family, two adults, two kids, but we have a lot of people round for entertaining and parties, so space is what I'm after, but was also looking for somewhere the kids can go out of the way from adults if need be. As for kitchen, the reason for having large larder is to put not only food/drink spare fridge in there, but also things we don't use all that often in the kitchen, equipment etc.. I like everything clean and hidden away. The office on number 5 would be separate anyway as this concept includes sliding doors, which fold into the wall, so only entrance would be from outside, not sure if I can afford these yet though. Please keep suggestions coming, or alternatives, all welcome as I can't visualise.. thanks
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I understand what you're saying about the entrance. From the floor plan it seems that the entrance might appear dark and narrow, I can't tell without photos. But if it is, you can achieve something light and bright with good paint, lighting, and mirrors. As for the open plan living, at a glance it seems the easiest option is to open up the back of the house, the kitchen and living room, to make a big kitchen diner. The two smaller rooms at the front could be kept as an office and a cosy living room. However, since you haven't moved in yet, the best possible advice would be to wait. Live in the space for a few months or a year before you make any major decisions. This can help you avoid costly mistakes.
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Jonathan
4 years ago
Everyone has a budget. How big an extension can you afford?
Jess Tideswell
Original Author
4 years ago
At this point I’m really not sure. We either extend to make this house perfect or move to something bigger. We actually have a conservatory and utility extension on the back of the house at the minute that is not on the floor plan so would have to knock those down to build on. I think they go just under 5 metres out so would want to do about that length. I really don’t know how much something of this scale would cost? £50k?
Jonathan
4 years ago
More like £75k
pauldrowan
4 years ago
Unfortunately I don’t think £50k is going to get you a full width, 5 metre deep extension. I’m not ‘in the trade’ but I think you’d need double that.
How are the conservatory/utility located in relation to the floor plan you gave? Are they built of sufficient nature that they can be used rather than demolished?
I had the same dilemma with less budget than you and found a way to create what I wanted without extending and rearrange my existing layout. The biggest change came from the removal of one structural wall that cost less than £3k but has in my eyes completely transformed the house (I’m still mid work)
pauldrowan
4 years ago
This is less than 20 square metres extra rather than 40+
There will be someone out there who will spark the idea that you want for your budget
PRO
thelivinghouse
4 years ago
Hi Jess, it looks like a good idea to open up the space and create a larger kitchen space. Our latest blog is actually about extensions and we have provided top tips and ideas. Here is the link to the blog if you would like to take a read - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/blog-interior-design-tips/the-6-most-common-mistakes-we-see-when-you-extend-your-home

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