Open plan kitchen renovation

2 years ago

Hi all,
We’re renovating our first home which is a 1950’s semi. We want to create great social and living space by knocking through the kitchen wall to the living room to be open plan and extending by 2.75 meters. We need to fit a downstairs toilet in and all kitchen appliances & island. Hoping for a smart location of washing machine I’ve added our current plans but we have 0 experience so options would be amazing. There’s a brick fireplace on the far living room wall which we adore and will be keeping too.
Thanks in advance
Honor & Ash

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Comments (7)

kazzh
2 years ago
Would it be possible to tuck the utility and downstairs loo further under the stairs? In more of an L shape? Would it be possible to fit the loo further under the stairs? Then place a stacked washer dryer next to the entry to it?

To give a feeling of space a sight line from the front into the back yard would best be preserved so maintaining the door between the hall and kitchen is important. You could close up the door between the hall and the dining as you would have access via living and your newly opened kitchen.
kazzh
2 years ago
Maybe some consortina or sliding doors so the utility is facing the hall?
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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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If it were me firstly I would have one switch for task lighting- I think your planned 4 spots in the island boxing is enough but would have them in a row. I would have an additional 4 in a row in the ceiling above the walkway between the island and the main run of kitchen cabinets plus an additional two behind the sofa (but put a softer bulb in these). I would have two in the ceiling above the sink as I think it is tidier than having a wall light. Don’t forget to put a few in the laundry cupboard too. Since your extension ceiling is sloped I would have inset spots that you can angle. Personally I think that when you use the desk you switch on a desk light. I would have a ring of 3amp sockets so that you can switch on two table lights in the sitting area and two standard lamps in the dining area (or two table lights on a console table) and the LEDs above the bookcases. In my opinion you specify more than you need as you don’t have to plug something into every socket but the flexibility is useful. Personally I don’t think you need the coving light in the sitting area and think the idea is odd in an area with sloping ceilings. Next I would have additional kitchen lighting - I would have a run of LEDs under the base cabinets near the plinth and around the base of the island- these are nice to have on at night when watching TV as the kitchen is not fully lit but is light enough to navigate. Additionally I would have lights above and below the wall cabinets. I also like your idea of the boxing above the island having a shadow gap to conceal further LED strip lighting. Pendant lights- I agree that you won’t want one in the sitting area. I think it is messy to have pendants over the island with the additional boxing. I would have one over the dining table and choose an oversized fixture later- ensure that this lighting flex is near somewhere strong enough to mount a ceiling light of some size. Additionally I would have walk over lights in the floor near the garden doors. Remember these will reduce the focus of the garden at night- you might prefer to put these on the outside of the door to reverse the effect. Don’t forget to specify at least one socket behind the cabinets/ under island should any of the kitchen cabinets include lighting- this is especially useful in pantry cabinets. Don’t forget that you will likely need additional sockets in the laundry cupboard as you might well have a charger in there for a vacuum or drill. Personally I would have extra sockets around the desk and contain the router, you home answer phone, etc etc all in the same place. Don’t forget you can also get sockets that include a USB charger inlet. Since you are doing a plan for electrics don’t forget tv/ satellite aerial points. You should also take this opportunity to consider outside lights and power- consider sockets outside for garden lights, outdoor heaters, awnings, water features, mowing the lawn etc. LEDs unless you like decorating in very dark colours choose warm white lighting- a lot of strip LEDs can be adjusted to color match other lights in the room. LEDs- Last time I sourced these I was disappointed with the quoted costs from the electrician- do your own research online about price. Pay attention to the lumen levels and consider if you want disable LEDs. Boxing over the island. Choose your extractor before specifying the size of the boxing- I think the shallower extractors are deeper than the 20cm you stated.
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Depends on how much work you're willing to do? But I think turning the stairs into a straight run would be your best bet (so turn the first flight against the wall). You'd have to move the WC (possibly under the new staircase, or up one level). You'd need a structural engineer to have a look at things like your joist runs, etc. and you may need to put a steel in to support the upper levels, but if it were my house and I had the money, that's what I'd do. Then, if you have the room, I think I'd put a porch on the outside of the house, rather than having the internal one, just gives you more squared off, usable space inside. Good luck!
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Honor Feeney
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi,

Thank you for your response, I really get what you mean by sight lines down the hallway. there's a boiler in the kitchen cupboard shown just under the stairs but other than that I love the idea. Thank you again
PRO
The Living House
2 years ago
Hi Honor, congratulations on your first home, how exciting!

We have recently written a blog all about tips and mistakes to avoid when extending your home I’ve linked this below 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
domino963
2 years ago
Hi Honor and Ash. If your budget allows, consider taking out as much of the back wall of the original house as possible. This will give you a more flexible space to design around. It will make your space feel bigger, lighter and more integrated. We did this in our 1930's semi and we're so glad we did. Happy to share some photos if you're interested.
Kathy Scott
2 years ago
Thank you for asking this. Our house is almost exactly the same in layout and measurements (but with the dining room and living room the other way around) and i was thinking something really similar. I’ll be watching with interest!
tab darcy
2 years ago
Would you consider leaving the living room at the back to make use of the fireplace? Extension might not be necessary. Kitchen at the front would fit 5 units against the left wall, 180 X 120 island down the middle with window seat for dining, narrow storage on right hand wall. Glass pocket door for some separation to living room. The current kitchen could be configured for a full shower room and laundry.

Open plan kitchen renovation

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kazzh

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Open plan kitchen renovation

Comments (7)

kazzh

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Honor FeeneyOriginal Author

The Living House

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Honor Feeney
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