Structural opening between 2 reception rooms

3 years ago

Hello!

We are planning to open up 2 reception rooms in a Victorian home. The front room is 5m x 4.2m and this will stay a living space. The back room is 5.5m by 4.2m and will become the kitchen. The ceilings are 3m and the existing room doorways are 0.8m wide by 2m tall.

My question is what proportions will work for the structural opening from an aesthetic point of view?

Also we are thinking of putting pocket doors in the opening - is this a big mistake in a Victorian property? Will the aesthetic be wrong?

Very grateful for any advice!

Many thanks in advance,
Cat

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Comments (6)

katlucy
3 years ago
Our house, 2.9m high ceilings, the openings are the same height as the top of the windows (regency) and slightly wider than the windows, if that helps. We don’t have doors, i suspect that would mean they would need to be bespoke unless you were lucky at a reclamation yard. Pocket doors would create better flow….
PRO
Pennyarch Projects
3 years ago
Hello there Cat S. We are well rehearsed in deal with your type and age of property in regards to structural work and also using all types CS of pocket door systems. Perhaps we could give advice?
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Rowland
3 years ago
My only comment is the ope ong will need to be double the width of the door opening in order to form pocket doors. If this is cut through a structural wall then there are the support beam required over. I think you should try to align existing door heights from an aesthetic point unless you go to full floor to ceilijg height doors.
Jonathan
3 years ago
I agree that you make this aperture window height. And if you have pocket doors you will end up reducing the size of one of the rooms slightly…. Which will mean one of your alcoves won’t match the other…… and the pocket for the doors will mess up coving.

Personally I think if you have two spaces then the doors would never get closed.

Lastly make sure you have planned furniture placement and that losing this wall leaves you with enough space for kitchen cabinets and living room furniture
PRO
DEN LIFE interiors
3 years ago
An alternative option would be to add in folding doors. These can be glass to increase light or made to measure bespoke doors as simple as painted MDF if you want to keep costs down. Example of MDF bespoke doors here for a previous client. Having the option to screen off areas as the children grow can be really helpful as you may not always want to all be in the same space but its great to have the option to throw it all open for gatherings and big playtimes!

Happy to help further if you would like too. And best of luck to you!
PRO
i-architect
3 years ago
Hi! I answered your question in my live show in the Q&A section which you can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/jane.leach.752/videos/822112809519728

Best wishes with your home redesign!

Jane

chartered architect, eco-home and conservation area specialist

www.i-architect.co.uk

Join Jane live on facebook for home design tips and expert Q&A. Midday Mondays: https://fb.me/e/fXBDxgZ3x

Structural opening between 2 reception rooms

Comments (6)

katlucy

Pennyarch Projects

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Rowland

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