Creating an Open-Plan Kitchen - a Question for Builders & DIYers

10 years ago

My living room and (very narrow) kitchen are separated by a stud wall which I would like to tear down to create an open-plan area. I have no previous experience of renovations, and my boyfriend has only completed a basic carpentry course.

My question is... what parts of a renovation process can you save some money by doing yourself, and what parts should you absolutely leave to an experienced professional? Any general advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
User
10 years ago
It's not the act of tearing down the actual wall that is a concern for DIY approach; its what role the wall plays in the structural support of your home. That would qualify, in my book, as "absolutely leave to an experienced professional".
Charlotte Hu thanked User
PRO
Dytecture
10 years ago
Some demolition and painting could be done by yourself depending in your comfort level and experience with construction.
Charlotte Hu thanked Dytecture
Related Discussions
How to make this dining room and kitchen into open plan?
Q
Comments (3)
I would suggest that the living room remains seperate and that perhaps internal doors are replaced with half glass doors so that they are more welcoming - as we have dogs with wet noses! we tend to keep glass on the upper half of the door only! Keeping the living room seperate will give you and your wife an adult area that you can disappear to when children have friends round in later years.... And also means you will have an area that is free from cooking smells etc for guests to walk into. I would move the door from the hall back into line with the existing wall of the kitchen to dinning room so as to get rid of that small little entrance from hall to kitchen. I would then knock down the dinning room to kitchen wall to have this as open plan with an island in the middle - with islands I would not recommend having it as your kitchen 'wet area' - I see this a lot in magazines but does after all mean that the main focal point of the kitchen becomes the kitchen sink and its dirty dishes!!! Instead I would have a hob etc on the island so that you can cook on that and eat on the other side of the island perhaps on a curved top. I would keep the toilet where it is but just loose a small corridor area between it and the kitchen for boots coats etc... thus separating toilet from kitchen. I have done similar to this in my home and it works a treat - love the fact that we have a seperate lounge (our sanctuary!) and a regular living space as well.
...See More
1930’s semi - best open plan layout for kitchen/diner or all open?
Q
Comments (24)
I’m struggling to find a way to have a kitchen/island (really would like an island to have useable counterspace), generous dining table (seating for at least 6 people) and a sitting area in the same room if we don’t open up the wall between the current front and back living rooms. Would it make more sense to have part of the garage incorporated into the kitchen? There is a slight difference in floor level though between the garage and kitchen (Step down into the garage). Or block up the current kitchen door and have the access to a dining/kitchen through the current back living room space and then somehow fit in a dining table and seating area?
...See More
Putting internal bi-folds to separate open plan kitchen/diner/lounge ?
Q
Comments (6)
sometimes its good to take a breath and really think about how you live - rather than all focus being on the plans, which can seem immovable. For example, I have a largely open plan ground floor but on the advice of my sister whose kids were older at the time, I kept a small snug living room that is separate and as my kids have grown up through teenage years that has been a saving grace - we can all go to separate places,! I dont have to listen to video games whilst cooking etc :) Does one person often watch tv and the other like to read? Where do hobbies take place? Would it be a simple solution to just turn that dining table round to make more space for those doors? If you like to entertain would you like to hide the mess inthe kitchen to be cleared up later? I for example insisted that I could close my kitchen off from the front room and hall (and stairwell) because one of my pet hates is cooking smells lingering everywhere! Also consider if the doors could be retro fitted - and l ive in the space for 9 months first to see if you really need/want them?
...See More
Furniture layout dilemma for open plan living/dining/kitchen
Q
Comments (7)
Hi Becky, I would suggest getting a professional on board. As mentioned above it is important to get to know your likes and dislikes and then build up what you require within the space you have (with your existing items). Interior designers and concept planners can definitely help with this so it is worth doing some research into it and the costs. Like us, there are many that can offer 3D plans and videos as part of the basic packages so you can see how the space works and feels to navigate - rather than always trying to work it out from 2D's. We also offer three options as a standard, so this is often a good place to start and get to understand how your space works by seeing it in a variety of scenarios. It helps to ensure you get it right first time :) which is really important when embarking on a project this size. I hope it helps. Do keep us posted on how you get on and what you end up with as it's great to follow to journey. Best, Gina
...See More
PRO
OnePlan
10 years ago
If you ask a pro to come over and go through some of your ideas - they would maybe be able to tell you how best to go about saving money on the project - one of the biggest time and money savers is planning ahead - making sure you don't deviate from the plan ie not changing your minds halfway through - so think about the end goal - and plan - down to the last tiny detail ! Best of luck with it all !! :-)
Charlotte Hu thanked OnePlan
Charlotte Hu
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the advice, all. I will definitely call in a pro before I start attempting anything!

Creating an Open-Plan Kitchen - a Question for Builders & DIYers

Comments (4)

User

Dytecture

Related Discussions

OnePlan

Charlotte Hu
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Creating an Open-Plan Kitchen - a Question for Builders & DIYers

Comments (4)

User

Dytecture

Related Discussions

OnePlan

Charlotte HuOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Charlotte Hu
Original Author