Total redo of kitchen and living area - open to any ideas please!
Please help me reimagine this kitchen. We just purchased this house for our family of (almost) 7 and I am not liking the main living space :(. We budgeted to totally redo this area but I can't seem to imagine how it should look. All walls are removable. Total space is 29'10" by 23'8". There is a separate living space for the kids but still this will be our main entertaining area and it feels so small to me, I feel like I'm having some buyers remorse. How can I maximize the space? Only the shaded areas must stay - they are stairs and entry way closet. I don't need or want two dining areas and I think I would like the pantry to stay since it maximizes storage space. Am definitely considering taking out the whole wall where the closet/desk/fridge/stove are. A couple of huge roadblocks are the windows in the dining space adjacent to the pantry - they are low to the floor and I don't think they would like right from the road if they were any higher - so that seems like unusuable space. All windows must remain as well except for the small 20" window adjacent to the dining space, it's possible to remove that one. Another roadblock/mindblock is the fireplace - which is not centered. :( Any ideas how to work with that would be great. Main focus right now though is the kitchen. I am open to islands/peninsulas/ open concept you name it. Thanks for reading through!!
Comments (20)
User
8 years agoJanelle Van
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Show me open concept with an island between kitchen and living areas
Comments (15)Island Depth When calculating island depths with seats, don't forget the counter overhang in front of the cabinets (non-seat side) - usually 1.5"- and the thickness of an installed decorative door or end panel on the back of the cabinets (the seating side) - usually 1". If you have cabinets on both sides (so doors open into the seats, then that 1" is for the cabinet doors. So: 1.5" counter overhang in front of the island 24" depth for each standard base cabinet -or- whatever depth you're using (some people have 24" for the front cabinets and then only 12" or 15" for the cabinets on the back that open into the seats) 1" for door or decorative door/end panel 15" overhang (counter height) With just one set of cabinets, the minimum depth of the island is 41.5" 1.5" + 24" + 1" + 15" = 41.5" ======================== Island Length For island length - you need at least 24" per seat. Edited to add: As FunkyCamper points out in a later post, this is the minimum width per seat. There have been some rumblings about an update of the recommendation to 30" per seat, but as far as I know, that hasn't happened yet. With 5 growing children, I suspect 30" wouldn't be a bad idea - it will help minimize arguing about "s/he's in my space" or "s/he is touching me". In addition, if your children are taller/bigger than average, the extra space would be nice once they hit the teens. If you have seating on two sides, remember that two seats cannot share the same knee/leg space in the corners! For an island that seats 5 to 7, I strongly recommend seating on at least 2 sides, 3 would be even better! You don't want to have all 7 (or even 5) seats sitting like ducks in a row. Straight-line seating for more than 2 or 3 seats is not very conducive to conversation and bonding - it's more like dining with strangers in a diner. ======================== Aisle Widths On the working side: One-person...You need a 42-inch aisle if only one person will ever be working on the aisle (I assume that will not be the case with such a large family - some children will be helping out/learning to help out) Two or more people working on the aisle (most likely scenario in this case)...You need a 48-inch aisle Aisle behind the seats - depends on what else is behind the seats With a wall or other obstruction behind the seats: If no cabinets, counters, appliances, and no traffic at all (i.e., "dead end"), then 44" is sufficient If no cabinets counters, appliances, and minimal traffic, then 48" is sufficient If no cabinets counters, appliances, and normal to heavy traffic, then 54" is sufficient If cabinets counters, appliances, etc., are behind the seats, then 60" No wall or other obstruction directly behind the seats - the "open" concept your friend is planning: If island backs to a sofa or similar - then no less than 48" if there is minimal traffic (i.e., a "dead end") or 54" if there is normal to heavy traffic. If island backs to a table - then 60" b/w the island and the table ....See MoreTotal kitchen remodel - opening up ceiling
Comments (0)Insulation for kitchen remodel Original house was built in 1939. It is a cape cod style. As best as we can figure the kitchen addition of 12x14 was done somewhere in the 1960's off the back of the house and hasn't been touched since. We are currently completely remodeling the kitchen, taking it down to the studs and redoing all the insulation, electric, plumbing, etc. as it's all been very poorly done. Long story short - we also decided to remove the ceiling and expose the rafters/trusses. Most all of the lumber is old rough cut lumber so the end result would be pretty cool looking. There is only about 3-4 feet of height difference from where the ceiling is to the peak so we aren't talking a huge difference in height but it will open up the whole feel of the room tremendously. So here's where my questions come in. I've already removed all the cellulose insulation and the cheap old nasty batten insulation they had above the ceiling. I had to do all this to expose all the wiring that was in there - open live wires, poor connections - it was horrible. I have no idea how this house hasn't burned down. Anyway - this 12x14 addition has 3 types of vents - there is a gable vent that faces east, a ridge vent, and also a round vent in the roof. There are no eave soffits on this house - so there is no ventilation from there. So am I correct in thinking that I need to seal all of these vents up? If yes - how would you do it? It seems to me that the 3 different vents are all working against each other. What I vision for my end result is putting rigid insulation up Between the trusses and then covering with old barn wood in between to stay with the old wood look. Would this work? Do I need a vapor barrier? I guess what I'm after is - is it ok to completely seal everything up? I want to do this right the first time so please ask any questions you need to. I'll be happy to take pics of anything you need. This is our first time ever opening up a ceiling like this so we are in new territory but we are very advanced DIYers....See MoreLiving Room Total Re-Do - Advice Needed
Comments (28)OK, good feedback. thanks. How much wall is on the front door side of the entry before the opening begins. I can make a change once I have that info. How wide is the arch at the bottom? I have mixed feelings about the radiator cover. I have had a condo with radiators and I liked the covers because you could give them some use. I put granite tops on them and was then able to use them for some books, and plants. I can't see what the top surface is? You don't gain much by removing them IMO. I would paint them your trim color since they are basically trim. As to art, the size somewhat depends on what you are looking for in art. I have done all kinds of widths of art over mantels. The basic tradition is to have the art be approx. 2/3 as wide as the mantel. But with yours, I think you could go a bit wider and higher if you find something you love. Sometimes you find something you love and we have to create the visual space we need for the proper balance by adding candle sconces or tall candlesticks or some type additional element to properly proportion the area above the mantel. I would start by looking for something about 38-40" wide. How much space is there between the top of the mantel and the ceiling/crown? Your current tapestry? is too small as you probably know....See MoreLiving room design total redo
Comments (23)Update : got these new chairs and we r really liking the configuration and the colors. The delivery was at 7:30 and since then we have been arranging and rearranging the living and family rooms ... This is the two zones I talked about and I so love this configuration!! Let me explain that it’s not fully done yet at all ... but the configuration Of back wall is what I m talking about. The front half will have two 3 seaters facing each other . and a coffee table ... the rugs are just placed to see how they will look .. that’s what we had at home .. hsre Is what I m thinking . the rugs can be solid cream color , shag or otherwise . The sofa on the back wall needs to be changed . My heart was set upon Mitchell gold s magenta sofa but it wouldn’t look good with green chairs ...these green chairs were in the family room so we just moved them to living to see how they r looking and they r looking nice.... . I don’t know then maybe I should get the sofa in Champaign color ? My husband is saying if if I so love the magenta couch I should move the green chairs back to living room and buy some other chairs that would look good with magenta sofa. The one we currently have on the back wall is about 84 inches ... should I go with a 91 inch or 101 inches ? on the sides of the sofa I would like either floor lamp or end tables with lamps . the 3 seater couches on the facing walls as we enter the room would be neutral color , my favorite is that cream color we already have . Or any other suggestion? Also another option is to put. Straight sofa like one we already have on the back wall. And to have two curved sofa on the adjacent walls like this The next is how to accessorize ?...See Moreherbflavor
8 years agoUser
8 years ago
mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years agoIf you want to use the space on the wall with the front window, you might think about using a tiered planting box, possibly of brick to match the existing planter, to take up space below the window.
Janelle Van
8 years agoJanelle Van
8 years agomama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoHow about a kitchen garden/goldfish pond for the kids? ;)
If you take out the wall, and give up the smaller closet and desk, you would have enough room for an island--but that's assuming the walls aren't weight bearing, or that you can incorporate support posts and beams into the plan.
In this rough plan, you wouldn't have to change the large front window, saving that money for other structural work.
Alternate pantry/closet configuration:
Janelle Van
8 years ago
mark_rachel
8 years ago
sheloveslayouts
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoThe first thing I thought of when you said there are no load bearing walls and it feels small to you, is vaulting the ceiling. Here's an example.
http://www.housetweaking.com/2014/02/24/what-it-took-to-vault-the-ceiling/
With a family of seven (congratulations!) I'd make room for a ten foot dining table with comfortable walk around space.
To keep the space open, I skipped any interior walls and removed the walk in pantry. For storage, I added a closet to the right of the stairs, put base cabinets all along the back of the (15') island and put a high cabinet pantry to the left of the range to balance the fridge. Your family may be different than mine, but we opted for a larger dining area and no counter seating and we don't wish for counter seating. Our kids are 3 and 6 and they're so wiggly that we're all better off if they stand when they're at the counter anyway.
Janelle Van thanked sheloveslayoutsJanelle Van
8 years agosheloveslayouts
8 years agoStan B
8 years agosheloveslayouts
8 years agoI tried another idea. I put the kitchen near the front door. The peninsula is basically the same length as the present width of the breakfast nook. I've never suggested a ceiling mounted exhaust hood before, but I think it could work centered on the front window. I put the sink on a wall with a pass through to the living room. Alternatively, you could put the sink in the peninsula, the range on the wall and have no pass through to the living room. This would add upper cabinets for storage.
Ikea's not cooperating and so this kitchen is without countertops, but it'll give you an idea.
Also, it makes more sense to me in this configuration to put the dining room on the fireplace side; closer to kitchen entry and larger living room. I don't think a room should be bossed around by a fireplace. We removed a large fireplace in our present home and it was one of our best decisions to date.
sheloveslayouts
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoIf you don't mind a closed kitchen, I prefer this layout. The close proximity to the stairs would be nice to keep an eye and ear on the kiddos. Also, when people come in through the front door they see the cooktop and not the dirty dishes at the sink :-) There's also more wall space for the living room which might give you more options for living room furniture.
sena01
8 years agoI tried a round dining table, 8' diameter. The red circle represents the table and the brown one with a diameter of 140" (8'+44") represent the walking clearance around the table.
So you'll have 144" for the LR side and nearly the same area as you currently have for the kitchen.
Janelle Van
8 years agoThanks you Sena and benjesbride. I came up with this before I saw what you posted so I will look more closely at your details. I really like the idea of the dining area where I have it if I can make it work. It just feels more natural with those windows. Also, in my plan I have cut down the pantry to just the back wall of shelves. Will maybe need to use a sliding door there. Barn door? So trendy! :) I would love a wall there so I can also have coat hooks on the other side and as a bit of a barrier when you enter the house. Also, the weird cabinets behind the arm chairs are there because I couldn't figure out how to put a wall there - which is existing and must stay. There is no overhang on my island drawing but irl there will be - probably 12 inches. I know - less than recommended but it's what we have now and it works.
So - does this layout work? Is it too tight? The furniture is also the dimension of what we currently have. I don't love the layout of the upper cabinets - but not sure how to arrange them. Thanks for looking and reading!
sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
mama goose_gw zn6OH