Kitchen Layout Advice: Tear Down That Wall!
We're remodeling our kitchen as part of a larger renovation project. First photo below shows existing kitchen layout. The other photos are layouts and dimensions of our current design.
Key point for kitchen is tearing down the wall to open kitchen into the new dining room (which right now is the living room).
We'd rather not move the kitchen door and windows. And can't move that box in the middle, which is the chimney. Our designer was skeptical we could get this layout to work but it looks like we stumbled upon the ice-water-stone-fire idea.
The initial layout from the designer didn't have the counter with a corner L on the left - it just had the refrigerator flush against the back wall and the range in the island - which we're also trying to avoid.
Looking at the recommended work zones and spacing on the forum, it looks like we're pushing the limits for aisles and the landing pad to the left of the stovetop. Not to mention the side/back door opening into the refrigerator.
We plan on laying it out once the demolition starts to stand in the space to see if it will actually work for us, but I'd appreciate any layout advice while this is still only on paper...
Comments (10)
scrappy25
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Architect's advice needed :Tear down & rebuild????
Comments (13)I went to school, worked and lived in Cambridge over a 20 year period and my architect stamp still says Cambridge although I now live in an adjacent town. I've dealt with the Cambridge Historical Commission and the Building Department Zoning Officer many times. They are professional but sticklers for accuracy and detail so the process is rarely easy. It helps to be represented by a design professional since some degree of negotiation is usually involved. I can help you with your situation if you tell me the zoning district, the Historic District/Neighborhood Conservation District, the existing lot size, the gross area of the house, and the existing setback (yard) dimensions. You can't add new or enlarge old wall openings where the side or rear setback (yard) does not conform to the current zoning ordinance but you might be able to get a variance if you have enough patience, the full support of your neighbors, and hire the right lawyer. If the existing gross floor area exceeds the area allowed for your lot size and district you would not be able to add on to the house and you would be wise to renovate within the existing shell and convert a garage, basement, or attic into living space (if the spaces already have adequate ceiling heights). There are exceptions for narrow lots and other hardships. You cannot move existing floor area elsewhere or trade areas and there is no exception in the zoning ordinance for keeping some of the walls; if you demolish part of a floor the replacement must conform to the current Floor Area Ratio. The historic commission has restrictions regarding the demolition and rebuilding of older houses and you might be required to present the design to them for their approval. Sometimes the decision of the commission/neighborhood group is binding and sometimes it is not. Everything depends on your address. If you don't want to give your address on the forum, you can contact me at renovator8@gmail.com...See MoreTearing down walls
Comments (15)I would be more inclined to have a narrower physical walking entrance to the kitchen with a counter or bar height pass-thru than a wider walking entrance. Think in terms of the cook. Suppose you have a room full of guest and in full view of your MIL you "accidentally" drop her Filet-mignon on the floor. While a half wall would have saved you the embarrassment and allowed you to have retrieved the delicate morsel and with a quick wipe of both it and the floor, deposited it upon the bed of blanched swiss chard, saving the moment. I mean, after all, it's not as if you hadn't washed the floor in the last week or two,........is it....See MoreShould I or shouldn't I tear down that wall?
Comments (2)I think you need to put on some brakes. You're having scope creep. That can be wise, or it can be foolish. A lot will depend on your goals and why you are thinking about doing certain projects. Draw out your space as it currently exists with all of the dimensions and post it in the Kitchen Forum for some help on this project. You will get both pros and cons, but hearing those will help you to clarify your decision. Post some pics too, so people can get an idea of the rest of the home and it's style to see if what you are proposing works with the style of home you have. And you really need to have a very firm layout of the space before you even think about ordering cabinets, so posting your diagrams should be a priority....See MoreIdeas for hiding a chimney flew after a wall tear down
Comments (38)OK, I get it now. Real chimney to a woodburning fireplace in the basement. So the chimney has to stay. (I was thinking perhaps it was a water heater or furnace flue and could either be re-routed or decommissioned if newer heating unit has been installed.) Probably masonry but possibly prefab insulated chimney pipe. But the electric fireplace add-on is going to be demolished so you're reclaiming some floor space and are opening up part of that wall. So we're left we how to contend with what's left, which is exactly what you said from the get-go. I was over-thinking it. OP not in possession of the house until August so can't go poking & peeling off layers of stuff. Another couple of ideas after seeing some pictures. First one won't work for you but will toss it out as an idea that might work for someone else. After the fake fireplace is gone, frame it out wider and hang the TV there, with storage accessed from the side. Second idea is a tweak on the first one. Frame it out wider and make the whole shebang look like a cabinet. Part of the 'cabinet' would be chimney but the other half would be real storage. Put doors/ drawer fronts on all of it with only half serving a real purpose. Either stash sofa throws/ DVD's etc. there or turn it into pantry. (The pantry could open up to the kitchen side with dummy doors on the living room side.)...See MoreMichael D
7 years ago
cpartist
7 years agoweedmeister
7 years agoMichael D
7 years ago
mama goose_gw zn6OH
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoHere are a couple of other options. I'm not a fan of a range on an island or peninsula, but this preserves the seating and the open feel. Is there a possibility that the venting could be incorporated into the new beam location? ETA, this plan uses ascorsonelli's suggestion, but on the other side of the kitchen. :)
In both plans the DW is close to the back door, but anyone coming in the door can peel off to the LR. Small appliances can be kept on the counter under the dish storage.
ascorsonelli
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoThinking out of the box here.
What about sticking with the L + island layout but...... your fridge is on the short leg, the sink and dw are in the island, and the range and hood are centered on the window.
Apparently it can be done!?
ETA you'll likely still have the tight spot by the chimney. Hmm.....
mama goose_gw zn6OH