skip to main content

Building a Home Kitchens living room

Ceiling transition from Kitchen to Living

6 years ago

My house will start being built in the next couple weeks. In the meantime, I've been thinking about the transition between kitchen to Living. My kitchen will have 9ft ceilings and living room 11ft ceilings. My Builder suggested sloping (with a beam at the room transition point) it if I didn't want a typical "boxy" transition step-up. The tricky part is my pantry and oven/microwave cabinet (marked in red)
If I sloped, I wasn't sure how the pantry and cabinet would look against that slope. Any ideas or suggestions?

Featured Answer

cpartist

6 years ago

Do a header between living room and kitchen/dining room to define the two rooms.

Additionally before you begin building, I'd seriously consider posting your kitchen plan in the kitchen forum for some much needed advice.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

carolyncos
6 years ago
Consider the ceiling material. If plaster, do you want to change colors to define the rooms or make the kitchen cozier? I doubt anyone but you will think the transition boxy. Maybe add a crown molding to give the living area an upgrade? Your lighting will have impact as well.
John Toups
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Carolyncos. The ceilings would be drywall, with likely the same color in kitchen/living, but we haven't finalized paint yet. The living will also have double crown.
Related Discussions
Transition Between Living Room and Kitchen
Q
Comments (30)
The floating wall! The floating wall! Yes, that is so much cooler than the picture I'm about to show you of... a 1980s time capsule. The plantation shutters do a good job, when closed, of hiding the euro-style cabinets. Even with the shutters closed, but the louvers opened, you couldn't see that charming detail, but it didn't seem so closed off and you could have a conversation through them. (there was a dining table and a small sideboard below the window) With the louvers closed, it was just neutral, but not a blank wall. Of course, these are the realtor pics so they were open. As for sink open to LR, that's just my preference. I like my kitchen more separated, especially the sink. I think I'd rather a window above the sink than completely open. But, that floating wall is wonderful.
...See More
Transition between kitchen & living room
Q
Comments (8)
The box out looks good! Regarding a table, I wouldn't do it. Maybe a small diameter bar table with two barstool or a shallow table against the wall but I would probably put a console or eterge piece of furniture there and then luxuriate in the open space in front of the slider. But you really won't know what fits or looks right in that space until you start playing with it.
...See More
Floor transitions from eat in kitchen to living room
Q
Comments (5)
The best long term solution, that would add value, would be to install the same type of hardwood for continuity. If it is site finished wood, then it is pretty easy for a good wood installer/re-finisher to install and do a pretty good job of matching the old floor. If you wanted to change the stain of all the wood floor in the house, then that would also be a good time to sand down everything, new and old, and re-stain in a new color. Don't use anything that is a fake wood-look and/or in a gray color!
...See More
How to transition from dark hardwood to kitchen tile?
Q
Comments (3)
Is that a wood look tile? If it is , then you will want to make sure the tile is the same thickness so no transition is needed. I don't think that is going to look that good though - it looks like the floor will cut across an island?? or is that just cabinets sitting there?? Need some different photo angles .
...See More
PRO
PPF.
6 years ago
My Builder suggested sloping (with a beam at the room transition point) it if I didn't want a typical "boxy" transition step-up.

Sloping what? All your ceilings are flat?
John Toups
Original Author
6 years ago
PPF......sloping from 9 to 11. The plans call for 9ft in kitchen and 11ft in living, with just a sudden step up. But he stated he could slope gradually instead of the sudden 2ft step-up in the ceiling.
PRO
PPF.
6 years ago
Slope what gradually? The kitchen ceiling?
John Toups
Original Author
6 years ago
Sorry, yes sloping the ceiling
just_janni
6 years ago
I'd advise against the slope. Unless it's part of a four sided theme (like a trey ceiling) in the living room it will look awkward and forced. Slope ceilings, IMO, should only be used where they are mirroring the roof slope. (i.e. around dormers, or in true vaults.)
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
Probably the best solution visually, as well as economically, is to frame a wide opening with head at 8'-0" between kitchen ceiling and living room ceiling. This will accomodate your cabinet needs and provide a logical spatial transition between the two rooms.

A "sloping ceiling" is ridiculous, unless you have other such things elsewhere in your house. Don't ask your builder for any further recommendations which are visual.

Good luck on your project.
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
6 years ago
What Virgil said. This slope will be so shallow it will just be weird.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Past Lives Peek Through a New Kentucky Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Converted during Prohibition, this Louisville home has a history — and its share of secrets. See how the renovated kitchen makes use of them

FURNITURE Kitchen Tables for the Real Lives We’re Living

By Jessica Mayfield

They see it all: homework, stories and, of course, meals

KITCHEN DESIGN Room of the Day: Reconfigured Kitchen Goes From Bland to Glam

By Mary Jo Bowling

An interior designer gives this San Francisco-area cooking space more character and improved function

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: A Better Design for Modern Living in Rhode Island

By Jeannie Matteucci

On the bottom level of a 2-story addition, a warm and open kitchen shares space with a breakfast room, family room and home office

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: From Overwrought to Simplified Beauty

By Becky Harris

Transitional style, a reconfigured layout and a new butler’s pantry suit a family of 6

EVENTS 8 Kitchen and Bathroom Trends From KBIS and IBS 2020

By Erin Carlyle

Dark colors, transitional style and personalization were featured at the U.S. kitchen and bath industries’ biggest event

KITCHEN DESIGN Sweet Ideas and a Truffle Recipe from a Chocolatier's Test Kitchen

A $2,100 budget didn't mean a half-baked kitchen redo; this confectioner just rolled up her sleeves and rolled out the improvements

BEFORE AND AFTERS Reinvent It: Street Signs Become a Lively Kitchen Backsplash

By Becky Harris

City surplus as unique decor? A Seattle family said sure, and now it's the star of their remodeled kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: History Lives in a Greek Revival

By Tiffany Carboni

Honoring its 1900s roots, this New Jersey kitchen reflects the past while working beautifully in the present

LIVING ROOMS Warm Transitional Style Updates a Casual California Living Room

By Jeannie Matteucci

A design team works with a young couple to create a light and airy living room that fits their new West Coast lifestyle

Sponsored

AAE Bathroom Remodeler

Franklin County's Custom Kitchen & Bath Designs for Everyday Living

More Discussions

It's April 2024. How is your build going?

137

please help with designing ideas with siding and diff directions

20

Ranch House Exterior Design help!

14

hardie trim match rustic siding or go smooth?

2

Alternative to drywall for garage?

16