Can i get advice on how to renovate and improve my kitchen?
Mona
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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Comments (24)
Susan Davis
3 years agoitsourcasa
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Kitchen Reno - how can I improve my kitchen?
Comments (24)Here is a plan that could work. You could keep the same basic kitchen layout (the appliances work where they are, IMO), just remove some walls to open it up, essentially transforming it into a galley kitchen. Some of my measurements are off and the cabinetry could likely extend a little more to the left as you have it in your plan. On the right of the kitchen, bring in the peninsula and cabinetry so that they end at the wall (otherwise the passageway between the kitchen and pantry becomes too narrow). I would skip the overhang for benches, and fully use the space for storage and extra counter space. Remove the uppers above the peninsula. Remove the pantry around the fridge and add uppers and more counter space on that wall between the fridge and range. I would consider mounting a small TV in the kitchen somewhere, on a full motion/swivel wall mount so that you can push it against the wall when not in use. Or use a tablet computer, and get a stand/mount for it. Removing the hall in front of the bedrooms and bathroom, and the overhang for the peninsula, gives you enough space and clearance to add a pantry and more cabinetry, or just a wider pantry and no cabinetry. Alternatively, you could also place a desk, wine bar or message center against this wall. Moving the entrance closet by the front door provides separation, no more "walking into a big room" feeling, and improves the flow between the living room and kitchen. It also give you a wall for your tv, making it easier to lay out your living room. I would replace the wall unit and purchase one that is less substantial. Consider mounting the TV on the wall and having a unit underneath, and maybe shelves on each side. Do you currently use your living room or your family room more often? I would suggest making the larger one the family room, and the smaller one with the fireplace into the more formal living room or sitting room. Mounting the TV above the fireplace (or removing it altogether) also makes that room much easier to lay out. The master bedroom door is in a awkward location in terms of natural flow. Even in an open space, it would make more sense to have it accessible through the "hall" passing from the entrance between the kitchen and family room....See MoreOpening up closed kitchen to galley.
Comments (8)Are you planning on taking down the wall between the Dining Room and Kitchen? I assume so. What about the wall between the Kitchen and hallway on the right? I would probably leave it because of the bathroom door, but I thought I'd ask. (It's not pleasant having a bathroom open into the Kitchen, Dining Room, or even Living/Family/Great Room.) Have you considered moving the Dining Room to the TV/Family room and merging the current Dining Room into the Great Room? Or, move the Dining Room into the current Great Room, leaving the Kitchen where it is plus some room from the Nook, and merging the rest of the "Nook" into the TV/Family room. Just throwing some ideas out there to start thinking of other ideas. To really help you, though, we need more information. Please see the Featured Answer in the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread. It discusses the information we need such as a fully-measured layout of the spaces under consideration and information about your family and plans for the Kitchen, etc....See MoreHow can I improve my kitchen?
Comments (56)We purchased a home with perfectly serviceable counter height chairs for our counter eating. They were not 'me'. FF 20 years I finally found/could afford to swap them out. I was SHOCKED at the lift it gave the room!! I got my soft cushion seats, already had the swivel, kids all grown so off white works!! The over hang on the island was poorly placed--no one wants to sit NEAR the sink, use it to get the garbage out of the foot path I guess, or remove the sink. HATE stove/sinks in an island totally screws up their value as work space. I would not add to my headaches with a SS fridge I would have paid the extra money for ivory to match the back splash. I know the dark from the '70s is back "in" but I can't help but chuckle--first thing we did was remove that dark dark dark when we moved in. To each their own....See MoreHow can I improve curb appeal while eliminating most of my grass?
Comments (22)@sadkd I know. It always amazes me when I see a yard exposed to a street or of a certain age and there is no landscaping at all. Hang in there. It will happen. At least you're dealing with a blank slate that you don't have to clear out. When I bought my house 20 years ago, that backyard was basically a pine forest with an ivy carpet surrounded by a four foot chain link fence. Six weeks after moving in, there was an ice storm that took out 14 of the pine trees and as they fell, the fence. One of the enormous pine trees hit my roof, breaking the ridge and smashing about 7 rafters. Branches came through the lovely popcorn ceiling inside. While others in the neighborhood were lamenting the storm I was dancing at the thought of fewer trees, new fence, smooth replacement ceilings and a new roof replacing the ugly one that the former owners had put on the prior year to make the house more saleable. Long story to say, at least you don't have to have an ice storm to clear your yard. I paid a landscape architect to draw up a plan for the yard, including the addition of the dry creek to control a water problem. Little by little I did something big every year and now it's lush and mature. Those vines are two $9.99 one gallon plants from Lowes planted about 18 years ago. A good plan (which will change but at least you have something to work toward), patience (smaller plants are cheaper and they grow for free), some elbow grease and as much knowledge as you can gain will get you where you want to go without a big budget. Some of the big stuff you'll have to pay for, like the dry creek, but a lot of it you can do yourself once you've educated yourself on proper planting techniques. See if there is an area garden group on NextDoor (that's where you'd ask) or FaceBook. People love to share ideas, advice and plants. As @Seattle suggests, drought tolerant ground covers and plants are what you need. You can likely find people in your area who are happy to divide what they have (assuming you do the digging, I got beautiful, unique day lilies that way) but sometimes they'll just share. If you want privacy from the road, you can grow drought tolerant shrubbery inside the fence and over time, it will poke its branches out of the fence and you won't see the fence. My neighbor did that and it worked great. All the best to you on this adventure....See MoreMona
3 years agoraee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
3 years agoMona
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoKristin S
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