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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

to open or not to open the kitchen

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

my partner and i are updating a 1950 concrete block ranch in a cool neighborhood in savannah. it has very weird layout - basically a wall of closets separating the long, narrow living room (19x12) from the kitchen (15x11). no dining room, and i want to create an area to eat

i'd love some advice on whether to knock down the whole wall and throw up an island, keep the pantry and add a peninsula,make a cute doorway from the living room, etc.

totally gutting the kitchen is not a big deal for us but i'm having quite the dilemma. only thing we know for sure is to move the air handler from the central closet (marked) so at least that space isn't wasted. also willing to close off that awkward hallway to the left of the kitchen and make that a walk-in closet on the bedroom side. thoughts from the lovely houzz community? and pardon my first time using floorplan software, but it's pretty much to scale.

current kitchen layout, can't wait to rip it out (though we are keeping the sink!)

Featured Answer

Katherine Alt
Original Author

3 years ago

i took at stab at it, would love some feedback! 1 square = 1 foot

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Comments (9)

PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
3 years ago
There is nothing there to open on one side utility room, the other side is the bathroom, and the other side is the bedroom. The only thing left is to knock out is the exterior wall and do addition, move the kitchen back and you will have a nice open area.
lmckuin
3 years ago
Where would you move the AC handler? I definitely think it would be better if you could open the kitchen to the LR and remove the pantry and move the AC unit.
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PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
3 years ago
If anything closes the doorway from the hallway into the living room and make an opening next to the AC handler room. This way if you watching TV etc it will keep the traffic and noise away from the bedrooms area.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years ago
This might be more re-arranging than you want to do, but it would keep traffic out of the work zones, and you wouldn't need to open the kitchen to the LR:
Katherine Alt thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I am pretty sure that wall is loadbearing so make sure about that first since that will be a big expense if you need a steel beam and that will also need support.IMO you need to get a good interior designer who also does independant kitchen design . What will happen when you remove the wall is you will eliminate that entry from the hall into the kitche nwhich will then allow for a really great kitchen design . Forget a walkin pantry and use true pullouts a much better use of space . Remove the bedroom entry from the kitchen it inteferes with good kitchen design .What is in the utility room? The left bedroom appears to be the master bedroom so an entry into the bathroom from the bedroom is needed do you need an exterior door for entry into the bedroom ? Maybe a bit more info and for sure some idea of budget. This plan will need to include all new flooring everywhere for sure The kitchen is really not arge enoigh to have an island but if you did a u shaped kitchen you could have a dining space where the AC and pantry are now. Get a good designer this could work,
Katherine Alt thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
3 years ago
It is a load-bearing wall but it's not a big deal to put a header there, it's very simple and quick. I wouldn't take the pantry out, it provides a nice storage place and it's away from everything, not to mention you will not gain anything by taking that pantry out.
Katherine Alt thanked GN Builders L.L.C
Katherine Alt
Original Author
3 years ago
Wow this input is so awesome! Thank you all for your time. To answer some questions:

- this air handler is going to the attic!

- the “utility” room is actually the laundry room with access to outside screened porch so I’d like to keep that door in place as we plan to have seasonal dining out there. (we are adding or connecting another screen porch as an “away room” to that existing exterior door in the left/master bedroom)

- new flooring through whole house is a must. luckily, husband is a tile and floor professional so all labor will be “free” :)

- overall budget is $50K for interior but most labor will be done by us and we are not anticipating major plumbing or electrical work. just want to figure out that flow and get cabinets in the right places.

Thanks again y’all!
emilyam819
3 years ago
Yours can be like younghouselove’s kitchen: https://www.younghouselove.com/downsizing-small-kitchen-storage/
Katherine Alt thanked emilyam819

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