Main Floor Reno Ideas

10 years ago

We are looking for ideas to update and open our 1980's center stair home. It is very traditional as shown in our sketch. Our original idea was to just update the kitchen cabinets, but now we are thinking bigger and are up for creative ideas. Our goal is to have more space for casual entertaining. We want a large island in the kitchen, but the long shape of the kitchen, dinette, family presents some challenge over a more open square layout. We have a good size space, the overall size of the main floor (not including laundry) is 32' by 38'. Our idea was to remove to wall between the family room and office and relocate the office to the dining room (eliminating it), but this create another long narrow room. We have been working on furniture placement in this new longer are, but are struggling with the location of the fireplace. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
we really need measurements but if you want entertaining space ditch the dinette and have the kitchen extend into there with stools for everyday eating this in not a huge space so the actual meaurements of the spaces is important to get real help
Jill Bardar-Russell thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Jill Bardar-Russell
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you - I have attached a photo with dimensions the entire length of the open area is 37" and as you can see, the widths vary because of the stairs
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PRO
Michael Design
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Jill,

As you mentioned the space that you have is of a good size. Do you have specific problems with the space? Is it possible to elaborate a bit more on what you see as a drawback/deterrent?

I have laid it out based on the info that you have provided - not sure if your dimensions are 100% accurate or if I misinterpreted them, but it is the idea that we are looking at - not the accuracy. Two plan variants.

There would seem to be sufficient space to create the more casual feel that you are looking for. Without moving the stairs (not happening I'm guessing) you will always be working with a u-shape around the stairs. If you want it to feel more open then I would look at opening up the stairs, both the walls around the stairs and the stair risers. You may even want to look at changing the stairs themselves as they are a major design element in your plan. Change the handrails to something a bit more modern (do you now have wood spindles?) and turn the stairs into a show piece rather than something to be avoided.

I would also close off the door opening between the current office and the living room. Multiple circulation points into a room are a space killer.

The existing dining room can either be opened up and become more inviting or close it down and use it as a TV room and keep the living area for entertaining and conversation.

Hope this helps to trigger some ideas.

Cheers and Happy New Year !