Need help w/ 1200 sqft 1961 ranch. Updating kitchen/laundry

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I'm closing on a 1961 ranch style house soon. There are some renovations I'll be doing before moving in, but they won't be comprehensive. I'd like to come up with a design for what I want things to look like eventually, and make sure whatever I do now is compatible. The kitchen area specifically will have to wait, unless I'm able to use the existing cabinets and move them around to open up the space better.

I'm having a hard time finding a place for the laundry. Currently it's in the kitchen right off the garage and I definitely don't want to keep it there forever. I'd like to also try to find space for a pantry and a small mudroom (enough space to hang a few jackets, backpacks, and maybe somewhere to sit while putting boots on).

My initial idea is to take out the wall between the dining room and kitchen, shift everything down and make a combined laundry/pantry area in that newly-empty space. Not sure what type of space should be devoted to this in a small home, and if there are other good locations? I'm open to alternatives, though the cheaper the project is, the more likely it is I can do it soon. :)

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Comments (5)

lucidos
10 years ago
Questions:

Do you have the full floor plan?

How many kidlets do you have.

In your future pie in the sky goal, what will you be adding to the footprint?

Is there a basement and if so is it finished or partially finished.
Ashley
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hope this link below appears. This is what it currently looks like with a few minor changes to the layouts of the two bedrooms. I have two kids. Pie in the sky goal is to make the kitchen feel bigger... With an island, etc. Will post a houzz photo that was inspiration. I don't think I can do much with the two bathrooms and smallest bedroom to make them bigger but that would be great if possible.
Took the measurements during the inspection and haven't been able to confirm some areas, so things may look a little wonky :)

Idea for final kitchen space

Full floorplan
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lucidos
10 years ago
This is with some minimal alterations that will give you the following.

Access from rear yard to laundry/pantry/mudroom

Access from kitchen to laundry/mudroom/garage/rearyard

Usage of entry dead area for kitchen

Moving the washer dryer out of the kitchen proper

Closing the existing garage/kitchen entry

More kitchen storage and work space

Peninsula and stools for fast meals.

This would require moving the internal garage storage wall and squaring off a bit of the living area for the kitchen. The grey area would house the stove.

The wall the refrigerator currently backs to (between the kitchen and the dining area) would be reduced to a 1/2 wall peninsula.
Ashley
Original Author
10 years ago
Wow, this is a great idea! Definitely something I hadn't considered. Thank you!!
lucidos
10 years ago
Creating a wall is not expensive, the biggest cost (and not terribly high at that) is the wiring and plumbing for the washer/dryer.

You would need new counters that would run ~$500 - 750.00 (laminate). You would need additional cabinetry and doors - check used in your local buy/sell ads. As a note as long as the cabinet styling is similar you can mix cabinetry.

I estimate you can accomplish this in under $ 2500.00 - doing it a step at a time so you do not loose functionality of the kitchen for an extended time and can month to month the expense.

When you are ready for a full remodel consider putting a sink on an island that faces the window and the new laundry room and runs vertically on your floor plan.