Want to reno our kitchen

8 years ago

Want to open up the kitchen to our living room but dealing with no wall space is confusing on where to place appliances without giving up storage. Need to keep access to back door and laundry area. Would like to keep sink under the window and a wall oven but the rest can be gutted. Ideas for footprint?

Featured Answer

Kathi Steele

8 years ago

Really need to see a floor plan with dimensions, windows, doors and the surrounding rooms.

You also need a CKD, certified kitchen designer. They will cost but they will save you even more.

Be prepared for a hefty price tag. We spent 32K 2 years ago with no wall removal. My husband did the demo, electrical and plumbing. Our contractor and cabinet maker did the rest.

You need to read this article....https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~4306041

And then this one....https://www.houzz.com/discussions/things-you-added-or-removed-that-you-love-regret-in-your-kitchen-renov-dsvw-vd~4273188

Before you start tearing down walls, you need to think about how you want your finished product to look. You need to look at Google Images, magazines, home shows, etc. for ideas about what you like and don't like in a kitchen.

You need to know that the work flow is usually refrigerator to sink to stove and how can you make that work.

You may be able to not lose storage by adding a pantry. And this article may help....https://www.houzz.com/discussions/anyones-walk-in-pantry-not-being-used-as-much-as-expected-dsvw-vd~5039722

All I can tell you is you have to plan, plan and plan some more. Then make a story board with all of your choices (cabinets, counter tops, flooring, cabinet door handles, sink, faucet, hinges, lighting, back splash ideas, each and every appliance, microwave, I am sure I am forgetting something) on it. Then, you can talk to a general contractor, who will give you a ball park idea on the cost and the time the job will take. Then you can choose a contractor who will write a contract. Then you can proceed.

If all of this makes you stop, good. This is so you will NOT be one of those who has torn apart their kitchen and has no idea what to do next.

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Comments (14)

PRO
Roost & Row
8 years ago
First, make sure you can take down that wall without blowing your budget. If it's load-bearing you may be in for sticker shock, as we were.

Hands down, I would build an island about 3' by 7' which gives you more counter and storage. The range could go on the island as well. If you entertain, it's nice to have the cooktop facing the living room. In the absence of an island, the limited counter space would really limit where the cooktop can go.

Placing the upper cabinets that are on either side of the sink, all the way up will make the kitchen feel bigger. I would put a built-in oven on one side, the fridge on the other.

If you have island, you don't need a peninsula. However, if you keep the peninsula make sure to maximize the blind corner space with rotating inner shelves.
Susan Davis
8 years ago
Are your wanting a gut job? Do you want an opening between the living room and the kitchen or remove the entire wall and replace it with an island?
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Stephanie Joulin
8 years ago
I agree with Azlee014. Also, by removing the cabinets and installing larger ones that go all the way to ceiling will add more room. Putting a Long Island where the fridge is with deep cabinets underneath will really open up the space and allow a lot of room for storage. I am curious to see what is on the other side of your peninsula. I’m guessing it’s a dining room? If so, you might be able to extend the cabinets into that area as well. It looks like you have a lot of cabinets as is. so maybe with new, deeper cabinets and organizer shelves you can maximize the space potential. Older cabinets tend to be impractically narrow and shallow.
Good luck!
phaedrak
Original Author
8 years ago
We would like to completely remove the wall between the kitchen and living room and put in an island. Just concerned about loss of cabinet space and how to maximize storage.
PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You need a Pro KD, a contractor, a BUDGET of not less than 75k. You have no idea what is in the wall, whether it can be "gone" , if it is load bearing. There is nothing to be salvaged in your kitchen, it is a gut that must include the cabinetry, appliances, counter tops, all labor and install. Get ON SITE help......which will consider all the first floor and entry points etc.
Kathi Steele
8 years ago
I hope we did not scare you away! Just wanted to make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into.
phaedrak
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you everyone. We know this will be a huge undertaking and are just starting the preliminary planning. This reno is definately a few years away while we plan and save up.
Kathi Steele
8 years ago
How smart you are to have it all planned!! Good job!!
Banjo Hughes
8 years ago
A couple years away from the renovation so removing the stuff from the top of the cabs would definitely improve the look and feel of your kitchen. Right now it looks so oppressive. Maybe you could clean out the cupboards and get rid of some stuff you don’t use, or get a shelf unit for the garage or laundry room to put some stuff on. The fridge door is overloaded also.
Steven
8 years ago
What’s to the right of the sink? I assume you won’t need that seating anymore will you?
Steven
8 years ago
I’m asking because you can extend your cabinets further into the space that was occupied by the seating and behind them so you could get more storage across. I hope I’m making sense
Grace Reed
8 years ago
You're wise to plan ahead. I'd start now by having three contractors come in and ballpark removing the wall. You'll know if it's feasible and if so, whether it will cost $2000 or $15000.
As a former kitchen designer, I believe there is a kitchen for every budget. I helped a woman of extremely limited means remodel her kitchen in stages (base than wall cabinets) with on sale, off the shelf cabinets. She and her kitchen were just as important to me and deserving of my expertise as a customer with a million dollar budget.
Have fun with it!
Grace Reed
8 years ago
And a piece of advice...Do Not under any circumstances buy any new appliances until you have worked with a good kitchen designer! Otherwise you may unknowingly limit your options or have to replace your new appliances!! We aren't buying our mothers appliances anymore! Appliance options and sizes are wide open now. A refrigerator that is 4" too deep and/or 3" too wide or a standard dishwasher could make the island of your dreams impossible, for example. (Do you get the sense I've worked with this situation!)