And another photo

Are those hvac vents in the wall? So would you need to rerun those to ceiling or floor? I think it is popular to open a wall up now. We did that several years ago. If we had a bigger budget, I would have done it slightly differently but I am Ok with our choice. Is that all the cabinets? I am not understanding that wall to the right on the third picture. It almost looks like a column, but I know it is not as floor looks different on far right.

I am not so big on knocking down walls. I think it’s a gracious thing to have a living room that doesn’t look smack into the kitchen.

We'd have to see a 2D/flat/overhead layout of the entire floor.

How will taking down the wall affect traffic?

How will it affect noise?

Will it create a "bowling alley" effect?

How will it affect the functionality of the Kitchen?

What about the Dining Room?

Neither room is particularly notable so I’d probably look at budget and get out the graph paper . I’d want to remove the single window on back kitchen wall . Work in a couple casements along w range placement there. Figure out if you want a dining zone as part of the space or island plus Such a zone. Some calculations are needed given your spaces and budget before you do it. Maybe wait 6 mo ( highly advised in new home). It’s not out of the question to see abt a bump out on that back kitchen wall to give you more room but you have to look at a lot of things then . It’s looking a little small. Mortgage rates are so low .., getting a little extra in the pot will give you some freedoms. ( are you owner to be???)

Have you considered how this will affect the way you and your family live in the house? We all see HGTV tear out walls to make one big room, but, for us, one big room would drastically change the family dynamic. Can anyone watch tv when the exhaust fan is on high? If friends- or your in-laws drop in unexpectedly will the kitchen be “magazine ready”? Have you budgeted $50000-70000 for a custom kitchen to be the the star of this new space? I am not telling you to abandon your dream, but the way we think we want to live is not always compatible with the way we really live.

In general, it is a good idea if you want an open-concept.

First step is to get a contractor/engineer in to see what walls can be removed.

Then, do you have enough space to move the stove?

Then, how does your budget fit in with this?

Finally, bring in an architect and/or designer to help you plan this. My gut feeling is a partial wall removal would be more appropriate for the size/style of house. j

Think long and hard about this. I believe the pendulum has now started to swing back in terms of everyone thinking "open concept" is best. How would that completely open, echoing space work in your everyday routine? Do you really want to be cooking in the living room because that is what you would be doing in your scenario?

I would hate being stuck cooking alone in that back corner of the house, cut off from the living room social opportunities! However, my husband would LOVE retreating back there to cook in peace! Perhaps the difference of opinions on this thread reflect how introverted or extroverted one is? I really think this decision is about how you/your family want to use the space within your home's exterior walls. Lots of different ways to do that -- find the way that best fits you!

There are also partial ways to open up the space, but not entirely.

The question nobody asked: Is it a load-bearing wall? Would be more expense involved if you would need a beam installed.

I kept waiting for someone to mention whether it’s a load-bearing wall or not.

To the OP - where will the stove and cabinets go when that wall is gone? You have a wall with a window which looks like it won’t fit the stove. Have you thought about your kitchen layout after the wall comes down? Don’t tear down that wall without a plan!

Is it a load bearing wall? For sure it has hvac in more than one spot, also has electric and gas in that wall too that will need to be re-routed if that wall can be removed. Do you already have somewhere else you can move the stove to?

We had the same dilemma. We started from half wall from the top. And we did not like how it looked. Not a big difference. Then we demolish entire wall, but left partially sides and top about 6 inches. Some kind of big arch.