Opening up wall to create more flow between living/dining room

4 years ago

This wall in our 50s ranch is 13' long, with a dining room on the other side. There are built in cabinets (3) with the shelving above. I need ideas for creating more flow, either visual or actual between the rooms. The dining room is currently accessed through the hall just beyond the right side of the living room wall.

The hutch is on the opposite side of the living room wall. It will be moved to the wall on the right.

The dining room is on the opposite side of this wall. It is accessed by a hall just to the right of this wall.

The sofa will need to stay in this position. Here is what I am considering:

1. Open up the wall in the center section, taking out three shelves. Leave cabinets in place.

2. Open up the wall in all three sections of the bookshelves, leaving shelves to be seen from both sides, leaving cabinets in place.

3. Moving cabinets and shelves to far left, reducing size to 6.5', and creating an walk thru opening on the right that is 6.5' wide,

My concerns with each of the above are:

1. Will it look too much like a pass thru?

3. Will it look odd to have built in shelving on one side, walk thru opening on the other?

Thank you for your input!

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Comments (4)

apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Start by finding out if the wall is a load bearing wall. If it has to be replaced with a beam if you cut holes in it or remove it completely, the type and cost can be estimated by a contractor.

If it is not a load bearing wall, move your furniture around and empty the shelves to see how you like the reduced display storage and rearranged seating.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
IMO we need a to scale floor plan of the whole living space including the kitchen. There is no way to tell from those pics and IMO what you plan will just add to the eye clutter you already have .
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palimpsest
4 years ago
Removing a wall in certain types of layouts is not always the best idea because it creates a bigger but undifferentiated space. Say this were a wall without the bookshelves. Right now you have two of your largest pieces of furniture essentially 5 inches apart, a big hutch and a sofa.

If there were no wall there you would never have two separate-function furniture groupings 5" apart, or back to back like this. You've lost a natural spot for both the sofa and the hutch. You have another spot for the hutch, but you would probably not float the sofa too close to the dining area, so where does it go?

Sometimes opened up spaces just end up looking like open plan furniture showrooms, with groupings one against the other and while it's more open, I am not sure a lot of function is gained. Just things to consider.
sjh53
Original Author
4 years ago
Palimpset, very valid points! As for function gained, my husband and I were discussing that just this morning..... and are rethinking the whole idea....