14 years ago

I recently purshased a home that was built in 1932. The front door opens straight into the living room. Across the room is a wall that I would like to remove so the living room and kitchen is open. Once I remove that wall, as I walk through the front door i would be looking straight into the kitchen. Are there any suggestions on how i can make this a good look and still remove that wall? In the living room picture attached, the front door is on the left by the window and the wall I want to remove is the wall on the right where the couch is. In the kichen pics the wall to be removed is the wall that has the line of cabinets. Once this wall is removed, as you enter the front door you wld be able to see the complete kitchen unless I come up with a different concept. i just want a nice open concept.....I just sent know how to get it.

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Comments (12)

bettyblackleonardo
14 years ago
I can't tell by the pictures, but would widening the doorway - without taking down the whole wall - give you the open feeling you are looking for. If you take down the wall of cabinets, will you have sufficient cabinet and counter space?
PRO
Doug Walter Architect
14 years ago
I concur with bettyblackleonardo, that just making a large opening, especially in this classic a home, would be far better than opening it up wall to wall. It is also a chance to frame and arch or squared openings with nice painted casing that ties the rooms together. Sometimes less IS more!
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bepsf
14 years ago
You have such a beautiful traditional house with nice flow -

Have you considered that removing the wall would make arranging furniture in your living room Far more difficult - and would take away much of the charm of your living room? Do you really want your guests wandering straight through from the front door into your kitchen?
ej610
14 years ago
I may be in the minority on this, but, I don't think there is anything wrong with walking in your house and immediately seeing that beautiful kitchen. Besides, it will be open concept, so they will also see the living area as well.
rnheather
14 years ago
What about leaving a dividing wall and removing only the upper half of the wall or even just do a "look-thru" opening? That way, you preserve the integrity of the room separation, the cove ceiling, and you get to keep your lower cabinets in the kitchen, but still get that "open" feeling.
PRO
Custom Dwellings
14 years ago
Do you want to remove the fireplace? Consider widening the doorway and adding a matching opening on the opposite side of the fireplace. Rework the cabinetry on the opposite side or replace with a piece of furniture. This would give you more openness while maintaining some separation from the kitchen. The biggest challenge with open floorplans is furniture placement.
Karen H
14 years ago
I think you should just remove the top cabinets. That way you open it up but you don't give up so much storage.
PRO
Sarah Bernardy Design, LLC
14 years ago
Consult an architectural engineer before you become too involved with any changes that would involve moving the wall. This way you will be aware of what may need to stay to support your roof. Knowing how much can be removed is important in determining some of the above suggestions. Once you have answers to these questions; Can the entire wall be removed? Do I have to concider support posts? Or is a wider opening the right solution? you can then develop a design that suits both the home and your needs.
shannon1611
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for your replies. I have met with a engineer and the wall can be removed. However, after reading the suggestions I think we will probably look at removing the uppers only. If we use columns from the top of the counters to the ceiling, we can probably place one that will hide the view of the kitchen sink from the front door. I would love to see pictures that any of you come across that you think might to helpful or any other suggestions too. Thanks again! I'm really looking forward to this project.
Brian Lee
14 years ago
Here is a pic from the front door into my house and from the entry way into my living room looking into the kitchen.
I hope it helps.
PRO
Interiors Unleashed
14 years ago
All great advice here. Another idea would be to keep enough of the cabinets, top and bottom to frame a wide opening in the center of the wall. You can reuse cabinets and add them to the area of the current doorway.

You could make the new open walkway have depth by building out to the ends of your cabinet fronts and/or use trim here to match the fire place and houses architecture.

Balance the width of the new open space with cabinet space needed for the kitchen and furniture placement in the living area.
shannon1611
Original Author
14 years ago
Interiors Unleashed: Thank you. Great advise!