Hi chriss... congratulations on buying a new home :) Have you had any confirmation from a professional about which walls can come down yet? I think there would be lots of great ideas about which walls would be best to remove but which walls you can actually remove would be a question for a professional. I think you have a lot of options available to you given your layout and I personally would be impatient to start designing some ideas for you - but probably best to make sure first - and then go ballistic with ideas :)

Hi Nik,

Many thanks for your comment. All internal walls in the living and dining area (including the side walls of the kitchen) are non-structural and can be removed. I will really appreciate it if you would share your ideas.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Chris.... do you have anything else on your wishlist? Walk in pantry, standard pantry, butler's pantry, wall oven/microwave tower or standard oven and cook top, how many people are living there, anyone with special needs, do you want to maintain the existing plumbing to save on costs? Do you want additional storage like a linen cupboard? Is there anything else in the layout you want to change? Just trying to preempt what other Houzzers may ask of you so if you can give us much information as possible, it will all help :)

Nik,

We have got some ideas for the kitchen as this photo:

What do you think is the best with the combination of the walls? Which one to keep, or relocate, or add?

I will also appreciate your comment on the island. Does it need to be L shape?

Cheers,

Amir

Hey Amir... I've done up a rough 'ideas' plan for now.... it's certainly not to scale but just thought I'd offer up an option until some of our professional Houzzer's with the right design software, skills and talent chime in :). I thought putting your laundry, butler's pantry and kitchen might be a flow worth considering? I changed your existing laundry to a powder room (toilet with sink) for ease of use for multiple people in your household and where the toilet was, suggested a robe for Bed 4. Laundry exits directly into the yard. Was just having a bit of a tinker so if you completely hate this, that's ok lol :) I'll have another look at your plan later :)

Nik,

This is Chris again. That is interesting. Thanks for sharing this. I liked this thinking out of the box mate. Specially the laundry and pantry... I will keep it in mind.

At this stage we are trying to keep the renovation as cost effective as possible. That is why we preferred not to change the location of the sink and oven and keep the whole structure as it is.

Any other idea on the open plan?

Chris

Hi Chris - I'm so sorry. Please excuse me. One of my children is unwell. I will try to come back over the next few days as time permits. Hopefully one of our Houzz guru's can pop in and offer some insight for you :)

Hi Nik,

Thanks for the reply. I am sorry to hear that. Hope he/she gets well soon.

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Chris and Amir, congratulations on the new house. It's always an exciting time but also difficult when you have to make so many decisions. My thoughts are similar to Nik Star - change the current laundry into a powder room, extra storage or study nook and incorporate the laundry into the kitchen, or even the garage. A laundry can be noisy in an open plan home. The garage looks too small for a washing machine and wall-mounted drier, and there is the issue of plumbing.

Taking out the internal walls will leave you with one big open space. Think of noise control, privacy, natural light, air flow, heating & cooling, and functionality of the space. Do you have children, or will you? The space can visually be delineated with furniture, however, if noise control and privacy are issues then Nik's kitchen wall may be a good idea, or a different option. Some type of Butler's Pantry is also a great idea in such an open space.

If I have time, I'll try to whip up a sketch. Nik Star did a great job. Cheers, Penelope

Hi Penelope,

Thanks for your reply and comments.

I agree with you and Nik and your ideas. Unfortunately it is all down to the budget. We want to keep it as cost effective as possible, that is why we like to keep the kitchen where it is to avoid pluming, etc. works.

Actually we don't want to move all the walls. We want to keep or replace some, but we don't know what is the best combination, to create some privacy and at the same time have an open area. I will appreciate it if you would give us some idea on this.

For example, this is what came into our mind the other day:

Thanks a lot

Cheers

Amir

Hi Amir, thank you. Yes, budgets are usually an issue. There is no real issue with having the kitchen as above to minimise moving plumbing and electrical - I totally get that.

I like the addition of an area that denotes an entrance foyer, as in the above sketch. I don't know the style or era of the home, but privacy screens are a great way to delineate spaces without putting up walls. For example, the back wall of the 'foyer' could be a privacy screen and also between the kitchen and lounge areas.

Laminex has a great range of indoor and outdoor privacy screens.

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Also, could you make the kitchen island big enough so you can dine there too? Kitchen islands can be two levels, one for cook and prep and the other for dining - or the same height and use bar stools. I think this also comes down to how you like to eat, whether you entertain a lot and whether you have kids. This could mean you don't have to use space for a dining table or just have a smaller, round table for four in a corner.

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I hope these suggestions give you some more ideas about privacy and the best use of space :-)

Cheers, Penelope

Penelope,

Many thanks for your great ideas. We will definitely consider your helpful comments.

Cheers,

Chris

You're very welcome, Chris :-)

Hi Chris, Amir and Penelope.... I'm so sorry. My hubby, 2 little ones and myself have all come down with a nice mix of colds, bronchitis, laryngitis, asthma on top of pre existing conditions such as epilepsy and cardiac stuff so the last couple of days have been interesting.... hopefully we are all coming out the other side. I'm so sorry to have left your conversation Chris but I see Penelope has given you some exceptional advice! (Thank you Penelope for you lovely words also.... I am really touched and appreciate it). How are you feeling about this all now Chris?

initial suggestion includes the bigger kitchen with island but some measurements are not correct and need checking including the bathrooms, entry hall and master bedroom ... including a pantry could allow entry space from the garage but describe your climate, how many will live in the house and how do you plan to use the conservatory

Nik,

Thanks for your follow up. We have some more ideas now, which is very good.

Cheers

Chris

oklouise

Thanks for your comment and suggested plan. Has some good ideas. Will think of it for sure.

Cheers

Chris