skip to main content

Renovating Design Dilemma

Which side should I put the kitchen - north or south?

5 years ago

We are adding an extension to our house - an open kitchen/living/dining space. The backyard is west facing. The side walls are north and south facing. We have 2 layouts with the kitchen on either the north or south side. What are the pros and cons of the location in terms of light and heat? All advice welcome :) Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

PRO
Dr Retro House Calls
5 years ago
Definitely the first option so that the kitchen is on the southern side, and the living is on the northern side. You will end up with a lighter and brigher living area with light from the northern windows. In addition you will capture some morning light into your living area with the east facing window.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

BUILD Architecture Award 2018 · More Info
rmn1 thanked Dr Retro House Calls
bigreader
5 years ago
Living on the north side for sure.
rmn1 thanked bigreader
Related Discussions
Which position have you put your bed in and why?
Q
Comments (19)
@ Kat, sounds wonderful. Like a nest . My bed is in the only place it fits. In front of it is the closet to the right the window and to the left the bedroom door. The window wall is too small even for my double bed. I like it here however I can see out the window and watch the door. Not being able to see the door makes me nervous, no idea why. Being able to see out the window and get a nice breeze is good too. My former room was much larger, I had the bed between double windows facing the bedroom door. Loved that set up too.
...See More
Where should I put my home office?
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Amy, Just a rough sketch for you. I think it would be best for you to have a desk in the living space which would be built into a cupboard so that it could be closed off when/ if needed. This is a great place to have a Desk/ Computer for when the kids get bigger and are using the computer so that you can keep an eye on them while in the kitchen/living and Alfresco. I also think you need a doorway next to the desk opening into the passage next to the Master as the other access is too far. I have changed the area next to the garage, too many angles, You have access from the garage with mudroom to drop things like school bags/coats etc and the bedroom next to the laundry is now bigger. cheers
...See More
Where should we put our kitchen appliances?
Q
Comments (41)
Thank you all for your comments, suggestions, drawings and photos, I really appreciate the effort you all put in to help others on this great platform. I have come up with another idea (see photos below) that involves putting the fridge on the back wall of the kitchen behind cabinetry doors (yes, I know I was adamantly against this!) and bringing the door of the pantry forward to be in line with the front of the fridge. The pantry door would also be cabinetry and the section of wall. I don’t really know how to explain this, but the wall the kitchen backs on to would be bulk headed out so it continues in line with the pantry/fridge front all the way to the ceiling. This creates a sort of symmetry in the doors of the fridge and pantry being either side of the cooktop, but without the worry of having to line the rangehood up with the apex of the cathedral ceiling....I think. What do you think? P.S. Please excuse my shoddy hand drawn sketches.
...See More
Where should we put the toilet in this small bathroom?
Q
Comments (65)
Hi AndrewJason, I love cavity sliders. they are there when you want them but not visible when you need the space open. Having said that they cost more, take a bit of wreckage to set up and in you WA case you will be wrecking brick walls to put them in which might be a stretch of mess too far. BUT you will need to weigh up if they are worth it in the end. I do not think the build will be too bulky in the kitchen/dining because it will be superbly practical on both sides and it maybe just a matter of what you are used to. Not sure about "Average Joe...…" we are all good at somethings, mine is plans, function, practicality, solar. Yours might be brain surgery, empathy for unwell folks, kinda or you make the best seafood lasagne in the world... we are all needed to make for a great world: and it really is that!!! Good luck with your splendid home: I think it is beautiful. And PS if you do make the best seafood anything I better have your address....!!!!!!! MK
...See More
PRO
Paul Di Stefano Design
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
kitchen to south any day of the week....I'd also go further to suggest that possibly the building could have been designed to have the kitchen hard to the south boundary that would have opened up more north light opportunity and better use of the (unusable) side space behind the kitchen. You'd still need a light court for the bedrooms etc...& possibly by doing this the future pool could have been flipped and oriented more to the north/west corner and the net effect would be having more options/flexibility for the outside space, & also possibly alfresco area located on the north which is always better than to the west, so alternatively an extension that is more streamlined in design, following the line of the existing building rather than kicking out, I can see immediately that this type of design strategy would bring some arguably clear benefits on a number of levels .....not sure how far down the track you are (looks like still in concept/sketch design stage) may I add that it's always cheaper to consider re-design on paper rather than regretting less than ideal outcomes after they're built...... anyway food for thought........always consider the options and maintain an open mind...it's always ALL in the design

Best of luck

Cheer PD :)
rmn1 thanked Paul Di Stefano Design

Sponsored

More Discussions

The middle has something missing, how can we elevate this design?

21

Door Ideas (dining room and kitchen bedrooms)

4

Cladding and roof choices for renovation of ordinary house near beach

3

floor plan help

10

Void above Kitchen - help please

9