Open Plan Living Layout

last month

We are currently in the process of renovating the kitchen. We have removed the wall between the kitchen and living room.

We are currently leaning towards this layout. But I’m concerned the island will interrupt the flow with in protruding 600mm in front of the door way.

We have also come up with the layout but I’m concerned the table feels cramped or odd being under the window.

We have decided to remove the fire place. Would love people’s thoughts or suggestions

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Comments (35)

Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
This is the other layout
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
This is the other layout
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You have used graph paper but not drawn the areas using the squares in the graph paper. For example, one square is 500mm. So therefore your drawings are not to scale with the sizes shown. But I get your intent. I would choose the drawing with the long alfresco. With living on the north side. You can have a wonderful large rectangle dining suite in the alfresco with lounge chairs as well. The north side of alfresco to be a gable. Tv would go on the west wall.
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dreamer
last month
I agree with your explanations. If these are the only two options. Then the first plan posted would be my choice.
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dreamer
last month
Are the doorways…..door next to proposed fridge/pantry and sliding door……fixed in place? Can they be moved/removed.
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
All the doorways are fixed in place.
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dreamer
last month
Okay, thank you. Then stick with the first plan.
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siriuskey
last month
Is that a doorway opening behind the lounge looking towards the back of the fridge?
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
Yes that area is front entry/foyer to the house. There are walls along the back of the fridge and couch.
Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
The fridge/pantry utilises an existing alcove
Kate
last month
What is the door to on front of fridge. Would fridge be better on right hand wall?
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
The door in front of the fridge is to a hallway for the bedroom and bathroom
siriuskey
last month
can you post a floorplan of the house?
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bigreader
last month
A round table might work better.
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
Very roughly this is the full floor plan of the house. We can’t really move any exterior doors or windows. And have no vision of making any major structural changes when updating the remaining parts.

Yes we may consider a round table, we are flexible about the table our priority is getting the kitchen and other permanent fixtures functioning best as possible while taking in the need for other zones and furniture.
Kate
last month
I am concerned about having fridge on the walkway to back of house. Is it there now? A radical option
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Kate
last month
An alternative may be to swap the sliding door and kitchen window allowing the kitchen to be in corner
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
The fridge and a cupboard are currently in that position and it hasn’t been an issue. The radical option definitely helps with thinking about moving the kitchen area and it maybe worth considering but we hit a few road blocks as there is a window along the wall with the bench that is too low and no ability to replace it or remove it without damaging the exterior cladding, which we can’t replace.
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siriuskey
last month
Could you let us know the layout of the original kitchen plus where the wall was removed between kitchen and living
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Kate
last month
Oh glad the fridge is working in that layout. If you do like the alternative you may be able to block the bottom half of the wind o on the inside creating a window sill. Depending on how and where the window opens
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
This is the old layout.
siriuskey
last month
This would work with existing doors and windows, the fridge and pantry would be swung back to the wall, but still in the same position. The 3m x 900 Island could have a small sink near the fridge. The dimensions I have worked with are shown
dreamer
last month
I would prefer the fridge and pantry as is. It stops people at the front door from seeing directly into kitchen when entering the home.
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
I prefer the fridge and pantry as it as well, additionally since we have already knocked the wall out there would have to a be a post due to the being a load bearing wall
dreamer
last month
That’s a good point about the load bearing wall. And also with a large island, instead of your first design, it would cut into the natural walkway of people going to bedrooms.
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dreamer
last month
Better circulation
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
Agree about the flow/circulation, I have been trying to keep the door to the hallway clear of the island as much as possible
Kate
last month
In which case go with the layout you posted and add some bar stools with bench overhang to right hand end of island.
dreamer
last month
Just a quick sketch of a suggestion for the proposed kitchen island. Four x 600mm cabinets or drawers, two x 300mm cabinets, 300mm overhangs for stool seating. This provide a wonderful amount of storage.
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oklouise
last month
based on assumed dimensions i think your island is much too big and the walkways around the island too small for the available space...my suggestion would be to reduce the depth of the island to 900 x 1800, and as already suggested, overhang with stools at one end and 300cm deep storage cabinet along the long side and, if side window is short enough add some extra cabinets or freestanding storage under the window
Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
All great thoughts and ideas.

We have decided to go with the second kitchen layout with a 1200 by 1200 island to keep the doors free of the island and maintain circulation and flow.

We will have 1000mm clear of both benches. We will probably place the table in a similar place to the first layout.
siriuskey
last month
Thank you for posting the original layout showing the wall which was removed while retaining the fridge alcove addressing some of the load bearing wall.

Its too late once renovations have started, but I would have considered removing the fridge alcove that I have as 800 x 1400, move the door along so that it opened into the "spare/bed/study room" and placing the fridge where the door had been, This would have give n better space and flow to the kitchen/dining/living. As you can see by the current floorplan the Alcove impedes on the flow and furniture placement. And having the front door open as shown will give a certain amount of privacy with the fridge built in behind a 800 deep panel.

I look forward to seeing what you decide
Kate
last month
The layout by OKLouise will ensure you have good walkways and a large island. 900 is a practical depth for cleaning from one side. You can have 600 cabinets on one side and 300 on the other and keep stools to right hand end away from the frindge and pantry.
siriuskey
last month
You have posted on Australian Houzz when you are American
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Phoebe McPherson
Original Author
last month
I have posted in the correct place as I am Australia
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siriuskey
last month
last modified: last month
sorry Phoebe, I should have made it clearer, Assistant of Lantern who posted above is American and Pro's pay to list on Houzz to attract business, so they need to do it in their location. to make it worthwhile.
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