Looking at remodeling this house and I can't quite figure out the puzzle here.
This picture is an aerial shot of the living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room and one bedroom. The kitchen is so tiny and even though I don't think that can be fixed, I am curious if anyone has suggestions for opening up the space?
I'm already thinking about taking down the wall between the dining room and living room.
Hello William, thanks for the numbers! That's super helpful. #1 goes to the bedrooms. #2 is a pantry/has the HVAC system/water heater (huge waste of space but I don't know if the HVAC/water heater can be moved). #3 is the laundry room. And #4 is the wall I'd like to remove.
I've inputted the dimensions and room labels into this image:
What come to mind is what walls are loadbearing walls. I would consider removing the wall to the left of the stove and the one it is connected to at the right angle. Clear out the dark area behind William's #2, that would open up the kitchen.
I would swop the kitchen and laundry room around and taking the wall down in the laundry room and moving it across the other side of the doorway. I would then take the wall that backs on to the dining room d and move it into the dining space about halfway along where it backs onto living room, in line with the other wall or maybe leave it open or with doors. I might even remove the rest of the wall that is in between the living room and the dining room to open it up. Hope that is of some help.
Jenna: these words: load-bearing walls. (Great idea on the overhead photo!)
Maybe some rearranging/culling of furniture would help. Like... move the dining table more to middle of the room -- you'd still have the space to easily walk. Also, the living room seems burdens by too much bulky furniture. Try getting rid of the chair (if possible, take out a section of the sectional too.). Finally, removing all clutter would open up spaces.
Re: William's comment... yes I think #4 would be the best to remove, you have a giant TV there (it seems). --- so you would really not be gaining a sight line.
Thanks! Here's an upper view with the actual dimensions.
We just bought the house, so that is not our stuff in there (it's the old tenants). I'm trying to come up with a potential construction plan before we move in.
We have minimal furniture, so there's no point in planning around furniture yet.
What about swapping the laundry room with the kitchen - then you could take down the wall between the old laundry room and the dining room. You could make an L shaped kitchen along the shared living room wall.
Removing the wall between the living and dining room would open up the space. It may be a load bearing wall with a full beam within the wall below the ceiling. That can be boxed in. It appears the HVAC ductwork is in the crawlspace or basement. If the furnace and HW heater can be moved into the laundry room the pantry can be opened to the kitchen and converted to an eat in area. Nothing much to expand the kitchen. If you don't need a dining room I would move the small bedroom wall about four to five feet into the dining room to enlarge it. Once the living room and dining room are open rearranging the furniture would give it an open feel.
As everyone has said, the BIGGEST factors will be how much you are willing to spend on load bearing walls (beams can be very pricey) and moving plumbing/hvac. Honestly, I donvt see any way to leave the kitchen where it is and actually enlarge it. I made a couple option ideas...
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Your comment...
Where does #1 go? What is #2 ? Is #3 the Laundry room and what are the dimensions? Is #4 the wall you want to remove?
Hello William, thanks for the numbers! That's super helpful. #1 goes to the bedrooms. #2 is a pantry/has the HVAC system/water heater (huge waste of space but I don't know if the HVAC/water heater can be moved). #3 is the laundry room. And #4 is the wall I'd like to remove.
I've inputted the dimensions and room labels into this image:
What do you feel are your main goals in renovating this floor plan;for example:
Do you want an eat-in kitchen, and eliminate the formal dining room?
Do you want more light in the kitchen?
Do you want more storage in the kitchen?
Please tell us a little more about what you are hoping to achieve so that we offer you some suggestions on what might work.
More light, space, and/or storage in the kitchen would be the goal!
I'd like to open up the rest of the house more too, if it's amenable to the kitchen goal.
Keep in mind that although removing walls can effect more floor space in particular rooms, there are sometimes less desirable results:
-more noise transference from one part of the house to another
-less electrical outlets for plugging in lamps, small appliances, vacuum, etc.
-problems with joining the flooring from one room to the next, over the gap
-problems with joining the ceiling from one room to the next, over the gap
-problems with relocating any hvac or plumbing that may be inside the wall
-less walls to place furniture, tvs, mirrors, pictures against
-the 'mess' from the kitchen is constantly on view from the living room
-some of the new 'space' becomes just more hallway
What come to mind is what walls are loadbearing walls. I would consider removing the wall to the left of the stove and the one it is connected to at the right angle. Clear out the dark area behind William's #2, that would open up the kitchen.
Hello Jenna,
I would swop the kitchen and laundry room around and taking the wall down in the laundry room and moving it across the other side of the doorway. I would then take the wall that backs on to the dining room d and move it into the dining space about halfway along where it backs onto living room, in line with the other wall or maybe leave it open or with doors. I might even remove the rest of the wall that is in between the living room and the dining room to open it up. Hope that is of some help.
Jenna: these words: load-bearing walls. (Great idea on the overhead photo!)
Maybe some rearranging/culling of furniture would help. Like... move the dining table more to middle of the room -- you'd still have the space to easily walk. Also, the living room seems burdens by too much bulky furniture. Try getting rid of the chair (if possible, take out a section of the sectional too.). Finally, removing all clutter would open up spaces.
Re: William's comment... yes I think #4 would be the best to remove, you have a giant TV there (it seems). --- so you would really not be gaining a sight line.
Thanks! Here's an upper view with the actual dimensions.
We just bought the house, so that is not our stuff in there (it's the old tenants). I'm trying to come up with a potential construction plan before we move in.
We have minimal furniture, so there's no point in planning around furniture yet.
What about swapping the laundry room with the kitchen - then you could take down the wall between the old laundry room and the dining room. You could make an L shaped kitchen along the shared living room wall.
I’m so curious - how did you take the aerial shot?!
Very cool - and handy to have for layout decisions. :)
Removing the wall between the living and dining room would open up the space. It may be a load bearing wall with a full beam within the wall below the ceiling. That can be boxed in. It appears the HVAC ductwork is in the crawlspace or basement. If the furnace and HW heater can be moved into the laundry room the pantry can be opened to the kitchen and converted to an eat in area. Nothing much to expand the kitchen. If you don't need a dining room I would move the small bedroom wall about four to five feet into the dining room to enlarge it. Once the living room and dining room are open rearranging the furniture would give it an open feel.
Oh my goodness, this is so helpful. Thank you William! I'm going to talk to the inspector and see what we're allowed/able to do.
Your very welcome. Good luck.
I agree about taking down the wall between the dining room and living room.
As everyone has said, the BIGGEST factors will be how much you are willing to spend on load bearing walls (beams can be very pricey) and moving plumbing/hvac. Honestly, I donvt see any way to leave the kitchen where it is and actually enlarge it. I made a couple option ideas...
Would you consider swapping the kitchen an dining rooms in conjunction with taking down wall 1? That would give you a more open flow