Hello!
Actually... we have already decided how our kitchen will connect to the dining area. But who knows, maybe you have some ultimate tips or ideas
Our kitchen and the living room’s dining area will be adjacent. The shared wall (if it were to be built) would be 3.50 m wide (11.5 ft).
There are basically two extremes:
1. Closed kitchen, meaning just a regular door.
+ no kitchen smells or fewer in the living space
+ no distracting view (for example, when guests come, they won’t see the kitchen mess)
+ more wall space, so more room for kitchen cabinets
- whoever is in the kitchen is basically out of the action (our space isn’t enough for an open-plan kitchen with dining table)
- the living area feels smaller
2. Fully open kitchen, e.g. with a countertop or stove facing the dining area
+ looks nicer, more spacious
+ sometimes shorter distances (just handing over food, no constant running through a small door when clearing the table)
- smell issues
- sometimes visually distracting (see above)
We have now settled on a compromise: a sliding door will separate the kitchen and dining area, and so it can stay open permanently, it will slide into wall pockets on the left and right. That way, about half the width is usually open but can be closed if needed. The only downside is that we lose space for countertops and cabinets in the kitchen. With two windows and the door to the hallway, the walls are quite tight already...
What do you think about this solution? Are there any brilliant ideas we haven’t considered yet?
Thanks and best regards,
Christiane
Actually... we have already decided how our kitchen will connect to the dining area. But who knows, maybe you have some ultimate tips or ideas
Our kitchen and the living room’s dining area will be adjacent. The shared wall (if it were to be built) would be 3.50 m wide (11.5 ft).
There are basically two extremes:
1. Closed kitchen, meaning just a regular door.
+ no kitchen smells or fewer in the living space
+ no distracting view (for example, when guests come, they won’t see the kitchen mess)
+ more wall space, so more room for kitchen cabinets
- whoever is in the kitchen is basically out of the action (our space isn’t enough for an open-plan kitchen with dining table)
- the living area feels smaller
2. Fully open kitchen, e.g. with a countertop or stove facing the dining area
+ looks nicer, more spacious
+ sometimes shorter distances (just handing over food, no constant running through a small door when clearing the table)
- smell issues
- sometimes visually distracting (see above)
We have now settled on a compromise: a sliding door will separate the kitchen and dining area, and so it can stay open permanently, it will slide into wall pockets on the left and right. That way, about half the width is usually open but can be closed if needed. The only downside is that we lose space for countertops and cabinets in the kitchen. With two windows and the door to the hallway, the walls are quite tight already...
What do you think about this solution? Are there any brilliant ideas we haven’t considered yet?
Thanks and best regards,
Christiane
Hello Danton,
The view into the (untidy) kitchen would definitely bother me from time to time, as it gives the whole space a somewhat messy, cluttered impression (which it actually is, but it doesn’t have to be so obvious) We are both working, and part of our evening routine sometimes involves only tidying up properly right before going to bed or even the next morning, because in the evening you just need to relax.
It would be even more unpleasant if we had guests who could look straight from the dining table into the chaotic kitchen Basically, something like a curtain or similar would be enough (not sure how that would look), since the smells or noise from appliances wouldn’t bother us much.
The (interior) dimensions in the current design (everything still changeable, but we don’t want the house to be too large overall, while also avoiding it feeling “cramped”):
Kitchen: 3.50m x 3.50m (11ft 6in x 11ft 6in)
Dining area (to the west of the kitchen): 3.50m x 3.70m (11ft 6in x 12ft 2in)
Living area (open plan, located to the south, together forming an L-shape): 4.40m x 5.60m (14ft 5in x 18ft 4in)
The passage to the living area is only 3m (9ft 10in) wide due to a slight offset.
The kitchen would be about 12 sqm (129 sq ft), and the living/dining area about 40 sqm (431 sq ft).
Thanks for the tips,
Christiane
The view into the (untidy) kitchen would definitely bother me from time to time, as it gives the whole space a somewhat messy, cluttered impression (which it actually is, but it doesn’t have to be so obvious) We are both working, and part of our evening routine sometimes involves only tidying up properly right before going to bed or even the next morning, because in the evening you just need to relax.
It would be even more unpleasant if we had guests who could look straight from the dining table into the chaotic kitchen Basically, something like a curtain or similar would be enough (not sure how that would look), since the smells or noise from appliances wouldn’t bother us much.
The (interior) dimensions in the current design (everything still changeable, but we don’t want the house to be too large overall, while also avoiding it feeling “cramped”):
Kitchen: 3.50m x 3.50m (11ft 6in x 11ft 6in)
Dining area (to the west of the kitchen): 3.50m x 3.70m (11ft 6in x 12ft 2in)
Living area (open plan, located to the south, together forming an L-shape): 4.40m x 5.60m (14ft 5in x 18ft 4in)
The passage to the living area is only 3m (9ft 10in) wide due to a slight offset.
The kitchen would be about 12 sqm (129 sq ft), and the living/dining area about 40 sqm (431 sq ft).
Thanks for the tips,
Christiane
Hi Azalee,
if the new kitchen has a modern design, a type of ceiling-mounted blind could help. It can be lowered when needed down to the countertop (separating the kitchen from the dining area) and is preferably made of aluminum rather than plastic. When raised again, the large open space is restored. These blinds are available in many different colors.
Could this be a solution? It probably wouldn’t fit a rustic-style kitchen, though.
Has your architect proposed any suggestions regarding this?
Best regards,
Danton
if the new kitchen has a modern design, a type of ceiling-mounted blind could help. It can be lowered when needed down to the countertop (separating the kitchen from the dining area) and is preferably made of aluminum rather than plastic. When raised again, the large open space is restored. These blinds are available in many different colors.
Could this be a solution? It probably wouldn’t fit a rustic-style kitchen, though.
Has your architect proposed any suggestions regarding this?
Best regards,
Danton
Hi,
Haha, we are mainly planning ourselves *g* For the first meeting, we brought our (amateur) drafts, then the architect (we are building with a timber construction company that offers us a complete package including the architect) created an initial rough version, which was basically based on our – quite thoroughly thought-out – ideas and concepts. We then made small adjustments here and there and gave this draft to the timber builder, so he could request quotes from the trades and give us a ballpark figure. Once that is done, the details will follow, like moving or changing the height of windows, exact measurements for room transitions, and all sorts of other things.
This “roller blind” might already be an option. The kitchen will be rather modern, definitely not rustic. The opening (about door width or how wide should it be?) would then be open, but you wouldn’t see the whole kitchen anymore. I would like that the back part of the countertop could then be raised a bit, so that from the dining side it would look more like a bar, for example with fruit bowls on it and so on.
Regards,
Christiane
Haha, we are mainly planning ourselves *g* For the first meeting, we brought our (amateur) drafts, then the architect (we are building with a timber construction company that offers us a complete package including the architect) created an initial rough version, which was basically based on our – quite thoroughly thought-out – ideas and concepts. We then made small adjustments here and there and gave this draft to the timber builder, so he could request quotes from the trades and give us a ballpark figure. Once that is done, the details will follow, like moving or changing the height of windows, exact measurements for room transitions, and all sorts of other things.
This “roller blind” might already be an option. The kitchen will be rather modern, definitely not rustic. The opening (about door width or how wide should it be?) would then be open, but you wouldn’t see the whole kitchen anymore. I would like that the back part of the countertop could then be raised a bit, so that from the dining side it would look more like a bar, for example with fruit bowls on it and so on.
Regards,
Christiane
Hi Azalee,
that could look very nice.
If you want something a bit more elegant, a venetian blind might be a good option. This system can also be operated electrically and can be recessed into a casing above the ceiling.
Just take a look at the company Roma. I believe: Roma / venetian blinds / gates.
The passage width should be about one meter (3 feet), but it depends on the dimensions of the base cabinets next to the passage.
When it's finished, I'd like to see a photo.
Best regards,
Danton
that could look very nice.
If you want something a bit more elegant, a venetian blind might be a good option. This system can also be operated electrically and can be recessed into a casing above the ceiling.
Just take a look at the company Roma. I believe: Roma / venetian blinds / gates.
The passage width should be about one meter (3 feet), but it depends on the dimensions of the base cabinets next to the passage.
When it's finished, I'd like to see a photo.
Best regards,
Danton
We have also planned an open kitchen.
I am familiar with open kitchens from other houses and find them appealing. Towards the living area, we have also planned a counter. Guests can have an aperitif there while the meal is being prepared. Cooking is usually not a particularly noisy activity. I think it is important to have a good, quiet extractor hood and a silent dishwasher.
I also like to chat while cooking and usually encourage guests to join in with preparing ingredients and chopping.
But Danton is absolutely right. It’s a matter of lifestyle and habit. For me, I would either go fully open or not open at all. Roller blinds and similar features always feel like “garage doors” in the living area.
I am familiar with open kitchens from other houses and find them appealing. Towards the living area, we have also planned a counter. Guests can have an aperitif there while the meal is being prepared. Cooking is usually not a particularly noisy activity. I think it is important to have a good, quiet extractor hood and a silent dishwasher.
I also like to chat while cooking and usually encourage guests to join in with preparing ingredients and chopping.
But Danton is absolutely right. It’s a matter of lifestyle and habit. For me, I would either go fully open or not open at all. Roller blinds and similar features always feel like “garage doors” in the living area.
B
Bunnyguard6 Dec 2009 19:36Well, I worked for one of the largest kitchen manufacturers in Germany...
High-quality kitchens, not Alno or even cheaper ones...
And I can only say one thing: I keep hearing about the smell issue...
In my opinion, you got something wrong if the entire apartment or house smells like food.
With a proper extractor hood, there should be no smell at all. If it is undersized, which is usually the reason, then it’s no surprise...
High-quality kitchens, not Alno or even cheaper ones...
And I can only say one thing: I keep hearing about the smell issue...
In my opinion, you got something wrong if the entire apartment or house smells like food.
With a proper extractor hood, there should be no smell at all. If it is undersized, which is usually the reason, then it’s no surprise...
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