Should I remove this wall, or will it make the floor plan too open? (floor plans, smell)

[ajsmith365]

I wouldn't knock it down. I'd make it a half-wall as opposed to its current design of a pass-through. I think its easier and less expensive than the complete demo of the wall. Knocking down the wall would, IMHO, make it look too open, provide no separation of space between the kitchen and family room.

Also, that eating space attached on the kitchen side, I'd fix the counter top to the top of the half wall and get some taller stools in there. Just a thought.

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by Lauriedeee

When you say 'island' are you talking about the cabinet island thing or the area where the chairs are? I think if you put a peninsula right where the wall is now where the chairs are, and hung up some pendant lights above it, you'd have a nice division from kitchen to living room, but it would still have an open feel to it.


I hope that made sense. I'm a little sleepy.

exactly what i would do. i lived in an apartment with this exact type of setup. the room ended up being about the size of what the OP posted.

the downside to this open "living room" is that if you are an audiophile, you're surround sound system won't sound as good. minor sacrifice though.

[texdav]

I'd at least get rid of the counter under the opening and then have th opening trimmed out with a narrow shelf at bottom and trim around the opening. Its just a hole in the wall as is.

[Jungle Jim]

Very belated update: We did the remodel in the spring of 2012, some six months after this thread was started. I had meant to post the updated photos in the days following the completion of the remodel, but forgot to do so. I stumbled across this bookmarked thread while cleaning old bookmarks out of my browser. So, better late than never, I guess.

We ended up removing the wall between the living room and kitchen. The Formica counter tops were replaced with black granite, including a larger top on the island that now accommodates three stools. The cabinets were painted white, new appliances installed, and the pot rack replaced with two pendant lights.

The breezeway door was moved from separating the kitchen and breezeway to a new location, separating the breezeway and garage. We now have a mini mud room and a pantry that was previously used as part of the garage. The kitchen laminate flooring and living room carpet were replaced with hardwood throughout.

We have absolutely no regrets about removing the wall. It's great that those in the living room can communicate with those who are, say, preparing a meal. The downside is that conversations held in the kitchen interfere with television viewing on a regular basis, so there is that to consider. It's also amazing how much more voices and other noises carry since the carpet has been replaced with hardwood, which I consider a downside, as well.

I apparently cannot edit the original post, so I'll repeat the old photos here, along with the updated ones.

[Lauriedeee]

Thanks for the update. I was just thinking of your post the other day and wondering how you made out. The place looks great and I love the 'new' kitchen.

Did you do the work yourself?

[WildCard~]

Looks great! Major improvement...

[Jungle Jim]

Thanks, guys.

I painted the cabinets (it's amazing what sponge rollers can do), installed the appliances, painted the walls, and did the interior trim and crown moulding. We actually replaced the interior trim throughout the entire house as part of a significant overhaul, which also involved replacing carpet with that same wood flooring throughout.

The wall was removed by a professional carpenter who was here doing the other work throughout the house, along with an electrician who dealt with those issues. Flooring was done professionally, as well.

[Lauriedeee]

Did they replace the ceiling? You can't even tell that there was once a wall there.

[Jungle Jim]

They just drywalled in the missing section and then matched the texture as well as they could. Since the mud didn't match the rest of the ceiling, I had to paint the entire ceiling. It needed it anyway, though. You can tell where the repair is if you're just sitting staring at the ceiling, but I doubt anyone but us has ever noticed.

[20yrsinBranson]

I have never been a fan of open kitchens. I think that the smell of food cooking is revolting. Not to mention the fact that if there are dirty dishes after dinner who wants to look at them? I am all for kitchens that are out of sight.

20yrsinBranson