How can I make kitchen bigger?

newhomebuild

Hi! I am buying a new build and the kitchen is quite narrow in width, I’d love to be able to get a kitchen island in there and was wondering how I could expand the width to maximise space. I was thinking to knock down the walls into the hallway (since they are stud) and then create a smaller entrance hallway wall sealed parallel to the WC. Any ideas? Want to make sure I’m not affecting resale value. Attached the current floor plans

newhomebuild

See floor plan below of the new build 

stuart45

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

newhomebuild

stuart45 said:

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

I’ve been told they can come out 

Doozergirl

newhomebuild said:

stuart45 said:

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

I’ve been told they can come out 

By a structural engineer? 

It's your house, you can do what you like with it as long as it meets the building regulations. 

I'm not entirely sure that removing that wall help as much as you think, though.  You still need to maintain the space as a thoroughfare from the door and the stairs into the lounge.  

Where would you be putting the island? 

Racky_Roo

That's almost the floor plan of my house but as you have proposed I have a door from the hall into the kitchen (glass to let in
the light) and then no wall where the current dining wall is. I don't have an island, I think it would be too tight with a dining table too but if you don't want a table it would be fine

newhomebuild

Racky_Roo said:

That's almost the floor plan of my house but as you have proposed I have a door from the hall into the kitchen (glass to let in
the light) and then no wall where the current dining wall is. I don't have an island, I think it would be too tight with a dining table too but if you don't want a table it would be fine

This is perfect, thank you so much for sharing!! It’s pretty much same as what I wanted to do.  Any ideas how much that would cost to knock out and configure like yours? I don’t think I need a table, just the island. Love the idea of the glass door!

newhomebuild

Doozergirl said:

newhomebuild said:

stuart45 said:

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

I’ve been told they can come out 

By a structural engineer? 

It's your house, you can do what you like with it as long as it meets the building regulations. 

I'm not entirely sure that removing that wall help as much as you think, though.  You still need to maintain the space as a thoroughfare from the door and the stairs into the lounge.  

Where would you be putting the island? 

By the developer. I think exactly like the floor plan which was just posted is how I would do it.

Doozergirl

newhomebuild said:

Doozergirl said:

newhomebuild said:

stuart45 said:

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

I’ve been told they can come out 

By a structural engineer? 

It's your house, you can do what you like with it as long as it meets the building regulations. 

I'm not entirely sure that removing that wall help as much as you think, though.  You still need to maintain the space as a thoroughfare from the door and the stairs into the lounge.  

Where would you be putting the island? 

By the developer. I think exactly like the floor plan which was just posted is how I would do it.

That poster has said there isn't really room in their kitchen for an island, and my experience says the same, which is why I'm asking you where you will put it.  It would be a good idea to draw it in and consider how the space will work.  

Islands are great, but they don't beat being able to sit around a table enjoying a proper meal with friends and family.   A table also offers flexibility that a fixed island doesn't, whether it turns or extends or you occasionally block a doorway a bit on special days.   An island needs to belong to the kitchen area, a table just needs to belong to a room. 

I'd be tempted to open it up, but for a better sense of space and for a decent sized table.  A kitchen island doesn't make much sense to me in that room.  

newhomebuild

Doozergirl said:

newhomebuild said:

Doozergirl said:

newhomebuild said:

stuart45 said:

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

I’ve been told they can come out 

By a structural engineer? 

It's your house, you can do what you like with it as long as it meets the building regulations. 

I'm not entirely sure that removing that wall help as much as you think, though.  You still need to maintain the space as a thoroughfare from the door and the stairs into the lounge.  

Where would you be putting the island? 

By the developer. I think exactly like the floor plan which was just posted is how I would do it.

Each to their own, but that poster has said there isn't really room in their kitchen, and my experience says the same, which is why I'm asking you where you will put it.  

Islands are great, but they don't beat being able to sit around a table enjoying a proper meal with friends and family.  

I'd be tempted to open it up, but for a better sense of space and for a decent sized table.  A kitchen island makes no sense to me in that room.  

Thanks! This is good food for thought, maybe I’ll get a larger dining table then instead. I just am glad I can expand the space rather than the narrow kitchen originally. Real stress of my mind. I’ve asked the developer if they can remove it now but don’t think they will as the house is almost complete. Will have to make a new mess!

Doozergirl

newhomebuild said:

Doozergirl said:

newhomebuild said:

Doozergirl said:

newhomebuild said:

stuart45 said:

Stud walls can be load bearing, especially in timber framed houses.

I’ve been told they can come out 

By a structural engineer? 

It's your house, you can do what you like with it as long as it meets the building regulations. 

I'm not entirely sure that removing that wall help as much as you think, though.  You still need to maintain the space as a thoroughfare from the door and the stairs into the lounge.  

Where would you be putting the island? 

By the developer. I think exactly like the floor plan which was just posted is how I would do it.

Each to their own, but that poster has said there isn't really room in their kitchen, and my experience says the same, which is why I'm asking you where you will put it.  

Islands are great, but they don't beat being able to sit around a table enjoying a proper meal with friends and family.  

I'd be tempted to open it up, but for a better sense of space and for a decent sized table.  A kitchen island makes no sense to me in that room.  

Thanks! This is good food for thought, maybe I’ll get a larger dining table then instead. I just am glad I can expand the space rather than the narrow kitchen originally. Real stress of my mind. I’ve asked the developer if they can remove it now but don’t think they will as the house is almost complete. Will have to make a new mess!

I've edited my post, I always do, but I would definitely consider a table.  Think about how you are going to live in it every day. If you're a sociable creature like me, it's as many bums on seats as your room will allow.  🙃

I would definitely use it more if it had that extra space.  2.4 is just a bit too narrow for a sociable space.