How can I make kitchen bigger?

newhomebuild

Doozergirl said:

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.  

I agree! This is definitely true, it’s going to be about how many people I can fit. Maybe a dining table with stools which looks very island like e.g a bench. Thank you for sharing that thought, really appreciate your feedback 

GDB2222

Can I just check one point. You are going to let the developer build it to their Normal plans and then, once you bought it, you are going to start knocking down a lot of the walls that the developer has expensively constructed?  You will then have to redo the floors and electrics, etc.

Surely, it must be vastly cheaper to pay the developer to build it the way you want it?

Section62

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? 

By the developer.

I'd be sceptical if a developer told me that....

Did they also explain about compliance with building regs, and most importantly what effect your alterations might have on the warranty?

BikingBud

I would look to put a small snug room at the front and have the larger space going into the garden as the kitchen and main living space but we all know how well planned new builds are! As evidenced by bizarre shapes to provide 3 bathrooms and a downstairs loo as well. 

There has to be a better way to exploit 100m2

Gavin83

I would say to make an island viable you want at least 5m of width. Even removing that wall you won’t get that.

I also second some of the others. That wall looks structural to me.

[Deleted User]

GDB2222 said:

Can I just check one point. You are going to let the developer build it to their Normal plans and then, once you bought it, you are going to start knocking down a lot of the walls that the developer has expensively constructed?  You will then have to redo the floors and electrics, etc.

Surely, it must be vastly cheaper to pay the developer to build it the way you want it?

This would be the most logical option.

babyblade41

I'm not an expert at plans but I presume the wall you want to take out is directly below an identical wall above..thet would tell me that the wall would be low bearing ... correct me if I'm wrong  

Section62

babyblade41 said:

I'm not an expert at plans but I presume the wall you want to take out is directly below an identical wall above..thet would tell me that the wall would be low bearing ... correct me if I'm wrong  

A wall doesn't need to have another one directly above to be load bearing, and if the room dimensions on the OP's plan is correct then it appears in this case there isn't a wall directly above.

But internal walls (even 'stud' ones) can still have a role in either supporting the first floor, or providing lateral support to other walls.

In this case a SE would need to look at the first floor structure to see whether the joists above the kitchen/hall area are capable of spanning the full width of the house on their own, or if the wall is acting as a prop (additional bearing point).  Also the wall between the lounge and the kitchen/hall area would need to be checked to make sure it isn't relying on the kitchen/hall wall for lateral support (there is currently a 'T' shaped arrangement of internal walls, which might need to be retained (at least in part))

The plan suggests the wall between the kitchen and hallway has an opening rather than a doorway.  Which suggests the designers were happy that other aspects of BR (e.g. spread of fire and smoke, means of escape) were met without needing a door on the kitchen.  In which case, the question to be asked is why the designers felt it was a good idea (/necessary) to put a wall here in the first place.  The OP probably isn't alone in thinking the layout would be better without that wall, and on the face of it the cost of building it (in each and every house of that design) is an unnecessary expense which doesn't aesthetically/practically improve the property from a prospective purchaser POV.

So what is it doing there.....?

GDB2222

Doozergirl said:

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.  

I’ve never done this, but is there scope for a compromise? Perhaps a table the height of the worktop, with taller chairs ?  We have a table and chairs in our kitchen, and we would certainly not want to do without it, as we almost never use the dining room.

koalakoala

A kitchen island AND a dining table and chairs?