Removing barriers such as doors and walls is an extremely popular interior design choice in modern homes. The goal is to create a more open environment that allows a lot of natural light to flow and enables the occupants to enjoy a shared living space.
Open plan kitchens are one of the most common and beloved features in homes. They’re created by either having your San Diego remodelers merge two rooms together (typically a living room and a kitchen) that were originally conceived as separate, or by designing a single kitchen-living room environment from the get go.
If this appeals to you, you’ll definitely want to read the rest of this article! We’ll provide you with some time-tested tips on how to make your kitchen flow seamlessly into an open living space, so keep reading to learn more.
No two homes are quite the same, so naturally no two open plan kitchens are going to be quite alike either. You’ll need to look at the available space and carefully consider both the practical and aesthetic aspects of your kitchen-living room design.
Here’s how to merge a kitchen with a living room:
Take some time to think how people will move through the open-plan room. There needs to be enough space for individuals to pass through without having to go around furniture or pass through the work area of the kitchen while moving between zones.
When furnishing a kitchen, it’s very easy to find gorgeous countertops, lovely cupboards, and other elaborate kitchen items. While these choices are fine in a regular kitchen, they can easily clash with or draw attention away from the furnishings in the rest of an open living space.
As a general rule, it’s best to use a simple design for your kitchen that adds to the cohesiveness of your open-plan space. Most of the accents should be kept in the living space.
Just because all the zones are open to one another doesn’t mean that your open-plan space shouldn’t have defined areas for dining, cooking, and seating.
A great way to do this is by placing the kitchen next to an exterior wall (this is also helpful when it comes to installing sinks, appliances, and extractor fans) and adding a separator in the form of a kitchen island or a bar.
Furthermore, the dining table should be positioned close enough to the kitchen so that you don’t have to carry food a long way from the kitchen to the eating area, but not so far that people who are eating can’t keep watching the TV while they eat.
The kitchen area should be far enough from the seating zone to ensure that the sounds of clattering pans, sizzling food, and running water aren’t going to interfere with people who are talking or watching TV.
For the same reason, it’s best to keep noisy appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and so on, in a separate room.
Lars Remodeling & Design is a longstanding provider of home renovation services in San Diego. We have the expertise, the experience, and the cutting-edge equipment necessary to make all your interior design dreams come true.
Are you looking to expand your house with a second story addition or renovate a specific area of your home? Or perhaps you want to have your home reimagined as a beautiful rustic haven or traditional estate? We can do all that and more! Reach out to us today.
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What should I expect from a custom home remodel?
When you decide to remodel your home in San Diego, count on our team of experienced builders and talented home design contractors to handle every stage of the design-build process diligently and professionally. We apply a wide range of skills to transform your living space with style and precision:
How long should my whole home remodeling project take?
We’ll discuss the length of your project during an initial consultation. Although the scope of a project will determine its length, we can provide you with an approximate estimate early on.
For more information, get in touch with our home remodeling contractors in San Diego. We’ll ask you a series of detailed questions about the upcoming home remodel, which will help us prepare a preliminary estimate.
How much should I budget for home remodeling?
It’s the complexity of each remodel, as well as the desired goals and needs of each client, that makes each project unique. Besides the type and size of your home improvement in San Diego, the cost of materials needed plays a key role in setting up the budget.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions regarding the final costs of the project and consult with our experts directly. Our home design contractors will be happy to answer all of them and provide you with a more accurate estimate.
What should I know before adding on to my house?
Before adding a room addition to your San Diego property, conduct a thorough inspection of your home and clarify your objectives:
Finally, you should know who to turn to for advanced assistance. Luckily, there’s a reputable local company serving San Diego communities. We at Lars Remodeling & Design would be happy to offer a detailed outline of the key aspects of your project.
Is it safe to live in a house while renovating?
For substantial additions or major renovations, it might be a good idea to think about staying somewhere else. To stick to your budget, you could stay with friends or family, or rent a place nearby so you can easily keep an eye on the remodeling progress. As experienced remodeling contractors, we’re eager to learn more about your project and explore all your options with you. Don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Is renovating an old house worth it?
Absolutely. However, the value of such a renovation largely depends on factors like the property’s location, the extent of work required, and the current market conditions. For any home design or design-build project, it’s advisable to consult directly with our experienced contractors. We’ll access your San Diego residence to identify the type of remodel that would offer you the best return on investment.
