Akin Layout | createperfect

Your kitchen/diner Layout

Akin and Omos

Option One

No changes to appliance location means costs saved. Main change is the door moving across for better flow and light between the spaces. Option one if probably the cheapest of the designs to achieve. A homely and livable vibe, it has the same storage and good access.

Pros

Not moving hob, sink or fridge for cost saving
Wow factor good sized island and work space and seating
TV visible from seating (can be recessed into wall)
Low level units provide light and the feeling of space
Good views through the space - and more light
Everything requested in the dining room
Seating for 4/6 shown (left) extending to 6/8 shown (video)
Bookcase can be built into the space to appear larger
Cheapest of designs to achieve

Cons

No added storage in the kitchen
Dining room a little cramped and only seating for one in reading area
No structural changes mean light isn't increased from whats coming in now - to save on over all costs
TV not visible for the person using hob or work space too well

Option Two

Making a few minor changes to option one makes this design a little more spacious and light as well as creating more of a feature in the kitchen area. This will cost slightly more to produce but well worth it for the changes effects.

Pros

Dining room doors can increase in size to 2.2 m taking up the wall at the back of the house (as nothing either side)
Double seating area created for the reading corner - these chairs can then be used when the table is extended (shown in video extended and image (left) shows everyday use of the room
Kitchen same amount of space but would be lighter due to new doors and middle opening
Hob moved to the island bringing cooking more into the space - allowing you to see both adjoining rooms clearly to communicate when cooking.
This also creates more of a feature and gives additional work top space
Storage slightly increased from now and modernised with island units.
Minimal changes to the rest of the kitchen - saving on costs and disruption during build
Great flow and sight lines throughout this design
Brick feature can be kept and added as part of the design as a nod to the old features of the houses

Cons

Piano will need to be put into another room
Moving the hob and back doors will increase costs
Work space isn't increased to the full potential
Some people do not like hob and sink back to back (if more than one person uses kitchen)
Some people don't like the hob facing people on the island (dependent on the size and style of cooking done at it)

Option Three

The largest of the kitchen designs this still only involves a few major changes so a good contender for keeping costs to a minimum to produce a larger family space.

Pro's

Most storage and work space in the kitchen
Smaller seating area in both reading nook and the island
Ovens and sink now moved
modern design or kitchen for wow factor and flow with in the room itself
TV position is good for the cook
Piano/music area in the dining room and wow factor drinks wall

Con's

Smaller island isn't so wow factor
No bookcase in the dining room
Smaller door between rooms minimise light and flow
Flow isn't as pleasing as some of the other designs
May make the snug room darker (as kitchen light concentrated at back)
More costly on both changes and the cost of a larger kitchen
Smaller island means less seating at it and less prep work space which some people like on an island for dishing up from the hob

Option Four

One of the most costly but maximising flow, light and storage between the spaces. A real wow factor design in the kitchen and something different in the dining room to produce a unique space.

Pro's

Larger kitchen than before - with an island
Island provides more seating and great views
Feature kitchen and island
large doors in the kitchen maximise light and connection to the outside
Door not altered for interior walls (keeping costs down if structural wall)
great communication between the zones in the kitchen and with the snug area making this area lighter too
Good communication with the utility and pantry areas and offering wow factor on entering, seeing through to the garden
Dining room offers feature reading area using the views at the back of the house as a separate zone and then dining room connecting with the kitchen and living room

Con's

Stairs may still be dark (added a feature window if budget allows)
Plumbing of sinks and bathroom needs moving throughout
Most expensive of the designs to implement (still requires knowing which walls are structural). Boiler and electrics would need moving
Bathroom opens onto the dining which some people may not like - could access this in the office space if desired.
Lack of space for the entrance (this would need to be the unit created in the office space I would image).

Reading are with good light and access to the book shelf. Good for entertaining more guest too

Option Five

Maybe the most expensive of the designs this layout opens up the wall between the two spaces to maximise light and space allowing for a larger island and kitchen as well a lighter snugs area and larger dining room as the table moves more into the center freeing up the other walls.

Pro's

Larger kitchen than before. Not moving the fridge, sink or ovens but taking the hob to a larger ,feature, central island.
More storage throughout the space
No structural changes to the back of the house (in size - just new doors)
Dining table extends to 8 comfortably with plenty of space
Everything with in the dining room required - very comfortable spaces when dining table at 4/6
Maximised seating at the island, dining and reading corner.
Light will be better through the space and into the snug creating an airier, brighter feeling to the room
The design with the best flow and communication between the spaces

Con's

May require a steel so could be the most expensive of the designs
Lose most of the feature wall creating a feature kitchen instead
Moving hob and larger kitchen makes the design more costly in that area too
Some people don't like not being able to close off the dining from the kitchen (making a mess before guests arrive etc)
The floor will need to be continuous throughout the space

My Preference:

My personal choice if possible financially would be option five as I think it offers the largest space in terms of seating and storage but also gives a really 'homely' 'hub' feeling which I think will work for your family. It has great communication between the kitchen and the snug and dining table for food or talking with guests or kids doing homework etc. It also maximises the light for all areas which I think is a key point for improving this property.

If five does turn out to be an issue with budgeting or due to issues with the central wall - I would go for option two. It involves very little changes - but little changes that will make a big difference to how you use the space and how it appears to you and to visitors. It has the wow factor, increases light and roughly the same storage as now (but modernised).

Concept

With the kitchen/diner we are looking to create a homely, haven of style. With natural tones of blues, grey and whites. A touch of industrial style sits on top of a soft pallet with warm woods, a great lighting plan and a contemporary traditional kitchen. The style will be light in appearance but have a substance and feel grounded by the quality of craftsmanship and the relaxed flow of the layout with organic forms. Touches of brass give connection with the living room.