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Design Dilemma Kitchens Renovating

Eighties kitchen looking for makeover and ideas welcome?

3 months ago

last modified: 3 months ago

Hi everyone, I want to renovate my kitchen and create indoor outdoor flow. It's an 80s Beazley style house in Auckland and I want install a servery window above where the existing oven is, possibly change the two windows there currently, get rid of the breakfast bar and extend the bench to the existing backdoor and close off the back door. I have noticed alot of servery windows have the sink there and not an oven so that is another thing to consider given not cheap to move around drainage etc. I want to create flow between dining room and deck by opening up and installing french doors in the the loadbearing wall. Also, the wall by pantry back onto my laundry so one option is to open up between the two and make it a scullery/laundry. Thoughts anyone?

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Comments (2)

pottsy99
3 months ago
I'd take a totally different route .

It looks like there is that narrowish window in the lounge or dining area -- I'd look at whether you could make that into a ranch-slider ( yes , I am in NZ too -- if you say ranch-slider it confuses the Aussies haha ) . You'd need a structural engineer to make sure that wall isn't load bearing , and also electrical cables are able to be moved , but I'd suspect the load bearing bits would be the corners , and you'd be able to 'open up' that wall onto the deck .

While it initially may seem counter-intuitive , you could then take out the door and that other taller window -- close it in and add a couple of small windows , or how about doubling down , and seeing if you can 'open up' between what you call the 2 windows above the stove -- have 1 long flat window along there , OR even do another bay window -- that will add more light , but also by taking out the opening door , you will get an extra metre of space ,

That way , you can do a different kitchen design -- maybe a wall mount oven , or a pantry , a breakfast bar in a different spot -- basically , plan the kitchen and the window placement at the same time .

The advantages would be more usable space , more light , an indoor/outdoor flow but through the other room , not the kitchen . But with more glass actually in the kitchen , it will feel lighter and airier , plumbing won't be as much of a hassle , it will look better . The only possible downside would be the wall you put the ranchslider in will need to be kept clear , as you may lose a bit of space there , but the breeze and openness will make up for that IMO .
Italia thanked pottsy99
Italia
Original Author
3 months ago
Thanks for your feedback @pottsy99. Actually what you have said endorsed what I have been thinking for a while now. It's taken me a while to get my head around taking out the back door, but actually that's the only way I can get extra space without doing major work. I will have to declutter, and I def. prefer french doors to a ranchslider but opening up that wall which is load bearing (it's a 2 story house) which has its pluses but in this case minuses given cost involved to extend. Apprciate you taking the time.
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