Townhome renovation question
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Anonymous
| We're getting some work done in our 1500sq ft townhome, mainly the kitchen. We're wondering about removing the wall that separates the dining area from the kitchen, and installing a counter/cabinets/bar there instead. This would allow more natural light into the dining area and make the floorplan even more open, but it would also make the kitchen very prominent and visible from the entrance. Does this sound like a desirable upgrade? Or is the more defined separation of rooms more important? |
Anonymous
| Just my two cents but I prefer an enclosed kitchen for two reasons: (1) I am a messy cook and no one wants to look at that, and (2) usually you have more cabinet storage space if you keep the wall (sounds like this may not be the case for you though). |
Anonymous
| OP, I've been contemplating the same change for our townhome kitchen, and for the same reasons. More natural light and a more open floor plan. The only thing holding me back is the money. I don't want to overimprove, but I really like the idea of opening up the kitchen. I'm considering a large pass-through window as one option; the other is the knock down most of the wall. I don't have advice, but I'm interested to hear what people suggest. |
Anonymous
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Is the wall you're removing a load bearing one? That makes a huge difference in cost and time (and potential problems).
Are you keeping a doorway if you're setting up a pass-through bar? I assume your kitchen is not an eyesore since it'll become more visible and in the line of sight. |
Anonymous
|
OP here. The contractor does not believe it's a loadbearing wall. There would need to be some readjusting of wiring. If the labor cost is only minor, I think we'll do it, but we don't want to spend much money on this.
The wall does not have cabinets (though we'd add some if we turned the wall into a countertop/bar). The kitchen does not have a door. It is not completely enclosed. There is a fairly wide opening already, but yes, I'd need to keep it neat! |
Anonymous
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Your contractor does not "believe" it's load bearing wall???? I'd get a more confident answer and get a structural engineer. I'm surprised your contractor didn't have ome accompany him when you all met.
Also, you never know what is behind a wall so be prepared. We took a wall down and it ended up there was three air ducts there leading upstairs so then we had to have a hvac guy come out and reconfigure it...more time and money. There's no such thing as a low cost minor project especially if you're talking walls. |
Anonymous
Yes, he will definitely check. He has done work on the house before and given what he knows about its construction, he does not think it is loadbearing one. But yes, he will check before we finalize the project. |
Anonymous
| I'm considering this too -- but we have an air vent in the wall and would have to re-route that = $$$$ |
Anonymous
| Seems to me the "open floor plan" is the hot thing on the real estate market now, so may add value to the home. |
Anonymous
| We removed it and love the openness. Our friends did the same after us and it looks great in both townhouses. Makes the entire place feel much larger. |
Anonymous
| More light? That would be a big yes to me if I was buying a small town home. Absolutely. |