It may be difficult to plan a small open concept kitchen living room remodel and compare open concept 1970s kitchen remodel ideas against closed concept kitchen remodel ideas, the first thing you will feel is overwhelmed. I trace the kitchen remodel open concept routes, kitchen remodel not open concept plans and kitchen remodel open concept with island solutions in this guide so you can select what really suits your household and lifestyle. How do you balance Living room comfort with durable kitchen finishes and how much storage do you really need to cook everyday. In what position should the lighting, ventilation and areas be placed to achieve a modern look but at the same time operate under weekday pressure. I will demonstrate concepts that succeed in a townhouse, a raised ranch, a split level, and a ranch house so that you can modify them with ease. Throughout my journey I have provided established rules of layout and choice of materials that can keep a remodel on schedule and in the future amiable.
Transform Your Space With Kitchen Remodel Concepts For 2026
To begin any 2026 plan, I would organise layout, circulation, and light since these decisions will define all features of a kitchen, such as the location of appliances, as well as the relationship between a kitchen and the Living room. In a kitchen remodel open concept, which is the type of kitchen that I focus on, I choose sightline that encircles the island and a focal wall with either textured tile or wood panels that are warm, whereas a closed concept kitchen remodel area will use an axial door or cased opening taking natural light. I combine hard surfaces such as quartzite or large format porcelain with soft surfaces such as limewash paint and fluted wood to ensure that the room remains calm when a task-based lighting is on. The tall pantry, deep drawers, and a recycling pullout are stacked to store with convenient access to prep and make everyday life effective. Lastly I combine an induction cooktop, a low-noise downdraft or hidden hood, and background dimmable lighting to make the dinner and conversation share the same air without conflict.
In furnishings and fixtures that I indicate an island open to the Living room with a three-seat seating area, a 30 or 36 inch induction top with sufficient breaker capacity, and a panel ready refrigerator that will minimize visual noise. Top cabinets are reduced to a single full height wall whereby there is an integrated oven and a coffee niche that can be closed behind pocket doors. Hardware remains slim with soft radius pulls, and the faucet is fitted with a pull down spray using filtered water to minimize countertop clutter. Floors lean to engineered oak in natural matte which is the same one in the Dining area to create unity between zones. I complete with a statement pendant above the island and a linear LED wash below the wall cabinets to balance task and ambient light.
My experience has shown that the best remodels are after common sense clearances and landing zones suggested by kitchen standards groups, this ensures that regardless of the amount of guests arriving, the traffic is non-hostile. My work aisles range between 42 and 48 inches with one cook station and between 42 and 48 again with two cooks in common, and I provide abundant landing space alongside the cooktop and sink so that hot pans and rinsed produce have a safe place to land. I also designate a quiet range hood that is to be the same size as the appliance output as noise control is a determinant of how long individuals are going to be actually enjoying being in the room. Families utilize the kitchen better and cleanup is quicker when sound, light, and ventilation are correct.
To reinforce this area I would include a hidden tech shelf to hold chargers close to the Dining table, a broom closet that fits a cordless vacuum, and a shallow message board at the entrance to hold keys and mail. I would also include motion sensor toe-kick night pass and a recycle-sorting drawer near the exterior door to ensure that come time to go outside, then one has to take few steps.
Small Open Concept Kitchen Living Room Remodel Ideas For Modern Homes
In small houses I design the kitchen as a single wall and a peninsula or an island to maintain clear circulation and maintain length of the prep. A small open concept re-model kitchen living room is most effective when the tall storage is concentrated on one wall of the end and the rest of the space is kept flat and at a low level such that the sight line into the Living room is long in nature. I apply subdued paint on the cabinetry, continuous flooring, and a light counter of quartz to bounce off light, followed by a dark base on the island to make the plan appear grounded. I also use ceiling mounted track or a small rail of spots to allow lighting to be moved between cooking and lounging without increasing bulk. What then emerges is a single social room that cooks neatly and re-sets quickly.
I choose a 24 inch panel dishwasher, a 30 inch range or induction top, and a counter depth fridge to make the aisle wide. The two stool peninsula overhang is satin-smoothed but with rounded corners to reduce traffic, and a narrow bookcase at the end panel is squeezed into place to connect kitchen and Living room. A rail system at the backsplash has a paper towel arm, spice jars, and tablet ledge, which leaves the counter to prepare. In the storage place, I would prefer deep base drawers, blind corner pullouts, and high utility cabinet where a step stool can be stored. Window coverings remain transparent to allow as much daylight as possible and one 8 x 10 rug marks the sitting area without consuming the space.
Practice teaches that the most economical designs are not those seeking to over-island the space, but rather one that favors foot traffic and cleanup flow. I have also come to understand that it is hardly ever worthwhile to add a small prep sink to a tight footprint and that one large undermount at the window with an efficient drying grid is more effective. Another suggestion I make is to use a low sone hood and a recirculating purifier in case it is not possible to run a duct in a townhouse because cooking smells will not hang in the upholstery.
My additions to this idea would include a fold down breakfast table at the end of the peninsula to provide additional Dining seats on holiday days, a magnetic wall to write and draw things next to the fridge, and a ceiling outlet over the island and keep the portable devices off the countertop.
Open Concept 1970s Kitchen Remodel Ideas With A Contemporary Twist
Lots of 1970s houses have compartmentalized rooms, and a soffit or dropped ceiling that creates a kitchen shortness and I begin by removing some walls where feasible and raising the roof to the original joists. The ideas of open concept 1970s kitchen remodel has impact when we straighten the circulation to the Dining space and borrow a window or add a skylight to provide balanced daylight. I will have one nostalgic touch such as a pattern of mosaic floor or tongue and groove ceiling board and match it with new slab cabinetry to create a stark contrast. Electrical and HVAC upgrades are important in these homes and I do not mind new lighting circuits to overlay pendants, recessed cans and toe kick strips without glare. The last room is modern and does not disrespect the bones of the period.
I detail an island that opens up to the Living room with waterfall ends in durable quartz and a cooktop in the middle of the island to social cook, and a vents ceiling hood that is quiet. Cabinet front changes to rift cut oak or walnut with pulled-in nods to midcentury but without retro. I have a full height backsplash, stacked white tile or handmade zellige, to add texture, and I have rolled out a tall pantry to replace the former broom closet. There are an induction, a counter depth fridge, and wall oven with a separate microwave drawer to clear the sightlines. In the case of colour, I add rich green or deep blue to the island to stabilize the long 1970 spans.
I have come to understand that 1970s framing will tend to conceal the unexpected, and therefore I make plans in case of beam support when dismantling walls, particularly in split level and raised ranch versions. In cases where a complete removal is constrained by structure, I change the remaining span into a wide cased span which still provides open sightlines without disruption of load paths. I also spend on upgrading the windows to accommodate the modern energy requirements, which makes it so comfortable at the Dining table during winter.
To complete this section I would include an entry bench that would also hold shoes and a coffee bar behind pocket doors to pay tribute to breakfast nooks of that time and soundproof the walls with acoustic panels should the new room get lively during parties.
Closed Concept Kitchen Remodel Designs For Cozy And Functional Spaces
A closed concept kitchen remodel is an appropriate design that fits the cooks who prefer to get less distractions, little noise and high performance in cooking without the smells coming into a Living room. I do these rooms with an apparent triangle between sink, range, and fridge and with the door having a sight line to the Dining area to allow passing plates with ease. The need of fresh air and task light makes windows essential and I usually have a transom borrowing more light in the neighboring rooms. Wall space is a storage opportunity, hence the complete height cabinets and shallow hutch are used to showcase daily dishes without crowding prep areas. The climate is relaxing, concentrated, and comfortable during extended simmers.
A framed painted door with plain rails is used in cabinetry, a warm butcher block or honed granite to provide tactile contrast, and a handcrafted tile backsplash to provide visual richness. My priorities are a deep single bowl sink, air switch on the disposer and tall pullout on the oils that are close to the range. Two or three regularly used pans can be suspended on a ceiling-mounted rack, with little used objects residing in the base drawers with peg organization. There is also under cabinet LEDs of 3000K at warm clarity and a flush mount with a large diffuser to prevent shadows. The ventilation increases to an external blower which is used to maintain noise and circulate serious air.
In my professional life, I have found closed rooms to be easier and more effective at weekday cooking, and I have heard of many individuals who thought they needed open concept to realize that there is a degree of privacy to enjoy. I place counters at regular heights to have continuous runs and the corner solutions that do work, not the lame attempts at lazy susans. In case a client reads or writes at the kitchen table, I drop one pendant with a circular light beam to allow the room to be used in two functions without the need to be overcrowded with visuals.
A Dutch door on the backyard to quick snip herbs, a built-in message center behind a cabinet door, and a small rolling cart that will park in a spot and come out during holiday baking marathons would be the additions to this list.
Kitchen Remodel Open Concept Inspirations For Bright, Airy Interiors
To achieve light and airy rooms I make the windows, reflective surfaces and controlled vision lines aligned to make the kitchen and Dining room look like one continuous space. A remodel open concept kitchen succeeds on a proportional island, tall windows or a stretch slider, and a limited palette that allows daylight to do the design. I install ceiling height cabinets where storage is gold and offset the remainder with open shelves or a shallow shelf to ensure that the top half of the room is not clogged. Floors lead out of the Living room without step-ups, and I would not use heavy soffits to make the ceiling look clear and high. What is left is a room that can be photographed and functions even better in real life.
I give a prep sink, dishwasher on the working side, a seating ledge in front of the Living room, and pendant lights with the size to the length of the island that give a perfect balanced light. The backsplashes remain pale and with a slight glossiness, the counters are light yet veined to move, and the appliances are hidden behind the panels whenever feasible. The short uppers were substituted with a tall pantry with an interior drawers and a hidden charging drawers to ensure that tech does not land on the counter. Minimal roller shades are used as window treatments, and plants are used to soften corners so as to create a soothing biophilic layer. The Dining table is placed as close to a window as possible to get as much light in the morning as possible and to minimize using overheads.
Based on experience, daylight is the most economical luxury in remodeling and my approach would focus on maximizing it prior to installation of fixtures. To prevent glare, I have mirrors or other reflective artwork in front of windows, mid-twoned upper wall colors, and matte flooring. Even in peaceful rooms, ventilation is an issue and I choose a hood that is effective at slower speeds so as not to ruin conversations.
My additions to this idea would be a built in bench by a window with linens drawers, a ceiling outlet to allow a future mobile and a thin glass cabinet to display an edit of the pieces without the room looking heavy.
Kitchen Remodel Not Open Concept – Embracing Separation With Style
My closed concept kitchen remodel begins with mapping the natural limits that help to prepare food in a calmer and cleaner environment. I maintain the primary prep area closed but I frame oversized cased openings to the other spaces so that the kitchen does not feel open to the outside. To achieve acoustical control and ventilation, I use interior windows, glazed pocket doors or reeded glass to pass light. I prefer to focus task lighting to make parties such as counters, range, and sink bright and the rest of the house to be relaxed. The design is appropriate in older houses and also in the contemporary families, who want to have a visual order in their houses during a hectic weekday.
My solid working triangle is defined as one with a working range of 30 to 36 inches, a single-bowl sink that is deep, and a counter-depth fridge that is set behind a partial-height wall. I include a 24 inch pull-out pantry adjacent to the fridge, a baking station with a slab of tough quartz, and a message niche against the entry door keys and chargers. I have full-height cabinets to the ceiling with plain slab doors and a plate rack or glass uppers on the non cooking wall, so that the room does not look heavy. I have a small bistro or banquette in a bay or alcove rather than an island seating to avoid conflicts on traffic. The low profile of hardware remains low, and I strike a balance between warmth and a wood floor and matte enamel range hood.
Experience has taught us that a closed plan is a blessing to cooks who do not like congestion and noise intruding into conversation. I hear a lot of complaints about the resale value, but considerate parting is not old fashioned, but meant to be so when there is good light and circulation. I observe NKBA guidelines on safe clearances and landing areas to ensure functionality is not compromised and I provide a pass-through when customers want to have their meals fast to the dining table. When you love the odorous food preparation, it is just more reasonable to use an enclosed plan along with a high-capture hood to improve the quality of the air inside the home. Maintenance is also simpler to me since mess is left behind by a single door until it is cleaned.
To complete this part, I would include a tip concerning transitional openings that have the ability to slide or fold. By also incorporating two 8 foot pocket doors with clear glass, I will be able to switch between intimate and semi open within a few seconds, a clever trade off in mixed-use homes.
Townhouse Kitchen Remodel Open Concept For Urban Efficiency
In an open concept design of a townhouse kitchen remodel, I design around long and narrow lines, with circulation on one side of the kitchen, ensuring that the cooking lane is never obstructed. I only eliminate tactical partitions to expose sight lines between the entrance and the Living room, and at least one wall of the storage remains tall to house tall cabinets. My ideal kitchen design is a single-wall with a parallel dining table or a narrow peninsula that does not steal space. I play light and daylight using glossy tiles and paler cabinet finishes and then bring depth in the plan using a darker wood floor. The outcome is a unified social space that is bigger than it is.
In case of fixtures, I apply a 30 inch induction range, a counter-depth French-door fridge between high pantry units, and a 24 inch panel-ready dishwasher to ensure that the lines remain clean. A 12 to 16 inch deep floating shelf strip over the backsplash can be used to keep day to day dishes without walling up the wall. My combination is a narrow peninsula with waterfall ends to provide strength, leaving 42 inches of aisle to the seating side. Pendant lights are in line with the window mullions, and a linear ceiling light illuminates the long run to achieve balance. I will set a small dry bar or coffee station over at the dining end, such that morning traffic is not involved in the cooking core.
I have studied that townhouse proportions do not reward maximum but restraint. By maintaining the plan basic and the materials similar in kitchen, dining, to the lounge the space translates into a single room of serenity. When your house is an open concept 90s kitchen remodeling, then I frequently substitute burdensome soffits and brief uppers with complete-height millwork and built-in trim to get a clean modern taste. In an older building, you can add a feature without being visually noisy; borrow such details as thin shaker rails or beadboard backs. It is the trick of remaining true to the long and townhouse beat.
In case something is lacking here, I would include acoustic area rugs and soft window treatments. The issue of echo taming is considered in an urban open layout; therefore, I would design a carpet beneath the dining area and draped fabric on the seating area to minimize bounce without compromising the clean appearance.
Kitchen Remodel Open Concept With Island For Family-Friendly Designs
In designing a kitchen remodel open concept with island, I consider the island as the main base of cooking, homework, and casual meal. I make it at least 36 x 84, with 42 inches of clearance on the working sides, and 48 inches on the seating aisle in case of comfort. I would only place the sink or cooktop on the island when ventilation and safety are practical to your home otherwise I would place the range on the wall and make the island a prep and serving area. I have the seating toward the Living room such that there is a directional flow of conversation across the spaces. Family homes are a plus in good sight lines to the backyard or play area.
I include a prep sink with a pull-down faucet, a knife block drawer, and trash-recycle pull-outs as part of one pivot of the main cutting area on the island. I would choose a rough top of quartz or sintered stone with rounded sides and a 12-inch overhang on the stools. On the perimeter, I would have a vented induction range, a noisy-silent dishwasher close to the main sink, and a tall storage wall enclosing the fridge and a double-oven or microwave oven. I turn lights ON and OFF with cans to work, pendants to create the atmosphere and undercabinet LED to provide shadows-free surfaces. The flooring is continued to the seating area to facilitate that open, island open feeling.
As a practical matter, an open island layout renders weekday cooking sociable; however, it requires organization and orderliness with mess. I would always make sure that there is hidden charging drawers and a postage slot within a tall cabinet to ensure that the top remains calm. Families that cook frequently will have a second dishwasher, or a full-height pull-out pantry that is located on the island end as a snack. When you like having parties, have a drink fridge at the far end of the stool so that the guests can serve themselves without stepping into the cook area. An island is the most versatile furniture element when you get the plan right.
A shallow back panel with hook-inbuilt rails and a shelf behind the stools is one of the progressions that I would make. It keeps the napkins, pencils and coasters at hand and eliminates the normal scatter across the counter which helps the space to look clean during the day.
Kitchen Dining Room Remodel Open Concept For Seamless Entertaining
To remodel a kitchen dining room into an open concept, I design an open flow of the kitchen to the serving to the table to make hosting a smooth affair. I place the dining table slightly at the end of the corner or the peninsula, leaving four feet of service lane through which trays and chairs can move. I frequently suspend the ceiling plane lightly using beams or paint to outline the table space with no walls. I will have shared lighting logic to ensure that the dimming of the dining pendants also extends to the kitchen to ensure that the entire room remains interconnected to the guests. The layout is applicable in modern houses and in traditional apartments that would desire a better flow.
I would select a heavy (long-lasting) and easy-clean dining table finish and combine it with upholstered chairs capable of holding family dinners. The far wall has sideboards or tall hutches, which store linens, plates, and glassware, and a narrow console that can be expanded to serve as a buffet when a party is being hosted. The kitchen also has wide drawers of pots, cutlery, and serving tools placed next to the dining side of the island. I also indicate a warming drawer on one side of the table in case of frequent entertainments, and a low-key speaker system to play background music. The flooring is the same to provide continuity and a large area rug underneath the table provides warmth and silence.
Open layout is best hosted when the mess disappears within a short time period, and in that case, I would go with a deep single sink with a high partition on the front facing the dining panel island. In case your house is Split level or Split foyer, I cut shallow niche in the stairs side to form a built in bar or display, that opens up the vertical connection and provides the guests with a landing area. The first recommendation to repeat that I heard in the leading design magazines is to have a classic material palette and leave the color of the season to the table setting. In that manner the room looks refined all year round and not in need of continual redecoration.
The finishing of this section would include a centered ceiling mounted outlet with a hooked canopy to ensure pendants over the dining table can be changed or raised and lowered with ease. That little flexibility allows the space to be flexible with your changing needs of entertaining.
Small Ranch Kitchen Remodel Open Concept For Compact Homes
Remodel an open concept with a small ranch kitchen, I typically take out a short non-load bearing wall between the Living room and the Kitchen and have a low pony wall or narrow peninsula wall to provide a semblance of separation. I maintain the circulation on the exterior wall to leave the center open to an island or table, according to width. Since ranch house plans tend to be small, I use taller cabinets and few open shelves to perform storage without cluttering it. I adopt a uniform and light floor to extend the view between the entrance and the backyard. The impact is light, functional, and just right to live with.
I prefer a 24 inch pantry pull-out adjacent to the fridge, a microwave drawer in the peninsula, and a 30 inch induction range that has drawers underneath to store pans. In case the room is too narrow to install a full island, a table-height extension of 16 to 18 inches at the peninsula can be used to sit two people without making the aisles narrow. I put sconces close to the sink window, narrow pendants above the peninsula, and undercabinet LED to ensure that prep areas are bright. The leaning and efficient appliances are usually smaller in size 24-30 inches such that they do not eat into the counter runs. The seating is turn-taking on portable stools hence easy to clean.
In updating a ranch home, I occasionally base my thoughts on open concept 1970s-remodeled kitchen concepts and use them with enhanced ventilation, acoustics, and storage. When your scheme is inclined to a split ranch kitchen re-model open plan, I apply a half-height rail or open shelf to span levels without disrupting sight lines. I have also discovered that warm woods coupled with light white walls make small spaces inviting rather than unfriendly. With a Lot Large Enough, a shallow bump-out can gain you a valuable 24 inches that will change work, but even without it, clever millwork works hard.
The only thing I could add to this list would be a full-height broom and utility cabinet by the back door. In small ranch houses, it is better to leave vacuums and mops in the closet to preserve the natural appearance and maintain the daily routine in a straight line.
90s Kitchen Remodel Open Concept Makeovers For A Fresh Look
I begin by considering the traditional 90s footprint with its U-shaped work area, half wall, and ductile soffit that rob height. The goal is to remodel a 90s open concept remodel kitchen, maintaining workflow efficiency, and enhancing views of the living room. I also de-clutter spaces by cutting upper cabinets at corners, elevating or eliminating soffits, and substituting an in-the-way peninsula with a sleek, low-lying island where people can eat casually. I prefer to position the newly added island next to the big window or in the middle of a range wall to ensure that the room feels even to all sides. Where I can I enlarge the cased opening to the dining room to invite an easy loop and a lighter, more airy feel.
In furnishings and finishes I use simple and touchable palette to allow the architecture to speak. I select a flat panel cabinet in warm white or light oak, quartz counters in a soft vein, and a full height slab backsplash to allow lines to be relaxed through the open view. I request a flush ceiling hood or a shallow canopy to open the sight line and I install the island with counter stools that slip completely underneath. Task lighting is provided by slim undercabinet LEDs and two slightly quiet pendants that are not overstated like those found in most islands. I furnish the living room connection with a low console and a rug which reiterates the island wood tone.
Ideas experience indicates that 90s houses react to Ideas remove wall open as long as there have been some prior management of structure and ventilation. I have observed how homeowners get improved family interaction and more generous cooking space simply by removing one wall of the return and replacing the peninsula with an island. I adhere to National Kitchen and Bath Association guidelines on clearances and prep space to ensure that the room works as well as it appears. I think the most effective upgrades maintain a hint of 90s flavor such as a brick fireplace or an arched window but streamline profiles to make them easier to read. The outcome is something old but undoubtedly modern.
Sound control is what I typically put here, as open spaces have an echo. I also add to it a fabric runner on the gully path, and lined window treatments and soft seating to reduce noise between the kitchen and living room. I will also design an in-drawer to charge my counters and a message panel by the fridge to ensure that they do not clutter the doors with reminders. When the ceiling is repaired by cutting off soffits, I create one shallow beam to help cosmetically join the living room and kitchen together. I would also suggest a dimmer plan allowing you to set the bright prep lighting and softer diner lighting without trial and error.
Open Concept Kitchen Remodel Ideas That Define 2026 Trends
The next wave of open concept kitchen remodel ideas that I sketch involves laying emphasis on zoning rather than a single large void. I still define prep, cooking, clean-up, coffee, and display spaces and connect them with a continuous counter and consistent lighting so that the space still appears open. I frequently propose an open concept kitchen remodel with island which serves as a serving station to the dining area and a breakfast station on busy mornings. I prefer broad traffic lanes and a pocket or glass slider capable of collapsing when required to create the moment of a closed concept kitchen remodel. This is an adaptive way of thought that honors the real life with children, pets and home based work.
I mark cabinet runs which conceal operation but glorify materials. I prefer built-in pulls, front-mounted appliances, and one accent like a ribbed piece of wood island or a stone apron sink. The curved edges are put in seating to make them comfortable and enhance circulation and outlets under the overhang are provided in the island open to allow laptops and mixers to pass through. In metals, I combine warm stainless with brushed nickel or worn-out brass in small amounts so that the room does not seem crowded with other elements. The flow is not interrupted by floors that remain the same into the dining and living room.
Trendy does not necessarily mean short lived. I retain the time-honored support – natural wood, stone-appearing quartz, and restrained color, and provide 2026 taste with lighting and hardware, which can be modified in the future. When your house is leaning mid century, you borrow open concept 1970s kitchen remodel such as slab doors, long pulls, and an adorable tile at the coffee bar. In case your house is more classic, I do not take away molding but make it lean, to preserve character. The optimal open plan is that which could be tuned as life evolved.
What I contribute to this section is a plan on micro zones that could serve dining living room remodeling ideas without being cluttered. I incorporate a shallow buffet along the dining wall equipped with hidden drawers that warm the food. I bring a small round table close to the island to do kids homework which can also expand the number of guest seating. I also prewire the eventual pendants and a ceiling fan box towards the boundary of the living room in case you would like to add air movement on the road. I also plan a recycling pullout at the back door to make daily operations easier.
Split Ranch Kitchen Remodel Open Concept For Timeless Functionality
In a split ranch or raised ranch I would look at the changes of the levels and the head heights and the railing lines that regularly separate the kitchen and the living room. A split ranch kitchen remodel open to the structure still allowing fairly clean sight lines over the entire main floor is my objective. I keep pony walls down to rail height or use open metal balusters so the kitchen may seem bigger without eliminating all obstacles. I center the sink or range to face the living room and so the cook does not lose touch and I expand the stair landing door to allow in more light. With tight budgets, even the remodel open concept of a small ranch kitchen can be dramatic in terms of how the openings are made and the use of lighting.
In fixtures I like small, working items reduced to the size of the ranch house. My chosen specifications include 30 inch range in a high-powered, silent hood, counter depth fridge to allow wide aisles, and a single large sink with an inbuilt cutting board to prepare any type of food. Cabinetry extends to the ceiling to get as much storage as possible and make the island open enough to maintain safe stair clearances. I match stair treads and the island wood to a tone to create one composition. A continuous runner connects the way leading up to the entry and the ranch home kitchen and down to the split foyer.
I have transformed numerous ranch home kitchens with straightforward placement of items bringing substantial lifestyle improvement. I think that it would be a good idea to have some remnant of wall along the stair to assist in the arrangement of furniture in the living room and minimize the noise of cooking moving down to the lower floors. Split level homes are rewarding of disciplined lighting – I stack small recessed can, a flush mount above the work aisle, and a pair of small pendants to cause the ceiling to feel relaxed. The space is a classic canvas and not a trend item.
I usually include a small drop zone at the top of the staircase since ranch and split level entrances accumulate bags and shoes. To ensure that no clutter ever settles on the island, I combine a shallow cabinet including hooks, a charging nook, and a mail-slot. My other plan is under stair pantry that is reached through the kitchen side provided there is space in the structure. Finally I design baby gates or half height glass to ensure pets are not exposed to the stair opening without obscuring the view.
Innovative Ideas To Remove Walls And Create Open Flow Layouts
Loads, duct runs, plumbing, and electrical so Ideas Before I touch a wall I make sure I check all these. I collaborate with an engineer to dimension a flush or dropped beam that makes head height liberal and lines small. I prefer to keep a short wall winged in to support some sectional hutch or dining table and to conceal a little kitchen clutter out of the living room. In cases when complete removal is unwise, I cut a wide cased opening that outlines the kitchen as a picture and cuts down on a lot of cost. This style provides open perspectives respecting the skeleton of the house.
The most supportive cast transforms structural choices to design elements. I have a dropped beam wrapped in white oak, which matches the floor, and I do the same to the island legs and the media shelf in the living room. I place the table of dining at the centre of the new aperture and I have two medium-sized pendants to highlight the axis. The flooring proceeds with the same species to avoid thresholds dividing the plan, and a huge area rug outlines the living area. Old walls have eaten up floor space that can be reclaimed by fitting the window wall with built in benches or a shallow banquet.
I observe the effectiveness of wall removals in case we combine openness with intelligent storage. I have a tall pantry bank where a wall used to be and I place a hidden broom closet behind the refrigerator doors. Noise or cooking smells bother you? I have added a pocket or glass slider that can be closed when it is game night but can be hidden most days. Various reliable media outlets advise on high performance ventilation that is the equivalent of your range production and I adhere to the guideline as a way of keeping the air clean. I think that a balanced strategy is better than complete annihilation in most situations in family.
I prefer to introduce visual rhythm back when walls disappear. I do it through ceiling treatment – two shallow beams or a slight coffer – and a switch in lighting scheme between kitchen and dining so areas read well. I will have low level lamp lighting in the living room and dimmable task lighting in the kitchen to regulate mood. I also add an art ledge or a picture rail on the new opening just so that the space can grow without having to drill into the new drywall on many occasions. These contacts turn the openness into something designed and not accidental.
Living Room And Kitchen Remodel Ideas For Cohesive Open Spaces
When I sew the living room and the kitchen together, I use a single color story and floor at the beginning, add the texture to give it personality in each area. My favorite is a remodel open concept kitchen dining room with the island matching the dining table and sofa to support the dining area to create a soft room in a room. In a townhouse, I maintain circulation and vertical view lines in order to make the space feel expansive but not cramped. To have a bigger footprint I push furniture away in front of the walls to form some conversation pockets without obstructing the views of the kitchen. It is aimed at a flexible strategy which operates on a daily basis and expands when required during a gathering.
Decor and furniture selection either makes or breaks cohesion. To avoid the kitchen being hidden behind the back of a sectional, I would select one with a low profile to keep the kitchen in view behind the sectional, a round coffee table to help with traffic flow, and a slim console behind the sofa, which provides lighting and storage. I choose stools at the kitchen which closely mirror the color of the upholstery in the living room and I reuse the same metals in living room lamps or a media cabinet. To be open concept in a townhouse kitchen remodel, I would use a narrow island and have waterfall ends to add some polish but not volume. In a ranch I could include a bigger island to which the long plan could be anchored and to which the linear lines of a ranch house could be echoed.
I frequently draw a comparison between the experience of townhouse and ranch since the same principles apply in varying levels. Townhouse rooms appreciate glass doors, mirrors and tall artworks to extend upwards whereas ranch plans adore long views and robust horizontal lines. In case you tend to lean to a kitchen redesign which is not open concept occasionally, I would recommend broad framed pocket doors between the dining and living areas with the ability to slide without the death of light. This flexibility allows you to have movie night cocooning and weekend open entertaining in the same plan. The room is not fixed to any particular mode.
What I would add to this section is a plan of accessory which would tie zones silently. I use a common palette of the rugs, aligned but not a matching pillows, and one prevailing tone of wood on shelves, stools, and the dining table. I prefer one big art piece on the dining wall that is connected to the backsplash color in the kitchen to enable smooth flow of the eye. To create a living connection, I put some plants in the corners of the living room, and a small herb trough on the kitchen window. These repetitions create the whole floor as a deliberate one.
Dining Living Room Remodeling Ideas That Complement Kitchen Designs
I begin with any combined space with mapping of the movement of meals, conversation, and traffic between the kitchen and the dining room and Living room. In a remodel open concept of a kitchen dining room, I would want visual continuity to be also read as zones, typically through the use of similar flooring and ceiling lines with lighting and flooring used to delineate activity zones. Where a load bearing wall separates rooms, I seek Ideas clear wall open that retain short piers or a cased opening to maintain balance of scale. Sightlines are important, and thus I place the table in line with the axis of the kitchen and the seating section close to the cook. The outcome is a sociable and peaceful plan instead of a disjointed one.
I define a dining table that is relative to the room size, low-profile upholstered chairs which are comfortable, and a sideboard that serves as a serving station. I would prefer a peninsula or a small island in the kitchen that opens into the table and dimmable pendants to reflect the chandelier over the dining. My right-sized sofa, two occasional chairs, a soft rug, and media console in the Living room zone communicate material language with the kitchen cabinetry. Wall color is extended to be unifying but art and decor are by zone. The window treatments remain the same in terms of heading and fabric to ensure the envelope is joined.
Experience teaches that the most useful win is by layered lighting – ceiling cans on different circuits, a statement chandelier at dining height, and lamps in the Living room to eliminate glare in the kitchen. And numerous amateurs say so, and I have the National Kitchen and Bath Association clearance regulations in mind so that chairs will slide back without disturbing the walkways and walkways will stay open. The other coaching I do is to ensure that a client does not place tall storage in the main sight lines to ensure that the dining table is not crowded. In case of doubt, I put painter tape on the floor to test furniture footprints before purchasing.
To reinforce this part, I would include a unmistakable storage strategy of little gadgets which otherwise spread to the eating credenza. I would also add tips on sound control such as area rugs and drapery to absorb echo in larger open volumes.
Raised Ranch Kitchen Remodel Open Concept For Modern Families
Kitchens in a Raised ranch are frequently located on the upper level overlooking the split stair with a partial wall to the dining area. My approach to open concept kitchen remodel is to open that wall half or all the way, still maintaining structure and railing safety. The idea is to have a sunny, connected room that does not have the cooking mess and smell cleared. I make the sink or range face the family area in such a way that I remain able to watch without turning my back. In cases where there is a low ceiling, I apply flush mounts and lighter finishes on the cabinets to make the upper level airy.
I would prefer a peninsula which runs out of the previous wall line and has three seating positions, a counter-depth fridge to cushion circulation, and a slide-in range to prevent heavy visual blocks. The cabinetry remains shallow along the stair overlook as not to make the split foyer below feel enclosed. I put a continuous runner between kitchen and the dining so that people can move around, and I use wide-plank flooring, which makes the Ranch home look wider. Faucets, railing details, and hardware are of the same finish to give the envelope a deliberate feel.
The families have discovered that mud-zone storage around the upper landing, a bench and hooks at least, is welcome. Another thing I do is to plan a message center at the stair to intercept the mail and gadgets to keep the peninsula clean. Several converted ranch homes have skylights or solar tubes, and this is among the most valuable improvements since the upper levels may be light-impaired.
I would include here instructions on how to vent, as older Ranch house roof lines make a duct run difficult. In case the budget permits, I would have a quiet, well-ducted hood, and I would also specify sealed can lights to shield the thermal envelope.
Split Level Kitchen Remodel Open Concept For Multi-Zone Living
Split level homes offer meticulous zoning due to up and down steps in floors surrounding the kitchen. I am open to other spaces in the kitchen and maintain a slight separation on the level change to ensure that it is never perceived as one large echoing hall. In multi-zone living, I prefer partial height walls or open railings that make edges but do not stop light. It is here that ideas of open concept kitchen remodel shine, and here also, kitchen remodel not open concept might still be the correct choice in a single wall that encloses cabinetry. I also make frequent allusions to open concept 1970s kitchen remodel designs, as most splits were built in that time period and I occasionally make reference to open concept layouts of the 90s kitchen remodel designs by updating them with modern storage and tech.
The furnishings begin with a central island or a peninsula that is aligned with the stair sightline with the continuity of the line of sight being the same way as the dining table. I incorporate built-ins around short walls to leverage odd angles and I use bench seats where clearances narrow at the level transitions. The lighting can be followed in sequence- linear pendants over the island, a low chandelier at dining and wall sconces at stair heads to be on the safe side. The flooring is altered at the step, which is used to maintain integrity with the visual plane. By zone, art and paint become a bit cooler or warmer to signal functionality.
In my view, Split level homes have an advantage of acoustics planning over flats. I define fabric-covered panels or additional-soft furniture to make a conversation pleasant between levels. Generously wide walkways are recommended by many designers, and I concur – I keep the aisles wide enough to ensure no one feels pressured when crossing the levels. I also avoid tall cabinets along stair landings to guard vision and the security.
I would also include a brief checklist on structure and code at level changes, e.g. railing height, lighting at treads and where to break cabinet runs in to allow clearance of a handrail.
Island Open Concept Kitchens That Redefine Gathering Spaces
An island turns into the social center, therefore I am going to make it a furniture, workstation and room divider in one. In a remodel open concept kitchen with island, I arrange seats facing the conversation zone to create prep areas that allow the cook to have a conversation with the expected audience. I scale island to the footprint to ensure it does not impress small rooms or lose in Large volumes. I make the surface of the island robust and simple to clean and I stabilize it with lights that create a warm feeling. Traffic is also contained in the island due to its assistance in directing one through a clear route, entry to the dining area.
I furnish the island daily tool drawers, a pull-out bin in prep, and an optional microwave or beverages fridge on the living side. The work triangle can be kept efficient by a prep sink on the corner, in case the plumbing permits it. I attach waterfall ends when I need a contemporary appearance or open shelving on the living side to use cookbooks and baskets when I want softness. Benches are provided to sit longer on stools and the main chairs at dinner deal with formal meals. Islands hardware and lighting are repeated with metals to complete the picture.
In practice, I discover that the happiest island designs right-size overhangs and legroom in such a way that the knees are comfortable and the stools fit in. Most of the professionals suggest that one should have task lighting at about eye level in sitting position and I adjust dimmers to ensure the island is lit and does not brighten up the room too much. I also organize outlets such that small appliances does not sprawl all over.
I would include a comment regarding ventilation and sightlines in installing a cook top on the island. In case a hood will break the sight, I would go with the perimeter cooktop with the island as a prep and serving area.
Ranch House Kitchen Remodel Open Concept With Natural Light
The building of a ranch house typically provides long exterior walls and a lot of backyard exposure and I take the advantage to open up to daylight in the kitchen. I open the kitchen to the dining/Living room in which it assists light travel and I frame the outside with broader patio doors or a new window over the sink. With a remodel open concept of a small ranch kitchen, I keep upper cabinetry light and focus on tall storage in one area to retain window wall space. Where more glass is required in the plan, I would think of a shallow bay or a clerestory that does not interfere with the roofline. The goal is a sunny, interconnected Ranch that nevertheless remains serene and functional.
I locate the main working area where the brightest wall is located so that work can be nice in daytime. Furniture is plain (rectangular table that does not obstruct the paths of light), stools are slender and have slim profiles, and a soft carpet that marks the living area, which does not darken the ground. The material approaches lean natural – white oak, quartz with a light texture, and weaved fabrics reflecting the garden view. Evening warmth is provided by lighting layers since the room will not depend solely on daylight. The window dressing is kept sparse to ensure that the amount of light is not limited.
I believe that privacy and glare planning were of equal significance as addition of glosses. I apply solar shades that regulate the amount of heat entering the house, but still allow the views, and exterior shading on the west exposures. Designers will usually recommend the same flooring to reflect light, and I concur, the longer the line the room is the brighter.
To complete this section I would include a reminder to design HVAC registers and return air at the time of opening walls as the airflow varies by new daylight openings and furniture arrangement.
Split Foyer Kitchen Remodel Ideas For Elegant Transformations
Split foyer houses are likely to possess small main floors, short sight lines, and incomplete wall in between the kitchen and Living room that divides the flow. I start by determining what partitions carry a load so a hole or an entire removal can open up kitchen, dining, and entry without visual clutter. Another clever solution to Open space without being too disingenuous when it comes to structure is a half wall with a capped beam. In a room with low ceilings, I prefer continuous flooring and a sedate palette to lengthen the room aesthetically. These moves can shorten the daily flowing in Split level and Split foyer layouts and the entertaining process.
In case of furnishings and fixtures, I would specify a counter depth refrigerator to free up the walkway, and a slender 30 inch range that has a quiet hood. I prefer a peninsula or a small Island open with 12 inch deep stools to eliminate conflicts with stair landing. There are full height pantry pullouts on the entry that receive the groceries quickly and dimmable recessed lighting plus a linear pendant over the peninsula that provide layered light. I prefer low profile cabinet doors, built-in toe kick lighting, and one big sink to economize space on the counter. The spaces are connected by matte porcelain tile or resilient LVP that runs all the way through the foyer and the kitchen.
Experience shows the finest Split foyer solutions are made of precision and not of size. I adhere to NKBA clearances, which means a kitchen with one cook will have a minimum of 42 inches of aisle width, whereas where two people will always pass there will be 48 inches of aisle width. In cases where it is impossible to do away with a complete wall, I have made very good results by making a door-way 60 inches wide, and stuffing a shallow hutch into the old wall line. A bare beam detail with the same painting is used to make the appearance exclusive and elegant. Even little details such as placing the sink at the center of the stair view can transform the room into one that has been crafted.
In order to reinforce this part, I would provide a note on stair code and end of handrails since Split foyer stairs are in proximity to traffic within the kitchen. I also prefer to incorporate a short lighting circuit diagram that segregates task, ambient and accent areas to have the flexibility to use in evening.
Ranch Home Kitchen Remodel Concepts Blending Classic And Modern
Ranch home designs reward expansive, low sight lines and a loose attachment with the backyard, ideal in a small ranch kitchen remodel open concept. I usually begin by matching the kitchen to the patio door in order to grill and serve with ease. In a Raised ranch or Split ranch kitchen remodel open concept, a wall may be removed to preserve conversation lines by retaining only its upper half. With eight-foot ceilings, I put crown higher and a light background to raise the eye. Old and new styles are combined without conflict because of classic window trim and modern flush toe kick.
The kit that I would use is a 36 inch island with drawers, a built in microwave drawer, and a slide in range that maintains the backsplash clean. I will have warm white shaker fronts with slab drawer heads to give a combined classic and modern appearance. Timeless texture is added by wide plank oak floors, an uncomplicated range of plasters and two globe pendants. In case of hardware, blackened bronze bridges are graceful and a single line of open shelf close to the window does not make the wall look heavy. The keys and mail are collected by a small message center at the garage entry without entering the work zone.
In most of the 1960s and 1970s Ranch house plans, a light touch does not interfere with the bones, and modernizes performance. I translate the open concept ideas of the 1970s kitchen remodeling by condensing the lines to the present by enhancing the ventilation system and increasing daylight control. Similarly, I steal what was successful in a 90s open concept remodel of a kitchen, such as bigger islands, but adjust proportions to make aisles safe and seating unrestrictive of the dishwasher. I have discovered that traditional profiles are more likely to get old when combined with lasting quartz and induction cooking. This balance makes the remodel stay down-to-earth rather than fashionable.
A covered porch or pass through window would be the only things that I would add to the plan to complete it since that would make the kitchen the real center. One of the future friendly upgrades that would suit a one-level Ranch home perfectly is a short exterior ramp or zero step threshold.
Large Open Concept Kitchen Remodels For Expansive Homes
In Large homes, generous spaces encourage ambitious composition, and therefore I plan cooking, prep, plating, Dining living room remodeling ideas, and cleanup space first before I even draw any cabinets. The new fashion kitchen remodel with open concept with island as the focus succeeds only when there is an intended and aligned sight line with the Living room and dining. I utilize ceiling planes, placement of rugs, and lighting to establish areas on the plan with no walls, and Open but legible. Big rooms are balanced with tall windows or patio doors opening to the outside. What is left is an impressive and comfortable space to reside in.
A remodel open concept in a kitchen dining room would be a two-island solution to spans that are large. One of the islands is taking care of prep: using a prep sink and undercounter fridge, and the other is taking care of seating and serving buffet. A quiet neutral perimeter cabinets allow the stone to be the focus of attention, and paneled appliances reduce visual noise levels. A combined coffee station, scullery/pantry room and a separate recycling center aid a large kitchen to run efficiently. Walnut accents, plaster hood, and a flush track of adjustable spots are offensive and add the warmness and accuracy.
I frequently observe large rooms that are visually loud and functionally skinny. When there are many cooks, I make it a rule to right size the island to ensure that there is at least 48 inches of clearance on the sides. I also zoned outlets and tasked lighting such that every work area is on its own and bright and useful. In cases where acoustics is a factor, conversation is comfortable using upholstered stools on counter, area rugs, and fabric dining chairs. These enhancements ensure that the open concept kitchen remodelling ideas are luxurious instead of echoey.
I would include a hidden door to a back kitchen in case you have frequent guests as it keeps the main island untouched. An art wall which is just a simple wall between the Living room and the dining room areas can also serve as an effective silent isolator without losing out on the openness.
Townhouse Kitchen And Living Room Remodel For Urban Comfort
Townhouse plans prefer vertical living, and in a remodel of a townhouse, circulation and light are all in a townhouse kitchen open concept. I strive to make the kitchen, dining, and Living room along the wall of the window go as much as possible so daylight enters the entire depth. The advantage of narrow footprints is the tall storage and the slim islands that accommodate two people. Where possible, Ideas may eliminate wall openings and make front parlor connect to kitchen to create a gallery effect. In cases where it is not possible, a broad cased opening maintains character and enhances flow.
I specify a 24 inch dishwasher, counter depth fridge, and slide in range and keep aisles close to 42 inches. The Island that is open at both ends with waterfalls may be used as a breakfast table in a narrow plan. Single niche full height cabinets decrease visual clutter and the mirrored or glossy tiles on the back splash reflect the light further. Layered lighting involves combination of small can lights, small linear pendant and under cabinet strips. The window decorations must be light filtering in order to safeguard privacy without killing daylight.
I retain original trim in historic townhouses and update the envelope to prevent draft wars with your new design. I have also come to understand that calm materials are very important compared to square footage in vertically stacked rooms. The correct remodel of your kitchen dining room in open concept can help you to sit up to four, prepare meals and have a sofa area without banging your heads on one another. I give more emphasis to acoustics using soft goods and rubber underlay beneath engineered wood. That makes the noise of the city a controllable backdrop.
Finishing the picture would involve a shallow pantry where the stair dogleg would make a niche and would plan a compact bar cart rather than a built in bar. Wall mount fold down desk is also a solution to work at home requirements without taking up floor space.
Future-Ready Kitchen Remodel Concepts For Every Home Style
A future ready kitchen extends to offer a balance between energy savings, durability, and flexibility as you choose between a kitchen remodel in open concept kitchen remodel and closed concept kitchen remodel. I begin with envelope upgrades, all induction cooking, a quiet heat pump system, and high CRI LED lighting to ensure the space is comfortable all year round. Storage is adjustable and modular due to the change needs, and I intend to have at least one of the seated workstations. In the older houses I borrow open concept 1970s kitchen remodel concepts or a 90s kitchen remodel open concept and enhance them with improved acoustics and intelligent zoning. This is the outcome in Ranch home, Split foyer, Split level, and Townhouse plans.
My default kit will comprise of a panel ready fridge, a downdraft induction range/hob or an efficient ceiling cassette, and a heat pump dryer in case the laundry is on the same floor. I include filtration faucet, recycling and compost station and modernized appliance pullouts like air fryers. The surfaces have been made durable on quartz, sintered stone or sealed terrazzo and floors with oak, cork or porcelain. Sensors of occupancy in the pantry, smart dimmers, and app based leak detection do away with headaches. Island end and in-drawer outlets future proof charging requirements.
In my opinion, the coming decade will be biased towards versatile layouts over radical shapes. In other families that includes a remodeling of the kitchen that is not open concept with a huge interior window to regulate the noise without losing contact. In others it is part-openness, which is characterized by a cased opening that delimits rooms but maintains the plan Open to everyday life. I track NKBA landing space guidelines around cooking and cleaning areas and place task lights in areas where hands are at work. That blend of comfort, safety and efficiency is aging well.
To complete, I would incorporate conduit or surface raceways to facilitate future wiring and hinges and slides with high cycle ratings. An annual inspection of sealants, filters, caulk, etc. is a mere checklist that keeps the room working like it did in the beginning.
