A kitchen remodel can completely transform the heart of your home. This week’s featured kitchen is an excellent example of how opening up walls and reworking the layout created a more inviting and functional space for the homeowners. Let’s take a look at how this first-floor renovation went from cramped and closed-off to open and full of light.
Overview of the Original Kitchen Layout
The original kitchen layout had a number of issues that made the space feel small and disjointed:
- It was closed off from the rest of the first floor by walls on three sides. This isolated the kitchen and made it feel cramped.
- The work triangle between the sink, stove, and refrigerator was inefficient. The refrigerator was too far away from the other workstations.
- Cabinets and countertops were dated. The limited counter space and storage was inadequate for a family kitchen.
- Appliances were old and needed upgrading. The homeowners wanted to install more modern, energy-efficient appliances.
- Lighting was poor. The kitchen had a single ceiling fixture which cast shadows and made the dark cabinetry seem even darker.
- Ventilation was inadequate. The lack of a hood vent or updraft ventilation caused grease and odors to linger.
- Traffic flowed through the kitchen to get to other rooms, disrupting cooking tasks.
Clearly, a layout change was needed to fix these issues and help the kitchen function better for this family.
Goals for the New Kitchen Layout
The homeowners had several goals in mind for their kitchen remodel:
- Open up the kitchen to the living and dining rooms to create better flow.
- Improve the work triangle so appliances and workstations are in an efficient configuration.
- Increase counter, cabinet, and storage space.
- Upgrade appliances for better performance.
- Add more lighting layers for brightness and visibility when prepping and cooking.
- Improve ventilation to clear away grease and odors.
- Create designated traffic flow that doesn’t interfere with the workstations.
Achieving these goals would require significant structural changes and a completely new kitchen footprint. The existing layout simply could not be adapted to meet the homeowner’s needs and preferences. Starting from scratch with a new first-floor plan was necessary.
Creating an Open Concept Floor Plan
The most important part of the remodel was opening up the kitchen to the other living spaces. This was accomplished by:
- Knocking down walls between the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
- Adding a wide pocket opening with no door, allowing complete access between spaces.
- Removing soffits over the cabinet runs so the ceiling would feel higher.
- Installing a long kitchen island that visually separates the kitchen from the living room without totally isolating it.
Opening the kitchen enabled clear sight lines between the spaces, making the entire first floor feel larger and brighter. It also improved traffic flow as there was no longer a narrow doorway to pass through.
Natural light from the dining room windows streamed all the way into the new L-shaped kitchen, complemented by the addition of pendant lights over the island. Opening up the floor plan achieved the homeowners’ goals of improving openness, flow, and lighting.
Optimizing the New Work Triangle
With the walls removed, the kitchen could be configured to maximize efficiency. The work triangle is the distance between the main kitchen workstations – the sink, stove, and refrigerator. In an optimal triangle, no leg should be less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet.
In the new kitchen layout, the triangle legs are:
- Sink to stove: 5 feet
- Stove to refrigerator: 7 feet
- Refrigerator to sink: 9 feet
This spacing means cooks can easily move between tasks with minimal wasted steps. The island is also centrally situated so it can augment the work triangle, providing additional prep space.
Positioning the triangle perimeter along the outer walls of the kitchen frees the central area for ease of movement. The remodel achieved the goal of having an efficient, smooth-functioning work zone.
Gaining Storage, Counter, and Cabinet Space
By remodeling the entire kitchen footprint from scratch, the homeowners gained considerable space for storage, counters, and cabinets.
Key gains included:
- A large kitchen island with seating on one side provides a spacious surface for meal prep and casual dining.
- Upper and lower shaker-style cabinets offer plentiful storage options. Wall cabinets go all the way to the 9-foot ceiling for maximized volume.
- Deep lower cabinets accommodate large pans and appliances. Roll-out shelves and interior organizers optimize vertical storage.
- Countertops are 2-inch thick quartz with a waterfall edge on the island. The durable, low-maintenance surface resists scratches, stains, and heat.
- A spacious pantry cabinet provides specialized storage for food items, small appliances, and cooking equipment.
- The farmhouse sink has an apron front and deep single basin design. The large size makes cleaning bulky items like pots easier.
- Recycling and waste bins are built into pull-out cabinet organizers, keeping them out of sight.
By gaining square footage and customizing every aspect of the cabinets and surfaces, the kitchen achieved the homeowners’ goals for storage and workspace.
Installing New High-Performance Appliances
The outdated appliances were replaced with models offering superior function and energy efficiency:
- Range: a 5-burner gas range with a convection oven provides precision temperature control and even baking.
- Microwave: installed at countertop level for ergonomic access, with sensor cooking features.
- Refrigerator: counter-depth for easy access, high-efficiency compressor, fingerprint resistant stainless finish.
- Dishwasher: quiet operation, adjustable racks, sanitizing wash cycle.
- Sink: deep single-bowl apron front design, coordinating soap dispenser, spray faucet.
- Vent hood: chimney style hood with 500 CFM blower capacity to remove smoke, grease, and odors.
Choosing EnergyStar rated appliances ensured they would meet the homeowners’ goals for performance and efficiency. Installing the range, refrigerator and microwave in the improved work triangle positions also enhanced ease of use.
Adding Layers of Lighting
With its previously enclosed layout and single ceiling fixture, the old kitchen was dark and shadowy. The remodel took advantage of several lighting strategies to make the space brighter:
- Ambient lighting: ceiling mounted LED flush fixtures provide overall illumination.
- Task lighting: Undercabinet lighting and recessed cans above the workstations assist with food prep.
- Accent lighting: Pendants centered over the island and above the sink provide focal glows.
- Decorative lighting: Glass fronts on the upper cabinets showcase the dishes and glassware while adding twinkling light.
Using this layered lighting approach achieves the brightness and visibility the homeowners wanted. It also allows them to adjust the lighting based on the task or time of day. The combination of natural light from the windows and varied fixture types make the kitchen much more open, attractive and functional.
Designating Separate Traffic Flow
The old kitchen’s tight L-shaped footprint meant people were constantly walking through the workspace. In the new open concept floor plan, traffic can move independently of the workstations.
- A spacious corridor from the entry hall provides direct access to the dining room, keeping traffic away from the cooktop and counters.
- The island has an overhang at one end for people to walk past without disturbing the cook.
- Cooks can move back and forth from sink to stove easily because the work aisle aligns with the kitchen entrance.
- There is ample space around the perimeter of the room to access seating areas without crossing through the work triangle.
By thoughtfully coordinating traffic patterns based on room entry points and furniture placement, the new kitchen layout succeeds in separating cooking and casual circulation routes. The result is a calmer, less disrupted workspace.
Satisfying Results: A Hit Kitchen Remodel
The homeowners were seeking significant improvements in openness, functionality, storage, appliances, lighting, ventilation and traffic flow. This new first floor plan successfully addressed each issue creatively:
- Peninsulas and a layout extending to the walls opened up sightlines and made the space feel larger and brighter.
- Strategic placement of workstations and the island optimized the kitchen work triangle.
- Cabinetry was expanded and customized to provide abundant storage options.
- Top-of-the-line appliances upgraded efficiency and performance.
- A lighting design marrying natural and fixture lighting created an inviting glow throughout.
- A high-performance chimney vent effectively removes cooking grease and odors.
- Thoughtful kitchen and furniture placement provided dedicated routes for circulation apart from meal prep zones.
Achieving all the homeowners’ goals required starting from scratch with a new first floor footprint tailored to their needs. The end result is a highly functional, beautiful kitchen that will provide lasting enjoyment for years to come. This remodel exemplifies how opening up walls and reworking layout is often the best approach when a kitchen falls short on space, accessibility, and design.
Frequently Asked Questions About First Floor Kitchen Remodels
Kitchen remodels are a major undertaking, especially when layout changes are involved. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about renovating the first floor kitchen footprint:
What are the benefits of opening up the kitchen to other rooms?
Removing walls between the kitchen and adjacent living spaces creates better flow, sightlines, and natural light distribution. This makes the area feel more open, airy, and integrated.
How much does it cost to knock down walls and change the footprint?
Major structural changes like removing walls cost $8,000 to $25,000 depending on the scope. Changes to flooring, lighting, and cabinetry add considerably more. Budget 15-25% of home value.
Should I change the existing footprint or work within it?
Evaluate how well the current layout meets your needs. If it falls short, explore footprint changes to improve work triangle, space, lighting, etc.
What permits are required to renovate load-bearing walls?
Construction permits are required to remove or alter load-bearing walls. Submit plans to ensure the new design meets building codes.
Can I open up the kitchen if I’m not changing the footprint?
Yes, you can remove non-load-bearing walls or replace sections with an open wall, peninsula, or pass-through window.
What workflow, lighting and storage changes make the space more functional?
Optimize the work triangle spacing, add layered ambient, task and accent lighting, and customize cabinetry and storage solutions.
How do I balance openness with definition between living spaces?
Use furniture, flooring changes, and partial walls to delineate spaces while maintaining sightlines and flow.
What design elements can make a small open kitchen feel larger?
Minimize upper cabinets, install reflective surfaces, use glass cabinet doors, opt for lighter colors, and incorporate visual deception techniques.
How do I reduce noise transfer between rooms with an open floor plan?
Sound absorbing materials like carpets, curtains and acoustic ceiling panels can reduce echo and noise transmission between open spaces.
What are the pros and cons of an open kitchen?
Pros include better light, spaciousness, flow, visibility and interaction between living areas. Cons can include more noise and less privacy.
Conclusion
Remodeling an outdated, closed-off kitchen into an open, contemporary space requires rethinking the entire floor plan. For the homeowners featured here, removing walls and creating a new footprint optimized functionality and aesthetics. Their first floor renovation achieved all their goals: openness, better work triangle, increased storage and counters, upgraded appliances, improved lighting and ventilation, and separation of traffic routes from workstations. The result is a kitchen that truly serves as the heart of this home.
While major structural changes have costs, the benefits can be well worth the investment. An open concept floor plan creates a brighter, more inviting space that works better for cooking, entertaining, and everyday family life. If your current kitchen layout falls short, don’t just make cosmetic changes around the edges. Consider a full-scale remodel to transform the space. With strategic renovation guided by a clear vision, you too can enjoy the pleasures of a redesigned first floor kitchen perfectly tailored to your needs.