Dining room dilemma

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Dining room dilemma

by Rnae
(Bradford IL)

I have an 100 year old home and I want to modernize it with a more open concept.

I am contemplating taking part of the wall out of my kitchen to open it up into the dining room.

What I want to do is then switch the dining room and living room, so the living room would be off the kitchen and the dining room off the living room in the front of the house.

Must the dining room adjoin the kitchen? I don't see why it must but my husband is having a difficult time adjusting to this new layout.

Help! What do you think?

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Dining room dilemma

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Jan 10, 2011
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Creative arrangements - practical issues?
by: Charlotte

Hi Rnae

There are no rules to what you must and musn't do - it is best for you to find the layout that suits you best. And if this layout is the best for you, then that's what you should do!

Having said that, it is usual for the dining room to be next to, or close to, the kitchen - this is because it is safer (hot food and hot liquids) and easier to carry out meals the shortest distance possible.

There is also the danger, if you have to walk through other rooms, of dripping gravy, sauces, liquids, foods etc onto soft furnishings as you pass - and then back again with all the dirty dishes - could be very messy!

There is also the issue of what happens if you want to 'retire to the living room' after a meal without bothering to clear the plates or clean the kitchen - in this circumstance you may be left looking at dirty dishes in your living room!

..although you may well be able to arrange the room to prevent this happening?

This would be less of an issue if the kitchen and dining room were more together and the living room could be separated from these - even just by a small gap, change in lighting etc

If these are not big issues for you, then it's fine to do as you wish with your room arrangement.

If you were ever thinking of selling your home, it may be better to then temporarily 'dress' the room next to the kitchen as the dining room...

...as this is what people would be likely to expect, and, unfortunately, house buyers can be very unimaginative when looking around prospective purchases.

Well done though, for thinking through your room arrangements creatively, and coming up with a different solution that suits your own needs and requirements more appropriately - that's what interior design is all about!!

Good luck with your makeover!

Hope your husband adjusts soon - perhaps you can have the arrangement as a trial run to see if everyone likes it...

...(I'm assuming it's just furniture that will need to change? No permanent fixtures? ...perhaps a color scheme that would work well for both could be used in each room, in case your husband changes his mind?)

Hope that helps

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

Jan 10, 2011
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Dining Room Dilemma
by: Val

Could you post pictures? You would have to be very careful that you aren't tampering with a load-bearing wall and I'm sure there would be other considerations in a 100 year old house, too.

Is the dining space larger, or laid out better than the living space?

How easy would it be to access the dining room in the new location?

Would removing part of the wall solve that problem?

Drawing out a floor plan might help you plan and make decisions.

Let me know how it turns out.

Jan 11, 2011
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Thanks for the input Val :o)
by: Charlotte

Thanks Val - you are quite right - Rnae will need to make sure that she isn't removing a load bearing wall - take the advice of a reputable builder if you aren't sure.

If you'd like to draw a layout plan Rnae (a great idea, Val!) there are instructions on how to do this simply here...

If you'd like to post some photos to the thread, Rnae, just let me know by posting a comment saying so, I already have your email address (from your initial submission), so if that's what you'd like to do, I'll email you and let you know where to email your photos to.

Thank you Val for your excellent suggestions - lots more for you to think about Rnae, which should help you to make the right decision for you.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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Dining room dilemma

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Dining room dilemma