Split level kitchen knock through

[ChloeCC]

I'm looking for some opinions / experiences on knocking through from a dining room to a kitchen that's at a lower level (about two foot). We haven't bought the property but we're looking at one. It has two steps down into the kitchen.

The property is a three-bed 1930s semi. Does anyone have any experience of doing this to create a big family kitchen? Any photos?

I'm wondering about how easy it might be to move gas / plumbing etc. from one level to another, and specifically, how you might have dealt with the split level situation. Raising a floor? Keeping the steps?

Any thoughts welcome.

Not done it myself, but I can think of two examples.

In one there is a glass balustrade along the drop, with a gap for the two steps at one end. So the dining room (upper level) is still physically separated from the lower kitchen, but it all feels lovely and spacious. Whoever is in the kitchen feels more part of everything than before and the dining room is now used all the time (for eating, but also for kids' activities while M or D cook) and it is so much lighter. With the balustrade, there is no danger of accidentally falling off the top or pushing a chair back from the table and crashing down. It works.

The second one looks lovely, but makes me nervous. Where the wall was, and where the level change now is, there are two full width wooden steps. It looks lovely, but I am always on edge thinking someone will forget they are there, or will slip, as the wood is beautifully shiny. As far as I know, there have been no accidents, so maybe I am over cautious, but I do think it is an accident waiting to happen.

This is interesting as ideally this is what I would like to do eventually to our house as well. Our dining room has a pretty high ceiling so for us what I can imagine doing is knocking through then raising the floor of the dining room so it is level with the kitchen. I don't actually know if it is possible though, or how costly it would be. Too expensive for us to consider whilst we have nursery fees anyway!

@Merryhobnobs

This is interesting as ideally this is what I would like to do eventually to our house as well. Our dining room has a pretty high ceiling so for us what I can imagine doing is knocking through then raising the floor of the dining room so it is level with the kitchen. I don't actually know if it is possible though, or how costly it would be. Too expensive for us to consider whilst we have nursery fees anyway!

When you start raising floors it can get costly, because windows are suddenly too low!

To be honest, what I'd really like is for someone who's already done it, in a similar property to show me images. I like the idea of the long steps down into the extra bit of kitchen. Windows pose a problem in the dining room bit too - they're likely too low for a kitchen sink and bench - it's all very complicated!

I've just done this to my little Victorian terrace,where the kitchen is 2 steps down.
Son and I knocked some wall down to open up the space and then I had to get an electrician,plasterer and a chap to lay a meter of laminate. I also found a cellar hatch ( under the stairs,hidden by carpet!).
All done on the cheap ( £500) but has opened up the space

@kerkyra

I've just done this to my little Victorian terrace,where the kitchen is 2 steps down. Son and I knocked some wall down to open up the space and then I had to get an electrician,plasterer and a chap to lay a meter of laminate. I also found a cellar hatch ( under the stairs,hidden by carpet!). All done on the cheap ( £500) but has opened up the space

Kerkyra! Thanks so much for doing that - it's really helpful. Your house looks lovely by the way. xc