Kitchen Layout for DS first flat

[skeemee]

My DS just bought his first flat which needs a bit of TLC. He is ripping out existing dated kitchen and removing the two internal stud walls on photo to make one big living/dining/kitchen. Any suggestions for layout?
He has an integrated slimline dishwasher, washing machine and standard oven that he is keeping. He fancies an American fridge/freezer and 5 burner hob that need purchased. He would also like a breakfast bar to sit at, rather than a table.

Any thoughts?

As someone with an open plan house I would think v carefully before removing all walls. We cannot hear the TV when the Kettle boils. Out house is a 3 bed mid terrace of decent size so the noise for him will be worse. Likewise washing machine/tumble.

For space saving I would do oven stack instead of below hob oven. If he is determined to remove the walls I would think about a rail hidden in the ceiling for hanging a thick felt/wool curtain to dampen noise between the areas.

I would also turn the dining are into an office if WFH & would partition it or even build a wall.

NYT real estate section mentioned the ‘cloffice’ last week. Closet turned into an office.

I'd be inclined to keep the wall between the kitchen and dining area, just to keep it a little more separate - it would make a great office space, and walls are handy when needing storage units (free standing or wall hanging). Although I personally hate open plan living, and I'd put a wall up (red line) then take the other two walls done to leave kitchen diner and separate lounge.

The washing machine and dishwasher noise really bugs me in our open plan living room. I would try to avoid it if possible. I see why it's appealing but I'd like to be able to shut the door on the kitchen mess at the end of the day. We're considering putting a wall back up.
And does such such small flat need such a massive fridge-freezer? It will take up a lot of space.

Keep the living room separate! It means if you cook say fajitas or chips, you are sat with the smell wafting over, you don't have to look at kitchen mess etc etc
I've lived in 2 places
One had kitchen/dining room separated by an arch and separate living room, the one i am in now is open plan. I would always always have a separate living space

I totally agree with all your points re keeping separate rooms, but think he wants the open plan room. Also totally agree that an American fridge is too big for a single guy. He has a perfectly serviceable integrated fridge/freezer left by previous owner, but…. his home/his choice I suppose. I have tried to step back from my “interfering mum” role as he should be confident in his own choices 😇

The other option if it's affordable is something like sliding doors so you can separate it and then open as needed

If he's determined to keep it open plan then I would put the kitchen in what is currently the dining room area and maybe have a bit of a wall on the right hand side as you walk in to the open plan room to separate the kitchen a bit so it's not the first thing you see when you walk in. It might help a bit with the noise aspect.

I have an open plan kitchen living and dining area, it has upsides and downsides. Mine is more broken plan so it's zoned into the different areas so it doesn't feel so much like a big box, would it be possible to retain a little bit of wall somewhere to keep a partial division?

My dishwasher is a bosch, it's very quiet it doesn't interfere with watching the telly at all but they are at opposite ends of the room from each other so it's worth thinking about keeping the noisier elements away from the living area.

L shape starting in the dining room and if he wants a breakfast bar instead of a table (why on Earth IMHO??) then it goes where the current wall is between lounge and kitchen. It could even have half depth units on the kitchen side. I would have floor to ceiling storage at the dining room end.

A flat that small doesn't need a hob with 5 rings nor an American fridge

@Justkeeppedaling

A flat that small doesn't need a hob with 5 rings nor an American fridge

Depends how you live I guess. I have an apartment and it has 4 burners which is pretty standard, I would have 5 if I was choosing because I cook a lot! Same for the fridge

Let him get on with it.