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Kitchen Design Dilemma

5 replies

LexiMia · 03/06/2025 14:09

Hi all,

I’m hoping for some design help and experiences from anyone who’s faced a similar situation.

We’ve recently moved into a 1930s house that we’re fully renovating. As part of the plans, we’ve already removed the wall between what was the kitchen and dining room (see attached floor plan). The original idea was to move the kitchen to the larger side (current dining room) for a more open, functional layout. To make that work, we also planned to remove the chimney breast in that room.

However, our neighbours have raised strong objections and are likely to dissent on the Party Wall Notice, making the chimney breast removal potentially complicated and costly. Now we’re rethinking everything and wondering if we should just keep the kitchen on the smaller side—closer to the utility room.

Has anyone kept their kitchen in the smaller part of a 1930s layout and made it work well? I’m struggling to visualise how it would fit comfortably, and whether it would feel cramped long term. Ideally, we want a modern, open-plan feel, but we’re trying to be realistic.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s tackled this sort of challenge—was it worth fighting for the space, or did you find a good workaround that didn’t involve major structural work?

Thanks in advance!

Kitchen Design Dilemma
OP posts:
Heronwatcher · 03/06/2025 14:20

A couple of questions- is the gap in the wall to the left the entrance to the utility? And were you planning on opening up the wall into the lounge or not?

competentadult · 03/06/2025 14:42

Can't you keep the chimney breast and incorporate it into your kitchen design, as part of a dining area?

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 03/06/2025 15:01

How about you open up the chimney breast and put the oven with extractor above in there with a lintel to support what remains? Plan the rest of the kitchen around that.

Seaside3 · 03/06/2025 21:10

OK, where is your kitchen now and where do you want it?

Silvertulips · 23/08/2025 23:34

The best one i saw was large floor to ceiling cupboards either side of the chimney and the fire place had seating - then the kitchen the other side. The space looks quite large

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