For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

We are preparing to redo our kitchen in the nearish future, but have to make a decision now regarding taking out a wall or not.

We currently have a large formal dining room and a nice size eat-in galley-style kitchen that runs along next to it. There is currently only a single-door sized opening between the dining room and kitchen.

Would you...

A.) Take down the wall between the dining room and kitchen and put an island there instead, making the rooms much more open. If we do this plan, we would also extend the existing wall of cabinets down a bit further, so the eat-in part of the kitchen will become smaller and therefore only have enough room for a bistro-sized table.

B.) Don't take down the wall. Keep the galley layout of the kitchen in order to maximize cabinet space and keep the larger eat-in area of the kitchen. Who needs to open things up when you have an eat-in kitchen and large dining room side-by-side?

I'm a bit torn because I really prefer things to be open, I hate when the kitchen seems isolated from the rest of the house, but I really want as much storage space as possible. Help!

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

Well really it depends on the character of the house. If it is a older home I maybe hesitant to make a complete open floor plan with the dinning room exposed to other rooms. But for a average home that is not super traditional i would open it.

For extra space if you do not use things weekly then put it in the basement/extra closet/attic/garage.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

i prefer an open kitchen - that also seems to be the "trend" these days - i don't know how that will effect re-sale in the future though - you never know, the trend may change back to the old styles so i guess that is something to consider maybe?

i always wanted an island/breakfast bar that looks over into the family room - that way when we have kids i can see them from the kitchen....also when i am entertaining i won't be away from my guests when i go into the kitchen...those are two reason i really like a kitchen that is open....for you, it would be open to the dining room - which again is nice if you entertain a lot...and you may get more use out of your dining room since your kitchen won't be an "eat in" anymore...

i think it depends on what you want more...the extra cabinets and eat in kitchen or more of an open floor plan

Message edited 6/9/2009 10:39:38 AM.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

it really depends on your preference. I think the look of the open kitchen into dining room looks nice, but i prefer the distinction between the 2 rooms.

My mom did her kitchen a few years ago and debating putting a hole in the wall to open up the wall b/w the dining room and kitchen, but decided against it b/c then she was able to put more cabinets and plus she liked having 2 separate rooms. If you don't lose too much storage and like the open-look, then i would open it up.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

I would knock the wall down . Possibly a half wall , that you can still see the dining area but still have the lil sepeartion. I love open kitchen / dining areas. Especially when entertaining IMO

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

i would put in a pass through - that way you get the open feel but still some separation.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

This was our exact dilemma when re-designing our kitchen. we will be starting the demo in a few weeks. We opted to keep the formal dining room because we realized we would not be increasing the amount of space but would lose the formality of our dining room.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

we took down our wall and it's one thing that most buyers coming to look comment on that they really like.

as for storage...you might be surprised at how efficient new cabinets are. I lost an upper wall of cabinets, but I actually still have room left in my cabinets, b/c they don't waste any space...

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

We opened up the wall between our dining room and kitchen about 3 years ago. We now have a half wall with cabinets on the kitchen side and the counter overhanging with a few stools. Best thing we ever did! It is so much more open, and makes things seem larger. I especially like it for when we have company over because I feel like I am not secluded in the kitchen.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

I would consider a half wall - that way you have the best of both worlds: some storage and an open feel but you still maintain the distinction between both rooms and the EIK.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

I saw higher cabinets the you could put on the dining room side. They look china cabinet doors and would be exposed to the dining room. The height of them would hide any kitchen things so it still looks formal, yet open. Then you can just put reg. height cabinets on the kitchen side. It would kind of have the breakfast bar effect - but fancier

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

We have an open floor plan now and I miss my walls. It looks very nice but I really miss some separation. I wish we did a solid wall on one side and a 1/2 wall on the other. We have an island now and it's OK but if I had to do it again, I wouldn't.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

Well since I am remodeling my kitchen starting next monday, i have to say take down the wall since thats what i am doing...i have a cape and for us, opening it up will just open up the whole first floor and make it nice for entertaining..i cant wait to see what its going to look like...goodluck with your decision!

Message edited 6/9/2009 9:44:31 PM.

Re: For those who know their way around a kitchen, what would you prefer?

Its really personal preference. I like my formal dining room to be formal. I don't want guests to see the messy kitchen when I have a dinner party. I would keep the wall up.