In this house, a wall was removed to enlarge the kitchen area. It is essential to have a clear separation between rooms in an open floor plan not to feel too connected or flow together. It’s easy for a living room and kitchen to become one ample space where it feels like you’re moving from one large room into another. Learn how to remove the wall between the kitchen and living room before and after. We created a low wall that encompasses the archway opening between the living room and kitchen to define these spaces more distinctly. The box-like enclosure establishes a sense of privacy for those sitting in the living room and those working in the kitchen.
Should I remove the wall between the kitchen and living room?
We also wanted to make sure that all of this newly exposed brickwork would stand up to daily use. To take care of this, we sealed all of the brick using a water-based sealer. The actual application only took a few minutes and was made with a simple paint roller. This not only protects the exposed brick from spills that might frequently happen in a kitchen, but it also gives it a nice uniform sheen.
The biggest design challenge with removing this wall was to create something that would feel like belonging there instead of just being plopped into a space. We decided on a simple box enclosure so that it wouldn’t compete with other architectural features or detract from the beautiful materiality of exposed brickwork. It does provide some needed storage for both kitchens utensils and dining room decorations while adding a final touch to this newly opened space.
How much does it cost to knock down a wall between the kitchen and living room?
Cost To Remove A Load-bearing Wall
The first step is to take measurements of the walls that would require demolishment and the floor plan. A contractor will then give you an accurate estimate of the cost to remove two dividing barriers. For your convenience, we’ve provided some information below on average costs for this type of project. However, they may vary depending on where you live. Generally, Removing a wall in your home typically costs between $300 and $1,000 if it is a non-load-bearing wall. On the other hand, removing a load-bearing wall costs $1,200 to $3,000 for a single-story home. Price increases from $3,200 to $10,000 for homes with more than one level.
The cost of knocking down the wall will depend on how you shape your overall room, not just what section you’re revealing. For example, if the adjacent rooms are symmetrical concerning each other, adding one more opening may be as simple as moving some drywall into new positions. However, if the two chambers have different floor levels or ceiling heights, then you’ll need to do complete demolition of both the kitchen and living-room spaces so that they can be brought up to code compliance concerning each other.
Average Cost To Tear Down A Non-load-bearing Wall
On average, homeowners pay $300 to $1,000 to remove a non-load-bearing wall. And what you should consider while removing the wall are size of the job, site conditions, number of services, and so on.
Taking partition walls for example, they usually are not load-bearing but may contain waterproof membranes, fire blocking, and electrical insulation. Any additional framing required to bring the two spaces up to code compliance or tie them into the existing frame will add to the expense of demolition, as well as any bracing that might be required during construction. The cost also depends on how deep your foundation goes beneath the wall you’re removing-and whether it’s a poured concrete foundation wall or an exterior masonry veneer wall with lots of backup support.
DIY Wall Removal & Hiring A Pro
If you wonder whether you could knock down a wall by yourself, the answer must be YES. But you need to determine what’s inside each of the two walls and whether one or both are bearing walls. In most cases, removing a wall requires the knowledge of an expert. Therefore, you still need to hire a professional to guide you through the process.
If you intend to do a majority of the work yourself, remember that asbestos ceilings are typically attached with adhesive rather than nails, so you can dismantle it by yourself with a knife or chisel. Plan for several days of heavy work if you take it on yourself (and know what you’re getting into).
If you hire a general contractor, be sure to ask about skillful bids. There’s always something else you’ll need once demolition starts. Please don’t assume that nothing can go wrong: There may be hidden wiring or plumbing that adds thousands of dollars to your final bill, potentially making it far more expensive than knocking down a plain wall ever would have been. Keep an open mind and let your contractor guide you through this process; he will consider himself lucky if he gets paid for the work he does rather than the one you initially expected.
Remove wall between kitchen and living room before and after
Removing walls can open up space between the kitchen and living room. Surrounded by the walls, the kitchen will make a claustrophobic feel. So, taking down some walls between the kitchen and living room can bring you a larger, brighter living space.
Open Kitchen With L Shape Island Counter
You can set kitchen cabinets to accommodate dishwashers, microwaves, and trash compactors. Appliance garages provide convenient storage space for cooking appliances such as wall ovens that might not fit into existing cabinetry. Built-in wine racks or corner shelves can also add a touch of class to the kitchen without taking up floor space. Try setting an L shape peninsula counter or island to add a feeling of spaciousness for easy entertaining while still allowing traffic flow around the perimeter of the room.
Cabinet Layout for Open Floorplan
Design your cabinets to create a straight line from your sink to the refrigerator, even if you have to move a wall or other feature. Cabinets should be evenly spaced and aligned with adjacent cabinets to smooth flow from room to room. In general, allow 12″ inches between base cabinets and 18 inches between upper cabinets. If you build kitchen in an L shape, measure the distance from the corner cabinet where the two walls meet as this will be one continuous run of cabinetry going into both living areas.
Install Load-bearing Beam
Replace the load-bearing wall between the adjoined rooms to install a beam that will create an open room. And this process only takes a half-day and less. The beam must be tight against the joists or rafters it supports, or a sagging floor or roof will result. The beam can not only replace the load-bearing wall to support, but also play the role of decoration to add a sense of structure to the open space between the kitchen and living room.
Cabinet Lighting & Electrical Outlets
To add interest and create an inviting atmosphere, install under cabinet lighting above kitchen cabinets. The light will bounce off counters and shine out into adjacent living areas, so you don’t feel like you’re in a cave when cooking after dark. A great way to save counter space is to run electrical outlets inside base cabinets, so appliances such as blenders and slow cookers have a home during meal prep time. For more ideas on designing your dream kitchen, visit Kitchen Ideas.
