We Expanded Our Kitchen Into the Dining Room – Here’s How We Did It

Our kitchen and dining room used to be completely closed off from each other. While we liked having a separate formal dining room, the walled-off kitchen always felt cramped and dark. We dreamed of a more open, airy space where cooking, eating, and conversation could flow together seamlessly.

So we decided to take the plunge and expand our kitchen into the dining room to create a spacious, open concept room. It was a big project that required knocking down a wall, relocating appliances and utilities, and refinishing floors. But the results were amazing – we now have a bright, beautiful kitchen-dining room that became the heart of our home.

Why We Wanted an Open Concept Kitchen and Dining Room

There were several reasons we wanted to remove the wall between our kitchen and dining room and combine the two spaces:

• More natural flow between cooking, eating, and conversation. No more carrying food back and forth between rooms!
• Brighter, more spacious feel. The closed-off kitchen was so dark and cramped.
• Flexibility to accommodate guests and kids. More room for table extensions and kid-friendly seating.
• Increased home value. Open concept kitchens are very popular with home buyers right now.

We cook a lot and regularly entertain family and friends. An open concept kitchen-dining room seemed like the perfect solution to make our home more livable and functional for years to come.

Planning the Remodel

To make this major home renovation happen, we started by doing our homework. Here are some key steps we took during the planning process:

Hiring an Architect

Since we would be removing a wall and reconfiguring the kitchen layout, we hired an architect to assist with the remodel design. This was an important step for a few reasons:

• Provided structural engineering expertise for removing walls and determining if they were load-bearing.
• Developed a few different layout options for us to choose from.
• Handled obtaining all the required building permits.

We ultimately decided the architect fees were money well spent to ensure the remodel went smoothly from a design and structural perspective.

Settling on a Layout

We worked closely with our architect to settle on a kitchen-dining layout that would meet our needs. A few of the key considerations:

• Added a large peninsula to help delineate the kitchen zone.
• Included a sizable island that opened up traffic flow.
• Angled the island to help define the dining area.
• Ensured proper clearance around appliances and prep zones.

It took some back-and-forth to get the perfect layout, but we ended up with a great open concept floor plan tailored to our family’s needs and lifestyle.

Preparing for Construction

Once the layout was finalized, it was time to prep for construction. This involved:

• Knocking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room. This opened up the space.
• Relocating electrical, plumbing, HVAC . With the wall gone, we needed to reconfigure utilities.
• Refinishing floors to seamlessly unify the old kitchen and dining room spaces.

Our contractor took care of all the structural changes and new utility setup. Getting construction ready was a dusty, noisy process – but essential.

Design Decisions

With the physical work completed, we turned our focus to kitchen and dining room finishes and décor to complete the open concept design. Some key elements included:

Lighting

Carefully planned lighting played a huge role in making the open space feel bright and airy. We incorporated:

• Recessed overhead lights throughout to wash the walls with light.
• Pendants over the kitchen sink and island for task lighting.
• Sconces flanking the dining space.
• Accent lighting to highlight decorative elements.

The mix of lighting types kept things from feeling too uniform and utilitarian. We love turning them on at night for a warm, welcoming glow in the new kitchen-dining room.

Cabinetry

Choosing cabinetry helped define the kitchen portion of the room. We opted for:

• White shaker cabinets for a classic, clean look that opened up the space.
• Added more cabinets for improved kitchen storage.
• Glass cabinet doors in the dining area to continue the open sightlines.

The extra cabinets provided plenty of kitchen storage. And the transparent dining cabinets maintained the spacious feel.

Countertops

We splurged a bit on countertops to give the kitchen-dining room an upscale look and feel:

• Chose quartz counters on the perimeter for durability and easy maintenance.
• Went with marble on the island to add elegance for dining.

Keeping the island counter different from the main kitchen counters helped distinguish the two zones while unifying them aesthetically.

Appliances

We upgraded our old appliances to suit the luxe new kitchen:

• Installed a professional-grade range for serious cooking.
• Added a built-in fridge for a seamless look.
• Incorporated a second sink into the island for added convenience.

The high-end appliances upped the functionality and gave the open kitchen an upscale, chef-worthy aesthetic.

Furniture Considerations

Furnishing the new open concept space required careful thought:

Tables and Chairs

For the dining area, we chose furniture to maximize the open feel:

• Went with a round table to open up sightlines.
• Selected upholstered chairs for comfort and visual softness.
• Added a banquette bench along one wall for additional varied seating.

The versatile dining furniture lets us configure the space for everything from a kids craft area to formal dinner parties.

Island Stools

For casual dining at the island, we invested in:

• Counter height stools to align with the island.
• Opted for stools with wheels so we can easily move them around as needed.

The adjustable stools accommodate everything from kids snacking to entertaining guests at our new kitchen island.

Results: A Brighter, More Spacious Kitchen-Dining Room

In the end, combining our kitchen and dining room into one open concept great room made a huge difference. Knocking down the wall between them achieved the bright, airy space we always wanted. The new kitchen layout with an island and perimeter peninsula delineates the cooking zone while keeping everything connected. We have room for a spacious dining area for family meals and hosting guests. The better flow between kitchen and dining makes cooking, conversation, and time together so much easier and more enjoyable.

While it was a big undertaking, the remodel gave us the open, welcoming kitchen and dining room we dreamed of. The days of being walled off from each other while cooking and eating are over! We now have a beautiful, functional heart of the home tailored perfectly to our family’s lifestyle.

For anyone considering combining their kitchen and dining room, here are our top tips:

• Carefully consider the layout to facilitate natural traffic flow. Islands, peninsulas and furniture placement can help define zones.
• Select finishes like flooring, cabinets, and lighting to unify the look and feel of the kitchen and dining areas.
• Blend kitchen and dining aesthetics with décor like countertops, artwork, lighting fixtures.
• Account for furniture placement and allow adequate clearance around islands and appliances.
• Be prepared for structural changes to walls, and factor in costs like permits, contractors and architects.

With good planning and design, you too can open up your home with a beautiful, functional kitchen-dining great room your family will love.