How To Create An Open Floor Plan In An Old house

Today’s homeowners want open floor plans for better views, easy entertaining, and to create the feeling of more space. Most older homes were designed with many smaller rooms which can be complex and costly to open up. At Airy Kitchens we specialize in creating modern spaces in older homes that open floor plans without removing the character. In this post we will discuss pros and cons of open plan living, compare layout ideas for opening your home, and offer tips for creating open plans that are cohesive and practical.

This rear addition opened up the house and created a bigger kitchen and great room.

Open Plan Layout Pros and Cons

Open plan layouts are popular and functional. So let’s start with the pros.

PROS

1. More light and better views

2. Larger rooms are great for entertaining

3. It’s easy to communicate and watch the kids

4. When done properly, open plan details don’t have to ruin your old home charm.

A large opening adds light and makes for easy conversation between rooms. See more of this Two Tone Traditional in Ardmore

What are the cons of open floor plans?

CONS

1. You can’t close out the mess, the noise, the smells, or the dog.

2. Larger rooms feel colder and less intimate.

3. Less privacy

4. Load bearing walls, HVAC, and plumbing in older homes can make open plans expensive to create.

The casings on this enlarged opening match the moldings throughout the home. See more of the Ardmore Eclectic Kitchen.

Layout Ideas For Opening Up Old Houses

1) Enlarge Existing Openings and keep the feel of separate rooms.

In the home below our clients wanted to open up their kitchen and turn a butlers pantry into a wet bar. By keeping the walls and enlarging the openings we were able to create all the benefits of an open floor plan and preserve the character and intimacy of separate rooms.

Larger openings offer better light and views, but still allow for floor and wall transitions. See more of the West Mount Airy Open Concept.

Before and after floor plans from our West Mount Airy open concept project.

2) Change walls, ceilings, floors, and window locations to create one big room.

To create this mediterranean inspired kitchen we combined two rooms that had a load bearing wall and a chimney dividing them. We thickened the side walls to hide new structural columns then used new floors, ceilings, and moldings to create one cohesive space. Often when taking this approach we will change window locations to ensure that the space doesn't feel like it was two rooms combined.

Now it feels like one big room. See more of this Ardmore Mediterranean Kitchen.

Before and after floor plans from our Ardmore mediterranean kitchen.

3) Add islands and peninsulas between rooms to gain seating space.

This is a trick you will see a lot in our work. In the project below we wanted to save the floors, moldings, and add wallpaper to the dining room. We decided to enlarge the doorway and set the kitchen peninsula right under the new opening. By extending the counter into the adjacent room we added kitchen seating without taking up cooking space. This not only adds to the kitchen area, but also helps cover up unsightly floor transitions and offers additional storage on the dining room side.

Locating the peninsula below the new opening increases the kitchen size without removing the wall. See more of this Wyndmoor Transitional Kitchen.

Tips For Creating Open Floor Plans in Old Houses

1) Use cabinetry to create symmetry and make sense of odd window placements.

Changing window openings is expensive and not always possible in historic homes. A good designer can make uneven windows work. Learn more about replacing windows during your kitchen remodel.

2) Use moldings to create consistency in an awkward room.

Blue Heron moldings wrap the walls and windows to unify two spaces. See more of this Main Line Classic Kitchen.

3) No moldings to replicate? Use an arch to add a special touch between rooms.

This flipped row home had no partitions and no historic moldings left. A new arch adds a sense of separation and keeps the open floor plan. Love the counters? Read about counter options here.

4) Floor and wall color can make two rooms feel connected.

Different ceiling heights make the back room feel like an addition, but consistent wall and floor color help the spaces feel like one large room. Learn the six best floors for your kitchen renovation.

Ready to open up your old house?

Whether you want to remove interior walls or build an addition, the best way to get started is to consult a designer. Our interior design team can help you create an open floor plan that is respectful of your historic home without sacrificing the original character. Our network of local architects and structural engineers will ensure that your dream renovation is beautiful and solid. Click the button above to learn more about our process and pricing.

Five Tips for Designing a Philadelphia Craftsman Kitchen

It’s a common question we get often: How do I design a craftsman style kitchen that feels authentic and not cliche? We see many interior designers slapping craftsman doors on wood cabinets and calling it a ‘craftsman’ kitchen, but what did kitchens really look like during the craftsman era?

Built-in cabinetry surrounds a utility style wall sink.

Craftsman style spans from the 1860’s through the 1930’s and is known for it’s use of stained woods, clean, simple lines, and detailed tiles and cabinetry built by craftsmen of the era. Although craftsman style was popularized as a response to the industrial revolution, it did not take long for companies to start mass producing these materials, built-ins, and even entire homes. While most homes of this era had detailed parlors and porches, the kitchen was typically designed for staff (not to be seen). While a homeowner in the early 1900’s probably wouldn’t show off their utilitarian kitchen to guests, we love the modern contrast of a simple, charming kitchen in an older, more ornate home.

So, how do the interior designers at Airy Kitchens create rooms that honor the craftsman style without feeling like you just stepped out of a time machine? Here are some tips:

Vintage furniture pieces add charm and character. See more of this kitchen here.

1) Mix Built-ins and furniture pieces in your kitchen.

During the craftsman era the concept of a built-in kitchen was just starting to take hold. Kitchens would sometimes have one wall of built-in cabinets and the rest of the room would have freestanding furniture. In our kitchen remodels we like to give the look of separate furniture pieces by using contrasting colors, hardware, and details like feet to give the look of furniture pieces. Often, we will find an old hutch to include in a vintage style kitchen. One vintage piece can really add a lot of charm and history to a new renovation.

This new craftsman tile is being made the same way it was a century ago. See more of this kitchen here.

2) Craftsman Era materials are still being made!

Our favorite craftsman kitchens make use of authentic materials. When we were designing the kitchen pictured above, our clients wanted a beautiful craftsman style backsplash. Luckily, there are still companies that make authentic craftsman era products that will look and feel authentic in a new home or kitchen remodel. A few of our favorite companies are Motawi tile, Bradbury wallpaper, and Stickley furniture.

White cabinets keep the kitchen bright. Wood floors and moldings give a craftsman look. See more of this kitchen here.

3) Include lots of natural wood.

One detail that really shines in fine craftsman homes is the use of natural wood. Craftsman homes often had wooden floors, built ins, moldings, and ceiling beams. Of course, this often resulted in dark rooms. While it may feel brighter to use painted cabinets, consider using stained wood for floors or moldings. If you have a bright, sunny room, don’t be afraid to include lots of wood. It’s okay to mix different woods and stain colors. Consider lighter stains to keep your kitchen bright.

Cabinet details like brackets and exposed hinges look vintage.

4) Create vintage style cabinetry details.

The kitchen pictured above is an authentic craftsman kitchen and it’s full of gorgeous period details. Some details we would love to replicate in a new craftsman kitchen are inset doors, wooden end brackets, and exposed hinges. Note that these cabinets also have multiple panels on each door. This adds a nice detail, but nothing feels ornate. Craftsman kitchens like this were usually custom built on site. You may notice that most of these cabinets share framing. These are not separate boxes screwed together, but custom pieces built for the space. At Airy Kitchens, we don’t build them on site any more, but we do offer custom cabinetry that can be built in a similar fashion.

One detail we wouldn’t repeat from this vintage kitchen? There are no toe kicks. While we love the furniture look, modern home owners expect room for a toe kick. Especially in front of a sink. This photo is from a story on Old House Online, another great resource for people who love craftsman design.

You can have an island and modern appliances. Utilitarian design is the essence of craftsman style.

5) Utility is the top priority.

When we were researching craftsman kitchens online, many of the new kitchens were covered with ornate moldings, flared legs, and all sorts of silly details that look annoying to keep clean. There are many different ways to design a modern craftsman kitchen, but we believe simple details and a utilitarian feel are at the heart of the original craftsman style. So, don’t be afraid to mix contemporary fixtures, hardware, and appliances with your vintage style cabinetry. A useful kitchen is more important than a beautiful kitchen.

I've Got Steam Heat: Replacing Radiators In Philadelphia Kitchens.

Many homes in Philadelphia feature radiators. These cast iron behemoths are usually a kitchen designer’s worst enemy. They’re bulky, attract dust, and are typically located in front of windows (just where you wanted the sink to go!) Like most homeowners, you are probably focused on new countertops, high-tech appliances, or beautiful new cabinets, but don't overlook the basics. If your home uses radiators then they will be an important detail of how your new kitchen looks and works.

This new radiator was sourced to match older existing ones.

When replacing or adding radiators you have many options. Old-style cast iron radiators, which look best in older homes, are still being made and come in both ornate and plain styles, large and small.  Chances are good that our kitchen designers can find a model that nearly matches the radiators you already have.

Don’t let the current placement of your radiators limit your ideas. Radiators can be moved but this will involve getting under the floor to move pipes. While best done in the summer this work is not difficult especially if you are already planning to pull up and replace your flooring. If you're keeping the floor, pipes can be accessed through the ceiling of the room below. If that room is an unfinished basement, you're in luck!

This modern wall mounted radiator is sleek and easy to clean around.

Thanks to the large market for radiators in Europe there are plenty of contemporary radiators available including some which are positively gorgeous. These include low profile baseboard radiators, wall panel radiators, and radiators that practically double as sculpture. You don’t have to sacrifice your dream kitchen’s sleek, modern look because of radiator heat. However, installing european style radiators may cost more and it's important to note whether they use steam or hot water for heat.

Why use a radiator in the bathroom when you can have a towel warmer?

Bathrooms are the spot for that elegant alternative to a radiator: a towel rack. These home luxuries are heated by the water from your boiler and will warm your bathroom and your towels.  Like radiators, these come in both traditional and sharply contemporary styles. 

Determining the size and number of radiators for a space requires some complicated math and an understanding of the thermodynamics of the room.  You can find tutorials and calculators for this on the internet, but most of these calculations are best left to an HVAC professional.

Electric radiators can be great for small rooms.

Even small radiators can get very hot and may deliver too much heat to a tiny room. For a very small space, like a powder room, consider a wall-mounted electric radiator with a thermostat. There are many models available for cheap but these often perform poorly and have only an on/off switch. Higher quality units offer convenient features like child lock-out and they typically look sleeker too.

When in doubt, paint it black and put some marble on it.

While your old radiators are disconnected during the project you may want to consider having them renewed.  A build-up of old paint on the outside and sludge on the inside can decrease a radiator’s efficiency thereby increasing your heating bills.  The outside of a radiator can be sandblasted and the inside can be flushed out.

For those homeowners who don't want to move their radiators, consider installing a shelf,  towel rack, or even shoe rack above them. Why not use this powerful heat source to your advantage and dry those winter boots? If your radiator is an eyesore consider having Airy Kitchens design a custom radiator cover to match your cabinetry. Remember, radiators are not simply heating elements but can be an opportunity to add a special touch to your new kitchen or bathroom.

Where should you put kitchen outlets?

From microwave to phone charger, everyone needs outlets in the kitchen, but who wants to see a beautiful backsplash dotted with poorly placed outlets? Lets look at some options to hide kitchen outlets and places where you shoud keep them visible.

Our favorite hidden plugs, these angled outlets are easy to reach. See more of this contemporary kitchen.

1) Under cabinet plugs.

When your backsplash is the special feature of the kitchen (think marble slabs or a tile pattern you don't want to interrupt), under cabinet plugs will keep it looking uniform. These plugs can be hidden along with under cabinet lighting to create a functional kitchen that looks sleek. However, under cabinet plugs aren't as convenient to see or reach as standard wall plugs and may not be a good choice for homeowners with arthritis or poor vision. If you are going to keep an appliance like a coffee maker plugged in all the time, cords won't be hidden, rather they will dangle from above. 

This wall plug blends in seamlessly with it's surroundings and is placed in a convenient location.

2) Color coordinated wall outlets.

Because wall plugs are easier to see and use, every kitchen should have a few. This kitchen uses black outlets with simple flat cover plates to help them blend into the backsplash. Place wall plugs in an area where cooks and guests can easily charge their phones or anywhere you plan to keep small appliances like coffee makers or toaster ovens.

This outlet is easy to access and grouped with two light switches. See more of this charming kitchen.

3) Group outlets with switches.  

While we may be able to hide outlets under the cabinets, light switches aren't going anywhere. Light switches are usually placed in an area that's easy to see and convenient to reach. Sounds like a good spot to charge your phone, right? Grouping a wall outlet together with light switches will reduce the amount of interruptions in your backsplash. These white outlets with black switch plates are easy to see and look appropriate against white tile with black grout.

Add an outlet in your island. Love these counters? Learn more about soapstone and seven other counter options.

  4) Always add an outlet to your island.

Modern homeowners are installing more kitchen islands in place of breakfast tables because an island can be used for storage and seating. While a cook might like to have an outlet for small appliances, homeowners and their kids are likely to use these outlets everyday for charging phones and iPads. It's also safer to plug things in at the island instead of draping cords across walkways.

Remember, most cities have special rules about outlet placement and safety features like GFCIs (ground-fault circuit interrupter) in kitchens. You should check with your local buildings department or hire a qualified kitchen designer before installing electrical outlets in your renovation.