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.

10 Vintage Style Kitchens in Historic Homes

Whether your taste is retro or classic these vintage style kitchens will inspire you. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite kitchen designs that create modern kitchens to fit seamlessly in historic homes. These vintage kitchen design ideas and custom cabinetry details were designed for some very special old homes right here in the USA.

Consider a Pass Through

Click here to see more of this Philly Contemporary Kitchen.

Pass throughs were popular in older homes and we think they’re a worthy addition even if not original. A pass through can open up rooms in your house for better light or conversation while keeping sounds, smells, and messes hidden in the kitchen. In this Philadelphia row home the homeowners created a contemporary kitchen, but used a traditional hutch facing the dining room. The pass through was not original, but fits the historic style.

Save the Old and Embrace the New

Click here to see more of this Ardmore Eclectic Kitchen

For a kitchen renovation in Ardmore, PA we relocated a vintage hutch from the kitchen to the dining room. The homeowners asked us to incorporate a beverage refrigerator here too. Our answer? Of course! If a fridge will make the hutch more useful for the homeowners then it’s worth incorporating. Any preservation is better than none.

Classic White Kitchens Go With Everything

Click here to see more of our Delancey Fancy Kitchen.

For this stately townhouse on Delancey Street the homeowners wanted a kitchen that fit the look of their home and would be a good investment for potential resale. Warm White cabinetry was designed with classic detailing to appeal to most buyers and match the posh Rittenhouse surroundings. If you’re considering adding contemporary materials or details to your kitchen, a white base color will help it coordinate with your classic architecture.

Add Vintage Pattern Wallpaper to Your Kitchen

Click here to see more of this Philly Rowhouse Kitchen.

For this South Philly row home we added color, pattern, and history with William Morris wallpaper. Using vintage style wallpaper ensures your colors and patterns are historically appropriate for an older home. Wallpaper also offers a more formal feel if your kitchen is open plan style.

Choose the Right Windows

Click here to see more of this Kitchen and Bath in Chestnut Hill.

You don’t have to keep old drafty windows in your historic home, though you may want to consider restoration if they are in good shape. For our projects we always use wood windows with mullions on the outside of the glass. This allows us to paint the windows inside and out. We advise that homeowners match the original window style in their home or consider other period appropriate styles. Read our blog post on windows here.

Incorporate Historic Materials

Click here to see more of this Chestnut Hill Shaker Modern Kitchen

This kitchen in Chestnut Hill incorporates rustic beams to offer a feeling of history and age. Even contemporary kitchens can feel older when historic materials are mixed with new.

Pour On the Charm

Click here to see our Cabinet Possibilities in Philadelphia Kitchen

Old houses are known for charming built-ins with handmade details. When designing a new kitchen for a historic home consider detailing cabinets with corbels, feet, and leaded glass inserts. For this kitchen in Fairmount we used a vintage fireback behind the range too.

Add a Vintage Style Range

Click here to see this Ardmore Mediterranean Kitchen.

This mediterranean style kitchen exudes old world style with a colorful La Cornue range. Airy kitchens designer Sean Lewis picked a range with antique style brass knobs to make the whole kitchen feel older.

Use Furniture Pieces

Click here to see more of this Mount Airy Kitchen Remodel.

In Mount Airy we upcycled a vintage hutch to fit a tight space and add charm. Historic homes usually had multiple furniture pieces in the kitchen, so incorporating one will help the kitchen feel authentic in your historic home.

Moldings and Bead Board Save the Day

Click here to see more of this Main Line Classic Kitchen.

Many historic homes have been renovated in ways that make it hard to bring back that historic charm we love. Opening up rooms may result in awkward window placement, unsightly pipe chases, or funny ceiling height changes. We use moldings to unify old and new spaces. Try to match the style and size of the original trim in your home, but don’t worry about a perfect match, it’s probably not available. Adding wainscoting creates a consistent horizontal line in the kitchen which will distract from strange window or ceiling heights. Bead board was used regularly in historic homes and is an easy way to add texture and durability.

Now that you have ten tips for creating a new kitchen in your historic house, what are the next steps? First, check out our pinterest for more kitchen design inspiration. Then, fill out our contact form to start your renovation with Airy Kitchens.

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.

Five Elements to Create a Beautiful Farmhouse Kitchen

Considering a farmhouse style kitchen? Lets take a look at the details that make this charming style perfect for Philadelphia homes.

Farm Sink

An easy way to make a big statement, farm sinks have become popular in kitchen design and are a great way to give your kitchen a farm house look. Farm sinks are available in stainless steel, copper, and cast iron, but our favorite is porcelain (sometimes called fireclay). These sinks give a soft look by breaking up square cabinetry with thick rounded corners. Farm sinks feel like a historic family heirloom that can be reused in your grandchildren's kitchens. 

Furniture Pieces

We love to design farm house kitchens with mismatched cabinets that look like furniture. This is a great opportunity to reuse historic built-ins or upcycle a furniture piece like we did here. Farm house style is not about perfection, so don't be afraid to use a few reclaimed pieces. It's okay if counter heights and drawer pulls don't match, it all adds to the charm! 

Bead Board

This simple and inexpensive material is an easy way to add farm house charm to any kitchen. Bead board was once built of multiple interlocking smaller boards with a groove, or 'bead' cut into each one. Today, homeowners can avoid the small pieces and purchase sheets similar to plywood that have this pattern cut into them. Bead board can be used as a backsplash, cabinet door panels, or a wall covering like this kitchen above. This material is a great way to add texture to your kitchen without spending a lot.

Traditional Flooring

Farm house kitchens should feel comfortable, a little vintage, and never fussy. We love to use wood floors in these spaces for a warm feel. Painting a wood floor also works great for this look. While ceramic and stone tile can work, avoid newer styles and shapes of tile that will give a modern feel. Have to repair your wood floor? Don't be afraid to leave seams or patches, they will only emphasize the age and character of your home. 

A Big Country Stove

What could be more farm house than a big vintage stove? A large stove is great for cooking big meals and a vintage style works well with the farm house look. If you are looking for new appliances, there are new stoves still built in this style. Or consider a refurbished antique stove. Even a newer stainless commercial stove will work better than a boring standard kitchen range. It's all about making a statement with a piece that will last a long time. So, even if you don't want a vintage look, purchase something that is built to last.

Farm house style works with the architecture and character of older homes rather than against it. Consider this style to give your Philadelphia kitchen design a comfortable and vintage feel. If you're looking for a kitchen design in the Philadelphia area, fill out our Contact Form.