A kitchen remodel isn't a project you undertake every year. It's expensive and disruptive. However, you do so because you know at the end of the project, you're going to have a beautiful kitchen that better facilitates your food preparation and dining needs. That's the goal, anyway.

As part of a kitchen remodel, you may have the contractors undertake some structural changes. One change you may be considering is the removal of a knee wall. Find out more about this potential step in the renovation.

Purpose of the Knee Wall

A knee wall is a wall that doesn't reach all the way up to the ceiling. It's not a load-bearing wall, so it's not an engineering feature. Builders typically include a knee wall to delineate between spaces without completely closing them off and removing light.

Knee walls are common between kitchens and dining rooms. The goal is to give you some sense of continuity between two spaces that rely on each other while still creating designated areas. You can also put a countertop on top and use it as a breakfast bar. However, as House Beautiful points out, a partial wall can make spaces feel more cramped than needed.

Open Space as Replacement

If you feel like your knee wall doesn't serve the right purpose, you may decide to have the contractors remove it entirely. This action will create an open space between the kitchen and the dining room. 

You can still get a sense of distinct spaces with the use of furnishings. For instance, you can place an area rug under the dining table. You can also hang a light over the table that's distinctly different from lighting found in the kitchen.

Kitchen Island as Replacement

If the knee wall served some functionality in your kitchen, you'll lose that functionality with its removal. However, you do have more options with all that open space. Indeed, the contractors can install a kitchen island. It may take up the same amount of space as the knee wall, but it will provide far more functionality. Plus, you can orient it so it bests serves your opened-up space.

For a kitchen island, consider a light palette. It bears more visual weight than a knee wall, so you want to lighten its visual impact. Likewise, consider extending the countertop on the dining room side for seating. It can serve as a breakfast nook in that way. Finally, consider shelving or some other manner of decorative display because it will be a focal point in two rooms.

Talk to your contractors about potentially removing a knee wall during your kitchen renovation.

For more information, reach out to a kitchen remodeling service in your area.

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