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Open-plan kitchens are everywhere just now. They look brighter, feel bigger, and let the family actually spend time in the same space without shouting through a doorway. But before you start talking about breakfast islands and bi-folds, there’s the question nobody really enjoys asking: how much does it cost to take a wall down and open the room up?

This guide looks at what you’re really paying for when you remove a kitchen wall. It’s written for homeowners in and around Glasgow, East Kilbride, and across Scotland who are thinking about a new fitted kitchen, and want honest numbers and realistic timelines from start to finish.

If you’re thinking about opening your kitchen into a dining or living space, it’s exactly the sort of project Fully Fitted Kitchens deals with all the time. The team looks after design, supply, trades, and final finish so you’re not left chasing joiners, plasterers, and sparkies. You can book a free in-home kitchen design visit and quote at Fully Fitted Kitchens before you commit to anything.

It’s never “just knocking the wall down”

This is the first surprise for most people. You’re not only paying for demolition. You’re paying for a structural change to your home.

Taking a wall out, especially in older Scottish properties, usually means:

  • Checking if the wall is load bearing

  • Getting the correct support steel sized and supplied

  • Making good once the opening is formed

  • Reworking electrics, heating, and lighting so the new space actually works as one room

In other words, yes, you’re paying to remove the wall, but you’re really paying to create a safe and comfortable open-plan kitchen you can live in.

This is why it’s important to speak to experienced kitchen fitters Glasgow homeowners already trust. A cheap quote that ignores structure is not a cheap quote. It’s a future problem.

Structural support and steels – the hidden cost

If the wall is load bearing, it can’t simply come out. The load (from floors above, joists, even the roof in some layouts) needs to be carried by something else. That “something else” is usually a steel beam or RSJ.

This part of the job must be done properly. You want a qualified person to assess the wall, size the support, and make sure the opening is safe and signed off. This is one of the biggest single costs in opening up a kitchen dining space in Glasgow or East Kilbride.

If you’re comparing quotes, always ask: does this include supply and fitting of the steel, and does it include any approvals needed, or are you expected to organise that yourself?

This is where using one company that handles full kitchen installation Glasgow wide can save money in the long run. When Fully Fitted Kitchens manages the full project, there’s no “that’s not our bit” moment between separate trades.

Making it look like one room, not two rooms stuck together

Once the wall is gone and the steel is in, the space is technically open plan. But it doesn’t look finished yet.

There’s plasterwork to blend old walls and ceilings into one continuous surface. There’s flooring to level across the old doorway lines so you don’t have two different heights where the rooms used to meet. There might be skirting, architraves, and pipework that now sits in the middle of the new open space and needs rerouted.

All of that affects the final cost of your new kitchen layout.

This is usually the point where DIY plans start to fall apart. You can’t ask a plasterer to skim a ceiling until the electrics for the new lighting layout are run. You can’t lay the flooring until the plaster and joinery are finished. You can’t fit the new kitchen until the floor is level. The order matters.

Because Fully Fitted Kitchens is a full supply-and-fit service, the homeowner doesn’t have to manage any of that sequencing. That’s a major difference compared to hiring separate trades and hoping they turn up in the right order.

Lighting, sockets, and extraction – the “new room needs new services” cost

When you open two rooms into one, the way you use the space changes. You’re no longer cooking in one box and eating in another. You’re cooking, chatting, working from home, watching kids, eating, and wandering through the space all in one area. The electrics and lighting need to be planned around that.

So factor in:

  • New lighting zones to stop the room feeling flat and dark at one end

  • Moving or adding sockets and appliance feeds where the new kitchen units will sit

  • Cooker extraction routes that still comply once the hob moves onto an island or peninsular unit

This all sits under “kitchen design,” which is more than choosing cabinet colours. A proper kitchen design visit should include how you’ll actually live in the space day to day, not just how it looks on a brochure.

As part of the free in-home design visit at Fully Fitted Kitchens, someone will come out, measure up, talk through layout, and give you a clear quote for the full fitted kitchen, not just the units. That matters if you’re trying to understand the real new kitchen cost Glasgow households are seeing just now.

Making the space feel bigger, not just technically open

Plenty of people assume “open plan” automatically means “looks bigger.” It doesn’t always. If the kitchen is still cramped in one corner and the dining table is still pressed against a radiator, you’ve paid for mess without getting the benefit.

A good kitchen fitter will look at:

  • Natural light: do you gain light by opening the wall or are you just connecting two dim rooms

  • Sightlines: when you walk in, do you see a bright, welcoming kitchen or do you see the back of a fridge

  • Flow: is there enough room to move around the island without everyone shuffling sideways

This is where experience counts. Fully Fitted Kitchens has over 40 years fitting fully finished kitchens across Scotland, so they’re used to working in real family homes, not just wide new builds. That applies in Glasgow, in East Kilbride, and in older properties where the original layout was never designed for an open-plan lifestyle.

Will you need building control or permission

Any time you’re altering a structural wall, you should assume there will be checks needed. In most typical cases you’re not applying for planning permission just for making two internal rooms into one, but you will usually still need the structural work to meet building standards.

This is not something to guess at. It is safer to work with kitchen and bathroom installers Scotland homeowners already use for full refit projects, because they already understand which stages need to be documented and what inspectors expect to see.

It’s not just about passing the check. It’s also about future sale. When you come to sell the property, buyers will ask if the wall removal was done properly. Being able to say yes and show that it was handled by a professional kitchen installation Glasgow team makes that conversation easier.

So what are you really paying for

When people ask for a price for “removing a wall and installing a fully fitted kitchen,” they’re normally paying for five things:

  1. The design and planning work at the start
    This includes layout planning, measuring, and making sure the final room will function as one shared family space.

  2. Structural work and steel support
    This is the heavy bit that keeps the house safe.

  3. Making good
    Plaster, flooring, joinery, pipework, and all the tidy-up work that makes it look like one original room.

  4. New fitted kitchen supply and installation
    Cabinets, doors, worktops, appliances, tiling or splashbacks, and finishing details so it feels high quality.

  5. Full project management
    One company taking responsibility. No chasing trades. No living in a building site for longer than needed.

When you compare quotes, make sure you’re comparing all five. A cheap “wall removal” number is meaningless if it doesn’t get you to a finished, usable, signed-off kitchen dining space.

How to move forward without wasting money

If you’re in Glasgow, East Kilbride, or nearby and you’re thinking about opening your kitchen into the next room, the most sensible first step is a proper measured home visit. Fully Fitted Kitchens offers a free in-home kitchen design visit and quote. Someone will come out, look at the wall you want gone, look at the new fitted kitchen you want in its place, talk through budgets, and give you a realistic timescale.

That does two things for you:

  • You get clarity on cost before you book anything

  • You find out if the wall you want to remove is actually the best wall to remove

That last point is important. Sometimes the wall that looks obvious is hiding pipework, electrics, or support that would cost far more to move than you’d expect. Sometimes there is a smarter opening that gives you the same open-plan feel for less disruption. An experienced local kitchen fitter can usually tell you that on the first visit.

If you’d like a kitchen that feels bigger, brighter, and more sociable without dealing with multiple trades yourself, speak to Fully Fitted Kitchens. The team supplies and fits kitchens and also installs bathrooms across Scotland, which means you’re dealing with one company from the first conversation through to a finished room you can cook in.

You get a clear quote, full project handling, and a finished result that looks like it always belonged in the house, instead of an add-on. That’s the real value in going open plan.

The Real Cost of Removing a Wall for an Open-Plan Kitchen

If you are planning a new fitted kitchen in Glasgow, East Kilbride or anywhere across central Scotland, one of the first big choices is style. Do you go for a sleek, modern look, or a more classic, traditional kitchen that feels timeless? Both can work beautifully in Scottish homes, but the right fit depends on your space, lifestyle and budget.

This guide walks you through the key differences between modern and traditional kitchens, with practical tips to help you decide what will work best in your home. It also shows how Fully Fitted Kitchens can help you explore both options with a free in-home design visit.

What makes a kitchen “modern” or “traditional”?

When people talk about modern kitchens, they usually mean clean lines, simple shapes and a focus on function. Think flat cabinet doors, integrated handles, smooth worktops and built-in appliances. Colours are often neutral, such as white, grey, black or soft wood tones, sometimes with a bold accent colour.

Traditional kitchens lean toward warmth and detail. Shaker or panelled doors, visible handles, cornices and chunky worktops are common. You will often see warm woods, cream tones, classic tiles and features like Belfast sinks or range cookers.

Both can feel high quality and practical. The main difference is the overall mood. Modern kitchens feel streamlined and minimal. Traditional kitchens feel homely and characterful.

Modern kitchens – when are they the best choice?

Modern fitted kitchens work especially well in:

  • New build homes and modern flats

  • Open-plan living spaces

  • Smaller kitchens where every inch counts

  • Homes where you prefer a clutter-free, simple look

If you live in a Glasgow flat or a compact East Kilbride semi, a modern layout can make your space feel bigger and brighter. Flat doors and handleless designs reduce visual “noise”, and integrated appliances keep things tidy.

Modern kitchens also suit busy households that want easy cleaning. Smooth doors, simple handles and solid worktops such as laminate, quartz or solid surface are quick to wipe down. If you have children, this can be a real benefit.

A team of local kitchen fitters such as Fully Fitted Kitchens can design a modern kitchen around your exact room size, using clever storage, corner units and tall larders to make the most of every centimetre.

Traditional kitchens – when do they work best?

Traditional kitchens come into their own in:

  • Older properties, tenement flats and period homes

  • Rural or cottage-style houses

  • Homes where the kitchen is the social hub

  • Spaces where warmth and character matter more than minimalism

If you live in an older Glasgow property with high ceilings, deep window sills or original features, a traditional fitted kitchen can feel more in tune with the building. Shaker doors, timber accents and classic handles can sit comfortably alongside original floors or fireplaces.

Traditional designs can also work well in family homes. Open shelving, plate racks, display cabinets and range cookers all add to a warm, lived-in feeling. With the right layout and appliances, you still get a highly functional space for day-to-day cooking and entertaining.

With over 40 years of experience fitting kitchens and bathrooms across Scotland, Fully Fitted Kitchens often helps homeowners choose door styles, handles and finishes that respect the age and style of the property, while still delivering modern convenience.

Which suits your home – modern or traditional?

There is no one right answer. The best starting point is to look at your home and ask a few questions:

  • What is the age and style of the property? A modern town flat will often suit a streamlined look. A sandstone tenement or older house might lean more naturally toward a classic style.

  • How do you use the kitchen? If you entertain a lot, an inviting, traditional look might appeal. If you prefer everything tucked away, a modern style could be better.

  • How long do you plan to stay? If you are planning to sell within a few years, think about what local buyers in areas like Glasgow and East Kilbride expect. Neutral modern or transitional styles tend to appeal to most people.

A free kitchen design visit from Fully Fitted Kitchens can help you visualise both options in your own room. The designer will visit your home, measure up and show you door samples, worktops and layouts so you can see what suits your space.

Practical considerations – cost, layout and storage

Whether you choose modern or traditional, some practical points are the same.

Cost:

The cost of a new kitchen in Glasgow is influenced less by “modern versus traditional” and more by the quality of the units, worktops and appliances you choose. Flat-panel modern doors can sometimes be more cost-effective, but detailed Shaker doors are available at a wide range of price points too. During a quote, Fully Fitted Kitchens will break down options so you can compare modern and traditional looks at different budgets.

Layout:

In many Scottish homes, the layout is dictated by walls, doors and windows. The same working layout can be dressed as modern or traditional just by changing doors, handles, tiles and colours. That is why a proper design visit is so important. The team can plan your working triangle, storage and appliance positions first, then talk style.

Storage:

Modern kitchens often make heavier use of internal storage solutions, such as pull-out larders and deep pan drawers. Traditional kitchens can use the same internal fittings, even if the door style looks classic. A good kitchen fitter will plan enough storage so that whichever style you choose, you are not left with cluttered worktops.

Can you mix modern and traditional?

Yes. Many Glasgow and East Kilbride kitchens work best as a blend of both. This is sometimes called a “transitional” look.

Examples include:

  • Shaker doors in a modern colour such as deep blue or graphite

  • Traditional handles on simple, modern door fronts

  • Classic Belfast sinks with sleek quartz worktops

  • A traditional range cooker set within a clean, modern run of units

Blending elements lets you respect the character of an older home while still enjoying the benefits of modern design. During a home visit, Fully Fitted Kitchens can show how to combine textures, colours and fixtures so the finished room feels cohesive rather than mismatched.

Do not forget lighting, flooring and appliances

Style is not just about cabinet doors. Lighting, flooring and appliance choice all influence whether your kitchen feels modern or traditional.

  • Lighting: spotlights, under-cabinet strips and flush ceiling fittings feel more modern. Pendants, wall lights and warm bulbs can feel more classic.

  • Flooring: large format tiles and straight plank flooring feel clean and contemporary. Patterned tiles, parquet and rustic boards lean traditional.

  • Appliances: integrated appliances tend to suit modern designs particularly well. Range cookers, chimney hoods and visible fridge freezers can feel more traditional, though they can be paired with both styles.

A full supply-and-fit service from Fully Fitted Kitchens means all of this is planned together. The same team handles electrics, plumbing, joinery and finishing, so the final result looks joined up, whatever style you choose.

What if you also need a new bathroom?

If you are planning a full home update, it can be helpful to think about how your kitchen and bathroom relate. The same company that fits your kitchen also supplies and fits bathrooms across Scotland. Choosing Fully Fitted Kitchens as your kitchen and bathroom installers means your finishes, colours and overall look can feel consistent throughout your home, and you only deal with one team from start to finish.

Next steps – see what suits your space best

The simplest way to decide between modern and traditional is to see real options in your own home.

A free in-home design visit from Fully Fitted Kitchens gives you:

  • A full measure of your existing kitchen

  • Layout options based on how you cook and live

  • Door, worktop and handle samples in modern and traditional styles

  • A clear, itemised quote with no obligation

Whether you lean toward a clean, contemporary look or a classic, timeless kitchen, a local team of experienced kitchen fitters in Glasgow and East Kilbride can help you bring it to life. With over 40 years fitting fully supplied kitchens and bathrooms across Scotland, Fully Fitted Kitchens is well placed to help you choose the style that truly suits your space best.