Post a drawing of the floorplan with measurements and you will get a lot of good advice :)

Also forgot to add..we will be replacing the floors and ceiling, not fond of the lights, no walls can be taken out.
My taste is Traditional or Country look. Wish someone would Photoshop me a new kitchen. :)

angel... looks like a long narrow space that we could get real creative with. BUT... like pal said, we need a layout with measurements. Hand drawn is fine. Give us details as to length, width (on each wall), and a bit about your family. What exactly can be moved and what cannot. DO you have any of the appliances. Budget? Layout to rest of home so we can see how the home flows. There will be alot of questions to follow but we need this as a minimum to get started. Then I can guarantee you will get alot of help.

Hi Anglecute,

This is a cute space that can be reworked to create a
wonderful kitchen. It sounds daunting to have to measure
but take your tape measure out and start with the walls,
Then with a pencil draw in the counters, the frig, oven,
depth of counters, outlets,

You might be able to put a small working island in the
entrance area. I know you said no walls can be taken
down, how about the counter? How high is the ceiling?
Is that a dinning area on one end of the kitchen?
Are you using that space for kitchen or eating?

What are you keeping?
What are needing? Wanting? Willing to change?

You can do this, get the pencil and pad of paper out.
You already know how to use photobucket. You can take
a photo of your drawing and post it up for all of us to
see. Be sure to post it large so we can really see it.

Looking forward to the ideas from all our gurus.
~boxer

maybe this will help, not really good at drawing a layout. The . on the walls are for electric outlet. The entire room is 8' wide x 28' long. the kitchen is in the middle of house, so there is no windows. The wall that sticks out beside refrig is the only wall that Can be removed. The bar can go & can move appliances, just can't move the sink due to plumbing.

My first thought is to move the frig to the stove wall and make that entire run of cabinets and counters deeper to match the depth of the frig. Extra deep counters are wonderful! Keep the sink on that wall.

Then make the counter/cabs on the 8 foot side either regular depth or deeper. Put the stove on that wall.

And finally, make the floor to ceiling 12 inch deep pantry cabinets on the 9 foot wall.

{{gwi:1683239}}

The remaining space could be for a small table and chairs.
And why did you close up that window?

There are too many openings and doorways, just seemed like I might could use space better if there was a solid wall on that end of room. Thanks for your ideas. I really like the ideas of the pantry.

If anything, I would extend that 9 foot wall so you don't see the kitchen when you walk in the front door.

trying to find pics of small u-shape kitchens to get some ideas, but all I find is big nice kitchens.

My first reaction is that you could make it a galley kitchen. It looks like you lose space by getting rid of the end of the "U", but if you can't reach it, it's useless anyway. You can use shallow shelves on the end of the galley for spices, or hang pots there.

Close part of the opening to the DR to give you more counter and drawer space. The refrigerator at the end of the run means you can use a standard refrigerator (less $$) and not block the galley. It's also convenient for getting snacks and drinks out without getting in the cook's way.

Nothing fancy, but an improved layout and work flow.

If you need more storage, put it on the wall where you closed the window. An 8-foot wall of cabinets and shelves?

With new cabinets in kitchen and no L-shape Bar...do you think I would have room for an island or another type of bar area?

Angel- Do you have any windows, in your kitchen? What are the rooms, behind the kitchen area? Why did you close off the window, in the unused part? You might want to think about task lighting, pendants, etc. to bring more light into the space.

Do you want to have any seating, in the kitchen? Do you like the stools or do you want a table? Do you want a coffee area or snack space? Would you rather have a pub type table with taller chairs? Lots of options :)

It looks like a galley style would be best, with your 8' deep kitchen, but you could do some creative things with that closed off end.

As for appliances, how do you feel about a counter depth fridge? That would solve a lot of your problems. Does the wall space (bump out) next to the fridge, need to stay? It looks like it, in the picture. Do you want a wall oven? Do you bake a lot? Are four burners enough, on the range...or would you prefer a cooktop? Would you want to switch to gas, have a grill, etc? Any specialty items, you're hoping to include?

Lavender- There is no windows in the kitchen. Room right behind kitchen is laundry room. Yes I do want more lighting. Want a whole new kitchen, just trying to figure out the best plan/layout with my odd space. I have a table in the Dining Room, but thought once about adding a small table to the un-used space just not sure if that would look too crowded. I could do away with the bar & stools. Four Burners are enough, I like the idea of wall oven. We would not be switching to gas. Thought about taking my measurements to Cabinet Company to see what they could do.
Sounds like you have alot of ideas...thanks alot

Angel- I think you could do a wonderful kitchen, in your space. Now that I have a somewhat better idea of what you want...I'd think about breaking up the cabinet space a bit, so it looks more cottage/country. To me, this means plate racks, glass upper cabinets, maybe some open shelves. Even if you need 'closed' storage, there are lots of frosted/seeded glass choices.

Now, you have a kitchen that is open to the dining room and living room...so what do you want to see, from the dining room? Would you rather be looking at (for example) a sink with plate rack over it...or maybe a range with nice vent/hood?

I think I'd put the fridge (maybe counter depth?) and wall oven, on the back wall, where the fridge is now. I would take out the cabinets on the 8' wall and put the sink and range on the wall, you have them on now...but separate them a bit, for more prep space. On the 8' wall, maybe some beadboard, with wall paper or pictures above? That way, you could use both of the 'main walls' of the galley, from wall to 3' doorway/dining room entrance.

In the unused area, I would put a pub table and a couple of stools. I'd probably get rid of the peninsula and center the pub table, in the space, behind the living room. On the 'former window' wall, I'd put dish storage on either side, with a buffet underneath...maybe close off the window and put a flat screen TV there, instead?

If you got rid of the peninsula, you would have room for a nice bookcase (tall) on the 4' wall, for cookbooks, baskets, display, etc. Here are a few pictures...hope they give you some good ideas :)

Sinks with plate racks {{gwi:1447238}}From Kitchen plans
{{gwi:1683241}}From Kitchen plans

Range ideas...I love the white one...and you can always mix in some wood, too. {{gwi:1683242}}From Kitchen plans
{{gwi:1683243}}From Kitchen plans

Possible pub tables...and the last one is just fun. {{gwi:1683244}}From Kitchen plans
{{gwi:1683245}}From Kitchen plans
{{gwi:1683246}}From Kitchen plans

Oh, and don't forget the TV, if it's something you like in the kitchen :) {{gwi:1683247}}From Kitchen plans

Angel, here's a link to our recently completed kitchen.
At 8x12 feet is substantially smaller than yours but I can tell you, that with good design, it's as efficient as any kitchen I've ever worked in.
Your's will be too.

Here is a link that might be useful: 8x12 Kitchen

Lavender- alot of wonderful ideas, love the white hood. If you think of anything else or find any more photos please share.

Willtv- you have a very nice kitchen. What is the measurement of the floor space in front of your stove (from cabinet drawers to sink cabinet?) Because your aread looks narrow like mine - but your's looks great.

Thanks to you all

Angelcute - You have enough room for a small breakfast/homework whatever table in the area just above the living room area.

That 4-foot wall between the LR and DR openings could certainly have a small home office, pantry cupboards or something. You have a lot of area, it's just not optimally used.

lazygardens - I really like the idea of moving the refrig to the end.

Willtv - how far do you have from cabinet drawers to sink cabinet..meaning the floor measurement?