Layout question -- will dish drawers opposite DW drive me nuts?

14 years ago

Here is my current draft of the kitchen layout:

Here is my concern: My dishes would go in the island, in drawers opening towards the DW, with about 4 feet between the drawers and the DW. My current DW door comes out about 30 inches from the front, so I'm using that as my working estimate for the new (model as yet unselected) DW. That means my drawers can only open about 15 inches or so when the DW door and racks are open. I will have to move dishes to the top of the counters on either side, close the DW door (or the racks for the top drawer), fully extend the drawer, put away the dishes.

Will that drive me crazy? Is there another way? There really isn't another space for dishes close to the DW. The next choice would be on the wall by the range, but that's several steps away.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

desertsteph
14 years ago
i'd go for it. it'll probably only be in the way of the bottom drawer(s). use that for stuff seldom used. I would anyway since it's so far down.

larger things in those drawers like colander, mixing b*owls etc.
Fori
14 years ago
Do some layouts with masking tape and see if D'steph is right. If so, you're good. If not, think about dishwasher drawers. They don't stick out quite as far when open. (In my ex-kitchen, I loved having dishes across from dishwasher, but mine were in an upper cupboard so I didn't have crashing issues.)
Related Discussions
Kitchen layout driving me batty!! Help.
Q
Comments (20)
Sorry for the delay in responding. Was working on a big yard project and too tired in the evening to think about the inside remodel. Great ideas from all of you. I did want to put the kitchen where the LR is as it has a room on the other side that is perfect for a mudroom, but DH absolutely does not want to touch the LR and take out the fireplace. Also the floor is dropped in that space and running plumbing would be difficult and expensive. And, college attending DD lives in the spare space(access is from garage). The office is only around 9-10 feet deep and I think putting the PR in it would make the desk area way too small. It is also my library/reading/get away space. IÂll have to consider moving either the outside ref or freezer in the laundry room. However, the room is pretty small and I want some counter space for my sewing machine and desperately need an ironing board space (both are currently in formal dining room). I know all the doorways in the kitchen are messy. The opening by the office is important as that will be the way we get to the new courtyard (thru the office) and the kids and I use the computer in the office a lot. I like to keep an eye on what they are doing on-line. IÂve thought about trying to leave the coats and boots outside the door, but we have pushed the wall out as far as it can go under the eves as we can without disturbing the roof (cost concession). Also when it is snowing, one does not like to take off coat and shoes outside. Sigh! Anyway, I reworked the plan after the first round of ideas but before see all these additional ideas. I moved the pantry and changed the PR. Pantry is not as big, but an okay size. Takes some space from the dining area, but I want a banquette and so do not need to walk completely around a table. I think the separation between the fridge and stove is better. The fridge is close to prep sink which will be used for working with food and does not block the stove access. Also gives me more cabinets. This house is dismally short on storage. Not sure if we are doing a range or cooktop yet. If I put ovens somewhere else it would be on the same run as the refrigerator. That area will probably be where I do baking related activities. Dish storage will be by window sink and relatively close to dining area. Any thoughts on this layout?
...See More
To DW or not to DW, that is the question
Q
Comments (16)
Thank you all for your input. robo- Its not an Ikea kitchen, although I used the Ikea kitchen planner to draw it. It is a re-using-used-cabinets-from-a-friends-old-kitchen kitchen. That is an good idea about using the 24" cabinet for the sink, since if I put a dishwasher, the 24" cabinet wouldn't be used. The sizes of base cabinets that I had to work with are: 2 36" corner base lazy susan cabinets. 1 36" sink base (that is in somewhat poor shape) 1 36" base with 2 drawers and two doors 1 36" base island cabinet (with doors and drawers on one side and fake doors and drawer fronts on the other) 1 30" base cabinet (with one drawer, 2 doors and 2 pullouts) 1 27" base cabinet (with one drawer, 2 doors and 2 pullouts) 1 24" base cabinet (with one drawer, 2 doors and 2 trashcan pullouts) 1 21" base cabinet (with one large door, and a mixer lift) 1 18" base cabinet (with 4 drawers) annkh- I don't think there will be any problem with the fridge, that short wall segment is only 24", I just drew it wrong in the layout. lavender- That's an interesting layout, but the plumbing drain stack is just to the left of the window, moving the drain over to the corner might not be feasible. bpathome- The opposite side of the wall from the back of the blind corner cab is the corner of the living room, immediately behind the front door. There might be a way that the space could be accessed from there, but I'm not sure what it could be used for. I think I will see if I can get an inexpensive DW and test fit it in that space and in the space next to the fridge, the Habitat for Humanity store had three a week ago, although two were gross looking. -Bob
...See More
L-shape with island, layout question
Q
Comments (24)
Thanks Deb and rhome, I am not really having fun right now, sorry. I would be, without a question, but I am not finding my "perfect" layout and therefore we can't move on with the project. In the meantime we (or I because DH is "fine with any layout you pick") are under pressure to get it done and let the architect work on the changes to our original plan to accomodate it. Anyway, after reading about Buehl's troubles with the ventilation, we decided to check with the contractor right away before selecting the location for the range. Found out that our best choice would be to reuse the existing ductwork which means the range has to be againt the "back" wall. This leads us most likely to the drawing posted by rhome410 above. Now I am trying to visualize the flow. Refrigerator to prep.sink to range to either of the eating areas works fine. Island seating is close to the fridge which is great. A couple of things I am not sure about. How would it work for more than one cook? I think when I am cooking with a child or whoever, the idea is to socialize too, so both people would have to be somehow at the island. I guess this is possible if one person is using the oven or making a salad while the other is using the range. But I don't think the main sink would be used for cooking that often so it would be mostly dedicated to the cleanup. On one side, i really like not having a big sink on the island and having that "clean-up zone" clearly defined. But on the other hand, I am having second thoughts because I see a couple of issues: a) The "flow of dishes". The dishes are on the other end from the island seating and the fridge, so if one of my two kids wants a glass of milk, they have to get a glass from that cabinet, get the milk from the fridge, then after they are done, they need to put the milk back and then walk to the main sink with the glass. I am wondering if they would do that or if their dishes would always end up in the prep sink. b)The main sink is close to the dining table so when we change plates during a dinner party, the dirty plates are right there, almost in plain view. I was hoping to keep this area "pretty looking". My other option would be to switch the sinks or just have a sink-and-a-half in the island, but I think the seating would have to be along the back side then, which is a little crowded in the walkway and also would eliminate the raised cabinet which again infringes on my idea of no mess being visible from the dining area. Bar seating would solve the last one but we don't want it because of the kids and older relatives coming to visit. So I am stuck again. I hope this post isn't too long to read through. Let me know what you think and what would your choice be? annab6
...See More
Your Vote Counts! Help me pick a layout
Q
Comments (19)
Ohh, and looks like I have a few more replies! Let's see... Emilyam819, totally agree with your thoughts on option 1. It seems so efficient without all the back and forth and backtracking. By the time i add in a prep sink and all the other things to make up for the fact that the stove is b/w sink and fridge, perhaps it is worth the extra cost of the window? Interesting thought regarding coffee station. I hadn't considered that! DH insists on using filtered water for coffee, though, which we usually get from the fridge. So, something else to consider/add if we are gonna be filling coffee pots next to the cleanup sink. This one is actually growing on me, if I was to be completely honest =) Editing to add: When you say coffee will be convenient to fridge for cream in #4... the fridge is over in the opposite side of the kitchen though... unless you added in a mini fridge I don't know about? (don't laugh... i've considered it ;-). Or am I misunderstanding? lharpie, yes, I absolutely, positively refuse to do 3 sinks, LOL. I really do like the idea of the fridge so close to the action, but still easily accessible to the Family Room. With option 3, would you go with cleanup sink and island sink? or cleanup sink and coffee station sink? Cleanup and island seem so close together that they almost seem kind of redundant and just clutter the space up, What do you think?
...See More
three_daisies
14 years ago
I think you'll be okay. I have less than ideal space (much less than 4') b/w drawers in my (relatively small) island and my DW. In my bottom drawer I keep my plastic containers and I find it impossible to pull out the drawer more than a few inches while the DW is open to put the containers away. But that's b/c I have such little space in the aisle....I knew that going in but I had to have the island! Even a couple of extra inches would be a great improvement. If you have four feet, you should have plenty of space.
dzinzr
14 years ago
One question...why is your trash so far from your sink? Do you think that will be a problem?
nursetammi
14 years ago
Just thought I'd let you know that my dishwasher is not exactly lined up with my drawers but when I empty the dishwasher I tend to put them on my island anyway (across from the dishwasher) and then put them in my drawer. That way you can kind of stack them first and them put then in their place in the drawer. I think you'll be OK :)Here is a pic so you can see the similar design. Its the only one I have on photobucket at the moment. If you need me to take a pic with the drawer and the dishwasher open I'd be glad to if you think it might help.
desertsteph
14 years ago
the trash is far from the sink...and the stove.

do you use a bowl for trash when prepping?
inthehollow
14 years ago
My skillet drawer is the lowest drawer across from the dishwasher, and my aisle is narrower than yours... 42", I think. I can open the drawer halfway and slide in all but one or two of things that need to go in there.

I love the middle drawer above that one. Things go directly from the dishwasher into that drawer in a second! It's super-convenient for the 2 minutes a day that you're unloading.

I think you'll be fine.
michiganrachel
14 years ago
We are currently renting a home and building our own home. The rental home is new (1.5 years old) and the dish drawers are directly across from the dishwasher. The opening is only 39 or 40 inches and I have no problem unloading the dishwasher directly into the drawers across from it.

The bottom drawer does not open all the way with the dishwasher open, but I keep my plastic dishes in this drawer so I can slide them under each other. My ceramic dishes are in the middle drawer which easily can be open all hte way with the dishwasher open. I honestly haven't thought of it as a pain at all.
idrive65
14 years ago
I'll chime in on the other side and say yes, it might drive you crazy after a while unless you can squeeze the dishes into that drawer while the dishwasher is open. I had a similar setup but it was my pots/pans cabinet in the island. After a while I got so annoyed with having to remove them from the dishwasher, put them on the island, close up the dishwasher, put them away. And that was pots and pans, which don't go in the dishwasher as often as dishes do.

A dish-drawer type dishwasher might work better there.
azmelt
14 years ago
We just finished our kitchen last week, and have the dish drawer across from the DW as you have planned. I LOVE how efficient it is to unload the dishes and put them right in the drawer without reaching, straining or moving around an open upper cabinet drawer. I can't open the bottom drawer totally in the island with the DW open, but I've designated that drawer for items we don't use a lot.
I taped a complete mock-up of the plan on our floor and built cardboard boxes before we committed to the final lay-out, and it seemed to work OK, but one is never sure until the final cabinets go in. This lay-out is a winner for us!
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds like this option is fine. It's certainly at least the lesser of two "evils" for me, and it sounds from some of you that I may even like it this way.

Yes, for those who have noticed how far away the trash is -- I will still have a small can under the sink, plus a disposal in the sink for peels, etc. But, there isn't room "in the triangle" for a container for recycling. Hence, I also allocated a garbage space in that other cabinet as well. It will be handy there for dumping off junkmail, newspapers, etc. And, there is room for "regular" trash as well for the kids' messes.
cawaps
14 years ago
I see two banks of drawers in the island. If the other doesn't interfere with the DW, can you switch the dishes to the other bank of cabinets?
gizmonike
14 years ago
We designed our kitchen to have the dish storage in our island across from a dishwasher installed between our cleanup sink & a trash pullout. We initially planned drawers so that DS could easily access the dishes for setting the table and emptying the DW. We've lived with this for 3 years and LOVE it. We use the top drawer for silverware & the middle drawer for everyday dishes. It doesn't matter about the bottom drawer because we use it for large items that don't go into the DW.

Layout question -- will dish drawers opposite DW drive me nuts?

Comments (13)

desertsteph

Fori

Related Discussions

three_daisies

dzinzr

nursetammi

desertsteph

inthehollow

michiganrachel

idrive65

azmelt

User
Original Author

cawaps

gizmonike

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Layout question -- will dish drawers opposite DW drive me nuts?

Comments (13)

Related Discussions

UserOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author