Here's an initial attempt at a design that keeps the dining room essentially as it is:

Here's a perspective view to give a feel for what it looks like, with some furniture added in the dining room:

For some reason Sketchup didn't export all of my dimension measurements when I created the picture, but there is about 4.5' between the table and the wall in the mud room. There is 4' between the range and the island and 3' between the island and the wall with the stairs. The island itself is 30" wide, and the black box is a dishwasher, which would open toward the sink.

Here's what I don't like about this layout:

• Having the fridge, range, and sink all along one wall seems awkward.

• This range is 30", and I was hoping to fit a 36" range.

• This layout has the microwave over the range, but that may not be possible if I go for a range requiring a big hood. The only other option

  seems to be under the counter in the island, but' I'd like to avoid that too.

I'm also not sure what to do with the pantry space. Here's another view that shows it:

As you can see, it has a tall pantry/broom closet, a lazy susan, room for wine or beverage storage under the counter, and an appliance garage. I'm not sure what to do with the space above. Perhaps there would be a better arrangement?

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

--Optimus

Here's an initial attempt at a design that keeps the dining room essentially as it is:

Here's a perspective view to give a feel for what it looks like, with some furniture added in the dining room:

For some reason Sketchup didn't export all of my dimension measurements when I created the picture, but there is about 4.5' between the table and the wall in the mud room. There is 4' between the range and the island and 3' between the island and the wall with the stairs. The island itself is 30" wide, and the black box is a dishwasher, which would open toward the sink.

Here's what I don't like about this layout:

• Having the fridge, range, and sink all along one wall seems awkward.

• This range is 30", and I was hoping to fit a 36" range.

• This layout has the microwave over the range, but that may not be possible if I go for a range requiring a big hood. The only other option

  seems to be under the counter in the island, but' I'd like to avoid that too.

I'm also not sure what to do with the pantry space. Here's another view that shows it:

As you can see, it has a tall pantry/broom closet, a lazy susan, room for wine or beverage storage under the counter, and an appliance garage. I'm not sure what to do with the space above. Perhaps there would be a better arrangement?

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

--Optimus

Here's an initial attempt at a design that keeps the dining room essentially as it is:

Here's a perspective view to give a feel for what it looks like, with some furniture added in the dining room:

For some reason Sketchup didn't export all of my dimension measurements when I created the picture, but there is about 4.5' between the table and the wall in the mud room. There is 4' between the range and the island and 3' between the island and the wall with the stairs. The island itself is 30" wide, and the black box is a dishwasher, which would open toward the sink.

Here's what I don't like about this layout:

• Having the fridge, range, and sink all along one wall seems awkward.

• This range is 30", and I was hoping to fit a 36" range.

• This layout has the microwave over the range, but that may not be possible if I go for a range requiring a big hood. The only other option

  seems to be under the counter in the island, but' I'd like to avoid that too.

I'm also not sure what to do with the pantry space. Here's another view that shows it:

As you can see, it has a tall pantry/broom closet, a lazy susan, room for wine or beverage storage under the counter, and an appliance garage. I'm not sure what to do with the space above. Perhaps there would be a better arrangement?

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

--Optimus

Here's an initial attempt at a design that keeps the dining room essentially as it is:

Here's a perspective view to give a feel for what it looks like, with some furniture added in the dining room:

For some reason Sketchup didn't export all of my dimension measurements when I created the picture, but there is about 4.5' between the table and the wall in the mud room. There is 4' between the range and the island and 3' between the island and the wall with the stairs. The island itself is 30" wide, and the black box is a dishwasher, which would open toward the sink.

Here's what I don't like about this layout:

• Having the fridge, range, and sink all along one wall seems awkward.

• This range is 30", and I was hoping to fit a 36" range.

• This layout has the microwave over the range, but that may not be possible if I go for a range requiring a big hood. The only other option

  seems to be under the counter in the island, but' I'd like to avoid that too.

I'm also not sure what to do with the pantry space. Here's another view that shows it:

As you can see, it has a tall pantry/broom closet, a lazy susan, room for wine or beverage storage under the counter, and an appliance garage. I'm not sure what to do with the space above. Perhaps there would be a better arrangement?

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

--Optimus

Hi Optimus. Could you provide the dimensions of the spaces? That would be helpful for seeing what ideas would work.

If you don't use the back stairs, have you considered taking them out? Is there any other way into the basement? You could then move (and enlarge) the door from the DR into the kitchen over to the right and give yourself more room in the kitchen. As far as adding light, you could add a north facing window in the kitchen, but probably adding recessed fixtures is going to give you more bang for the buck.

I like the idea of using the mudroom as a small breakfast room, but I would miss the mudroom. Perhaps you could tuck a corner bench and small table into the corner where the wood stove is now, assuming the stairs are gone.

We looked at a Victorian (that I still dream about) and I pictured us taking out the back stairs to open up the kitchen. We then would have had to use the bulkhead to access the basement, but it was unfinished and dirty too!

Now let's hope the experts chime in!

Hi auchmedden,

Thanks for your feedback!

The overhead diagram has rough dimensions in it -- the mudroom is (about) 9x10 and the kitchen and dining room are both about 12'x15' (though oriented differently). Is 9x10 enough space to allow for a breakfast table and still have room to reach the back door?

We've thought about trying to move the stairs. We could probably remove the servants' stairs to the 2nd floor, but the cellar stairs pretty much have to stay where they are if we want access from inside -- the only other entrance to the basement is outside and the only other place we could locate interior stairs is blocked by the placement of the furnace in the cellar. We do plan to eventually put a freezer chest down in the basement.

Thanks again,
--Optimus

Hi Optimus, I have a very similar room layout and will be watching this thread for ideas too, so just a friendly bump! :-)

Hi Optimus. Sorry I missed the dimensions in the first picture. I am not an expert, but I have read that you need at least 36 inches for a walkway, more if you might be opening cabinets, ovens, etc. So, if the mudroom is 9ft 5 inches, you have 6 ft 5 inches to work with for a breakfast table. I think if you use a built-in bench on one side, you could probably do it. I would suggest taping it out, or putting a table there to see if it works for you.

Regarding the stairs, how much space would you gain by taking out the stairs that go up, but not the basement stairs?

kea3 -- thanks for joining in! I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions you have.

auchmedden -- I'll have to see how much space I could reclaim by eliminating the servants' stairs. It may not be that much floor space, since the basement stairs go under there. I'll check, though.

Thanks!
--Optimus