Kitchen Layout design suggestions needed

11 years ago

update. found another space for the W/D. so the upper left corner will be a utility closet for vacuum, broom etc.
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We are planning our new kitchen layout.
in the top view, the W/D unit is at the upper left corner.
the other side of the kitchen opens up to family room. Kitchen and Family together is 15x28
the island actually only has 2 base cabinet. it's hard to draw it with ikea software. so #11,12,13,14,15,16 will not be there and will be counter top overhang for sitting. we want to eat in the kitchen

Option A: Fridge and microwave on the left wall
Pros: fridge near Sink
Cons: the isle on the left might be tight with seats

Option B: Fridge and microwave on the range wall
Pros: left isle is more open. left wall looks clean and open. more counter space on the left, not interfering cooking and washing
Cons: Fridge is very far from sink (15 or so). lesser counter space near range, microwave usage might interfere cooking

which option works better?

Questions
1. I like to be able to take things out of fridge and put in the microwave or on the counter top underneath.
For option A the pantry is in between. however if we switch the pantry and fridge, the fridge will be even more in the way. is having pantry in between making using microwave less easy?
2. is fridge distance so far an issue?
3. in both options, at the window wall, is it better to have trash pull out on the left and dishwasher on the right, or the other way around?
4. for island, as we want to eat in most of the time, counter height seats are not very easy to get on and off for the elderly and young kids. what could be a good solution that will look good without breaking bank?

thanks

This post was edited by M_N_A on Fri, May 3, 13 at 0:11

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Comments (8)

M_N_A
Original Author
11 years ago
option B:
herbflavor
11 years ago
I think you want more "elbow room" around laundry than is provided by merely positioning the stack there. At minimum move fridge down or elsewhere,and fit the closet adjacent with shelves/ racks/cubbys or cubicles to stash/fold piles of clothes.I would absolutley need more space and I've had laundry in the kitchen....it becomes a zone when in use....it's not impossible and you have space in the kitchen....perhaps pantry-type closet/room to segregate....bifold doors?Devoting that pantry closet would work....but then you might want a different pantry for food /kitchen use.
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I'm running out now, but I wanted to quickly show you what LRy511 did in her kitchen. I'm also building from a modified Don Gardner plan and I'm changing my kitchen to an L-shape with an island. I had the sink on the island first but struggled with the openness so I moved it to a wall where it would be blocked by the island a bit from the great room. Here's a draft of my plan to give you an idea. Without seeing your plan, I doubt you need a door from the kitchen to the dining room. Can you easily cut through the foyer to get there? My current kitchen/breakfast nook/family room is almost identical to the one in the original plan. My kitchen seems dark, but that is because there are only 4 can lights and 2 pendant lights over the peninsula. Make sure you have plenty of can lights and under cabinet lighting and you'll be fine. I think you're wise not to have the 2-story living room. You'll still get plenty of light from all those windows on the back. BTW, my current house plan is very similar to the one you are proposing, except we don't have the first floor master. In our plan the stairs go off the the bottom left corner of the family room and take up the space you have as a hall between the LR and FR. That opens up the foyer a lot. It's something you might consider if you can find another doorway to the master. Of course it might not work with your second-floor layout, but I thought I'd mention it.
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User
11 years ago
You don't have enough room for all of the seating that you want. And actual eating at an island isn't comfortable except for breakfast or other quick snacks. Do you not have a dining room in the home? Or a breakfast area?

Post your existing layout first before any changes.
bpath
11 years ago
The laundry squash was the first thing that jumped out at me, too, so I vote for Option B. I prefer the fridge nearer the prep area than the sink. Also, I would swap the trash pullout and dishwasher. Makes the trash more convenient for prep and microwaved food wrappers/covers. My mom's trash pullout is in the island, behind the sink and range, and it's very convenient.

What is the space on the pantry wall? Is it a desk? Perhaps you'd rather the counter height stay consistent, and use a counter-height stool there. I saw that at Ikea, and it looked very convenient.
M_N_A
Original Author
11 years ago
@herbflavor, that's right. we are putting a closet door for W/D. it's hard to show with ikea software. will also allow more space as suggested.

@hollysprings, formal dining room is outside family room. a bit far from kitchen. don't have space for breakfast nook hence want to eat at the island

@bpathome, trash pull out at island is an new idea to try. space on the pantry wall Is it a desk with counter top over base cabinets on both sides. again ikea software issue:P
sena01
11 years ago
For option A, you might think of having the eating area at the bottom right corner (maybe re-size cabinets on the right of the range).If you have a table height peninsula there, you won't have to use bar stools and I don't think height change would look strange.

For window wall, I think DW on the left would be better.

Having the pantry between MW and fridge won't be a problem imo.
M_N_A
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks sena01
Valerie Noronha
11 years ago
I like option B but I would move the W/D stack all the way to the left side. It will look more balanced that way plus gets the W/D out of the main work areas of the kitchen. Maybe even rotate it so the bi-fold doors open into the adjacent family room instead of the kitchen so it does not become a blocked entry when in use.

Would it be an option to swap your family room and dining room? That way the dining room would be more convenient for family meals.

Kitchen Layout design suggestions needed

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M_N_A
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herbflavor

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Kitchen Layout design suggestions needed

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M_N_AOriginal Author

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