If you can open the space of the sunroom to the dining/kitchen that's a good start.

I am not crazy about the first layout because the peninsula seems to eat up a lot of space in the dining area and it takes away your sink-side view of the yard. Plus the kitchen is very tight.

If you close off the door to the living room from the sunroom, can you raise the floor to be level with the kitchen?

Then the three rooms (kitchen/dining/sun room) can be combined to one more efficient cooking/dining/great room space.

Thanks for your input! If you have ideas about combining those spaces, let me know!

Yes, I would miss the view of the back yard too. I'm trying to decide if it would be worth it.

We could raise the floor, but then the ceiling would be low, because the roof is very low over that side of the house.

That space is 7 feet wide, so the inside of the u would be about 4.5' - You don't think that's big enough?

Here are some things that come to mind right off:

1. It looks like you plan on keeping the step down to the kitchen on the sunroom plan. That would be a real pain, especially in a small kitchen. I lived with a kitchen for a few years that was a step up from the rest of the house. You will go up and down that step more than you think. If you go with this option, I would close in the wall to the lr and add upper cabinets.

2. It's not weird to want to look over the backyard or have a view from the kitchen, it's pretty standard. Many kitchens don't have a view and you have to decide how important that is to you.

3. The second option layout would be a major traffic problem with the door between the dw and range.

4. The third option works pretty well and solves some problems. The storage is across from the dw, but not too far. I don't see a way to get storage closer without closing you in. Also, make sure you can work with the dw on the left of the sink. The island would not work for seating, but does add counter space you need.

5. All your plans are an improvement, but, as you develop them, look for more ways to add storage so that the major changes you plan will really pay off.

Hope this helps.

I gotta tell ya, when we bought the house, the step didn't seem like a big deal, and I thought it was a kind of a funky, fun, and retro detail.

My opinion has changed! It's a big pain. We do go up and down that step a gazillion times!

Another option would be to build up that floor, and make the ceiling slope up - following the roof line. That way, I think the low ceiling at one side of the room wouldn't be a big deal at all - especially since there would be upper cabinets there for the most part, and a door swing. the ceiling would be around 7' above the stove, I think.

I guess I need to look at a section, and take some careful measurements.

As much as I think I might miss the backyard/sink view, it would be awfully nice to be able to use that awkward space.

Depending on your budget and your long term plans for the house, the sunroom would be the best way to go by adding usable square footage.

Be sure to work out the leftover space in the current kitchen/dining area to make sure you have a functional room when you are done.

I did a quick trace, moving the sink to the sunroom window, and the range to the living room window.
This clears up the peninsula for a landing are for groceries as well as prep work.

I added a pantry area around the corner from the fridge, and a table with a long settee against the bedroom wall.

Here is a link that might be useful: xena45's kitchen layout

Definitely raise the floor. We are doing that in part of our home to increase the size of useable space for the kitchen.

The real problem with all your plans is the location of the basement stairs. Have you looked into what it would cost to move them?

I had the same thought about the stairs- if they could be moved and you could appropriate that real estate, a kitchen utilizing that corner could have your same backyard view you like. Relocate the back entry to the carport between kitchen and LR, and raise the floor so only the LR is lower.

But we looked into relocating basement stairs in our own 1956 ranch renovation- and it was prohibitive on our very tight budget. Might be worth pricing out though... call a handful of contractors.

I'll be very interested to see what evolves here! we moved our kitchen to the middle of the house, and put the LR and DR in the "sunken" sunroom area, opening it all up into one space. It was a very difficult challenge, and we're only at pre-drywall stage, so yet to see it finished. Feels good so far though.

Good luck!

Can we see pics?

I'd shut off the door to garage/car port if not used, leave the doors into LR if possible - are they glass to let more light into the 'unsun room'? if not, I'd put in glass doors, and put sheers on the sunroom side. put in a skylight, close off the doorway into the kitchen and make a doorway into DR (where windows are now). and use the sunroom as a TV room study/office, computer room???

then in DR you'd have a partial wall ( along sunroom side) to put shallow cabinets. pantry cab? hutch with glass doors for dishes?

I'd keep the kitchen where it is to see out that window into backyard (I love that myself). I'd keep the sink where it is - put as much window over it as possible - no upper cabs over sink wall. on the turn from the sink to the right I'd run cabs with stove toward the end of that wall - and if you really need a peninsula area (for dh to sit and talk to you while you cook - or you to talk to him while HE cooks) just put a nubby one at the end there part the stove (coming off of what is now door to sunroom and).

put the glass doors (maybe not sliding tho) to the left of sink area/counter. on the other wall (counter and fridge now? I can't read the wording on the LO - bad eyes) I'd put a counter depth fridge with a bit of cab/counter on either side of it for a landing pad.

another possibility would be to swap the stove and fridge - setting the fridge back into the ? area in the sunroom. then you could also look out the back glass door while cooking. tho I think I'd like the fridge more on the other wall - out of work area (in case dh/ someone wants a drink/ice etc while I'm cooking) - and so dh could sit at counter top and talk to me. I doubt dh would be sitting there to talk to you while you are taking things out of/putting into the fridge - lol!

Moving the stairs is a great idea, and one I hadn't thought of. I'm pretty sure we can't afford it...and it would cause other issues in the basement.

The "unsun room" only gets decent light before around 9a.m., when it can get morning sun. Even with the double doors open from the living room, it's pretty dark almost all the time.

I'll think about this some more. I think that finding a way to utilize the wasted sunroom space is key to this kitchen remodel and making the house a nicer place to live. Right now the kitchen is the first thing anyone sees when they walk in the house, and I don't know if I like that very much.

I'd love to see other ideas, that don't involve moving walls or stairs. You guys are awesome!

Here's another idea..... What do you think of this?

I like that. How would you furnish that space where the kitchen formerly was? Is it just the two of you? I am thinking, as opposed to a full dining set, to have two beautiful comfortable chairs and a small round dining table, possibly one that could be expanded when you have guests. Or, maybe a settee with a small pedestal table (also, one that can be expanded for guests). This way, you're not taking up so much space all the time and it would be a great place to enjoy the light and the view of the yard.

The plan is a good start, but we need more specific requirements now so we can help with more detail. The island is quite large, so need to know how you will use the kitchen, etc. There is a list of ideas to get you started on the "read me first" post that is usually on the first page.

Just looking at it, the island seems too close to the sink cabinets. If the additional storage is for kitchen items, it's a little far. The pantry in rob p's sketch was closer.

All these details can be worked out, just need to know a little more about what you need in a kitchen.

Have you considered moving the DR into the Sunroom and then making the center room a kitchen with very informal seating (maybe just island or peninsula seating)? If you provide plenty of artificial light the "darkness" shouldn't be a problem...especially if it's used mostly in the evening. Definitely add window treatments!!

You might also be able to fit a small computer/desk area...