How would you use a 'bonus' 5'4' wall space?!

11 years ago

Due to a set-back issue, we have had to change the plans to our kitchen extension, resulting in an additional 5'4" wall space beside the fridge.

We were planning on swapping our 42" fridge for a 48", which would still leave us with 4'10" of "bonus space" to play with.

My initial thoughts where to use a pantry closet here. Extra storage is always welcome, but we do have a pantry, so I'm not sure if we really, really need it.

I have recently been considering some sort of "breakfast area", possible something that could be closed away behind retractable doors. It could be quite useful to have a special area zoned for tea / coffee / breakfast / snack-making...?

I would really love from anyone who has decided to do something similar? How does that work for you? Would you recommend leaving the space open or having the ability to close it off behind cabinet doors...?

It's been very difficult to find inspiration photos of a "close-able" breakfast area. I wonder if that is for a reason!!! This is the closest thing that I could find (I would want the doors to retract fully though).

http://www.culshawbell.co.uk/completekitchenette.html

All advice gratefully received!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

lavender_lass
11 years ago
That's neat! Retractable doors would eliminate the storage on the doors, but would make it easier to use the fridge at the same time. I really like this idea and I think it would be a great way to hide a coffee/espresso area, too :)
lascatx
11 years ago
The use of the space would depend a lot on where it is located relative to the rest of the kitchen and house, and possibly, on whether you can shift your plans around to give it a greater purpose.

Does the area need to close up? The space below was a door -- one of three on a wall and the one that was never used. This hutch sits opposite the breakfast table and has bread, peanut butter, cereal and snacks; coffee, tea and hot chocolate; everyday and wine glasses as well as the wine tools, extra steamers and cleaning supplies for the espresso machine, mugs, cookbooks, a flatware drawer and another we have used for placemats or a laptop, coasters, trivets, napkins, one of my cake plates, some small pitchers and a teapot plus 2 refrigerator drawers. The opening is 58", but we extended the counter and lower trim over the edge. You can't see that, the fluted trim or the bottle opener mounted on the wall to the right.

So that's one example of what you can do with that size space. It is recessed into the surrounding wall with the bases at 27" deep and the uppers at 15" deep and the center shelf is 13". I like it being open, BTW.
Related Discussions
If you had 30''of extra lower cab space, how would you use it?
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks, all. I'll try to answer some questions. First, it is just the two of us adults with no youngsters in the house, so no need for a kid zone separate from the main cooking area. We do not do heavy cooking and only 2-3 times per year will there be more than two cooks working in the kitchen at once. Also, this is essentially a budget reno with Ikea cabs, stone/quartz, backsplash all coming in at $10-12K. The galley layout is staying the same, with appliances staying where they are (except for relocation of the counter-top MW). The layout works great as-is. The long bank of cabinets has an indoor garden on the other side, so is essentially an open galley wall rather than an "island." There will be no seating/access on the opposite side. The wall opposite the large bank in the photo has a 30" range (staying) with 30" of cabs on either side and the fridge. The uppers will be gone. Two reach-in pantries flank that wall. Here is a photo that sort of shows it, absent the pantries: 1) trash pullout. I know this is a great idea for most folks, but we tend to push the garbage to maximum density. Also, we don't mind just pulling the can over to the counter for heavy prep needs. (Yuck, I know, but its how we work!). 2) Warming drawer - there is one in the range. 3) Second sink - I don't think it would get much use, and it would be essentially "next to" the main sink, albeit several feet away - a little odd?. There is a bar sink in the living area for emergencies, although it never gets used. 4) Drink Fridge - this is a strong contender, and would remain useful even if we eventually upgrade to a fridge not manufactured during the Eisenhower administration. There is also the possibility of locating this at the wet bar across the room, but it would be less prominent in the kitchen. *The fridge drawers are nifty, but I don't think the benefits would outweigh the cost for us. 5) Pet feeding center -- I hadn't thought of this. Dog food is now in a tub in a closet near the door (they eat outside). Cat food stays in the room where cat's dish and litter box are. A good idea, but I don't know that it would give us any real increased utility. 6) Cleaning product pullout -- all of this will be in the sink base and should fit there. 7) Extra 4-drawer stack. I've got one planned at the "junk" end of the kitchen, and there will be a lot of "top" drawers elsewhere, so I shouldn't need this. 8) Micro drawer -- this is probably the top contender if we decide to expand the budget a bit, It will get the MW off the counter and out of the pantry. _______________ Thanks so much for the input, fellow kitchen folk!
...See More
How would you avoid Swiss cheese ceiling in this space?
Q
Comments (17)
Late to the thread -- a perfect example in the above where a smaller diameter can is not always the best solution for general lighting. Many (including myself) like the small cans and think they will be less intrusive, but if you add 40+ it just becomes ridiculous. I second the recommendations above wrt to putting in an overhead light and/or wiring your outlets to a wall switch; you simply need it to navigate through at night. I do like lamps and use them most often, but for task work and entering a dark room, a wall switch in the right location (or locations -- I have two in my FR) is invaluable. Another option alluded to above -- LED tape light and bars give a lot of uplighting options, hidden in small soffets or as uplights in a picture rail.
...See More
How would you furnish/ decorate this space?
Q
Comments (37)
I love your home and your style. I agree with @tibbrix that you should avoid layering a rug over your current carpeting. Our house was carpeted when we first moved in, and I was determined to use all our Persian rugs etc - but it just didn't work (either visually or functionally.) I also agree with all the advice to place or mount the TV on the brick - it looks squished in the corner and the brick seems like the right spot. Since you're open to buying new furniture and since you have a great room with a big sectional, I'd consider trying something that is explicitly differentiated from your current living room. Maybe skip the sofa for a some big comfy easy chairs (or swivel chairs) with a round coffee table in the center? [Traditional Family Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators Robeson Design
...See More
How to break up this bonus room into a guest bedroom & office space?
Q
Comments (41)
I think I would make a design that has walls on the office as well. An office is not something that I consider a space that is pretty to look at and can get messy so having it in view of the public areas would bother me. The other part is what if you're on the phone do you want the noise from all the other areas to be transferring to your phone call? Say someone running the garbage disposal in the kitchen or TV noises from the living room, or just conversations, screaming children, barking dogs, etc. Not sure of your house make up, but there are plenty of sources of noise in a house. I work from home twice a week and having a place to go and close the door is very useful when others are around and especially when in meetings where I can have my phone on speaker and also work at the same time. This way I'm not disturbing others either and others can't hear what is being said either unless they stand outside the door and listen in of course.
...See More
Ruth_123
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks very much for your comments!

I think that this looks pretty neat too lavender_lass! My neat freak side (who wants to hide the coffee area!) is locked in mortal combat with my lazy side (who doesn't want to open and close doors!) :-) :-)

Thanks very much for your input lascatax. I'm sorry, I have not been able to upload a floor plan which would have been helpful...! But this area is located close to the breakfast table (sort of at the end of the table)... Probably a bit like yours? And ours is immediately beside the fridge.

You have been REALLY clever with your use of space - such a good idea instead of a rarely-used door! You have achieved so much in 58"! I can imagine that this would be so very useful on a daily basis!!! You have inspired me...!!!

And I love your use of the refrigerator drawers! (I had to look twice!)

Our area would not have to close, I suppose. I guess that retractable doors would limit the width of usable counter space to less than 48", assuming that the doors could be 24" max to fit back within the cabinets. Counter space might be as little as 42" really...? That would be quite tight, wouldn't it!!!

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply!

All the best,
Ruth
home4all6
11 years ago
Ruth, when I saw your pictures, I was reminded of kateskouros area, which she previewed quite awhile back. I know she has had many troubles along the way, but she may be ale to chime in to share her thoughts on a similar space she has in her kitchen.
I will link to it here in the hopes she doesn't mind me sharing it with you.

Here is a link that might be useful: hidden breakfast bar
bahacca
11 years ago
I think it depends on who is in the house as well. I would go for more pantry space because it is me, my DH and my 2 young daughters. I already had to turn my coat closet into a pantry! But if you entertain, I think even a hidden wet bar would be nice if there is no other wet bar in the house. I also like the "breakfast bar" where you'd keep toaster, bread, coffee maker, etc.
Annie Deighnaugh
11 years ago
Do you have a desk area already? If not, you might consider one...we use ours all the time for mail, keys, phones, notes, etc.
Ruth_123
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi home4all6, thanks VERY much for referring me to kateskouros' phenomenal kitchen...! Her breakfast area is very much what I had in mind. I did a search on her kitchen and see that she talks about expecting to keep the doors open 364 days a year! Hmmmm, I wonder if she did ever get fed up of opening and closing those beautiful doors! I would love to hear how this is working for her!

Hi bahacca, my DH and I have two young children too and I know what you mean about the never ending need for storage! And the more you have, the more you seem to fill, right?! :-) I do love the idea of a wet bar - so useful! I'm not sure that my location would be ideal for this but I love the idea.

Hi AnnieDeighnaugh, I have an area earmarked for a desk, thanks! Great idea! This is something I am lacking in our current kitchen and it drives me crazy! I am very much looking forward to having a "control center"!! :-)

Thank you all for taking the time to reply! I really appreciate it!

All the best,
Ruth

Here is a link that might be useful: kateskouros' fab kitchen

How would you use a 'bonus' 5'4' wall space?!

Comments (7)

lavender_lass

lascatx

Related Discussions

Ruth_123
Original Author

home4all6

bahacca

Annie Deighnaugh

Ruth_123
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

How would you use a 'bonus' 5'4' wall space?!

Comments (7)

lavender_lass

lascatx

Related Discussions

Ruth_123Original Author

home4all6

bahacca

Annie Deighnaugh

Ruth_123Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Ruth_123
Original Author

Ruth_123
Original Author