I think it looks fine where you have it. Taking down the wall is a good idea. The only other option I see is getting rid of the peninsula, and making the island larger. If you do that, you could put the stove there, as well as stools for casual dining.

I really wanted a large island with seating and no peninsula, but we are on a slab and the only cost effective way to downdraft is through the cabinets, so no floating island with seating which was my dream!

What if you take out the peninsula, make the island bigger (with seating) and move the range to the wall where you have the fridge (in your plan). Then put the fridge on the end of the sink countertop, by the table. This will give you an L-shape kitchen (fridge, sink, range) and a big island for prep and seating. Also more room for the seating around the table, too :)

You could move the fridge to the pantry area, put the range where the fridge was and remove the peninsula and extend the island.
The placement of the fridge might not be great but you could create a bit of a longer wall (2-4ft) extending into the living room and add a bar sink - would cut down on trips into the kitchen for drinks and snacks.
Caspian

Ok, I will ask if moving the fridge and range is doable! This is a total gut with a small master suite addition on the back so we are trying to be as cost effective as possible. Being on a slab foundation makes things difficult. The table shown is my 54" antique oak pedestal that I am trying to keep even though a rectangle table would probably fit better. This is a small old ranch from the late 50's and the kitchen/nook width was only 11'9" to begin with. The front room was only 12' wide! Thanks for all of your suggestions. This will be our forever home as there is a business behind the house that we are also purchasing!

My preference would be to have the fridge closer to the table, but that puts the range in a more awkward position right next to an opening, so you will have to decide if that is a factor based on your expected traffic patterns.

Must you have a downdraft range? If all you have is attic above, why not go with a hood and vent through the roof? That would be much quieter and more effective.

The reason for the downdraft is to try to keep the room as open as possible. I would prefer the range on the sink wall and have a nice hood, but I guess there is not enough room. I'm not really in love with the peninsula and range, but it may be the best option with what we have to work with, that's why I was hoping fresh eyes would give me opinions! Also, anything is an improvement to what we are starting with!

I didn't think about the range being next to traffic flow if we move it to where the fridge is now, hmm? Now I'm not sure. We may just have to keep with the original drawings. We have the blueprints and are pricing it out now with general contractors so we have a little time.

My architect also thinks the large island in lieu of the peninsula will impede traffic flow? Any thoughts on this? The little prep island was placed just to give me my "island" lol! It is a little less than 4ft wide.

Thanks again for everyone's help and opinions.

Bebe- It would really help to have measurements of your space. We really can't tell you how much room you'll have without them...but I think the island would keep traffic away from the range. People will come from the fridge side to use the sink (wash hands, get a glass of water, etc.)

Also, the range area will be more efficient (and safer) if you have some prep space on each side...even if it's only 12" to 18". Can you put a vent over the range, if you move it to the current 'fridge wall'?

Might you consider putting the 24" DW to the left of the window-centered sink and your 30" range on the diagonal where walls meet to the right of the sink?

Some illustrations in link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture link:

I like the idea of the stove on what is now the fridge wall--if the stove moves directly opposite, there will be room for a cabinet (maybe 24"?) between it and the opening to the hall. It seems that the peninsula is more of a barrier between the dining area and kitchen, than a larger island would be. Without the peninsula, diners will have more room to pull the chairs out, and the fridge will be more accessible from both the dining area and LR.

I'll try to get some measurements from my husband. The only plans I have say that 1/4" equal 1'. He told me the prep island was 3'10" by 2'. From my measurements with a ruler, the peninsula is 4'wide by 8' long. It is 3' from prep island to peninsula and also 3' from island to fridge. I'll also ask if we could even vent from the "fridge" wall. Moving that many appliances around may not be an option. We have to move the gas range because we are removing the wall it was on.

I thought about the diagonal placement, but it definitely messes up the work "triangle". Thanks again. I probably have to come back to reality and not wish for a large floating island.

I like Lavender Lass' suggestion of gettng rid of the peninsula, moving the fridge to the table-end of the sink wall. I'd consider a smaller DW, placed on the left of the sink and the install the range inboard (towards exterior wall) of where the fridge is now. You only need 12" (and maybe could squeak by with a bit less) especially if you don't have young kids who might be racing by the stove and snag a hot pot. You could then vent up and along the ceiling to the outside. You'd lose some space at the top of the cabs, but overall lose less of the useable space than if you mount a downdraft in the cab.

This plan would give you some possibilities for an island, as well. Plus enlarge the space around the table you wish to use. (Frankly the way you've got it drawn now the peninsula-side chairs will be a bear to get into.) An island might be more or less useful depending on your cooking patterns. I think if you go with this plan I'd punt on the island at first. Install the other cabs and then make some mockups and live with them before you order the island and its counter. A few inches might make all the difference in such a tight layout and you won't really know this until you work it.

I'd also plan on a pull-out pantry cab instead of one with a door; I think you'll find it much more functional.

Another possible advantage in delaying the island is that code these days requires electrical connections on islands which with a slab could get expensive. However an island added later probably would never trigger a code issue, if you could live without power on it. Or maybe you'd find you want an island on casters (pro-kitchen looking with Metro shelving and butcher block, for instance.) Or maybe since this adjoins your living room you'd decide to opt for a solid-looking island (with cabs on the bottom) and an overhang with a stool or two. An overhang with a heavy stone would probably need to be lagged into the floor, but even there adding an island as an after thought you might still avoid the electrical issue.

Added: Another idea: abandonn having the table in the corner, instead have it centrally-located in the newly freed-up space betweeen the kitchen and living room and have the kitchen run along the entire exterior wall as a galley kitchen. Carfeul arrangement with fridge and pantry storage > dw > sink > counter > range might work quite well. You could use the farthest corners on each end for items less commonly used, cookbooks, etc.

A measured drawing would be very useful to you. You can easily make one on graph paper and then sketch in the design as you play with it.
HTH

L.

Thanks again! I'm definitely going to ask about moving the refrigerator. You've hit the nail on the head about the peninsula being a barrier for the table. I guess that's what bothers me about it. I have 3 teens so no children knocking over pots, at least I hope not! I'm posting a picture I took of some larger plans, but still no real measurements showing.
The back wall of the breakfast area to the peninsula is 9' if that helps! Not much room with a 54" table.
My husband is not answering my calls, but I will get him checking on moving the fridge and range!

Thanks!
Emily

Is that a covered porch that the proposed office opens onto? And is that a storage area to the left of the office? Have you considered making the storage room and part of the old LR into the office, and allotting the remaining space to the dining area? I'm seeing french doors opening onto a covered porch, from a more spacious dining room. :)

Yes, it is a covered porch and I love where you are going with this, but alas, the storage area is a "walk-thru" to the business that is behind the home. We only use the covered porch and backyard on off hours! I wish there was another way, but it is what it is! Thanks!

Tack on an awning and make 'em walk around!! (LOL)

The back wall of the breakfast area to the peninsula is 9' if that helps! Not much room with a 54" table.

I have a 12'x24' room that adjoins the kitchen. It's mostly a play room for grands, but when we have large gatherings it doubles as a DR, with 2 or 3 folding tables placed lengthwise. Between a counter with a small sink, and a window seat on the opposite wall, there is 8.5 feet. Folding tables are only 30" wide, and with chairs on both sides, that is as tight as I would want it, even occasionally.

Liriodendron's idea of a table in the middle of the room may be the answer for you. I'm linking a thread started by lavender_lass, about a table v. an island. There are some pics of pretty examples of tables and table/island combos.

Here is a link that might be useful: Island or table?

LOL, to the awning! Believe me I have tried to think of other ways to get them safely in and out! But it is a "pet hotel" boarding kennel and having the double door walkway to the back is a great safety precaution.

I have emailed my architect to do another drawing removing the peninsula and swapping the range and refrigerator.

My husband still likes the peninsula because he wants to have people over and with the peninsula people are facing the TV and he says the island will block the TV viewing from the table and the people at the island will have their backs to the TV. He's talking about football game parties, so it wouldn't happen daily! This was his reasoning for liking it how it is!

Oh, thanks for the link to the table or island. I would really like both a table and island so we could host more parties! If we end up with the small prep island it will definitely be mobile. Thanks again for everyone's suggestions!

Bebe- What about something like this? You'd have a larger island (with one stool facing the TV for your DH) and more room for the table, too.

Can you use a pocket door, between the kitchen and office? With the insulation...I wasn't sure, but it would take up less floor space!

Also, anyway to make that a double window, by the table? More light and the dining table would look more centered with the windows.

Sorry, my white out is almost gone, but I hope this is easy to read :) {{!gwi}}From Cottage house plans

Lavender,

I like that a lot! I asked about having a pocket door there and my architect swears they aren't made well and break often. I would love to use one, but after talking to several people they all swear the tracks for the doors are flimsy and it will probably mess with the sound insulation too. I would love to have a double window too, these are the existing windows shown, but it is a brick house and don't know how much messing with windows will cost. I'll ask!

I hope to have a new drawing similar to what you've done by my architect who is also family, but haven't I heard from him yet! I'm going to show my husband your drawing and see what he says!

Thanks again!

another vote for Lavender's layout (Sorry if this is a duplicate -- my first attempt evidently got eaten.)

I also vote for Lavender's layout.

Not all pocket doors are bad quality. Research.

As for the architect, remember this is your house. Sometimes family who are "helping" on a project tend to take over.

Thanks for voting! I hopefully will have some new plans drawn "Lavender's Way" soon! I will also look into pocket doors some more, but the door in question will be a door that stays closed, but will be opened and closed constantly. I think that is why he decided a pocket door would not be as sturdy and easy to use for constant opening and closing.

Hi! I'm waiting on my architect to draw up some new plans, he said it should be fine the new way. I drew up a little sketch on some graph paper as was suggested and want to see what everyone thought. I drew the island as 8'X 3 1/2', probably too big, maybe 7' would work better.

I found a kitchen on here that I would loved to emulate, it is Positano's kitchen. Don't know how to link it, but I love her kitchen.

Thanks again, and if anyone has anymore suggestions, please share.

Lavendar drew what I was thinking!

Superb work flow. Only snag is that the open DW interferes with fridge access for the cook. BUT, most remodeled kitchens have compromises, and this is not so bad a one. Way better plan than the penninsula.

Happy for you that you can have your dream of island with seating!!

If your table is a pedestal, and you are usually 5 for dinner, consider building in a curved or angled banquette from the window to the office door. Nice sofa like perch nearest the office door. The window 'makes sense' where it is. And you can place the table a foot or more closer into the corner. Use 3 chairs to fill out the seating, so with 5, 3 have chairs and two go on the banquette and no one is trapped - that's the biggest banquette complaint: being trapped.

Like this, only with the window shifted right, window side leg shorter and left side longer up to the office door.

I think your latest drawing looks very nice. That will cook like a dream.

Thanks for your vote, Celticmoon! I love the banquette idea, it is a pedestal table.

Another question, if anyone is still reading, I am now questioning my decision to remove the wall between the kitchen and family/living room, especially after reading Lavender's post on separate kitchen and seeing Positano's lovely space. My kitchen is a little over a foot smaller than her space so that does make a difference. The only thing that makes me want to remove it is the narrowness of each room. If the wall comes down I can "float" furniture.
I may have to start a new post taking votes on removing wall or not!

Also, does anyone know where to post my new master bathroom floor plan to get the most responses on its layout? Bathroom forum doesn't seem to get much action!

Thanks!

I'm glad you like the layout! One thing I like about an island is that it keeps the kitchen work area divided from the living area. And you said your husband was looking forward to seeing the TV from the island. I don't know if that makes a difference, but your layout is actually very good for an open floor plan.

Instead of two rectangular rooms, you would have one larger, square room. This might be a little noisier, but it also bring a lot more light into the room. It just depends on what will work best for you and your family :)

Can the media closet be deeper, moving the living room wall to the left, possibly making an opening for the fridge where the pantry is? (Sorry if I missed why this can't work...I read through and didn't catch it if you already said)

That would create more of an efficient cooking work area, and also leave space for dish storage near the table and allow a more light an open feel at the dining end of the kitchen.

And as far as pocket doors... I used to think of pocket doors from the flimsy 60s versions I'd seen and operated growing up... Awful. But we have 9 pocket doors in the house we just built for ourselves. The frames and hardware are much sturdier than those previous versions. For some we used solid core, 5 panel doors, and for others we used 10-lite French door style, so they look great, as well as operating nicely.