Getting back in the process -- need kitchen help

14 years ago

Hi everyone! Some of you may remember me -- I lurk often and post not very often! We were planning on building last summer and then put things on hold when costs got out of hand. Now we are in the process of going back to the architect and hopefully reducing some costs by cutting out some of our corners and other things. We have (maybe unfortunately) had a year to comb over our floor plan. :)

Anyway, after scouring my kitchen plan, I'm liking it less and less. :( I feel like our architect just gave us the bare minimum in kitchen requirements and not much more. And instead of catching this in the beginning, I just let it go on and now since the kitchen is in the center of the house, it seems difficult to change.

What I don't like:

* I would have liked a 48 inch depth on the island and closer to 10 feet length. It is now 42 inches wide and 9 feet in length.

*I would like seating on two sides of the island instead of all in a row on one side. I was hoping for 5 seats -- two seats on the end by the bkfast table side and 3 seats on the long side. I like the kind of grand piano shaped island if that makes sense at all.

*I was hoping for more space between the island and the frig wall. Currently there is 42 inches between the island and cabinet and less between the island and frig unless I get counter depth. I was hoping for at least 4 feet here since this is walkway to the pantry and I like extra space there, especially since it's the frig wall.

*The walkway space on the bkfast area side seems minimal as well at 4'3". Do you think? Especially if I want to make the island a bit longer?

I like:

*the distance between the cooktop wall and the island. I like 4'0.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I could get a little bigger, different shaped island and more walkway space around it, without cramping into the space for the great room and bkfast area? I already know I can move the carpet line for the great room back a foot to the 17'10" measurement so that would put 5'0 between the current island and the carpet line.

I know I am asking for big miracles here! But I just love what all you kitchen experts put together and I am always amazed how you do it! :)

Main Floor:

Closer up of Kitchen:

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Comments (4)

shelly_k
Original Author
14 years ago
I should add the details of our family:

4 people in our family, kids are 2 and 4. Typically a one cook kitchen, except for holiday gatherings. Entertain quite a bit very casually. Everyone usually brings dishes so I like counter space for that.
rubyfig
14 years ago
That breakfast area seems really large in relation to the kitchen. I think I would look to see if there was a way to better integrate those 2 spaces and that would automatically make the kitchen seem larger.

Personally, I think I would nix the walk-in pantry in favor of pantry cabinets, integrate the small(!) office with the right side of the breakfast room (built in desk there), and give that bedroom 2 shallow closets instead of the walk-in (or one shallow closet, a small alcove in that bedroom with the desk, and one shallow closet across from the bathroom too). I think that would give you an extra 3 feet across the entire width of your kitchen.
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I had to go back to see your other photos before making any suggestions, but upon doing so, would suggest several changes in furniture placement. You essentially have three walkways in that room, one to your bedroom, one to the kitchen, and one to the hallway for the other bedrooms. Upholstered furniture placement should be so that people can access each of these areas without having to walk in front of a chair or couch every time they pass. With that in mind, I would suggest that you move the large entertainment center to the opposite wall, where the couch and bookcase are currently placed. Then I would float a couch in the room, bringing it at least 4 feet away from any wall, with a console table behind it, either directly facing the ET center, or directly facing the fireplace. Then you could float the leather chair, and another comfortable chair, on each side of the fireplace if the couch were facing the fireplace. If you float the couch directly opposite the ET center, you could float the chairs on the hallway side, with a new table in between them. If you keep the bookcase, it could go on the wall leading to the bedroom hallway. I would put the large picture presently behind the couch over the mantle. A small sectional would be ideal floating in this room, too, keeping all paths to the master bedroom, kitchen and bedroom hallway clear. If you choose not to move the entertainment center from it's present position, I would suggest that you at least float your couch forward by three or four feet, with a walkway behind it, so you would have clear access between bedroom and bedroom hallway.
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palimpsest
14 years ago
You could get nine more inches in length by pushing over the pocket door to the office closer to the corner and making the distance to the wall line there 3'-6" to match the other side. (You would have to add to the range wall cabinetry and move that a bit to keep symmetry) You could easily add the six inches onto the front and push the carpet line back in the great room. It would no longer line up with the end of the ovens but I am not sure thats a big deal, its a freestanding element.
shelly_k
Original Author
14 years ago
rubyfig -- thank you for your suggestions. I don't have a formal dining room so I would like to preserve the bkfast area space, if possible. I've thought of eliminating the pkt office, walk in closet and pantry, but for now, I would like to keep them. I will keep that in mind, though!

palimpsest -- Do you think 3'6 inches between the island and bkfast room would be enough? Even 4'3" seems kind of small. I'm not sure what the official guidelines are? This is not a walkway, per se, as it just goes to my pkt office which will mainly be used by me, but it still seems like a small amount of space. Also, if I extend the island width to 4 feet and move the carpet line back, there would be 4 feet between the island and carpet line. Is that enough? I just am having a hard time visualizing. It doesn't seem like alot of space to me... thanks for your suggestions, though!

Getting back in the process -- need kitchen help

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shelly_k
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rubyfig

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Getting back in the process -- need kitchen help

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shelly_kOriginal Author

rubyfig

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palimpsest

shelly_kOriginal Author

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shelly_k
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