You have pantry across the end and all along that one wall by the table? Seems like a generous amount to me! Very nice!

Any reason you have the corner uppers so short? Do you need them that high to fit your mixer?

I think I would do L-shaped corner uppers (instead of diagonal door) so that I could run cabinet down to the counter all the way to the walls. I don't find the deep corner counters that useful.

Overall, I like this. Looks pretty good to me.

Are you planning the traditional looking white cabs and a wood counter? I really like that combo. Not so crazy about the fluorescent yellow walls, but if you like them, I won't argue. ;-)

Cook1, I hope this coming out of left field doesn't aggravate you, but I applied my usual "would I like to cook there" test, and this plan has plenty of pantry space but with all that counter is still peculiarly short on counter space where I'd want to work. It's also a bit too wide across to the stove for me.

How one likes to work is such a personal matter, but bottom line I'd want both my stove and sink over by the window, and the prep area would inevitably be between them, regardless of how much counter I had elsewhere. (I know that one from experience--90% of my work in my last kitchen insisted on my presence in front of the 20" or so of counter it preferred.)

I was reading recently about a slightly new, or perhaps just more used again, thought on galley kitchens that I think I might well choose to apply to your space if it were mine--all the work on one side (the window one for me), and virtually all the storage, including fridge, opposite.

Imagine your window-wall counter like it is, but 30"-deep with the dishwasher and sink moved to the left and the stove toward the other end with work space on both sides. No end cabinets, which would add a good 25 inches of workspace by the stove.

Across on the stove side of the doorway would be the fridge, with as much floor-to-ceiling storage (no space lost to counter) as you wanted on the rest of the walls on that side.

This way you'd have a nice spacious and sunny prep area with a view out the windows, right by your stove where it's most convenient, with water also beautifully convenient on its left, and the fridge a quick step-pivot-step behind.

The best height for storage is roughly between hip and eyes, and the storage wall would dedicate that area to...storage. If you wanted to insert a stretch of counter somewhere, you could certainly have it, of course.

The left sink and counter to its left would be the cleanup zone. The wall across from the dishwasher would be convenient for unloading items you didn't allocate space to on its own side (i.e., not constantly used). If you wanted more room for chairs and traffic, the storage on that end could be much more shallow and still hold a whole, whole lot.

And, of course, your other door could come back if you wished. Anyway, I think that's a kitchen I'd like to work in, where the place my work inevitably tended to take place was also exactly what and where I wanted it to be.

It's been a while since I've come in on rhome's heels, but overall, I like it and think it will give you good space too. The one thing I would consider is that your micro is separated from your cooking space. If you use it mainly to reheat and go straigh to the table, that may work well for you. If you use it for heating, melting and doing part of your cooking (say, steaming veggies while you cook other things at the range) you may find that it makes things a bit more complicated. You could bring it back into the kitchen proper by simply flipping the fridge and micro -- depends on how you need it to work for you.

The table/chair area looks a little squishy to me. Otherwise, I like it.

I love the way this looks, and it seems reasonably functional. Still, I think I'd prefer to work with the stove in the U, and I think it would feel efficient, rather than constricted.

thanks for your quick responses, I sure didn't expect any so quickly.

Rhome- you are right; the cabinets are short to allow for the mixer. I hate when it tilts up and hits the cupboard. The yellow walls are only because I didn't take the time to change them, same with the countertops. I am still torn between painted white vs. stain cabinets and the countertops-will depend upon the wood choice.

Although I did spend the day painting my DS's bedroom just about the same color in combination with a green to match the Oakland A's. I kind of like it (in somone else's bedroom).

Thanks for your thoughts Rosie. Later tonight I'm going to try putting the stove on the window wall, not sure it will work because, this is the street side and moving the window to the left will place it too close to the other window. But I like the idea.

Lascatx
I'll try and move the microwave. Since I usually use it to defrost items from the frig I thought it would be more useful. I still need to find a place for a 2nd oven, so I'll play with moving the microwave and oven onto a storage wall.

thanks everyone.

With all of that storage, I would be worried it would feel too closed-in. You have a lot of "bulk" on one end of the kitchen with the pantry, fridge, stove, etc. Unless you really need all of that storage space, I would leave it more open. Plus, you'd gain counter space if you eliminated the pantry on the far wall.

JenSeattle- don'tyou think it would feel just as closed in with only base cabinets on the far end? Do you mean to turn it back into a galley?

Scootermom-you are right the table area will be tight, but there is no way around that.As someone told me--have the kids sit on the outside, so that they have to get whatever is needed. I am also thinking of banquette seating if it will help. The cabinet across from the table may have to shrink down to 15"" or so.

I agree with Rosie, I very much prefer to do my prep work in between the sink and stove--I hate carrying wet and drippy things across an isle, especially a wide one. But maybe you're a more organized and less drippy cook than I am--wouldn't surprise me! Would you have to move the window? I think you could leave it where it is and still move the sink down a bit.

I'd also make the table banquet seating, as you suggested earlier. I'm sure it's going to be a lovely kitchen.

The table could be an L-shaped banquette, or a booth w/ benches that seat 2. That could be cozy and would be nice w/the windows there (I'm thinking of that gorgeous "treehouse" kitchen posted here recently...whose was that?). Or just turn the table 90 degrees and sit two on each side.

I myself would be tempted to replace the range w/ a lower-height counter baking area (for kneading and rolling) and move the range to the end wall. Still plenty of counter space. But then -- you probably designed all that lovely cabinet space at the end for a reason. You know best what will work for you, just thought I'd mention the idea.

If I put the oven at the end, instead of the cabinets,I'm afraid that it would preclude another person on the sinkwall side doing some prep work, while someone else is at the stovetop. I think it can work for 2 people, only if the rang is not on the end....anyone agree with me?

I love the idea of a lowered baking area (there's my marble slab) but that would be giving up lots of storage space. But I'll play with that idea. too. thanks. cook1

First off, I really like the way the base of the "U" looks in the current layout. If you don't mind glass doors, I think I would even make the center cabinets (where you have 4 doors) glass fronts w/lights.

What I would do, however, is make the base of the "U" (where the ceiling to counter cabinets are) at least 30"D for the base cabinets and at least 15"D for the upper cabinets. That gives you 15" to work with in front of those cabinets. If you can go as deep as 33" for the base cabinets, then you have 18"...even better! You have plenty of "length" in your kitchen...it's width that's lacking!

I agree with you Cook1, I think putting a 36" range in the base of the "U" would be crowded.

OK...here are 3 layouts to consider & discuss...

Note that the window over the sink has been moved to the right.

I still like your layout. Yes, the aisle between sink and stove is wider than I'd like, but it's what you have and I understand and respect the reasoning you've used in creating your layout. I do like the idea of glass doors in the counter-to-ceiling end cabinets, maybe lighted from the inside, and maybe with the glass a little textured or frosted if you don't want to see contents.

The only change I might make, not knowing what you have going on with your base cabinets' storage, is to move the range so that it is 3 ft from the end wall, so that you have more counter on the fridge side...It'd be just across from the sink and just across from the fridge, so maybe a handier workspace for cooking prep and setup. So you might have a lazy susan in the corner, then range, then as much counter as you can reasonably fit between the range and the doorway.

Thanks for all your comments everyone. I'm feeling like i have a plan. I just need to be sure that closing off the door to the garage won't cause any insurmountable problems.

Buehl,
I've officially joined the TKO club--saw your floor plans at midnight, and couldn't pull myself away to sleep. And when I did, rather than watch the sheep, all I could do was walk thru my normal cooking to see what would/wouldn't work. And I enjoyed it!

Here goes:
It shouldn't be a problem moving the window--

Plan #3
I was intrigued with the idea of the island and how it turns the kitchen into an L. I like how it opened up the space, certainly less claustrophobic, but it takes away a lot of storage and a baking area.

Plan #2
I couldn't get past the frig stuck by itself on that wall.
Think you may have drawn in a bench [in blue]. I couldn't figure out how to draw one. I'm hoping for a banquette along the lines of KitchenKelly's in that space. And in only 1 more year we lose one ds to college, so the table space will grow exponentially. He is a big boy.

Plan #1
Love, just love the idea of the frig closer to the sink. It would become a trade-off of everyday dish storage for the frig in that position. I suppose most of the dishes could go in the 12"" pantry. It's a psychological barrier because I currently don't have to move to put away the glasses and it is 3 steps to put away the dishes.

It also gives me a separate baking center (I'm dreaming marble). Do you think it is a problem to place an oven under the counter (below the microwave) for heat? I was thinking no, because by the time the food is in the oven, I'm finished in that area.

I"ll definetly go with 30"" base cabinets on the stove wall along with 15"" uppers. I'm giddy with thinking about how easy plating will be at dinner parties. I'll also look at glass for all cabinets in the huthc.

Do you think it will work to place a prep sink in the corner between the stove and hutch wall?

Now comes the terrifying part--getting the details of the cabinets [drawers/pullout, height, etc]. Do I need a KD to help me with that, or do you think a good cabinet maker will be enough, given the amount of detail I now have?

Last, and the only real problem [please don't laugh] I can't figure out where to put the dog food and water bowl.

Again, thank you thank you, thank you. I'm going to show the plan for DH tonight and see what he thinks.
Cook1

Here is a link that might be useful:

You've got some great possibilities percolating there! I know you've moved way past this, but I came across this today and thought of your kitchen, so I thought you might like to see it. This is what I was picturing with the stove in the U, except your galley is wider than this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nice U-shaped kitchen

For dish storage, you could put the DW on the other side of the sink. I should have thought of that (slapping my forehead!)

The 12" Trash or other cabinet could go on either side...if on the refrigerator side it gives you 36" of work/landing space to the left of the sink and 36" + corner to the right of the sink. But, it might be a tight fit for you to stand b/w the DW & corner...but certainly only a pivot! If it helps, that's what we had in our old kitchen and the only thing my DH misses in the new! He's 6'5" and always stood in that 12" space b/w the DW & corner to put things away! (Glasses were in the upper cabinet above the DW, dishes in the cabinet behind him...on the wall at the base of the "U" in your case (we had an "L"), flatware in the drawer of the base cabinet below the dishes (where you have 45" of space).

The pantry is for food...many people here have found 12" to be a very useful depth...nothing gets lost or forgotten!

Thanks for the link Holligator, that is indeed a beautiful kitchen and the idea I started with. I began with the stove against the wall, thinking it would make a great focal point. But it then becomes a 1 person kitchen at that end, the other person could only be doing dishes, not prep work. That is why I tried creating a focal point using the cabinets. We already have a 36"" range, which takes a tremendous amount of space when the door is open.

I still have to find somewhere to place the dog dishes so if you have any ideas for that please share.

Buehl, if you knew my DH you'd know that he couldn't fit into that space to put away the dishes... so the dishwasher will remain on the frig side.

When you have a 12"" cabinet, does that give you 12 useful inches of storage, or does that include the cabinet from end to end?

It includes the cabinet end-to-end. With frameless cabinets that means you lose about 1.5" leaving you w/a 10.5" opening (3/4" wall + 3/4" wall); with face framed cabinets, you lose about 3" leaving you with a 9" opening (1-1/2" face frame + 1-1/2" face frame). The exact #s depend on your cabinets, but these, I think, are pretty close.

BTW...if you move the 12" Trash Pullout to the right of the sink as well, it gives you 24" of space to stand in the corner.

You could even move the refrigerator down 3" or so and have a 15" pullout and 27" in the corner (you might even have room for a cabinet to the left of the sink). There are approx 42" b/w the refrigerator & table.

Don't know if I can describe this right but, regarding placing dog food bowls, if you do not need all of the storage in the 36" lower cab between pantry and oven, go w/ a smaller base cabinet but keep a 36" countertop, say maybe and 18" cabinet and an open space of 18". Kind of like a small desk area. That would allow you to push your dog bowls under that area out of the way.

Farmhouse bound--do you have a set-up similar to the one you described? Its an interesting idea and I"ll play with it. My dog is quite tall, her head can rest on the kitchen table, so it would take up a lot of cabinet space.

Maybe I can take it out of the pantry. Thanks for the idea.

Actually, yes and no. I had a set up like this that I ended up going ahead and putting in a dish drawer because everyone told me I would need it for re-sell (this is in the house that will be sold to help pay for renovations for retirement place--the farmhouse). I prefer washing dishes by hand and still have to make myself use the dish drawer so that seals won't dry out.

What I use now and will also have a place set up for in new kitchen plans is a dog feeding station. Now, before y'all laugh too hard, I have five dogs, use three different types of dog food, and I kind of spoil them with several different types of treats. I have an old baker's cabinet with old store jars that I keep all of this in and use the upper portion to store their canned dog food, treats, and fish oil and joint supplements, drawers to store their mixing utensils, Interceptor, and Frontline meds, and the possum drawers their dry food. Food bowls get picked up after feeding. Water dish is now on tile floor; in new kitchen will be in laundry room which is right off of kitchen and will have marmoleum.