I'd "tighten up" the work part of the kitchen. Reduce the 8 ft island, pull the frig and range closer down into the work zone, probably not put a window on the frig wall-or right hand wall of dinette area. Get your tall storage spec'ed cabs on that right wall, and on the left-where you will have a window,place reduced depth base cabs to make the eating area feel a little nicer. Oven placement as well,down into work zone. Is this particular layout your final one?

I agree with herbflavor....I would not want to be running around that island to try to get to the fridge and the cooktop is so far away. I think the whole work triangle should be tightened up. All that tall storage space along both sides of the space are adding to the look of a really long hallway with a table thrown in the middle. The nearly 9' island is adding even more to that runway look to the space. I'd definitely use the space by the staircase for appliances to bring it closer to the sink area, and rethink whether an island is the right shape for the space or if a peninsula would serve better. And use the space by the table for a desk area which doesn't need to be close to the work center....

I agree with the others, your design as presently laid out has major issues with having things much too spread out. I think it will be very inconvenient to work in.

If you are set on having the items where they are, then completely remove the island so at least you can walk the straight diagonals and not around it.

Although it may sound drastic, I'd start your layout all over again. I did that many times before I arrived at a solution.

If this is your one-shot kitchen remodel, I think you'll be happier with the results if you spend more time planning before you pull the trigger.

For now don't think about the appliances and visual goodies, just get the arrangement sorted out.

You don't have one of the common problems that many people struggle with: not enough space. But your present design has turned that positive thing into a negative by allowing the main work areas to become so spread out and disconnected that you've lost any advantage that having such a generous amount of space gives you.

Here's something to think about first: Is the new table area where you expect to eat most of your meals? Why are you abandonning the room you've got labeled as the dining room? Sorting this out is important because you want the kitchen's serving function to be focused on the most-common place of eating. Are you adding this area because you are changing your dining habits or because you have seen lovely ones and are drawn to adding this feature to your house? Or are you already eatng in your kitchen and want more space to do it?

You will be much happier in the long run if you spend more time, now, working on function and layout issues and less time thinking about appliances, features, etc. Eat your peas first, and then you can have (two or three!) desserts.

HTH,

L.

Thanks everyone..wow. Thought we were close to done, but a lot of good things everyone has pointed out to consider. We have gone through several iterations already. We plan to keep the eating space, as it looks out on the garden and enjoy eating all meals there. We are considering moving the range closer to the sink, shortening the island by a bit.....and moving the ovens into the entryway to the kitchen from the formal dining room. Our cabinet maker recommended having a counter space next to the fridge as a landing space for fridge items...?
We appreciate any other ideas anyone might have on our plan!!! Thanks!!

:) I'll pile on and agree that it's going to be very nice but that you'll really appreciate compacting your actual work areas within all that space. One benefit will be getting the stove out of your dining area and up by your island so you can work between them.

It's not what you asked, but since this is going to be your main (most used and most important) dining room, is it everything you want it to be? Is there another view, more sunshine, a cross breeze, wall for art--anything--you would want for it, or are those solid walls intended to edit the outdoors for privacy and view?

Regarding what you did ask, I have a landing space next to the fridge on an inside wall opposite an island/L-counter like yours, and I always ignore it to set-pivot to set my stuff on the work island--42" away. Putting a landing area next to the refrigerator is traditional and not a bad idea in any kitchen, often used or not, but it's often not at all necessary.

Imagine: You're making stuffed pork chops at the island and need celery and parsley from the fridge. You're standing at the fridge getting them out. Would you set them down next to the fridge, close the door, pick them up again, THEN turn and set them on the island? Go ahead and try it out, but the answer's going to be no. :)

BTW, where do you think you will be chopping your parsley? By efficiently by the stove or on the island? When you do your step-back-pivot from the fridge, where are you going? I've been assuming the island, but you have lots of work counter by the stove. One thing about compacting the work area is that it should give stronger purpose to an island that might otherwise mostly serve to direct traffic away from the cooking area.

Is there only one entry into the kitchen? If so (especially if so) in your case I'd put the narrow aisle between island and stove and widen the main trafficway. I have 35" counter-to-counter where I prep and love it. It works very well.

I was trying to design my kitchen in a similar space and it has challenges (we ultimately made it 2 feet wider). If it was my space and sticking to the dimensions shown, I would eliminate the tall pantry that is up against your stairs and then move the doorway from the hall / dining room to the right. This will direct traffic directly into the walkway instead of entering to find a fork in the road, i.e. island (and some pests may take the road into your main work area). If the door way was moved, you would have space on the lower portion of the L to put the range. I would also move the fridge so that it is accessed without having to circle the island. I would also make a hutch / beverage center on the left side of the table and keep all the closets and pantries on one wall for a more uniform look. Good luck, it has the potential to be a great kitchen!

i see coat storage in this drawing.

without overthinking it, I'll write out my first thoughts.

I might galley-ize this kitchen into the lower heft hand corner. Where it says tall pantry is where I would put a run of counter that extends a bit past the stairway wall. Then, the ovens being removed from where they are now shown, they won't block what I think may be a path from the stairs to the back door. I would put a regular size fridge into the lower left hand corner, and a huge depth of countertop next to it. (29" or 30" or more). This costs less for fridge, and gives you more money for countertop. Then, this huge countertop and the regular sized countertop facing it make a normal galley with a normal aisle.

Combining the little round table and an island into one big island is my next step. No need for a separate table. This huge island can be rectangular, or slightly L shaped, and the side facing the coat rack wall can be curved like a gondola.

The left hand side wall near the big new window can be built in bench seating. I would consider putting the bank of wall ovens between the range and this built in seating section.

Thus, on the coat storage wall there is nothing kitchen-y at all (except perhaps some long term storage space, which can be repurposed as general storage too.)

I feel comfortable posting this because others have mentioned a need to shrink the walking triangles.

Between the DR and the kitchen is a door, outswinging. Is this pantry space?

There are two sets of stairs, so I am not sure about paths through the kitchen.

a good read. The fridge, the ovens and the island.

Here is a link that might be useful: logansmum letters and numbers on rows and columns

thanks for all the good ideas...

davidrol - thats an interseting thought on the fridge an counter idea. between DR and kitchen is closet.

dilly - would like to leave doors as they are (already painted and redid that part of the house and upper floor beam/header issues to deal with), but again a great idea that hadnt considered.

Alos agree getting the stove closer to the island and less in the eating area is good idea.
see attached for the existing layout. We are thinking of recreating the eating area/mud room as it is only 8 feet further out.
And then is the same challenges as mentioned above.

The main path through the kitchen is via DR entrance to back door , and basement stairs)up and down for laundry etc...

Still working through all these and other options as to best work triangles for the space. Need get a final design ion the next 2 weeks for cabinet start etc,,,

thanks again for any more ideas...