which kitchen plan is better?

11 years ago

We are thinking about two ways of using our island.

About us: 3 kids, and sometimes visiting parents. So a total of 5-7 people.

First plan: only sit on one side, and there is a prep sink

Second plan: Sit on two sides, and there is no prep sink

Which one is better? Thanks

By the way, we have only a dining area and an island. (no breakfast, no formal dining). Is this a problem for reselling?

Thanks!

First plan

First plan in 3d

Second plan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

kinei
11 years ago
Why not put the prep sink near the center of the island, offset to the left so its closer to the fridge? That way you can have all the seating of the first option with the functionality of the second.
sochi
11 years ago
Do you have water in the fridge? If so, what is the purpose of the prep sink? Your cooktop is quite close to your main sink. If you want it on the island for washing vegetables, etc. and prep, I would move it closer to the cooktop end of the island, or to opposite the wall oven at the mid-point in the island. I assume most prep would be done on the 4' end of the island opposite the cooktop?

Do you do a lot of baking? If so, the prep sink might be awkward across from the fridge and the wall ovens.

Do you have sufficient clearance/passage behind all those stools at the island?
Related Discussions
Floor Plans... Which one better?
Q
Comments (22)
Dekeoboe: The mudroom has a closet and a "drop zone" that are across from each other by the side door and behind the half bath. I will either have a table and mirror in the "drop zone" niche or I will have a built in with drawers and shelves. In both cases I will have an electical outlet for charging cell phones, etc. The "bench" will also be a built-in with hooks for backpacks, umbrellas, coats, etc and space for shoes underneath bench. The location of laundry is a small concern of mine, I did initially have a second laundry room upstairs, and I may rework the larger bathroom to have space for a stacked W/D closet. It does have now a laundry chute to the laundry below so that will help some. Otherwise, I only do laundry 2x week (as in 3-6 loads at a time) so it's not something to bother me on a daily basis... I feel that size of an entry doesn't mean an entry is "unwelcoming". In most homes, I feel the entry has wasted space which is why I told my designer to make it as small, but functional as possible. Again, 90% of my guests will be entering through side entrance and mudroom. Also, the guest closet will not be directly off entry so guests will not need to take coats off/on in this area. With that said, I had suggested to my designer a width of 7-8 ft wide... However, to make it wider I would have to reduce the size either of my garage, dining, or study which I do not want to do if not really needed (which then changes room size above too). I could move the doors of the study to the entry wall and remove wall separating dining room from entry to make it feel more "spacious" but that would make the study feel more isolated from living room which is something I am trying to avoid. Also, the back of the home will be seen as much, if not more, than the front of the house. The back yard is adjacent to the golf course and the commnuity pool is on the other side of golf course. So anyone playing golf or swimming at pool will seeing the back of the home. Any more obsevations or comments? I am thinking I may want to move my refrigerator to stair wall and then double ovens to where refrigerator currently is... So that the stove would be centered on its wall.
...See More
Parallel to sink or range: which is the better path through kitchen?
Q
Comments (72)
Sorry I've been MIA - I've been down with the flu (I thought flu season was over!!!) and, unfortunately, I'm still not over it yet. I haven't had time to read through all the posts since last week, but I will try tomorrow or Friday, if it's not too late. From the last post, it looks like you've moved into a very different layout. Just keep in mind a few things: 9" deep cabinets are really 10" deep when counting the doors and another 1.5" or so counting handles. Don't forget casings & trim around doorways - unless the architecture of your house has no casings except when there's an actual door (that's how our house is). Try to eliminate zone-crossing if at all possible - it's not fun dodging an open DW, for example, when going from the cooktop/range to the refrigerator. Try not to have the Cleanup Zone back-to-back with the Prep Zone unless you have at least a 48" wide aisle b/w them. You want to avoid backing in to an open DW door or fighting over floor space w/someone cleaning up. Even if the island is a secondary Prep Zone, I would try to have that 48" aisle. Finally, remember that as your kids grow up, they will be helping in the kitchen - so plan for a multi-person kitchen, not a one-person kitchen.
...See More
Which plan is better?
Q
Comments (9)
I'll add my qualifying thoughts for choosing #3, which I should have included in my previous hit-and-run post. As AnnKH mentioned, the DW across the aisle is a very short distance, and you probably won't need to reach much further than if the DW was beside the sink. If you like to keep the DW open while you prep, to deposit used utensils and vessels, that location will be convenient. You won't be prepping over a steaming DW, although that one is not a big deal to me. Finally, a feature I love--having the trash pull-out under the prep counter is very convenient--crumbs and debris can be brushed directly into the open can below. Dish storage might be a little tricky. I'd keep the sink in the same location as plan #1, and store dishes in 24" drawers where the DW is drawn in that plan. Then leave the corner void open, with shelves for glasses or cups. If you wash pots and pans in the DW, unloading them to drawers under the cooktop won't be a problem. Where do you plan to store dishes?
...See More
Which kitchen color combo do you like better and why?
Q
Comments (19)
I really want quartz! I do understand that soapstone would look really great. In the inspirational pic, she did a glaze on her island too. However! It's a different glaze, just darker on the edges.(I don't know the technical term. I will not have the beautiful detailing work that she has on her island (over budget).) What do you all think of doing the same glaze she did on my simple frame cabinets on my island? Jan you like the lighter teal on the island? I'm thinking about going into a paint store and just finding a different color that more closely matched the inspirational pic and going the glaze that she did. I was going to do Caeserstone color Concrete. (Rugged Concrete has some poor reviews). However, am I'm not as confident is the company as I was with Cambria. And I'm looking into the best place to buy Caeserstone. I could go throught the flooring store where I'm looking at samples, however I don't think they would give me the best price?! Whereas, I love Cambria! and already has a quote. I am debating doing with one of there lighter grays. I am not doing a teal bump out sink! However this is a good pic of the color and glaze of the island.
...See More
housemy
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, Kinei!

Sochi, Yes, we have water in the fridge, and we do a lot of cooking. Yes, there is sufficient clearance around the island. (4 feet to 5 feet). We just thought a prep sink might be useful, but do not have a clear idea of how to use it. Maybe we will just remove it. Thanks
lavender_lass
11 years ago
A lot of GW people like prep sinks, especially on the island...if that's where you plan to prep.

If it were me, I'd keep the extra oven as an undercounter model and raise the microwave up to a shelf, giving you more counter space, by the fridge.

Then, I'd move the main sink under the bigger window and leave the corner for storage...maybe a few herbs in that window?

This would allow you to move the upper cabinets (range wall) over just a bit, and recenter the range. This would bring the range a little closer to the island...and then I'd put the prep sink in that corner, closest to the range.

And, I'd have the seating on both sides, of the island. It will be easier to interact with the cook...and one another. Hope that helps :)
eam44
11 years ago
OK, you don't have a dining room per se, but you have a "great room" layout that is currently more popular in some markets. If you are in New England, that may have a negative effect on re-sale. If you're in southern CA, probably not a problem. If you want to create a sense of separation for the DR you can do so with a buffet between DR and LR, or built-in cabinetry along the back wall, or by changing the ceiling height in the DR (something Sarah Susanka does beautifully).

As far as the island is concerned, I like seating on both sides - better for conversation - and I love butcher block island top for that use, as the wood is beautiful, soft and warm for dining and mingling. Most people tell me they rarely use their island prep sink, and my guess is that with your layout, you probably won't either. I really dislike a corner sink by the way, but that's a personal choice, so if you've had one and love it, enjoy.
lavender_lass
11 years ago
How often do you plan to use the downstairs bedroom as the in-law bedroom? If it's only for visits, I think your plan is fine...but if it might turn into a permanent situation...I would make a few changes.

I'd flip the hall closet and guest bath entrance (so closet is closer to stairs) and make the in-law closet a bit smaller. This will allow you to also flip the bathroom layout, so that the sink and toilet are on the stair wall and you could have direct access from the bedroom to the bathroom.

Also, if this may become more permanent, I'd turn the pantry into a downstairs powder room and put the pantry storage in the laundry area. It's a big space and there should be enough room.

I only say this, after seeing my grandmother's slow decline in mobility...and eventual use of toilet accessories that the entire family (especially younger children) might find difficult to use. Just an idea...and may or may not apply to your situation.
dilly_ny
11 years ago
Wow! Great space. I think your fridge placement is great, easily accessible to FR and deck.

I would prefer 5 seats at the island you show above.

If it were my kitchen, I would rotate the island so the stools face the cooktop. Personal preference I guess, but I made a similiar change at the last minute and I am glad I did. The way you have it now, the people sitting at the island do not have their back to the DR and FR, so I guess there are pros and cons of both orientations.
housemy
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you all for your help!

which kitchen plan is better?

Comments (8)

kinei

sochi

Related Discussions

housemy
Original Author

lavender_lass

eam44

lavender_lass

dilly_ny

housemy
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

which kitchen plan is better?

Comments (8)

kinei

sochi

Related Discussions

housemyOriginal Author

lavender_lass

eam44

lavender_lass

dilly_ny

housemyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

housemy
Original Author

housemy
Original Author