A third layout option would be like this floor plan. It;s a lot like layout number 2 except sink is under the window and DW right next to it. That frees the island area up to be just work space. But it also means my pantry needs to be right beside the island. I am really leaning towards this one because it will save on plumbing.

Open to any suggestions, thoughts, opinions.

Where is the pantry in layout 2? Could you place the sink in the bumped out cab in layout 1 and the sink to the left of that (next to the frig)?

Just food for thought, I too have a U-Shaped kitchen, 10 ft wide with the stove in the same spot as the stove is in each of these drawings. My window is also in pretty much the same spot as yours and my sink is right under it. For me, the corner between the sink and the stove is the most convenient spot to use the mixer, or to set things down when I'm cooking, but it's a tight corner. Sometimes if I'm not careful, I burn myself on the burners of the stove. I didn't design this kitchen and after almost 3 years I still have a hard time working in it. At least you're third drawing has the corners cut so there is more work space on either side of the stove but having the pantry in the middel sort of cuts off the flow to the rest of the work space. I'm not sure which design is the best in regards to function, but I would just be sure to consider what your working habits are, so you can be assured that whatever design you go with you'll have customized the function for the way you work. :c)

I'm going to second what lukkiirish said about the corner between the sink and range feeling a bit cramped in #3. What type of storage were you planning on in the penninsula(10)? Maybe you could have base pantry cabs and eliminate the tall pantry unit for a more continuous work space.

peggy... how much wall space do you have on the right if you don't remove that wall... I have a thought (can be dangerous!)

Seconding what's already been said, I looked at the ones with the sink under the window and knew if it were mine I'd do all too much of my quick meal preparation in that cramped corner between sink and stove.

So many people site the stove first, I'd instead measure out the length of counter I needed and wanted to do most of my work at, place that where I needed and wanted it, then arrange the sink and appliances where I needed them to be while working there. Then, adjust as reality requires. :) But definitely--spend on the right layout, save on other stuff.

remodelfla said:

Where is the pantry in layout 2? Could you place the sink in the bumped out cab in layout 1 and the sink to the left of that.

Mpeg says,

Just now checking in.

I even have myself confused now. So to answer your questions there is no pantry in layout 2 which I do not like about this plan. The sink is where I have the window right now as we speak with the dishwasher right beside it. So yes that would work. I would just have to move the refrigerator over to the other side by the dishwasher in this layout. Not a lot of plumbing issues which I like.

lukkiirish,

Good points. I do like the angled corners with my small kitchen . I can see that increasing the work space around my stove. Right now I have a U shape with a pennisula, small one coming out from where the fridge would be in these designs. Very unhandy, but that is my major work space to sread things out. I do work to the left of my stove right now since it's not centered but the angled corners kind of solves that issue if I do center it.

laxsupermom,

That's a thought. I've never seen base pantry cabinets. I was hoping to build my microwave into my pantry so I can have a pretty range hood. I can come out further by about a foot on the pennisula side so I think it could work to make the pantry wider to incroporate my microwave. But it does sort of stop the flow. I just really want a range hood and I know that is form over function but I'm willing to give something up to have it.

remodelfla,

I like dangerous thoughts. I have 120 1/2 "on that wall.

rosie,

I do work between the corner and the stove when I am cooking a meal on the stove. But when I need to spread out I have to work on my little penninsula that comes out of the U shape. So for baking, I need more work space than I could every have by the stove in this kitchen. I think adjusting for reality is a big issue indeed for my space.

After drawing tons of layouts for myself...I totally agree with rosie
about first and foremost figure out where you want to be in your
kitchen for most of the prep/cook work. Which way do you want
to face? My current kitchen has a similar corner with range and
sink...I have been stuck in that corner for 20 years. My main goal
in my design is to get out of the corner and so I will make other
give and takes to have it. Its great that you get to open it to L/R!
vic

No.. can't be... I meant the wall your taking out in some iterations. I'm estimating it to be about 6' of wall you may remove if you went for the open floor plan. So here's what I'm thinking... what if you were to put your range with a island hood venting up through the roof (if you have a 2 story home forget it) where the short wall is. Kinda like I"m doing in my layout. THen you have prep space on that nice long counter where you currently show your range now. Sink under the window in a contrast color cab. You could even have counters on either side by the corners coming down to the counter in a contrast color cab to match your sink. I can see it in my head but dont' have the software to draw. LEt me know what you think and I"ll see what I can do when I get home from school.

remodelfla,

Very interesting idea. I have thought about putting the hood on the wall between the living room and kitchen. I do have a two story house. Would that be impossible? I'm thinking that would be a huge undertaking if not just about impossible. I just don't know.

That pantry will decrease the use of the peninsula and make the corner on the side of it horrible. It is so small, I can't think how the negatives could be worth the gains. It doesn't look at all big enough for the micro?

I like plan 2 because of the look being more what you were after. I can see the worth of leaving the sink under the window and having the clear space on the peninsula for baking, etc.

I don't think you ever answered this in the last thread...Do you know where exactly you'd have to have posts in order to cut that wall back further?

rhome410,

I think you are a layout genius.

To the best of my knowledge the only place I would have to have a column is in line with the wall that we would remove and towards the end of that run. Probably right at 120" out. I don't know if you could move it down further. I would have to talk to the contractor about that. But that would be the logical place for it as that is where the wall ends. Is there any reason why I could not put the pantry by the fridge and build the microwave into it. There should be room according to my measurements.

On layout 3 I was planning on making the pantry larger. I have some room to play on that side. I could probably make that run up to 1 foot longer increasing the pantry, or making like a step down type piece that sits on the counter but holds the microwave. Would that improve flow if the top of the piece sets in and the bottom is the standard 24"?

The pantry by the fridge sounds fine. Could you do more like that plan I drew for you of the island, but with the post on the corner and a matching one on the other end? See the thread below for one idea.

Here's the island plan again, just for a reminder and more scrutiny after looking at jaymielo's island:

Here is a link that might be useful: See jaymielo's island with posts in this thread

rhome410,

I really like jaymelos island. It is huge. The problem with our is it can only be about 5 feet long, maybe a little more, if I may a nice size opeing for the doorway. That presents a problem I think with two columns. Two columns just seem out of scale with my space and then getting them in the right area with the island is another issue. There is really no way to do that. I can't put them on both ends, one would have to be more towards the middle of one end unless my contracter can put the beam out further away from the wall he is removing. You would have to understand the structure of our house and it's strange.

I know this is kind of rambling. I love the island idea and layout. My DH does not want to do it this way which presents the biggest challenge of them all!

That makes sense. I just thought maybe the end of the wall and the corner of the island were pretty close, so a post might work. It wouldn't have to be as large as jaymielo's drywalled columns. But if that idea is out, I think layout #2 above, with some tweaking to put in more storage and your micro by the fridge, is very close anyway and not much of a compromise...So you get what you want and what hubby wants?

rhome410,

Right, I could put the microwave above the dishwasher. That is I was thinking of using options 2 with leaving the sink and dishwasher where they are. Any suggestion on the pantry, maybe a drawer base at the bottom, then a piece that sets in a bit on the counter. It could be quite a bit bigger, at least by 10-12" Any ideas?

Help me be practical here...........

Where are dishes and glasses being stored?

rhome410,

Right now in the cabinet above the dishwasher....yikes.
The custom cabinet guy doesn't think it will fit there and would prefer to put it on tthe other side in the pantry making it larger.

I'm glad you mnetioned dishes. I take them right out of the DW and into the cabinet above it.

That's what I was afraid of in your plan to put the micro there. If you put a pantry on the other side of the fridge, can't the microwave go in there? I still think the placement of a tall pantry between the peninsula and the corner is ill-advised. You could, instead, put the microwave in the bottom shelf of an upper cabinet in that location.

If you go with a plan like 2, where will you make your pantry storage? Do you have a nearby closet or laundry room where you have space for shelves? Venting through upstairs would be a hassle (I think). Even if you were lucky enough to go through a closet, that's alot of pipe ($$) remote blowers (more $$), and you'd lose closet space.

Elyse, she said, "Is there any reason why I could not put the pantry by the fridge and build the microwave into it. There should be room according to my measurements."...So I'm still hoping she can do that! And if she puts the micro over by the peninsula, the pantry can be all storage.

So, mpeg, how much more room do you have for pantry by the fridge?

rhome410,

I don't have room for a pantry by the fridge if I leave the dishwaher and sink where they are in option three which is right by the fridge. You are right I could just forgo a pantry and put the microwave in the cabinet by the "island" That is my only other option. My panntry 18" that I have now is full. But being empty nesters with only one son maybe I could forgo the pantry. I think you are right to block off that opening to counter space there would be limiting in so many ways.

I'm so glad you've opened my eyes to that. Think of plugging in your kitchenaid. That spot right around the corner would be the perfect place for it.

I'll have to think about this. Technically in my space above the range is the best spot for practicality and space saving issues.

rhome410 ,

It all depends, and this is the confusing part. If I move my sink to the pennisula I can do that, If I leave it and DW where they are I cannot as in plan 3. So that is the issue. I can move my sink and DW to penninsula, just more plumbing issues and less work space. My dad does plumbing so that would be ok money wise, just the hassles.

remodelfla,

Plan 2 doesn't have a pantry. But I could change it so it could have one by the fridge. Then I would have to change DW and sink to island area as per plan whihc might be the best option anyway.

Okay guys, it's plan 2 completely leaving everything the way it is except adding the pantry beside the fridge with the built-in microwave. Sink and DW where they are in the drawing which will make dishes go in cabinet beside "island area" No pantry there..........you are right rhome410 that would be a huge mistake!

Is this as clear as mud??????LOL I'll make the area below the window pots and pans drawers and try to stick in another drawer base by the island area in lower cabinets. Does that sound reasonable?

I think you are probably wise to go with your lesser choice and have the sink in the island. You loved the island plan and it had the sink there. Anyway, you are so much closer to the look you'd hoped for than when you first posted the plan with the bilevel peninsula.

I tried to draw things out. I'm not sure how you want to move the fridge and how large you envision the pantry. So here's just an attempt in which I tried something a little different, because if you want a hutch looking piece I'm afraid it has to be wider than you have? I might have some of the measurements off from what you plan for that wall.

Also, if you want the sink centered in the island you will have to have 2 ft on each side, which squeezes your dining area. Maybe you didn't plan it centered, though. I have it centered in this plan and you can see how it affects the length of the kitchen to see what you think.

rhome410,

Bless you! That is the best 3D I've seen to date. Yes, it is so much closer to the look I have been hoping to achieve!

I can't thank you enought for doing this and taking the time to post it. I know that must be a lot of work.

I was thinking with this layout to do the fridge cabinet and pantry dark and maybe just the hood. You captured the essence of what I have been looking for!

I love it!!!!

I've seen kitchens like this with the sink cab dark and it looked really good. Ya' gotta admit... rhome is a lifesaver!!

I am simply blessed to have access to good software and have the need to see things in 3D!

remodelfla,

Yes she is a lifesaver. It's a 3D miricle! What you've done here rhome looks like cream painted cabinets, hardwood floors, tropical brown granite and some type of tile backspalsh. That's what the colors remind me of anyway.

I've always thought that would be a nice combination.

What kind of 3D software do you use? I should have invested in that a long time ago.

Thanks again!

I have Chief Architect. It's pricey because of being for professionals (my teacher hubby has it on our home computer to use it for his building construction and cabinetmaking classes)...But they also make the design softwares for Better Homes and Gardens, which are user friendly and have 3D rendering that looks like the ones I do. You can find the BH&G stuff on Amazon, at Costco, etc.

rhome410,

Thanks rhome410, then the challenge would be learning to use it for me. I'll bet it's fun to play with.

Love the way you did that pantry. It sure would maximize storage if I could open it from that side. My french door is there but that is a wonderful idea.

I've learned so many new things on this forum. It's wonderful!

I've learned so many new things on this forum. It's wonderful!

I feel the same way. I started off so stressed about our "load bearing wall" and the bi-level peninsula that I didn't want, and after viewing several designs here, and listening to lots of great advice in the forum, it is all working out. Mpeg, our design is very similar, and we are also going with the island-looking peninsula with the sink. I couldn't picture it before I saw the 3D drawings and photos, and I always thought a main sink *had* to have a backsplash, but now I know better! Good luck with your renovation.