Help me with my kitchen layout options.

12 years ago

I've been working on my kitchen layout for a while now, and need to run my options by this forum for your greatly appreciated advice. I've narrowed it down to 3 possible layouts. I can't decide if I want a cooktop, with storage drawers underneath and an oven in a base cabinet top to the right of the sink.

OR, would it be better to have a range where the cooktop is, and then have more storage drawers where the oven was? I'm not too thrilled about a range and all the gunk that gets between a range and cabinets over time. But, I'm not sure if the oven in the lower cabinet to the right of the sink would be too far away from the cooktop.

OR, would it be better to have a range, and move the DW to the right of the sink? I'll probably store my dishes in the drawers near the cooktop/range and some in the upper cabinets on either side of the range.

One problem I see with the DW being to the right of the sink, is that it's a long way to carry clean dishes. But then, if the DW is to the left of the sink, it blocks anyone from using the DW while someone is cooking at the stovetop. However, unless we have company, I'm usually the only one working in the kitchen.

Help, I can't decide,...

Layout with the cooktop and the oven in a base cabinet to the right of the cleanup sink:

Layout with a range:

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Comments (9)

palimpsest
12 years ago
I think the range option works better, but I think there is a constriction point because the fridge is too close to the island in both plans.

With the range plan could you shorten the wall at the upper right and move the island back a bit?
blfenton
12 years ago
I would do whatever I needed to do to move the DW over to the other side of the sink. Standing at the cooktop and having to move over to put anything (spatulas, flippers, mixing bowls) into the DW would irritate me. Can some of the dishes and the cutlery not go in the cabinets/cupboards that would be to the right of the DW on the other side of the sink?
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ccintx
Original Author
12 years ago
palimpsest - I can actually move the wall to the right a few more inches, and move the the island. How much space would be idea between the island and the frig? Thanks for your thoughts.

blfenton - Thanks for your suggestions. I think you are right, if I have the range, instead of the cooktop, I could have more cabinets on the right side of the sink, and the DW would work better on the right of the sink. Probably better for resale. OTOH, if I left the DW on the left, I just turn around when I unload it and put the dishes in the drawers. I unload dishes with no help most of them time, but then again, there's resale to consider. grrr

What do you think about the island layout? Any thoughts on ways to improve? Would the sink be better on the end? I also thought about having it raised to bar height on the eating side and on the end cabinet that holds the MW. Also, I plan on the cabinets on the sink side being 28-30" deep. (another idea I got from GW).

(Seems I'm questioning everything the closer I get to "build time". : ) All of a sudden, nothing seems right.)
remodelfla
12 years ago
I would also move the prep sink in the island down to end (top end if that makes sense). First of all... it'll give you usable prep space and also, will put the prep sink closer to he range. As is, if two people were working in the kitchen one at the prep sink and another wanted to get into the frig... would be a problem.
lisa_a
12 years ago
My vote is also for the range plan.

This plan reflects suggestions so far:

palimpsest: shorten top right wall, move island over (I also squared the corner)

blfenton: move DW to right

remodelfla: move prep sink to top left corner

You asked about fridge clearance. NKBA recommends 42" aisles for one-cook kitchens so I aimed for that between island and fridge and island and sink wall. This is counter to counter or counter to appliance. The clearance you allowed between fridge and island doesn't even look like enough room to move the fridge into place.

What are your seating overhangs? It looks like the bottom end of the island is 15" but the long side looks like 12". Both should be 15". You can expand 3" and still have 5' between couch and island (if I'm counting my squares correctly, that is).
lavender_lass
12 years ago
Lisa- That's a much better plan, thanks to all the suggestions. Making that wall shorter, really opens up the kitchen to the rest of the space :)

CC- Unless you really want a wall oven, I think this plan is the best choice, so far!
lisa_a
12 years ago
That's teamwork for you.

CC, I meant to add that if you wish, you could add dish storage to the island in the top right corner. Lose the overhang (you'll still have room for 2 on the long side) and the 30" wide 12" deep cab beneath the overhang and replace it with a bank of 25.5" wide drawers facing the DW. Between this and the 24" bank of drawers to the right of the DW plus the upper to the right of the window, you should have plenty of dish storage area close to the table.

Were you also wanting feedback about the pantry door? My vote is for the double door set-up since it leaves more of the aisle clear when open. That will be a big help since it looks like you have the MW below the counter across from it.
ccintx
Original Author
12 years ago
lisa, yes, I want feedback on everything! Still not sure if I'll like a MW that low. But I don't know where else to put it. I have a mock setup like that on a chair to test it for a while. I suppose it takes some getting used to. So far, I don't like it. I sure don't want it over the range. I do like the idea of the drawer bank at the end of the island.

remodelfa, you're right about moving the prep sink.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll make the changes in my software, and post pics later.
lisa_a
12 years ago
Could you put it on a shelf in your pantry?

Help me with my kitchen layout options.

Comments (9)

palimpsest

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Help me with my kitchen layout options.

Comments (9)

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