Kitchen layout opinion

12 years ago

Hello kitchen blog,

We are currently working with an architect on the layout of our home. Would love your opinion on kitchen entrance from the garage. We are debating on option 1- entrance from back of kitchen via mudroom or option 2- mudroom to the right of garage and therefore entrance to kitchen on the south side, next to refrigerator. The pros.cons in my mind are as follows:

Option 1: pro: symmetry between pantry door on northwest corner (if facing house) and mudroom door, creating cooktop as focal point; home, slightly larger storage space in garage. Con: more foot traffic in kitchen

Option 2: pro; no foot traffic in work zone. Con: slightly less garage storage space; will it look ok- usually I am used to cabinets on north and south side of kitchen that end at same point...usually in line with island end point. On the right of the kitchen entrance will be dining area where we will have a bar/butlers area.

Unfortunately I can't figure out how to post pthe PDF files of the layouts so that a visual may help in my descriptions above.

Many thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

bmorepanic
12 years ago
There are a couple of ways to do it, this is the way I like most.

Open adobe acrobat reader. Right-click the toolbar and choose More Tools. Near the bottom of the list is Select & Zoom Toolbar category and within that is the Snapshot Tool. Click the box to check the tool. Press ok and you should see a little camera with a selection box around it near the zoom percentage.

How it works in windows - press the camera and then draw a rectangle around what you want. It will snap a picture of the rectangle and copy it to the clipboard. Run the picture program of your choice (I use Microsoft paint out of laziness) and paste the image. Save as a jpeg and then follow the excellent instructions in buehl's excellent New to Kitchens post. Did I mention it was excellent?

Hint: The image will be what you see - so if its very reduced, other won't be able to read it.

Hint 2: You can select more than you can see.

Example of an inspiration picture I caged from a real estate listing pdf of an old English house. I liked it a lot, except the pulleys scary me.

Pics inside of pdf's tend towards low resolutions. If you don't like what you see, you can always ask architect or whoever to send you a jpg of the kitchen options and adjoining areas.
User
12 years ago
or open the pdf version and save as jpg. Then upload to photobucket or other program. Copy the html code for the photo and paste into your post.
Related Discussions
Kitchen Layout opinions
Q
Comments (14)
First off - huge thanks for the responses! You're confirming my concerns. Holligator - you're right about the overhangs. We currently work with a 36 1/2" counter-to-counter space between the sink side and current island. This seems to work for us. I suppose from the comments, this is officially too tight. I truly appreciate the creativity of your proposed design. Currently, our 3 windows are below knee height, so they would have to be raised. Initially, we considered a similar design, because the windows do open to our backyard, patio and beautiful fish pond. This design kinda moves the sink "into" the family room. Though it's only a few feet closer, it doesn't feel right. Also, the eating area seems to be in a deadend. I definitely do like the feel of a really large kitchen, which is what your design offers. Bmorepanic - sorry about the picture size (first post). Trying again. The overall room size is 22' by 12'6". The location of the pantry and powder room doors is pretty close: there is only 6" of wall for each. The window bump out is 24" deep and 7'10" wide. The window over the sink is 3' wide. Behind the fridge and oven wall is half garage, half pantry. The wall does have water pipes in it. Two bakers 3/4ths of the time. Amanda - thanks for another interesting suggestion of the penninsula. Definitely afraid of the deadend feel inside the U. michaelwcw - Behind the fridge is our garage. Yes, that 24 to the right is a pantry unit. I like that thought of pushing the wall out a bit to increase the width of the aisle. Picture with couple more measurements below. What about this crazy thought: suppose we were to switch to Gaggeneau ovens with the swing out doors rather than traditional oven doors? Am I fooling myself into thinking we could have a narrower island? Again - appreciate all of your input.
...See More
Kitchen Layout Opinions
Q
Comments (17)
Normally, I don't like ranges in islands and I'm not thrilled with this one either. But, if it's b/w the two, then I prefer the first one, with one caveat...you really need at least 24" b/w the range and the edge of each counter...sides and back. So, I would not move the range any closer than 24" from the island edge on either side. I would also consider not placing a seat directly behind the range...not just for safety reasons (although that is one reason), but also b/c I know i wouldn't want anyone sitting there if I were boiling water, browning meat, or frying/stir-frying. The steam and/or grease will be "in the face" of anyone sitting there...even someone sitting at a raised counter. IF you get really, really good venting, then it might be OK. But, I wouldn't want children sitting there regardless. Instead, consider placing a cabinet directly behind the range for extra storage with seating on either side. Also realize that island venting is more expensive than wall venting. One reason is b/c the rangehood has to be finished on all sides. The other reasons have to do with size and power. Since an island (or peninsula) is subject to more and stronger air currents/movement, it becomes even more important that the hood be at least 6" wider than the range and 27" deep...this extra width & depth make it more likely the capture area will be large enough to catch the smoke/grease/odors/steam/etc. that begin to drift and spread immediately. The extra 3" on each side, front, and back helps capture that drifting/spreading smoke/steam/etc. Your rangehood should also have more powerful cfms to capture the smoke/steam/odors/etc...especially if you mount it higher than manufacturer recommendations...which you may have to b/c of the raised counter (otherwise the rangehood will be in the face of someone sitting behind or near it). Also know that a raised counter offers issues of its own...be sure you have sufficient surface area to allow papers (including newspapers) to be on that surface w/o being in danger of flames (if gas) or even extreme heat near the papers. Additionally, be sure the counter surface is deep enough to accommodate a 12" plate plus drinking glass w/o having to worry about the plate or glass falling off the surface if you move or nudge it. If you provide a 24" buffer b/w the range and the edge of the counter, you should have plenty of room as well as a safe eating/congregating area.
...See More
Kitchen Layout opinions
Q
Comments (22)
Buehl's layouts are nearly ideal and are what I would have designed for a kitchen if I had had the space to make it all work in our house. (Lucky you! : )) She has given you well delineated zones with adequate storage space for the tasks that take place in those zones. (Although, I'm hoping you have a pantry somewhere nearby, possibly in the mudroom?) Is the DR a formal room and do you have another eating area behind the island? I'm wondering this too. If so, then Beuhl's clean up zone is in a great location for everyday meals. Someone can set and clear the table without interfering with what's going on at the island, whether that's kids doing a project at the stools, or someone cooking or baking. Many times, dishes collect near the sink. By getting the clean up area off to one side, you are giving a dedicated spot for those things to gather without taking precious space from your prep area. Even if everyone in your home is well trained to put things immediately into the dw, it would be much better to have them do that off to the side than to have them opening the dw into your walkway between the fridge and sink while you are busy trying to get things done in there. Buehl's plans also give you more usable counter on your island top because the prep sink is smaller than a full sized sink. Yet you haven't lost the convenience of having water on the island for rinsing veggies, washing your hands after handling bloody meat, getting goo off your fingers from baking, filling and emptying pots of pasta water, getting water for rice, etc. Not only do you get more usable counter at the island, but you also gain a lot of storage in prime space under the island because of the DW and large sink base not eating that space up. This will make it easier for you to keep the things that you need to use for baking and prepping right there: knives, baking pans, baking supplies, salad and serving bowls, measures, etc. Most of these things would have to be stored off to the side if your sink is in the island, and then you'd do a lot of trekking back and forth to carry these to the island when you don't need to do so. It's a dream to have all the things you need right where you use them. You can fulfill that dream. ; ) If anyone comes in for a drink, or to wash their hands, or get water for a project, or rinse and fill a pet bowl they can take care of those needs at the cleanup sink and not disturb the person working in the prep zone (or vise versa.) If you have 2 people working together, then one of them can work to the right of the cleanup sink and one can work at the island. No waiting for water. We often have 2 people cleaning up the kitchen at once. 2 sinks lets one person load the dishwasher while another washes up the hand washables at the other sink. I see you have a 2 bowl sink drawn in your plan. May I suggest that you look into super single sinks rather than a 2 bowl model, if you haven't already? Many on here absolutely love them. Most super singles will fit into a normal sink base. Also, plan to put in as much drawer space as you possibly can rather than drawers over doors. The space is so much more efficiently usable this way. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like you've got a lot of door cabinets right now. There's no need to stoop and dig through those. Drawers will give you one motion access to what you need.
...See More
Kitchen Layout (Revised) Opinions Please
Q
Comments (15)
I also disagree with Gravitas. 48" is the minimum I'd have since it sounds like you will have a 2-person Kitchen. 42" to/from the items sticking out into the aisles the farthest is the minimum for a one-person Kitchen, 48" is the minimum for 2 or more people working in the Kitchen at the same time. If there's seating on the aisle I would recommend even wider (54"), but you don't have any seating on the aisles with appliances and/or counters. It becomes even more important when all three primary work zones are in one space rather than separated to allow more room for working. (Remember, aisles are measured to/from the items that stick out into the aisle the farthest -- counter edges, appliance handles, etc.) I do worry, though, that you don't have enough workspace on the Prep Zone side of the island sink. 36" is the bare minimum recommended, but from experience, 42" is much better. You'd be surprised the difference 6" makes! Consider a 30" wide sink base to add 6" to the prep space. I wouldn't bother with a small sink & DW in the pantry. First of all, you shouldn't have moisture or heat (or light) in a food pantry. Ideally, the pantry should be cool, dry, and dark. I don't know if you're planning to put a window in the pantry, but I would not for all the same reasons I just listed (windows let in light and heat). Second, having 2 DWs separated from each other is not recommended -- you'll be running back & forth b/w them trying to find things. You may plan/say only certain items in each DW, but the reality is that people will put things in the closest DW or the one with the fewest amount of dirty dishes. Regarding the refrigerator & freezer -- for the same reasons above, you shouldn't have a refrigerator or freezer in a pantry. They put out a lot of heat and moisture (to keep it frost-free). Instead, I would put in 30" all refrigerator/freezer columns. I think you will find that they will be enough -- unless you do a lot of food or meat processing and need the space for many pounds of food/meat. If so, consider putting it in the Mudroom - maybe recessed into the pantry. That way it won't take much room from the Mudroom and the walls would protect the pantry from the heat & moisture put out by the freezer. The "pinch point" -- I think you'll be fine. Most doorways are only 32" wide and they're wide enough. If you have around that amount of space you should be good. Remember, it's a "point", not an extensive aisle that narrow. Keep the 4' b/w the island and wall in the bumpout and no seat on the North West corner of the island to compensate for the pinch point.
...See More
bmorepanic
12 years ago
You might not be able to do what javachik recommended if you only have the free Acrobat Reader.
rosie
12 years ago
I can't visualize your layout, lnia (sorry), so I'll just say I really deplore making the main access to the house more like a servant's entrance, while the foyer echoes emptily. A sad hangover from bad old days when houses were typically designed by incompetents with some unfortunate assumption-baggage. So, my vote is for whichever one would be a more gracious and welcoming entry and deposit you all closest to the center of the house ready to spread to all points.

Regardless, seeing the new home you're designing for yourselves will be fun. Such a nice thing.
lynn
Original Author
12 years ago
Hello Everyone,

Thanks for all the advice on how to post. Unfortunately I could not convert my pdf to jpeg and I couldn't find the More Tools option.

So, I incorporated some of the advice from above...I took a picture of the pdf files and uploaded them to photobucket. the link is: http://s1114.photobucket.com/albums/k537/Lnia/

Would love your thoughts!!! Thank you!

Here is a link that might be useful: LNIA kitchens
desertsteph
12 years ago
I'd go with the one where the mudroom entry into kitchen isn't on the far left but more toward the center. you have less kitchen to walk thru which takes traffic out of the cook/prep area. It's closer to other areas of the home also.

Be sure to get a better copy of the layout and post for us to check function of kitchen also. architects aren't good on putting together a good functioning kitchen.
lynn
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you desertsteph, I appreciate your opinion. Yes, less foot traffic. I just get concerned a little because the Original house (model) we were inspired by had it in the back ( plus several other differences with the overall layout) and the more and more we make changes I get worried the home won't be as nice....after all, I am not an architect or designer,....just a very visual person.
bmorepanic
12 years ago
You have to run the actual reader - not by opening a pdf in a web page, to set more tools.

I don't like either a lot. The first creates a pretty twisty path - I guess I'm seeing a pile up of people while doors are opened and coats taken off. The second solves that but I'm not liking the layout a lot with the island between the sink and refrigerator and the main work surface near the range has a seating position in it!

I like the second one better for looking more homey (I realize that doesn't make a lot of sense, but it does to me with the range in its niche and all). It could be fixed by adjusting the seating and adding a prep sink.
ControlfreakECS
12 years ago
IMO, #2 puts the traffic pattern right through your kitchen, and I don't like the lack of space on either side of the range. So, #1 has the better kitchen design (except you need a prep sink somewhere - probably the island). I agree with bmore that the mudroom layout in #1 seems off. Wondering if you can tweak that without moving it to the other location. I can't really tell, because the picture cuts things off a bit.
lynn
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you. Yes, the kitchen will be redesigned...current placement is just architect putting appliances anywhere. I will work with kitchen designer on acutual kitchen design. I was more interested on opinions of entry and I appreciate all the comments. Looks like entry from side and not back of kitchen is favorite. Thanks.

Kitchen layout opinion

Comments (10)

bmorepanic

User

Related Discussions

bmorepanic

rosie

lynn
Original Author

desertsteph

lynn
Original Author

bmorepanic

ControlfreakECS

lynn
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kitchen layout opinion

Comments (10)

bmorepanic

User

Related Discussions

bmorepanic

rosie

lynnOriginal Author

desertsteph

lynnOriginal Author

bmorepanic

ControlfreakECS

lynnOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

lynn
Original Author

lynn
Original Author

lynn
Original Author