When the dishwasher is open, you won't be able to reach the susan or the wall cabinets in that corner.

Bmore's great point, plus you won't be able to work at that counterspace to the right of the range. I would still want it to the right of the sink...

Believe it or not Bmorepanic, you can! I had a layout in my old kitchen which was an "L" and had:

24" cabinet (on short leg) + 12" Lazy Susan (to turn the corner) + DW + 36" sink base + 24" cabinet + 30" range + 24" cabinet

That was my entire kitchen, btw!

We stood in the 12" area b/w the DW & LS to put dishes, glasses, and pots & pans away all the time. Surprisingly, it wasn't that tight a fit (we're not small people nor really big either...sort of in-between)! The only thing we couldn't get to was the flatware drawer as it was in the top drawer of the short leg and we stood in front of it--we stood in front of the DW for the flatware.

We could even get into the lazy susan! Note...our dishes & glasses were all stored in wall cabinets above the DW & short L. Tupperware & some mixing bowls were in the corner wall cabinet. Pots & pans were all in the lazy susan.

Here it is...

Buehl, I ask this quite respectfully and seriously, because I'm curious, having not had that setup myself, and I think it would be helpful to Cheri to know...Would you have been happy to plan a new kitchen with that same situation? Or would you have worked to avoid it?

Honestly, I probably would have worked to avoid it... But, if it worked out that I had to have it to get everything else I wanted, I would have done it again. I mentioned it only b/c Cheri seems to be struggling to get everything she wants on that one run and while no, it's not ideal, it worked for us for almost 13 years.

I will say though, that my DH does the dishes and he actually misses the old layout! He now has to take a few steps to put away glasses & flatware! He periodically reminds me how everything was in the corner in the old kitchen and how all he had to do was stand on one place and he could put everything away (except flatware!) without moving!

Just wanted to see how you rated it, because we've all 'dealt' with things in existing kitchens, and even though did OK, it doesn't mean it's something we'd plan into a new space. I couldn't tell from what you'd said if your situation was "It may seem bad but was actually no problem at all and I wouldn't care if my kitchen had it again" or if it was "If you HAVE to have it you'll live, but I wouldn't have it again if I could help it." :-) I'm sure it's nice for Cheri to consider and it's helpful if we see someone facing the same option again. Thanks for answering.

You're right RHome...it did sound like I liked it. Even though DH does complain about having to move around more now, he does admit that overall our new kitchen is so much better! (It's not that he's a couch potato, he plays basketball & works out, but when it comes to dishes, he just wants the fastest/easiest thing!)

If Cheri can find a way to "have it all", I'd rather see more space in that corner, too. But, if this is the only way to get everything, then I think it's livable for most people. However, if someone is larger, it may not work at all.

I'm sorry for not remembering, Cheri...Is that a prep area? I'd worry most about trying to stand there to prep...I'd probably back up and end up falling on the dw door! Or at least gouge my leg on the corner of it while navigating back and forth and around the range. I like my cooking area unencumbered and would rather have my compromises elsewhere, if possible.

I'll shut up now. ;-)

Good point RHome...that area in my old kitchen was not my prep area...I prepped in the 24" b/w the sink & range...too small, btw.

Cheri, if that is also your prep area, then I would reconsider the DW placement. I think you want to be able to have someone prepping and cleaning up at the same time.

It's too bad you can't "connect" the range wall & the refrigerator/dish hutch wall...that recess would be a great place for a prep sink and put your primary prep area b/w the refrigerator & range (and let you look out the window while prepping!)

You could also use the peninsula for your primary prep...it's across from the refrigerator and near the sink. You'd have to walk over to the range for cooking, but you'd be close to the ovens for baking....

OK...I'll also be quiet now... :-)

Hahahahahaha! Thanks Buehl and Rhome (and you Bmore for the observation). Like Buehl, it is the set up I have now and it's one of the things I was determined to change because I felt squished in the corner when putting dishes away. But, it's the fact that I could put everything away, including in the lazy susan, without moving that made me think I wouldn't like taking three steps to get to the hutch (which is 5 ft directly across from the DW). I can't think of a time when I have the DW open now when I'm at the range or while I'm prepping. Having said that, I do like the original layout better but think this one might have better storage options. So, here's the conundrum:

new layout puts the DW in a less convenient spot but may give better storage and certainly puts the trash cabinet in an optimum place. It also requires less steps to put dishes away although glasses and cups will still go in hutch so maybe that's not as helpful as I think.

old layout has better DW placement, lousy trash cabinet placement (but I can put a small bin unders the sink for food waste) and may look better.

Which would you choose? (I'm going to be a new woman when I place this cabinet order on Monday!!!!) Thanks again for your thoughts.

*groan* I don't know...let me think about it for a few hours!

OK...what about:

Lazy/Super Susan + Trash pullout + Sink + DW + Drawer Base?

The trash bin would be accessible for both clean up & prep. Unlike a DW, it doesn't have to be open all the way to use...so it won't be in the way as much if it's partially open.

Hopefully, this hasn't already been suggested & discarded....if so, let me know why and I'll think about it some more!

Buehl, you really are very sweet. We decided the trash would be too inconvenient to have to the left of the sink because it would get in my way when others want to access it.

This morning I took everything out of the super susan to see how it all fits into 30" drawers and guess what, the SS isn't that much more spacious. I also walked through emptying the DW to the hutch and it appears to be two steps. I decided I can handle it (time to get the girls to do that chore anyway!). Verdict, sticking with the original plan. The truth is, I have to stop obsessing and second guessing. I've come pretty close to getting everything I want in a difficult space and now I'm ready to get excited about how wonderful my new kitchen will be. I'll have so much more than I do now (and I like my existing kitchen except for the small fridge and sink) so all is good. Thanks so much for your time and help. I really, really appreciate it.

I'm off to Maine this morning to visit the cabinet company tomorrow and ORDER the cabinets. I just need to see quarter sawn oak in person before I commit...hopefully I'll love them as much as I think I will because choosing a paint color could take a very long time. Hahahahaha!!!

Think about putting the trash on the end of the kitchen. Then when someone from the living room needs to throw something away, they don't need to come all the way into the kitchen.

Kenneth

That's the dilemma, Ken. It is at the end, and while that's a great place for the reasons you said, it's not convenient to the prep/sink area. But still maybe the best place for it in this kitchen. I'll probably put a small bin under the sink (right now that's my ONLY trash can) for prep and other food waste. Thanks.