Small peninsula kitchen cabinet choices.......Help!

15 years ago

I think I've finally narrowed my kitchen down to one of these designs. Need opinions suggestions on what would take this small ordinary space and make it extraordianry looking. My greatest fear is that I will invest $$$$$$ nad create a disaster....or just such an ordinary looking space. Please keep in mind I like things that lean a little more towards the elegant look. I either like creamy colored painted cabinets or a dark rich cherry cabinet that is not overly red in tone. I tend to like granites that have lots of veining, but are not over-powering, on both of these types of cabinets.

Part of the dilemma is that we are knocking down a wall between the living room and kitchen. So I want this space to look spectacular. Most peninsula kitchens I see look pretty ordinary. So I need someone with an eye for what would really make a classy looking kitchen in a small space.

I realize these layouts need a little tweaking here and there.

Does anyone have any ideas for making this space look great, cabinet finishes, granites, tile backsplash, hardwood floors. I worry that too dark a finish will be too much for my smaller space and that lighter finishes won't have the richness factor. Getting it all right is so important. Should I just hire a designer? We have none close in our area. We live in a rural area with no kitchen design centers close by. It would really help if I could see something besides a cabinet door. It's hard to do a whole kitchen and know how it's going to look.

I really need to make a decision and any great advice or lovely open kitchen photos, ideas, cabinets finishes, etc. appreciated.

P.S. I hope my contractor can take the header level to the ceiling like the first design.

I feel like this is making me crazy!

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Comments (6)

remodelfla
15 years ago
To me, elegant and dramatic are two different concepts. I think you can create elegance with simplicity... especially in a smaller space. I thought you wanted to do two different cabinet finishes? Though I lean toward contemporary for myself; I do like the look of creamy white matched with alder in other kitchens. Or... the creamy white with distressed black which just might be a little heavy with your sized layout. Didn't you discussed doing your sink base and maybe your hood and pantry in a contrasting wood? If I'm confusing you with someone else... I apologize...
mpeg
Original Author
15 years ago
remodelfla.

No you are right on track. I am leaning towards playing it safe. Maybe all wood with the range hood a different color or all cream with the range hood a darker wood. Just which would look the best open to the living room? How can I get the higher end look, keeping things elegant at the same time not over whelm the space.

I like contemporary too but it doesn't fit my home or the area I live in.

I lean towards the european country elegant look. Just not sure how to pull that off with the details I need in a peninsula kitchen.

Part of the problem is........this will never be my dream kitchen because of the size but I want to give it some class because I may have to live with it for a long time.
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BalTra, it's nice but in no way does it fit your notion of flexibility. Both the banquette and the island would be built in. Neither could move an inch. Plus, given your square footage limitations, why build in TWO small dining areas? Maybe just a seat at a nice-sized but not large island for kiddo or a friend to keep you company? But you don't want a "large" "formal" table in your kitchen for everyday meals--of course not. Precious few would. How about instead a nice cozy table for 2-4 that expands to hold 8? Handsome enough to dress up but with a tough finish that doesn't showcase fingerprints? Or the table you mentioned that could be separated into various parts and put back together as needed? Or a table that lowers and raises as desired? All are ways to design in comfort and flexibility instead of building in inadequacy. You could, of course, if you wished also have a fine-quality banquette-style seat that's super comfy to pull the table, or a piece of table, up to; I'm thinking more of a custom couch for dining, though, which doesn't have to be bolted to the wall and floor. With your table pulled over, or pieces placed at the ends and in front, it would allow friends to dine or lounge for hours.
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What dates a kitchen, IMHO? Last year's "latest & greatest" that was put in b/c it was "the thing" BUT detracts from the functionality of the kitchen. Peninsulas are not "outdated", they're just not the current fad. Yes, fad. Fad - a temporary fashion, notion, manner of conduct, etc., esp. one followed enthusiastically by a group. [emphasis mine] ÂSynonyms craze, vogue, rage OK, maybe islands aren't a "temporary" fashion...but right now everyone is trying to jam one into their kitchen whether or not their kitchen can support it...in size or configuration. Yes, islands can be a nice addition to a kitchen as long as they don't detract from the functionality of the kitchen and as long as the kitchen is big enough for one, especially if you want seating at the island (which the OP is not going for, btw). However, when they become barriers b/w zones & appliances, cause people to run around in circles to work, or cause traffic issues b/c of too narrow aisles, they then become detriments to the kitchen. The same, btw, can be said for peninsulas...they can be great additions to a kitchen...particularly when it comes to protecting the Cooking Zone and range/cooktop (an ideal situation)...but if they become major obstacles in/out of the kitchen, then they can be a detriment (unless you want to restrict entry into the kitchen). However, it takes a really long peninsula for this to become a true issue. In the case of your kitchen, ideally, I'd switch the sink & range/cooktop and move the MW + Oven to the top right corner. I might consider making the island longer and putting a prep sink in it to try to mitigate the "barrier island" effect b/w the refrigerator & sink. But, the window on the top/north wall eliminates that as a possibility. Another possibility is to move the refrigerator to the upper right corner...but it would have to be changed to a 36" built-in....unless that room off to the right can be opened up into the kitchen. Take down that wall and you gain approx 4.5"...all you need is another 2 or 3 inches for a 42" refrigerator. Then, you could have a full pantry where the current refrigerator is or you could put in a 24" pantry cabinet and have 30" to 33" of counterspace next to the pantry for a Snack Center, Message Center, or other. ...Wait...if your refrigerator is a true "built-in", I'm not sure you need those side panels b/c the refrigerator will have panels added to it?? I don't know much about built-ins so maybe someone w/a built-in refrigerator will chime in about how they work and the dimensions needed for the space (is the space needed for the panels already incorporated into the dimensions?, etc.)
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I had a similar dilemma with my kitchen. Most advised that I go with a large island, I wanted a peninsula with no island or with a small island. While I incorporated much of the advice I received, I opted to go with the peninsula for a couple of key reasons. Given the points your laid out in your intro, these reasons might be helpful to you in your deliberations: - it defined the space between my DR and kitchen. This was difficult for me to explain to people online, but I wanted that definition and I felt the lay out of my house cried out for it. It was difficult to appreciate without actually being in the space. - with a large island in my kitchen my messy clean up run would be visible from the LR. Although my kitchen/DR/LR are semi-open concept, I wanted the best of both worlds by concealing at least part of my kitchen from both the DR table and the LR. Peninsulas have fallen somewhat out of favour I think because many peninsulas in mid century and '80s homes block access to the kitchen, forcing people into a narrow passage to enter the kitchen. I allowed for a wide passage into my kitchen past the peninsula, and the lay out of my house is such that people would have rarely entered the kitchen from the area where the peninsula is regardless. You might want to consider this issue as well. How wide is the aisle at the end of your peninsula in layout 2? I agree that large islands are "in" right now and that may be why many people default to the island option. As for the usefulness of a small island, my temporary island is 48" x 38", it is just about perfect as an unloading zone for my pantry and fridge and for prep across from my hob. My permanent island will probably be about 50" x 36". It is small enough not to be a barrier. Good luck.
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remodelfla
15 years ago
peg... I am learning that in kitchens... size does not have to matter to achieve function and beauty. I think cream with a darker hood and sink cab would look great. I'm not sure who but I think it was mustbnuts who did a dark sink cab (maybe bumped out) and it looks terrific. Find a door style you love, a color white you'll be happy with for cabs, and pick beautiful stone and backsplash materials. I really think those elements with the right lighting will make your kitchen elegant.
sailormann
15 years ago
It might be a good idea to find a picture or two in the finished kitchens blog that you really like. It is pretty simple to take an existing kitchen and "interpret" it. If you can post what you like and how ;uxe you want to go ($$) I am sure that you'll be able to accomplish everything with the help of the folks on here.

Floor plans and the palette of the adjoining room(s) are also imporant. Because you are removing the wall, you are basically making the whole room a combined kitchen/living/entertaining area and it is not a good idea to try to treat them as separate spaces.

In the second layout sketch - it looks like you have a cooktop aganst the back wall, however there is a range against the other wall.

I think you could create some wonderful drama by moving the fridge over to where the range is in the second sketch. On the back wall - use a cooktop with one or two ovens underneath in mock-range configuration. Put great big pillars on either side of the area and spend half of your budget on the most beautiful mosaic backsplash you can find.

Your elegance can come from the colouration. Use creams accented with darks and jewel tones to make impact in a gracious way.

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
mpeg
Original Author
15 years ago
remodelfla,

I've seen some beautifully done...small kitchens on the site. It just seems more difficult to add in the details that I really admire in other kitchens and keep the functionality and storage also.

Thanks for your support on this wonderful site. You are so supportive in such a generous way!

I think that I just want someone to do it for me......LOL make it look beautiful and I would be happy.
mpeg
Original Author
15 years ago
sailormann ,

I love your ideas! Absolutely love it. It would mean we would have to remove a window. But I think it would make a huge difference in how this kitchen would function and look. I don't know if DH is going to let me take out the window. We have a beautiful view.........but I am thinking it would make the most dramatic statement this way. Something to think about.

I always love the mantles over the cooktop like you show here. They do add lots of visual interest.

Beautiful drawings!

Small peninsula kitchen cabinet choices.......Help!

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Small peninsula kitchen cabinet choices.......Help!

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