Seeking layout advice for super-weird kitchen shape

13 years ago

Hi everyone,

I've been browsing this site for a while now, and have been getting some great ideas. However, I haven't seen anything that quite addresses the layout of the kitchen in my new house, hence the post. Rather than trying to describe this awe-inspiring space, I'll give you the scale drawing I made:

{{!gwi}}

First the basics: The house is a 1946 colonial revival, and the kitchen is still nearly the same as when the house was built. Right now there's only one cook in the kitchen, me, but I'd like to be able to accommodate two butts if possible. I don't have too many pots and pans, or gadgets. I'm something of a cookware minimalist, which should help! Now, I'm generally in favor of keeping whatever I can that's original to the house, but something's gotta give in the kitchen.

It would be a very small U-shape, except for the bay window breakfast nook that comes out of one corner. The bay window sills are low, about 27 inches from the floor, so I can't use the space in front of them for anything but seating. The separate range and oven concept doesn't really work in this space. I'd rather have more counter space. Overall I want to kitchen to feel cozy, bright, and inviting. Currently it feels dark and claustrophobic, except for the breakfast nook.

Must keeps: 1. Some seating in the breakfast nook. It's a great place to have a cup of coffee in the morning.

Must add: Dishwasher (I've tried living without one before, can't stand it), some work space on one or both sides of the range.

Must lose: the double oven

I'm pretty open to shuffling appliance locations, even using part of the breakfast nook for something. But I feel like each idea I come up with results is a really strange layout. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (7)

marcolo
13 years ago
Question--is the sink window wall an "indent" in your house? Seems like both the FR and the bay window protrude from that? If so, have you looked into bumping out to capture the space between the FR and the bay? Seems to me, depending on the rest of the house, you might be able to do so for less than what it typically costs, because you wouldn't have to build a 3-sided foundation.
remodelfla
13 years ago
I have two questions before i can weight in. One is the same as marcolo's... what is behind the sink run and can the DR doorway be moved?
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palimpsest
13 years ago
Could the half bath be relocated?

Would you be ok with an 18" DW?

Does this face the back of the house?

Is the LL corner the door to the hallway?
dailyalice
Original Author
13 years ago
Yes, the wall with the sink on it is an indentation. The family room was formerly a sun porch, which the previous owners enclosed. When they did that it created this small alcove. I had thought about bumping it out, but then thought that would be really expensive. The air conditioning unit and the main electrical connection are in the alcove, sadly. Maybe I'll get some estimates for it, though, since you think construction itself might not be so pricey..That would be the ideal solution.

I believe the wall between the DR and the kitchen is not load-bearing, so yes, the doorway could potentially be moved.

I'd rather find a way to fit a full sized dishwasher. Also, the actual cutout space to the right of the sink is only 16 inches, so even putting it there would require butting it out into the walkway.

The half-bath would be hard to move, only because I don't have another place to put it on the first floor.

Thanks for all the feedback!
remodelfla
13 years ago
I might move the DR door left toward the corner. The have a stand alone frig (you can get all stainless wrapped, build it in whatever.) With the door down what I assume is 30-32" or so, you can scoot down the countertop and base cabs. YOu could then loose the 24" ovens and put in a 30" range or CT with oven installed underneath. Steal 3 inches from either side. I would then add a small peninsula off the sink run for your DW. DW's in a peninsula may not be optimal but there is another current recent thread where people say it's always worked fine for them.

Sorry I can't draw this out for you but I hope it make ssnes.
dailyalice
Original Author
13 years ago
Would the fridge still be on the same wall? I can't picture it, sorry! I hadn't thought of moving that door, good idea.

There was one question I didn't answer- the doorway in the lower left corner does go to the front entrance hallway.
houseful
13 years ago
How large is the dining room? Can you borrow a few feet? Can you post a floorplan of the whole first floor?

Seeking layout advice for super-weird kitchen shape

Comments (7)

marcolo

remodelfla

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Seeking layout advice for super-weird kitchen shape

Comments (7)

marcolo

remodelfla

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houseful

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