Where are the doorways?

I can determine where the doorways are. I want to have one or two that can be shut, or pocket, to the dining room area. So it can be somewhat open, but closed off as well.

Since all options are on the table, and the awesome people here seem to clear out the drawings to arrange things, I thought having it blank with the space clearly delineated would help.

I have tried many different ways, but haven't come up with a plan that seems right.

Hi, Meris, I remember your space--seems there has been some rearranging, so I'm not sure if the options we discussed would still work. I'm going to link one of my plans, so that you can see m/l where everything was located. *On this plan, you preferred a cushioned bench, rather than the counter seating.*

I'm also inserting your new plan, turned to match the orientation of your previously posted plan.

New plan:

And the new plan with some approximate measurements, and a few questions. Will you still have windows on the short wall? Still want the two doors from the dining room? Want the pantry in the gray space m/l? Are you still thinking of centering the range on the pass-through, as a focal point? Is the angle highlighted by red, 90°? And you want the kitchen laid out in the direction of the yellow line?

In this plan your main working space would be roughly 13.5' x 13', with the longest measurement ap. 20'. The pantry would be ap. 7.5' x 7.5' x 10' with a sliding door on the right.

It's late, so I'll toss out a crazy idea--instead of stools or cabinets, you could have a table made to fit under the overhang, and pull it out if you need it for the bench seating. That might leave room above it for drawers on the island, and shallow cabinets below.

The aisle between fridge and island would be the minimum 36". You could frame the wall behind the fridge to gain a couple of inches--turn the studs 90°, or use a counter depth fridge.

I gave you the same shallow storage under the pass-through, and a cushioned bench under the windows. Using a smaller sink, the clean-up area and the bench seating could be switched, but you'd lose the secondary prep space.

With just the counters blocked in, in case you want to try other ideas:

Best of luck--you have a challenge ahead of you!

The table-under-the-island idea:

This is one of my favorite kitchen pictures. It shows a kitchen with double pocket doors and an island which might check two of your boxes for an island with no stools and being able to close off the space.

Is there any view or good natural light across the hall to the outside that you want to take advantage of?

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Since you can move doors, this plan gives you entrances from the entry hall and the DR. There's no walk-in pantry, but the top corner could be a corner pantry. The opening from the DR could be wider, like benjesbride's pic.

Mama Goose, thank you for getting those other pics! I was trying to figure out how to link to the other conversation, and then got sidetracked by Mothers Day. I love your suggestions, you get me to focus instead of just feeling overwhelmed. thank you. I'm having my coffee now and am going to study them after I thank you. ;-)

I wanted a walk in pantry, but if it doesn't fit, I'll make it work. Never had one before. I like to try for everything, but I'm more than will to cut when necessary.

Yes, that short wall to the deck has a lovely view, and I am planning on that being all window. There will be good light from the front hall, and from the dining room. I'm willing to not have a door from the front hall to make everything work.

Benjesbride, I love that photo! I would love something like that, open but able to be closed.

Thank you so much for your ideas. I'm feeling a bit muddled on how to make my home plate work! This is an amazing forum. I've lurked for years reading posts and ideas, never thought I'd join. With this remodel, this resource is incredible.

Mama Goose, I did not thank you enough for all that work and thinking you did on those photos. Thank you! You rock!

Now I'll try to answer you're questions..

I did love the range centered on that wall, I thought it looked great. I'm trying not to be married to any idea.

The angle highlighted by red I can make anyway I want. (that is so fun to say!)

I can also get a different sink. Some people here have a smaller version that is similar to the Kohler? I think.

Yes, I do think the kitchen should be orientated on that angle of the kitchen towards the dining room. (The yellow line) I think it makes sense, but if you, or others think that's not necessary, I'm willing to really consider other options.

And looking at your last idea, no pantry, organized as its own room, looks very, very interesting. I also love that island table idea as well. Those warrant some more consideration. Hmm..

You are welcome! It was late last night when I posted--I meant to include the link to your old thread at the bottom. Here it is, before I forget again. (Funky kitchen angle design.) To include a link, copy the URL, then click the 'Link' icon on the toolbar below, and paste. If you don't rename it, the URL is posted. You can also just copy and paste, with the URL becoming a clickable link. Not sure if it works on iphones.

In the first (new) plan, you could consider a short pocket door from the hall side, for incoming non-perishables/groceries (I think I mentioned that on the previous thread), and on either plan, a wall oven/MW combo could be installed to the right of the fridge.

Also, the clean-up sink wall could be made deeper to match the depth of the counter beside the stove. (If there's a difference when all of the exact measurements are calculated.) You have plenty of room there for deeper counters. The bottom blind corner could be accessed from the bathroom side, for storage--maybe deep drawers. Arlosmom did something similar--I'll look for a pic from her reveal.

Changes:

arlosmom pic

Small changes to the second plan--wall ovens, corner pantry, and larger table:

I think I might be leaning towards this last one. I have a slide in induction range that I love, so I won't have wall ovens, more counter space there.

And I'm thinking of sliding the seating over , no door, and having that one large opening like Benjesbride pic?

I am in love with the drawer bathroom thing for the blind corner, brilliant. I think my shower has to go there though. I'll be looking at that now to see if I can fool with that space.

I tried to make a kitchen in a program myself. I had to put a small table in there instead of a bench, banquette, since they didn't have anything like that. And the 2 corner cabinets jammed together represent corner pantry.

I put a smaller prep sink in island, and a bigger clean up sink along the window. I figure if I have 2 sinks, I'll prob give up the Stages sink. I was thinking I don't want all the dishes and clean up on the island so visible from the dining area.

I spun the island sideways, so no drawers or sink back to back with the stove. Does that make any sense? I also thought it might make easier access for the dishes for the dishwasher? Also, I think the island might have to be smaller than I have here for walking/working zones.

This could be totally wrong functionally, I'm not sure, I'm just trying out different ideas. And I'm here because so many of you are so good at seeing better ways of arranging things. Pic below.

Your plan looks great. I think I'd keep the island parallel to the
range--this leaves more room for a banquette. (I shaved a little off the island to make it fit--4x6.) Also I'd put the sink
closer to the right side, leaving more room for prep. Then you can 'scoop, turn, and drop' to the range. That's a 12" trash
pull-out on the corner. It could be switched with the sink, but on the corner it can also be used for trash coming from the MW/snack area. On the back, is still easy access to dish drawers
for loading from the DW.

There's room for a door from the entry and hallway, too, without sacrificing storage or counter space. I filled in the missing corners with counter, but the red line represents walkway for the door. The empty spaces under the counters could be used for shelves for cookbooks, or display. Here you have my attempt at a banquette.

(I'm still thinking of your first kitchen plan, so I turned it again.)

Counting the grid squares, the aisles on my plan above are ap. 36". That's about the widths of the aisles in my kitchen, but if you prefer wider aisles, the island can be shortened to 4x5', and moved back toward the seating slightly. (I really like the narrow aisle between my range and island, especially when I'm loading and unloading baking sheets.) The sink would need to be switched with the trash pullout. "Six of one, half a dozen of the other," as my grandmother used to say. ;)

I did a search on 'sink on outside corner of island' and found this--different, but kind of matches your 'bullet' shape.

I dunno, maybe you can go back to the Stages:

I like those. Thank you. It's hard to judge the aisle ways to know how the space works. Duh, just got an idea. I'll put some chairs 3 feet in front of my range and see how it feels.

I'm liking where this is heading. You have been indispensable. : )

The kitchen I moved into is so inefficient it's not even funny. Anything would be an improvement.

I tried to put the door and better representation of banquette in the plan with the prep sink to the right on the island. And added a door on the entry hall. I'd want that to be a pocket door though, couldn't find one in the planner.

Actually, since the door would be visible as soon as you walk in, I'd like to do something like this. Although, not so traditional since the style wouldn't do with my 1960's ranch.

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Excellent! I can't even master Paintshop Pro. Is the small cabinet in the upper left corner a wall cabinet, or drawers in the bathroom that shares the wall? If it's a cabinet, I'd add another to make the cabinets on the range wall more symmetrical. Or add some open shelves.

So, 1960's--Picasso, Andy Warhol, or Margaret Keane? ;)

Great minds think alike...I was trying to create some open shelves. There's a picture I'll show you that I was thinking about for that corner. I'll have to go back and find it. I lost it. Argh!

I was thinking some cool graphic wallpaper....but who knows! I think I should shoot for a statement.

What do you think of the below pic for that area that we have the corner pantry?

Riverside Apartment Living · More Info

I'll get that other photo for your opinion when I find it. Jumping on here in between chores!

It's official, I'm addicted.

Just another idea. I tried to get the fridge closer to the DR and here's what I come up with.

Looks more like a walk-in that been disguised as standard cabinets. If you have specific questions about pantries, open shelves, appliance brands, etc., it's better to start a thread about each question, and those with experience can help out. I can move little colored boxes around, but pantries befuddle me. I do like me some open shelf eye candy, though. ;)

Maybe I'm thinking too much along traditional lines, but I like the working kitchen in the rectangle, with the banquette off to the side. Also like the secondary prep area near the range. I realize that the view from the DR will be more attractive if the island is along the same axis.

Sena, can you do an elevation view from the DR? I'm afraid that is beyond my capabilities.

An idea for the door from the entry hall--you could use a barn door-type slider (not rustic), with a sign mounted on it:

( Subwaysigns.com )

Or a map mural? When my kids were small, I tacked a large US map on the wall in their bathroom. I figured if it was there, they'd read it. A world map was on the stair wall--they had to pass it every time they went up or down the stairs to their rooms.

( google search--wall map murals )

Sena, thank you so much. I really appreciate the rendition you did of my future kitchen!

Great idea to break the whole thing up and try something completely different. Doing that is really making me think what I want in my kitchen, and how I want to live in the space.

I went back to try out your idea in my program. It made me realize that I like the banquette seating area in the corner not visible from the dining room. It makes it more of a nook. Our dining and family room are open to each other, so having another place the kids can hang and do homework or chat with me would work well for our family.

So once that is in the current corner, it doesn't leave much to arrange differently.

This forum is wonderful, it's made me feel excited vs overwhelmed.

Mama Goose, sign idea, very cool! Unique. Great minds think alike, I have a huge mural map in my children's room. The idea of one walking in and having one so visual is a cool concept.

I just want to pop in to say that I'm in awe. When I first saw the triangle area you have to work, I tried to think of a layout and was totally stumped. You are getting great ideas from some of the most creative people on here. Great work, Mamagoose and Sena! Cool stuff.

As the owner of a MCM ranch home myself, I would really encourage you to not make your doorway elaborate or arched. Simple lines, emphasis on horizontal lines, epitomize that era. I think it would look out of place to do anything ornate. Maybe a very slight arch but simple moldings in keeping with what you have in the rest of your home. I think a modern artist's print would look fabulous there. Or if you do go with a map, I think it would be fun to try to find one from the era your home was built.

Edited to add: Instead of chairs to simulate 36" aisles, can you use a table, buffet, chest of drawers. Something with a top that's more substantial. Then put a cutting board on it and use it in your kitchen for awhile and do pretend cooking sessions with it set for a 36" aisle and see how you like it. I really don't think just chairs there will give you the whole feel for how it would work for you. For us, we prefer around 54" aisles. This allows people to pass by without bumping or feeling crowded and for two people to work without butt-bumping. It just feels safer and better to us. You may be fine with 36" but that's narrower than most recommendations and it would be a shame to find out later you don't like them that narrow. Of course, you may like it but, please, fully test it first.

FunkyCamper, thanks for your comments and suggestions. I'll dig up some furniture to put on my kitchen and use, great idea. Also great to know the amount of space people like to work in, that's hard to figure out on paper.

There's so much info in here, so you might not have noticed that I do not want anything as ornate as the bear wallpaper with arch window above. Def want simple lines. Or some graphic wallpaper, or a school map from the 60's. Something along those lines. That's my inspiration as far as hiding the door when people enter the home. I also really like the sliding sign/art barn door idea a lot.

I know it sounds weird, but I'm glad someone else who is good at this felt stumped, I was feeling so inept.

I agree with your assessment of mama goose and sena, very very creative. Brilliant really. Thanks again for your input, it's very helpful.

Sorry I didn't have time to reply before.

Mama goose, here's a view from the DR.

I agree that keeping the kitchen in the rectangle part of the room is more functional, but the aisles around the island seem quite tight.

I tried to re-arrange the fridge wall. I think moving the fridge closer to the corner may help improve the aisles. I'm thinking a corner base cab (or a cab that can be used from the laundry side) and an appliance garage like huango has, then have the fridge (mostly) across the aisle and pantry cabs.

Tried to get your measurements as close as possible (couldn't for the exterior wall though). I have 21" deep pantry cabs in the below drawing. The aisles are from cab to cab so they'd actually be narrower when 1,5 o/h(s) are subtracted. İsland is 48x63 (+3 O/H).

I figure there's going to be tons of tweaks. I just needed to have a workable plan in my head to proceed. And you have helped me SO much, I can't thank you enough, and Sena as well. You ladies rock. I'm not usually a forum participator, but I found that GW is a great place for people to exchange ideas with out being insulted. The collaboration here on the kitchen forum is remarkable.

Our home is a fixer upper, with leaking roof, water pipes with frequent pinholes (already had a plumber out 2x since Feb), and a surprise huge batch of poison ivy in our yard (that's whatcha get for buying in Feb with everything covered in snow!)

Only moving so fast since everything needs to be replaced, so we might as well do it all at once. I'm determined to enjoy the ride though!

Meris. Your mention of a mural in a 1960s ranch made me think of a paint-by-number version :-)

But maybe paint by numbers is more 50s than 60s.

I remember those. My grandmother had several framed ones--done by my uncle in the late 50's, but they were still popular in the 60's.

For a kitchen door, I thought Andy Warhol was particularly apropos.

Oh, that Warhol would be fun!

In the 60's, it seems every store had tons of paint-by-number kits. It was a very common gift for kids, teens and adults. I still have one my mom did of dancers wearing Harlequin outfits.

Very very cool ideas! Right now my husband is loving the map idea. I guess we have to let him have a vote..... Ya think??

Maybe we should all just decide! :-D

Ha! DH spends zero time considering aesthetics so I choose to give him decision-making power when I can't make up my mind between two items I like equally well. Kinda like when you give a kid a choice between a tuna fish sandwich or an egg salad sandwich instead of saying "what do you want for lunch?". He feels included and I still get what I want!