Designing the layout of the kitchen cabinets: where will it all go?

8 years ago

So, we are about to renovate the kitchen and I want to make sure that we use the space as efficiently as possible so that we can store the things we need to store. We will probably use custom cabinets so no need to restrict ourselves to stock cabinets.

The space has:

1) a butler's pantry that will keep its current layout and contains a sink, the dishwasher and the fridge. We will continue to store plates, glasses, cups, bowls and cutlery there. But we need to figure out what is best stored in the lower cabinets (they are narrow: 18" deep).

2) the main kitchen is U shaped and is 80" x 142" x 90". The long 142" run will have three windows and a sink (centered on the middle window). The right 90" leg will have the induction range and a hood so that we can vent to the outside. The ceilings are 9'3" tall so we can have high upper cabinets but only on the 80" leg and the 90" leg (on either side of the induction range) since the 142" run is all windows.

The area in front of the "chimney" currently holds the piano. In future it might serve as a place for extra cabinets or a piece of furniture but for now the piano stays and we have to work with the rest of the space.

Challenges:

--One blind corner in the butler's pantry that is way too small for anything like a super susan or anything that pulls out

--Two blind corners in the main part of the kitchen

Need a place for:

--pots, pans, lids

--appliances (big mixer, blender, rice cooker, food processor--all of which we actually use), hand mixer, small kitchen scale

--bowls, measuring cups, baking supplies, rolling pin

--food pantry

--Tupperware type containers

--kitchen towels and oven mitts

--microwave (but not above the range as I want a hood there)

--aluminium foil, parchment, plastic wrap

--garbage/recycling

--?? I am probably forgetting something

So:

--what should go where?

--where should I use drawers? how many ? how deep?

--super susans vs those double pull out things that seem to use the whole blind corner (?but might be a pain) vs a large open space with doors that open in the corner

--if the food pantry is in the upper cabinets, what can I realistically reach? any way to make this more functional?

--sink size? one bowl is all I want but advice appreciated

I did have a "kitchen designer" begin a design but it seemed to me an exercise in dragging cabinets onto the layout with no real regard for figuring out what works best from a functional perspective or where things should go to be accessible.

Help desperately needed and greatly appreciated...and feel free to help with the lighting plan if you have ideas for that. Sketch below. Thank you!

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Comments (6)

raenjapan
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Is this sketch the existing layout, or a proposed design? Can you move plumbing, and/or doorways, windows, etc? Is there a fireplace, or just a chimney?
islandgarden
Original Author
8 years ago
This is the proposed design--we spent a lot of time (years) on getting to this design after considering bumpouts and other options that proved too expensive. The 3 windows over the sink in the main kitchen are my favourite part as the kitchen is currently dark and gloomy. We are keeping the butler's pantry as is design wise because it actually works perfectly for us and we don't want to move the DW or fridge to the main kitchen. So at this point we want to look at the cabinets and figure out storage. I realize others might opt for less windows and more upper cabinets but I live for light!
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Much, much, much prefer option 2 with the separation of zones and the dishwashers flanking the main sink. You have a lovely, big space, why do everything in one spot, with workspace, workpaths, and storage overlapping? We tried separated dishwashers in our last house and it was so inefficient. We have our cleanup area on the side wall of our kitchen now, with dws flanking, and it's great. In this plan you still have the view of your family as you prep at the roomy island. With the kitchenette right there, do you need the island overhang on that end? I would move your ovens to the left end of the stove run, and dedicate the sink wall to cleanup and dish storage. Here is a link that might be useful: my kitchen zones and workpaths
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Texas_Gem
8 years ago
Have you checked out this reveal?

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1920s-inspired-blue-and-white-kitchen-butlers-pantry-finished-dsvw-vd~3047607

It isn't the same as yours but designing around a butlers pantry is something they did as well and initial contractors wanted to tear it out.
Buehl
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It sounds like you aren't asking for layout help, just help in determining what to store where. (Personally, I would not have blind corner cabinets - I think corner susans are much more functional - but to each his/her own.)

Have you read the Kitchen FAQs? There's one regarding storage.

There are other very useful FAQs as well, but if you're not interested in exploring other options in the layout to possibly make it more functional, then you may not be interested in them.

Here's the storage FAQ:

How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where?

If you want to see the other design FAQs (explaining work zones, aisle widths, seating overhangs, etc.), they're located here:

Kitchen FAQs: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchens-faq

.
Rachel (Zone 7A + wind)
8 years ago
I'd do a cook top instead of the range and store pots in drawers under it. On the opposite wall a speed oven and wall oven, with full depth food storage pantry cabs aside it. Then, everything else falls into place nicely.
funkycamper
8 years ago
I remember your prior posts about this kitchen and the challenges you have in this space. I like how you've made the butler's pantry into a scullery. The only thing that concerns me is the distance your fridge is from your prep/cook space and your blind corners. Do check out Super Susans to see if they'll fit in your space. I don't think you'll regret it. I wish I had an easier solution for the fridge. I think it would be convenient and functional to have it on the L opposite the range but I also think it would not be aesthetically pleasing there.

I sure don't feel qualified to tell you where to store things. The links Buehl gave you on that should be helpful. My only tip is to try for mise-en-place storage as much as possible. That means you store things at/near where you use them. For example, the items you regularly use at the stove should be right by it. Items you sometimes use at the stove but not regularly can be one storage unit over. Same idea for clean-up and prep sink areas. Items used occasionally can be stored farther away. Rarely used items can be stored even farther away even in a basement or garage if necessary. Group your items in those various categories and measure how much storage they need and then measure the spaces you have planned for them to see if you need to make adjustments in the sizes of the storage areas.

Designing the layout of the kitchen cabinets: where will it all go?

Comments (6)

raenjapan

islandgarden
Original Author

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Designing the layout of the kitchen cabinets: where will it all go?

Comments (6)

raenjapan

islandgardenOriginal Author

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Texas_Gem

Buehl

Rachel (Zone 7A + wind)

funkycamper

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islandgarden
Original Author