Can you switch the range and sink?

I guess it's a possibility but then we'd probably want to move the seating (which is in front of the prep sink) on the island.

Sorry, wasn't paying attention! Just saw the dotted line and thought exterior. Is the kitchen open to DR? Can't decipher small print.

can you post a larger image? It's very small and hard to see with my aging eyes.

I would do everything in my power not to have a cooktop on an island. Hopefully, one of the expert designers will chime in to solve this for you.

I know there are people who love the cooktop in the island (I've had one for about 14 years and no complaints) and those who don't. For now, I'd like to see if we can keep it there. If I have to move it to a wall, then I'd probably switch to a range. Don't want to go there yet.

Down draft fans don't get any love at the Kitchen forum either. Avoid them if at all possible.

I'm not one of the experts but I thought I'd throw this out for consideration. Duct work for the hood can be routed through upper cabinets or a soffit to the outside wall.

If houzz allowed pdf's, I would have had this posted an hour ago ;) Hope this helps cpartist! And thank you.

I love window seats too! Great idea. You removed the cooktop from the island I see. Is the counter space comparable to what we had? What are the dimensions of the island? I guess we can play with that. And I believe we could vent the cooktop out the side of the house (not the front of the house/porch).

Just wondering if, design-wise, it's a good idea to have the kitchen as the first room you enter from the front of the house...course, no one uses the front door!

I'll run this by my husband and see what he thinks. thanks!

Since you can see the kitchen as you walk in, with either plan...I don't think it matters :)

Maybe something like this for the cooktop? But windows would not be as wide...

Or this?

I'm not sure I'd love walking into the front door and seeing the kitchen either, but otherwise I like LL's plan.

Here is another suggestion. I like this better because in your plan to get to the fridge people have to almost walk into the work zone. this keeps them on the fringes. It also gives you a nice flow from fridge to prep sink to cooktop. It also takes the cooktop off the island so no worries about having a range hood over the island giving more of a sight line.

Not an expert, but I like both lavender's and cpartist's versions, with one small change to each. In LL's plan, if you gave up the window seat, moved the table toward the window, and left the short wall by the door, the kitchen would be screened as before. In cpa's plan I'd move the oven over against the fridge, so there would be more counter between it and the cooktop, instead of the little cave. You can have a wider drawer base there, too.

LOL Mama. I was debating doing just that and erred on how i'd want it. I'd want a landing area next to my refrigerator instead of only one behind it. However that's just a personal choice and either could work.

Sorry, I'm going to fight for that window seat! LOL It's just too nice a feature....very 'Not So Big House' by Sarah Susanka, whom I really admire.

I guess I don't see the point in screening the kitchen. Or blocking it off completely from the living room area, either.

In smaller, fairly open-plan homes, it's sometimes easier to let the island divide the space. I think the tradeoff in losing light and views is just not worth it.

Here are a few island ideas.

Different color....

Different heights on island...

I'm with LL on the window seat! However, I'm just not sure about the kitchen facing the front of the house (with a covered porch). I definitely agree with you on putting the frig and ovens next to each other to allow for more counter next to the cooktop. LL, I could probably fit the window seat in the DR regardless :)

The only 'problem' with ovens and fridge next to each other is you lose counterspace by the actual appliance. It all depends on how you use the kitchen.

I LOVE to bake, so I need space by the ovens, across from them, pull a cart up (LOL) well you get the idea! Not everyone wants/needs the same thing in their kitchen :)

re - different island heights. I had that in a kitchen once...HATED it.

I like all the continuous surface area I can get so I don't think I'd like it either, nightowl. I do like the shelves at the end of the island. I had that in a previous house/island. Easy access to cookbooks and spare whatever...

LL, we bake more meals in the cooler months but tend to grill and use the cooktop most of the time.

Everyone walks in my back door and sees my kitchen first--it bothers me not at all, but the OP expressed some concern about hers being the first sight upon entering. If it were my kitchen I'd choose the window seat over the wall every time.

Disclaimer: I've never owned a side-by-side or French door fridge, but I've read many times that the landing space for one is in front of it (behind the person using it), and in cpa's plan there is ample landing space on the island.

oaptechgirl, I still can't decide which plan I like better. ;)

If you like the dining room in front (and want to keep the window seat!) maybe put the cooktop on the outside wall....and have a cutout for the kitchen sink?

This would give you views into the living room, but still some separation :)

Oapt, they can definitely vent the hood out through the walls with it on the side. I know because they did it in my condo! It is not the same as having the cooktop on an island with the vent above. I like my kitchen layout with the window seat that LL put in. :) My 2 cents.