Help Needed Reconfiguring Pantry/Office Space
I've seen many of your beautiful pantry spaces and I know if anyone can create extra space where there appears to be none, it's y'all.
I can't get an overall shot to actually show the entire size of the pantry. From the doorway straight in to back wall is 47" deep. From left to right it's 91".
I have storage in kitchen already for all breakfast foods, all snacks and breads, and oils, vinegars, flour, sugar, coffee and tea, as well as ziplocs, foil, etc.
The things I need stored in here are: Jars, canned and boxed food items, baking goods, onions and potatoes. A couple large appliances, vases, pet food storage.
For an office area I need just a countertop with space to sit. I can put storage on wall for pens, scissors, etc and I have an 18" wide x 24" deep HEAVY rolling file cabinet, but not sure if there are alternatives to using this with limited space.
Our thoughts at this time for this pantry are to utilize Ikea pantries. Just the frames with no doors. So far, I was thinking along the 91" wall from left to right the following 3 pantries that are 14-3/4" deep:
24" x 90" tall/ 18" x 90" tall/ 24" x 90" tall = 66" total.
With the remaining 25" to the right of those pantries, put a butcher block counter along that 47" right wall extending in corner into that 25" wide space creating a niche.
I have enough room to sit at counter with this plan, but the only place to put the filing cabinet is to wedge it under the counter back in that 25" space and dig it out every time I use it. I'm thinking this would be a major headache! Any help with this would be appreciated. I could put a 14-3/4" deep 24" wide x 40" tall open IKEA wall cabinet in that 25" space above the counter in that corner. Perhaps some kind of file system could go there?
On left wall inside door, I was thinking of a few hooks above for a stray coat or purse and lower hooks to hang wet shoes till they are dry and put away. Also need to hang step ladder and it will fit on the doorway wall to left of door inside.
It sure seems impossible with this space, but I'm hoping y'all can help me with your magic ;)
Comments (14)
sheloveslayouts
8 years ago
designsaavy
8 years agoRelated Discussions
How would you reconfigure this office space?
Comments (15)Marti, here is a rough sketch, showing the way it might work to allow the heater to work for the space besides the office, just like before. And you will note the following * Remove temp wall, marked with xxxxxxxxx 1. Build new temp wall and extend garage wall which is adjacent to the door from the deck. 2. At end of sink cab, add another temp wall section with a pair of bifold doors (not, could have glass in the tops if you like.) This will aallow a 48 inch wide doorway into the office which could be left open for air circulation as before. 3. Make a row of 12 inch deep high shelving in the office. 4. Desk or work table with 2 chairs T-d up to the shelves to allow DH to see the window for the sink area like before. 5. On wall between heater and the a/c, mount chalk board and cork board for projects, appointments, etc. Maybe below on that wall a credenza if he likes one. 6. File ab behind DH's desk, 2 drawer to keep from visually crowding the space, give a spot to put calculator or something. Also, a 2 drawer file cabinet beneath the window a/c, maybe two of them if he needs lots of files. I'm sure he has his computer there, and a printer. Maybe put the equipment on the file cabs under the a/c, and the computer on a table against the wall behind his chair, keeping it away from the heater as much as possible. Don't know what folks use in their offices these days, been many years since I worked in one. Hope this gives you some ideas which way to go with this. I'm assuming you still want the new walls to be "temporary" too....See Morehelp me reconfigure this space
Comments (27)Sorry Stephanie, but like others have said there is too much wrong to give small suggestions. And changing small things is a can of worms... for example, if you add a hallway to your master, what is the study now? You now have a strange area off a hallway in the front of your house that seems like a mistake (because it is!). Also, we don't know anything about your site, location, life style etc... Maybe you only have 2 small windows in your living space because the back of your house faces west in a hot climate and you don't want the glare of afternoon sun or maybe you really prefer dark cozy spaces. A good architect would need to spend days/weeks changing your house to give you a proper 4 bedroom house with logical interior hallways and lots windows (and likely 2 living spaces, because most houses that have 4 bedrooms and 3k sq. feet should have two living spaces. The reason you don't is because you have a lot of wasted space in the bathroom, hallway, study, etc). As far as solar tubes go, they are nice for bathrooms and laundry rooms. They let in a bit of light but not much. Skylights are better. If you leave your kitchen and living room how they are with so few windows, you would need large skylights to get natural light. Also, if you can do snow angels on your bathroom floor, it isn't using space efficiently. And giving that long hallway prime space in the back of your house while having no windows in your kitchen or master bath makes no sense. Please hire someone to do this right for you. You don't want to spend a lot of money on an awkward house. These kind of mistakes are ones that will bother you for decades. Better to delay 6 months now than have regrets for the next 20-30 years....See MoreNeed help reconfiguring small, but open "great room"
Comments (24)Looks like rug will need to be 8 feet by 10? 8 foot side under love seat and front legs of sofa? I think that would work and a very available size. Choose a color you like, try not to be safe or matching. When you select a chair and/or ottomans/benches, do a contrasting color and relate it to the rug. Kelly green, crimson, coral, hot pink, teal, sapphire blue......just let the color thrill you. Don’t do brown grey black navy taupe. Then replace you r sofa pillows to work with the rug and chairs. Home Goods has great pillows BTW. Or start with a piece of art for wall by staircase ? And select colors from that. Fun art at cost plus, Target, TJMAXX, etc. keep posting!...See MoreEmpty space needs help over pantry
Comments (7)plants would be great. or a large basket or large vase arrangement nothing too cluttered. just showing this for the idea. btw, if you're doing a wood floor, maybe consider doing it w/wood as well. (instead of the mdf) If you have leftover planks, maybe do it with that and border the edges w/the white mdf. or do a cool tile. like something moroccan -ish like this large floor tile...See Moresheloveslayouts
8 years agoElfa offers solid shelves, but I understand if you just don't like the rail system. We've used it in our laundry and clothes closets and are quite happy with how flexible it is. We're putting solid shelves in our office in January. Something like this (but I think they have wood tone shelves and platinum rails too)
designsaavy
8 years agosheloveslayouts
8 years agodesignsaavy
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
funkycamper
8 years agosjhockeyfan325
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8 years agoThe only thing I would sit there to do is write out bills, file, and shred. I removed the desk area from the kitchen because it became a landing spot for too much stuff. I usually sit at the kitchen table to write bills, but I'm not gonna shred or file there, so I'd rather it be in one place. I won't be there for very long. Hopefully. I guess I need to put a pretty picture hanging there to look at just in case!
I rarely ever print anything, so the printer is at my son's desk for his school work. I'll keep the lap top in the pantry/office, and try to persuade DH to return it there if he's out and about with it. Good luck, I know.
I prefer to have a chair there not only to file and shred with my bad back, but also to have a place to sit and take off wet boots/shoes.
This photo was my inspiration, but they have more space at 6 ft wide. Mine is only 47" wide for the table/desk area including the depth of the pantries that are 15". So I'm only gonna have 32" for desk area, but the counter will have a niche area 15" deep running into corner next to pantries. The counter will be 47".
autumn.4