Need help with layout for kitchen with odd configuration
My kitchen configuration presents a lot of challenges and I need some help! There is a window in the middle of each exterior wall, and the stove and sink are currently under windows. There are entryways on the other two walls, and the stairs to the second floor create a slight slope in the ceiling on one side. Currently there is a pantry enclosing the sloped ceiling, but to make better use of the main kitchen area I am thinking of moving the pantry down the hall.
My main issues with the current kitchen (other than aesthetic) are that I have very limited counter space and none at all next to the oven. I want more counter space and more storage. The current lighting is atrocious as well. And while I like having a window to look out while I cook, I think it would be best if I could move the stove away from the window so I can have a range hood.
Budget is approximately $15K for cabinets, floor, backsplash, range, and electrical (adding lighting). I have already purchased the refrigerator and dishwasher so the above budget does not include those. With my budget I am strongly considering Ikea cabs but am open to other suggestions.
I would love some help with this layout! Does anyone see a better way to move the stove away from the window while preserving counter space on both sides of the cooktop? Better ideas on what to do about a pantry? Anything else? First pic is existing layout and second are my ideas. Thank you!
Edited to add dimensions: the square part of the kitchen where all the appliances and cabinets are is 12'10" wide x 11'9" deep.
Existing layout:
My ideas:
Comments (12)
rebunky
8 years agoI'm not good at the layouts, but I think your idea for the perimeter part of the kitchen is great. Maybe because I have a similar layout??? ;-)
What are the isles widths around the island?
I think I'm understanding the sloped ceiling above the stairs, but most likely NOT! Haha, again pictures help. But could this space be usable for pantry?
Related Discussions
Need help with odd space in layout
Comments (5)I can't tell where the stairwell is/would be in the pictures. But here's a way to decide. Make one copy of your plans as is and cut it up into movable pieces that will be the same scale. Then make a second "blank slate" copy, with white paper strips over the features so just the walls and non movable things show. Move things around to your heart's content, and challenge yourself to put things where you never thought they would go. When you find an arrangement you like, lightly tape down the pieces and copy that. Then look at the arrangement possibilities. Organize them by major construction decisions - this pile is move the stairwell. Then make a list of pros and cons for the plans you like. Pros and cons will circle in your head like sharks unless you write them down. Use your paper plan to make sure sure they are "true" choices - i.e. instead of putting, if I move the stairwell, I can't have a dishwasher, think boldly about dishwasher drawers or new uses of adjoining space. Hopefully something will come forward. That said, There are some good reasons to leave the stairwell - cost, effects on other rooms, and effects on structure. These are the kinds of changes you want to consider seriously, not rush into because of jitters (it's so hard to be confident when all is torn up). Scope creep is a tricky thing, and can tempt a well-planned project into uncharted waters. Are there clear immediate benefits worth the damage to your budget? Remember, whatever you decide will be okay. The remodel police only make noises, they do not lock you up....See MoreLayout needed for odd shaped kitchen
Comments (26)Deck access has to stay where it is, got it. FYI for future projects, you can always make an opening smaller without replacing a header. You wouldn't have needed to order a custom sized door (unless you were trying not to deal with siding). So here's my idea based on the doors and windows staying in place with 2 people at home and 2 big dogs. My measurements are counter to counter, counter to fridge door (assumed 33" depth for box and doors), and counter to wall. I included a smallish coat closet by the front door. I realize that you keep most shoes and coats downstairs in the basement since you come in that way from the garage but a small coat closet upstairs would be useful for company or for other storage. Your husband will need to add a small header for this closet (I suspect this wall may not be load bearing but you'll still need a header). If you really don't need a coat closet in the front hall, add more pantry storage in its place with the fridge centered between the cabs, creating a "wall of tall" with loads of storage. If you do this, you may be able to get away without uppers on your range wall. I kept the existing doorway (but eliminated the door) so that if you're in the LR, you don't have to walk all the way down the hall, into the DR and then into the kitchen to get a beverage or snack. I'd find that a PITA. Keeping that opening also brings light into your front entry. It looks to be fairly dark with minimal views through to the back so keeping a doorway here would alleviate a tunnel feel for the space.If you can add skylights or windows into the front hallway, even better. Lastly, keeping that opening gives you 2 ways to get to the deck from the front hallway/entry. That's a plus when you have 2 big dogs who, I'm sure, have a habit of getting underfoot. ;-) I placed a 12" pull-out pantry cab between back of hall closet and fridge, pulled forward to be even with the fridge box. In the future, if you decide to opt for a counter depth fridge, you can always set this cab back against the wall. This cab between fridge and closet will allow room to open the fridge doors wide enough to pull out fridge drawers. I wouldn't go narrower than that and I might actually increase it to 15" since fridge specs do change. To give you more counter and storage space (despite its odd shape, it is a large space), I moved the clean-up sink and DW from the island to the far wall and added a prep sink to the island. This gives you a very good work triangle between fridge, pantry, prep sink and range with room to work at the island and on each side of the range. Oops, I meant to add a MW drawer to the island at the fridge end. I intentionally placed the prep sink at the right end so that you can use the left end of the island for a fridge and pantry landing zone. It will be a good place to set down bags of groceries. The island is inset from the range counter by 2" (my drawing makes it look like more than that). I had to guesstimate on the length of the island. I hope it's not less than 60" and hopefully it can be a bit longer. The distance between island and exterior wall is actually 35.7 (I rounded up). I wouldn't make this any narrower so that you can easily get from deck to fridge through this area (assuming you have a grill on the deck outside the kitchen). You didn't specify that you wanted island seating but you should be able to put 2 stools at this island. Mark it out on the floor with blue tape to see how it will lay out. I did the minimum recommended aisle of 44" behind one stool but I increased it to 50" between island and clean-up sink so it won't feel crowded when cab drawers are open. I added glass uppers on each side of the sink to create a lighter feel in the clean-up area. I don't know what kind of style you prefer but the glass can be clear, seeded, frosted, ribbed.... there are many options. Here are a few images of clean-up sinks against walls, not under windows, to inspire you: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchens-by-julie-williams-design-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~114198) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Novato Kitchen & Bath Designers Julie Williams Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/design-build-industrial-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~931636) [Industrial Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/industrial-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2113) by Fairfax Station Design-Build Firms Kingston Design Remodeling [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/trish-namm-farmhouse-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~555498) [Farmhouse Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/farmhouse-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2114) by Kent Kitchen & Bath Designers Trish Namm, Allied ASID - Kent Kitchen Works [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/island-view-traditional-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~696524) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers Dalia Kitchen Design...See Moreultimate layout challenge - odd island in gorgeous kitchen
Comments (89)WhostheBosch, I agree it IS a flat out gorgeous kitchen. The whole the purpose of the thread is to explore any and all solutions that would be the least destructive to all that beauty. That 20 inch aisle is really quite wacko though, and the range island is woefully out of scale and has no work room. After seven years, it is time to think of how to fix it. Loves2, An island (with reasonable aisles) can't fit without taking out the Advantium AND bumping into the breakfast room (which means moving the porch door). The alternative is Buehl's much earlier drawing of a range penninsula where the skinny penninsula is now. Buehl, appreciate your keen thoughts on deploying each inch. 42 would be better at the sink for sure. A few of you have noted that point. Well taken. Valins, the counter treatment is dicey. (Great memory on SIL Barrelhaus' kitchen BTW! She remains thrilled, and while breaking all kinds of clearance 'rules' the kitchen still works great for her and her family. A Gardenweb triumph! And what IS with my family and weird kitchen design challenges anyway...?) I could see a different counter treatment for a work island, but that still leaves seaming in the range area. Sure would be nice to somehow recycle the skinny island's 19.75 x 54 granite to left and right of the range... First thing first though. Sis needs to determine her limits - dollar and energy wise. This has been a very helpful and fruitful discussion. I know my brain got well exercised. Whatever direction she chooses, I feel pretty sure all the options have surfaced here. Just as I hoped. Thanks!!...See MoreLayout help needed for odd-shaped kitchen
Comments (24)Watch your dimensions and also think through your process for preparing a meal. In your drawing above, you need landing space to the right of the sink and your refrigerator doesn't look deep enough (my counter depth fridge has a counter depth fridge box, but the door and handles stick out another four inches for a total of 30".) Also, standard depth counters are 26", not 24....See More
goodbye 80s kitchen!
8 years agoHi there! Thanks for the questions. I'm including a few pictures. I can't get a good picture of the sloped ceiling because it is currently in the pantry and the pantry is too small and dark to get a pic showing the slope. But in the third pic I uploaded I put a note on the wall in the approximate location of the slope. Does that make sense?
Not to confuse things, but the refrigerator is currently in a different place than where I had it on the diagram. The new fridge is just a little too tall to fit under the cabinet where the old fridge was, next to the dishwasher.
The island can have the recommended 42" aisles if it is small - approximately 21x33. I have wondered whether it is worth having such a small island and would welcome any thoughts on that. One idea is to have it be a moveable island due to the small space.
My DIY skills are shaky. I have put together Ikea stuff before, and it usually doesn't fall apart. :) But I am very slow.
lharpie
8 years ago
Buehl
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoBuehl
8 years agoBuehl
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agogoodbye 80s kitchen!
8 years agoThank you, lharpie, funkycamper, and buehl! Lots to think about.
lharpie and buehl - I think you may be right about a movable cart being better than an island.
funkycamper - is that a prep sink? It had never occurred to me that my kitchen was big enough to have two sinks! I love how that layout opens up the front window area. I wonder if there is a way to add more counter space near the range? My current layout, and my prior house, both had limited counter space near the cooktop and oven and it turns into a bit of a juggling act when I am cooking a lot of dishes. Also, I apologize for leaving out the stairs to the basement on the prior plan. I love your idea of a second pantry, but because of the basement stairs, I am not sure it could go in that spot.
buehl - I am adding an updated layout that has the entire first floor and I think has all the relevant dimensions. Good point about the fridge. It is currently next to a wall and that does obstruct the side door.
There is an unfinished basement and I have added the stairs and access area to that. The room to the left where the basement stairs are is sort of a dead space right now. The full bath next to the kitchen needs remodeling as well, and I have thought of moving the bath closer to the basement to make more kitchen space. I am not sure that level of alteration is in my budget, however. I also have another bathroom upstairs and some exterior work to do.
The main entry door on the main floor is the side door that opens to the dining room. The front door actually opens to the second floor. It is an unusual layout!
sheloveslayouts
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoI do these drawings as quick as possible with multiple interruptions, so I apologize in advance if I missed a critical piece of info.
It looks like the only way to the bathroom and basement is through the kitchen. If that is so, I tried to keep traffic out of the kitchen proper with this layout. I also thought that if you kept the stair wall clear, you might be able to create under-stair storage accessible from that side.
considering your budget, I kept the sink in the same place. Instead of making an U shape, I did an L shape to increase space between the sink and range and to keep the sink under the window. I put an 18" pull out waste/recycle bin to the left of the dishwasher. The spot under the window to the right of the fridge would be a good spot for a step stool to help reach upper shelves of those 40" cabs and to perch on when taking a cooking break.
It's hard to tell, but I was thinking the end of the counter next to the range, could be open above--30"?-- to create a small serving peninsula and open the kitchen up a bit more to the rest of the house.
atmoscat
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoIf you were to remove the pantry under the stairs, would the sloped ceiling be too low to walk under? If not, I'd put shallow pantry cabs (18"?) against the back wall and leave the wall with the sloped ceiling as the open walkway. Fewer twists and turns to get to the bathroom and basement stairs.
This could work with either your proposed kitchen design or benjesbride's or something else. In your design, you could think about moving the fridge to the short wall to the left to get more counter space and storage on the sink run.sheloveslayouts
8 years agoatmoscat asks a good question, can you walk under the angles ceiling? If you can, I'd prefer atmoscat's layout, but extend a pantry or built in closet all across the whole back wall. At 12'10" you have enough width for an island with minimal aisle (if you do a 24" base backed by a 15" overhang) although you'd have to have a shallow, counter depth fridge.
Can you add doors below the stairs on the side wall to make a storage space?
rebunky