Kitchen Layout Help
mkuyekawa
8 years ago
We had our plans all set and cabinets were being finalized and ready to go in next week when our KD found out that the two 18inch cabinets on either side of the refrigerator cannot be ordered with rollouts. I don't want 18 inch cabinets without rollouts. (Do you agree 18inch pantry cabinets would be difficult without rollouts?) So she drew up two other options. Right now I am not crazy about either, but it may be a matter of getting used to the different look.
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Jillius
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoIs that an open walkway on the right of the fridge/pantries?
If so, I'd try to give yourself more usable counter space next to the range (and more landing space next to fridge) and do this:
The pantry can open towards the walkway like this:
That way it won't need pull-outs. It'll just be shallow shelves all the way up, which is the best kind of pantry storage.
User
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
Kitchen Layout Help: Small Kitchen
Comments (7)Seems to make sense to have a range instead of separate cooktop and ovens. In that third option, could you put the fridge where the 36 base and wall cab are by themselves and turn it so the door(s) open towards the range wall? Looks like you even have enough floor space to have a pull out pantry between the fridge and the wall ( have to have something there for door swing clearance anyway). That way if someone wants something from the fridge, they won't be opening it into where you are working. And if you went with a counter depth french door, the doors shouldn't encroach on the doorway much if at all. Then you could slide the range down to the right, get rid of the 12" base and wall cabs and have a nicer sized one to the right of the stove. If you wanted, you might be able to have a very shallow platter display cabinet on the side of the fridge that faces the DW, too. I guess that would depend on the width of the fridge....See MoreWhite kitchen DIY Doubts- need kitchen layout help!
Comments (9)(With no actual layout posted, it's hard to tell.) It looks like you will have close adjacent counters across from the fridge for a fridge landing zone? In that case, pick whichever scenario gives you the most room between the sink and the range. That is where you'll spend 90% of your time in a kitchen and you need to have the most space there. If the sink is not around the corner on the other leg of the L from the range, then do your best to center the range between the fridge and wall as that is what your eyes will focus on. If the sink is on the L, and you have at least 48" of linear counter space between it and the range after shifting it to the left, then that would be fine. Just don't go under 36" of linear space between adjacent sink and range....See MoreKitchen Layout Help ( yet another plea for help!)
Comments (9):) I'll pile on and agree that it's going to be very nice but that you'll really appreciate compacting your actual work areas within all that space. One benefit will be getting the stove out of your dining area and up by your island so you can work between them. It's not what you asked, but since this is going to be your main (most used and most important) dining room, is it everything you want it to be? Is there another view, more sunshine, a cross breeze, wall for art--anything--you would want for it, or are those solid walls intended to edit the outdoors for privacy and view? Regarding what you did ask, I have a landing space next to the fridge on an inside wall opposite an island/L-counter like yours, and I always ignore it to set-pivot to set my stuff on the work island--42" away. Putting a landing area next to the refrigerator is traditional and not a bad idea in any kitchen, often used or not, but it's often not at all necessary. Imagine: You're making stuffed pork chops at the island and need celery and parsley from the fridge. You're standing at the fridge getting them out. Would you set them down next to the fridge, close the door, pick them up again, THEN turn and set them on the island? Go ahead and try it out, but the answer's going to be no. :) BTW, where do you think you will be chopping your parsley? By efficiently by the stove or on the island? When you do your step-back-pivot from the fridge, where are you going? I've been assuming the island, but you have lots of work counter by the stove. One thing about compacting the work area is that it should give stronger purpose to an island that might otherwise mostly serve to direct traffic away from the cooking area. Is there only one entry into the kitchen? If so (especially if so) in your case I'd put the narrow aisle between island and stove and widen the main trafficway. I have 35" counter-to-counter where I prep and love it. It works very well....See MoreKitchen Layout Help - Modernizing 1935 Kitchen
Comments (9)Thanks everyone for the thoughtful suggestions! I also love how distinct SF design is. It's funny because most people think of candy-colored Victorians when they think of SF, but we have a long history of Mediterranean style homes as well. I didn't even realize how many there were in SF, because in our neighborhood on the East side of the city, there are a few, but they're scattered around. Whereas on the west side of the city there are blocks and blocks of gorgeous Spanish-style homes. It's such a trip driving through those neighborhoods. I spoke with a kitchen designer from Reform (our top choice for cabinets) yesterday who got some wheels spinning on the design angle. Aside from your suggestions to remove the wall between the kitchen and hallway, we are now also exploring removing the wall between the stairs and the kitchen and converting it to a pony wall/divider, then opening up the area with the pantry now. This would solve two of our problems of figuring out how to get more light to the stairwell and also adding headspace for the stairs. We would then extend the wall by the bathroom/bedroom doors slightly for privacy, and maybe adding a pocket door. We also are playing with where to add arches and curves to reflect some of the lovely details elsewhere in the house. The kitchen now has two options, one where we keep the seating area and one without. In the first option, the lower cabinets are along the pony wall and the tall cabinets run until the patio. The seating area is really lovely, giving us a view of the courtyard (we have it now and love sitting there), but it also somewhat restricts the island size as the island can't be more than 4' deep w/ chairs, and about 6' long. We also run into questions of if and how to have a backsplash and exhaust vent if there's no wall. Rough Floorplanner shots (placement of appliances is not accurate) In 3D (pretend cabinets are light wood): Using IKEA builder w/ appliances/sinks. In the second option, the cabinets run the length of the right wall, from kitchen to dining room. In the "kitchen" they're bottom cabinets only, and opposite the patio they're full-length cabinets. We get a nice chunky island with this layout because there are no cabinets, so it can be 6' long and almost 7' deep w/ chairs. In 3D and playing with adding a curved wall: IKEA version w/ appliance location. Island is not to scale, not sure how to make it bigger, but pretend it's deeper w/ chairs. Thoughts?...See More
funkycamper
8 years agoherbflavor
8 years agomkuyekawa
8 years agoThank you for the input. I especially love Jillius's shallow sideways pantry idea. I love a shallow pantry. I will discuss it with my KD.
I should have provided a little more info on my OP. As to the overall layout, I don't have the actual plans because unfortunately, this all happened while I am out of town, but I can post a few more of the design angles. We are following our existing layout as much as possible to try to keep cost down, since we aren't sure how long we are staying in our house (at least 5 years though) and our house is already priced high for the neighborhood. We have repeatedly had to keep ourselves from getting carried away and knocking down walls etc. However, we are moving the peninsula out to gain some room.
This is what is opposite the wall I am asking about. Behind the bar stools is an eating area with a walk through which connects the game room and the entryway. The opening on the right side of this photo connects to the dining room. Here is the reverse view:
Current kitchen:
The job is in process. Ceiling has been raised. Floor has been installed. Appliances and granite chosen.
Not to get off topic, but also contemplating adding this:on the wall of the eating area where the temporary cupboard is currently.
But there's the cost again!
Thank you all!owlface
8 years agoStan B
8 years agoUser
8 years ago
cpartist
8 years agorantontoo
8 years agomkuyekawa
8 years agojohnsoro25
8 years agoUser
8 years ago
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