perspectives on my kitchen remodel project- long but thanks
The kitchen project has begun. This is our 2nd
kitchen remodel; we remodeled at the vacation house several years ago. I
discovered the kitchen forum then and absorbed what you all advised. The
kitchen came out great. This kitchen is
not as straight forward, and since I am not as shy as I was, I am asking for
your imput. This kitchen remodel has been in the works for years, and I want to
make sure that we have not become stuck at limiting the possibilities. Our goal
is to open the galley kitchen to a space that we enclosed years ago – formally
a carport that we used as a dinette when kids were young. The diagram of the
kitchen space depicts the space with the wall between kitchen and dinette
removed. We want to update, and more space and easier
access to storage. We are retired empty nesters in our 60’s; our family has
grown to include sons-in-law and 7 grandchildren. We entertain them and friends often.
Daughters help with clean-up. When I have the whole family for dinner, we use
current kitchen for apps and large dining room for sit down. On informal visits, we chat in the ktichen.
I prepare most dinners when we eat home; although husband helps with clean up.
Breakfast and lunch are as catch as catch can. I prep at counter near sink and
stove. I have a prep sink in island at the second home but rarely use it
although I use the island. Husband likes the prep sink because it is near his
coffee prep station. I am a gatherer
when I cook – take out what I need first, clean up as I go. I like for everything to
have a place off the counters. Guests use the front door. Kitchen is to the
right as you enter house with wide opening. Living room is straight ahead and since the house is a side to side split, there are stairs on the left - one set goes down to family room, other up to bedrooms. Currently, I bring groceries
through front door or garage, but I think that in the new expanded kitchen
entering through the garage will be more convenient. We do not have plans to downsize or relocate
but will when the inevitable comes.
This project is mostly DIY- My husband has the skills. We
are seriously considering Ikea cabinets because I like the design and the
immediate availability.
Design features- Water
lines can be moved. Open to sink placement; island with seating on end for two;
coffee prep area; drawers for easy access; linen storage- I want my
tablecloths in kitchen. Ceilings are 9 feet except in area above table space
which is vaulted. Windows and doorways will stay in place as shown. Pantry- one
existing which we use for food and some serving pieces- plan to add another
pantry for bulky appliances and larger pots and items not used often, also move
fine china from dining room for easier access
Constraints: Support column almost in center of
kitchen space. Will incorporate column in island.
Appliances- stainless steel- prefer slide in range-
electric although gas is available; standard dishwasher; 24 inch sink has been adequate- could go bigger; French door
refrigerator- Samsung 4 door flexible is intriguing; Countertop
micro/convection- smallish; Range hood vented to outside; Maybe “could haves”
conveniences: extra dishwasher drawer, beverage fridge
I have included the plan with measurements. I have also
attached a very rough schematic- not
to scale of possible layout. Husband and I are interested in your perspectives. Thank
you in advance.
schematic floor plan of space:
Kitchen layout very rough not to scale:
Comments (12)
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoHere's one that moves the clean-up sink under the window, but leaves the kitchen/DR opening as is. I made the island longer, with a wall of shallow storage to accommodate the longer island, and a coffee center (could have a wine cooler or beverage fridge underneath). There is a breakfast/snack area beside the fridge for when the kids and grands come to visit--to keep grazers out of the work area. When you enter through the garage the island can still be used as a drop zone to load the fridge and pantry.
Those seated at the island now have a view through the windows--I hope it's a good one. :)
happy2b…gw thanked mama goose_gw zn6OHhappy2b…gw
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agohappy2b…gw
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoI have labelled more areas of the surrounding rooms on the plan with the rough in of cabinets because I thought it would be clearer than writing the labels on the diagram with lines of the measurements. I hope it helps to give you a feel for the house. The kitchen is located at the front of a side by side split level house to the right of a good sized foyer. Two knee walls with columns (they look like shovels on the drawing) define the opening to the kitchen. The garage is to the right of the kitchen. The living room and the dining room flow from on to the other left to right across the back of the house. There is a 4-5 foot opening between living room and dining room. The dining room is kind of formal.
ilucy, thank you for bumping this post this morning.
Atmoscat, the aisles will be at least 4 feet all around with an island measuring base 39in and 41in countertop.
Mama goose, you are awesome to draw up 2 alternatives.
Initially we thought that we would alter the dining room wall in some way, but have decided not to impact the dining room. We want to preserve the wallpaper and the mouldings , so keeping the opening to the dining room as is works. We also enjoy the look of the French doors and view of backyard and deck from kitchen. It also provides great cross ventilation. Having a sink under a window is lovely, but not in this house. I would be too visible from the street. Even though the houses are on big lots, my across the street neighbors and I can wave to each other from our kitchens as it is. I understand the rationale for the work triangle, but I don't mind spreading out and walking a bit as I work in the kitchen. I have never had a kitchen with work space at right angles. Not sure how comfortable I would be with that arrangement. Despite my own biases, the layouts that mama goose proposed create very attractive kitchens.
I have inserted a more detailed diagram and some photos of the existing space.
Here is diagram with more labels
The galley kitchen with island at foreground. Dining room in background.
The wall on right will be removed to open to former dinette.
view from entry foyer. The wall straight head with painting will not be as wide, so space is more open to new area.
entry hall with stairs on left; living room straight ahead
mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years agoSo, basically, you want to ignore the area in front of the window? How do you feel about a peninsula?
happy2b…gw thanked mama goose_gw zn6OHhappy2b…gw
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
We are looking at the plans from all angles and trying to think everything through. Mama Goose has done a great job and we are grateful; however, we do keep going back to the overall layout that I posted above even though it is not the accepted work triangle.Atmoscat went right to our biggest sticking point with our layout - the sink and range placement. She/he suggested switching the sink and range to tighten up the prep area. This is the topic husband and I have been debating for awhile with this layout. Ultimately it is my decision, he just wants to move forward at this point. Almost ready to do the plumbing and electrical. There are pros and cons with both placements as I see it. I keep gong back and forth.
Some factors that may influence decision: The range wall in my drawing is 8'3 in.; the sink wall is 9'11. The aisle between the range wall shown and the island comes out to be 5' which is the distance from range to sink in the galley I have in current kitchen. The aisle between counters on far wall and island will be at least 4'. The area of the kitchen on the left sits over a basement; the area of the far wall does not. The far wall can be seen from the front door, but I do not want to get hung up on that. It is a kitchen after all, but I do want everything to look attractive form the front door.
View from front door. The far wall starts where fridge is. Try to imagine kitchen with current fridge wall is.
Where do you think the sink and range should be located in the drawn layout I posted? If it not too much trouble please explain your rationale.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoFirst, I apologize--I missed the column in the middle of the island
in your drawing, so I can see that my version of the island, and the
peninsula, would need some serious adjusting to work. I would still put
the range in the same location I drew it, in the last two plans I
posted, because that is the most protected area in the kitchen. On the
left wall, or on the top wall, you have through traffic passing by the
range. Your drawing has the fridge in a location that is farthest
from the dining area, and the entry from the DR--the two areas that
someone will enter from within the house. That would be OK if it made
the kitchen much more functional for the cook, but IMO it doesn't, so
it's less convenient for everyone. If you want the clean-up area on the
top wall, then put the fridge on the corner near the table space--it's
no farther from the island sink than in your drawing, and it's more
convenient for everyone else in the house.I put a cabinet on the side of the fridge, in case you don't want to see the side while you are sitting at the table. I also moved the island toward the bottom wall a few inches, and made it a few inches longer to work the prep sink around the column. I moved the stools to the back of the island, with a cabinet on the the range side. If you don't want a stool facing the column, the cabinet can go in the middle, with a stool on each side.
Click to enlarge.
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Karenseb
8 years agoI wonder if the post/column in the middle of the island could be changed to two posts, one on each side of the island so as to anchor the island. You could turn your island 90 degrees and put the sink and dishwasher there if you have the room. Put the fridge next to the pantry on the top wall. It would tighten up your work triangle.
If that seems too tight, just put in a prep sink on the island and put your cleanup sink on the top wall and fridge on the left wall.
happy2b…gw thanked Karensebmama goose_gw zn6OH
8 years agoI think karenseb has an excellent idea, if you're willing to give up the cabinets under the window. It seems you could still get by with one post, and have seating on the bottom side--unless that's too close to the window for comfort.
happy2b…gw thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH
llucy