Help with new build kitchen. Prep sink? Etc
Can someone help me with my kitchen layout? So we have already submitted the plans but haven't broken ground yet. Originally the idea was to create a butler's pantry in the pantry with a countertop where I can store my small appliances and do some prep. I was thinking I would put a prep sink in there, so we could make coffee, use the toaster, blender, etc in there. We had to make the pantry a little smaller to buy more room in the mudroom, plus the pantry is not as close to the kitchen as ideal. My husband convinced me he wanted to make his coffee on the long side counter, so we moved the prep sink over there. However, I'm wondering if it makes more sense to have the prep sink at the end of the island (in front of the fridge area). We are planning on doing no upper cabinets on the sink area, as I wanted large windows there. There will be uppers on the rear wall over the stove they just aren't drawn in. The island is rather large (the top will be about 88"x60") and we will have seating for at least five (around the corner I'm thinking) . I will do my primary prep work there. The long wall will have an integrated desk which is continuous with the remaining countertop (we will put a cutout underneath and have a barstool as a seat) so I can use it for a buffet area for foods and such when we have guests and parties. My husband wants a small wine fridge but I'm worried that space is going to seem tight. I'm leaning towards doing mostly drawers as lowers in the entire kitchen. I HATE clutter on countertops so I'm trying to maximize everything to reduce that...I actually worry about having dishes out to dry (our dishwasher always leaves plastic ware pretty wet and we have 3 small children) and was wondering if I could put in a faux drawer that is actually a drying rack ? I've done a search and not turned up much there.
a few questions: do you think I will actually do any prep in the pantry? It sounds good in my head but I'm worried the space may actually be too small to really do so
Where would you place the prep sink?
where would you put the microwave and trash?
the original plans had the dishwasher to the right of the sink, we had him move it, but now I'm wondering if that was a mistake. ?
any other general input would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Comments (12)
just_janni
7 years ago
stephja007
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Kitchen layout - single sink vs. main sink + prep sink
Comments (21)Green Designs came up with a great plan, as usual. It's very similar to my new kitchen. The aisle between my 9' island with prep sink and the rangetop wall is about 42" counter to counter. Its perfect. I've had much larger aisles and hated them. In fact, that's one of the reasons I reno'd my old kitchen. I'm the sole cook in my kitchen 99% of the time, and I would never, ever, ever give up my prep sink. Ever. I love having a large prep zone with a dedicated water source that I don't have to share with the cleanup zone. I'm usually the one who does the dishes too, but when DH occasionally does that when I'm cooking, he can do it out of my way. This kitchen is my first experience with separate prep and cleanup sinks, but it has changed my cooking habits and way of looking at things in the kitchen. You will not use the sink on the perimeter to prep the way you laid out the space. It's not convenient for daily prep. It is a great place for a cleanup sink. Being over on the side like that, your dirty dishes won't show much. Mine don't. Between the giant single basin cleanup sink and the perimeter location, the few dirty dishes waiting on the counter for the DW don't both my OCDness very much. And as you can see, my kitchen is open or at least semi-open to all the other rooms in the house and to the front door. I much prefer an island being all one height rather than bi-level. Your first inspiration pic island is one height. At one level, you can spread out for large baking/cooking projects and for school, sewing or crafting projects. A large kitchen doesn't have to have wasted space. It just needs to be laid out correctly so you have the right amount of space in the right zones. I agree with everything Holly said. I think you could have a great kitchen here!...See MoreNew Build - Busy Kitchen Layout Help Please!
Comments (3)"Sorry, it's blurry" oh yes! my eyes - thought I was going blind - lol! a clear pic would be good - with measurements and size of sink and fridge and oven. is that the fridge between cooktop and doorway? measurements of pantry also....See MoreFinal layout: prep sink, island size, etc. About to sign off!
Comments (4)I like that the island lines up with the counter and leaves plenty of space between it and the table, plus leaves a nice traffic lane from the patio door. If it's wide enough for the seating you require, I think it's fine....See MoreHelp: Would like a small prep sink into 12x12 kitchen, no island
Comments (51)"The wall ovens were always preferable but optional, as was a 36" wide fridge as opposed to, say, a 31" wide that is taller." Regarding the refrigerator...stick with 36" wide by 70" to 72" tall. Manufacturers in/for the US are standardizing on 36"W x 70" to 72" tall refrigerators as their minimum size offering. Yes, you may find narrower ones here and there, but they're usually low-end of the mainstream refrigerators or very high end manufacturers (e.g., Liebherr). So, plan for this size space for your refrigerator: 38.5" wide x 72" tall. Width: 36" wide + 1.5" for end panels (3/4" on each side) + 1" for air clearance and wiggle room = 38.5" Height: 72" tall This way, you won't have to either search far and wide for a smaller refrigerator or pay $$$$ for a high-end refrigerator. Periodically over the years we've had people come to either here on the Kitchens forum or the Appliances forum frantically looking for a refrigerator to fit a small space (width and/or height). If it's a built-in, you don't have to accommodate the end panels b/c a built-in does not need end panels to hide the sides of the refrigerator. Counter-depth and standard-depth do need the end panels. And don't forget a 24" deep cabinet over the refrigerator (I can't tell for certain from the drawing if it's 24" deep, so I thought I'd mention it!)...See More
rrah
7 years agoStacy Parr
7 years ago
CLC
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoCuddy Hughes
7 years agoStacy Parr
7 years agoCuddy Hughes
7 years ago
sprink1es
7 years ago
cpartist
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRon Natalie
7 years agoWe separated the dish sink/dishwasher/dish storage from the prep area. This lets two people work independently. Our prep sink is on the peninsula where as the sink is behind it. Ignore the double bowls, both sinks are now full size single bowls. (and the cooktop is a large induction, wall ovens not shown on this version of the plans).
AnnKH