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Kitchen layout feedback would be greatly appreciated

7 years ago

Hi all! We are taking our current small kitchen, removing it, adding a small mudroom and pantry in its place and then moving the kitchen into the current dining room.

These are renderings from the KD, and I am looking to any feedback from you great folks. Thank you so much!

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Comments (10)

Buehl
7 years ago
Welcome to the Kitchens Forum Ashley!

To effectively help you, we need more information:

#1 - fully measured layout of the space in "2D" format

#2 - more information about you and your family and how you plan to use your Kitchen

#3 - sketch of the entire floor the Kitchen is on so we can see how it relates the rest of the house and how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen

#4 - Other info such as where you are flexible, what appliances you are planning (including their sizes), etc.

For more information, please check the Layout Help FAQ:

How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include
Buehl
7 years ago
These might also be helpful:

Kitchen Design Best Practices/Guidelines threads - These threads explain best practices/good design guidelines for items such as work zones, aisles, island/peninsula seating, etc. These threads will help you understand questions/comments you will receive.

Kitchen work zones, what are they?
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they
Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc
How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where?
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage
Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first)
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first
Related Discussions
feedback on our layout would be appreciated
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks Chicagoans, Dick, Graywings and Still Waters! Sorry this is so long but I want to address all of your good points and questions. Our lot is in the hills 2 hours south of San Francisco, near Carmel. The elevation is 1700 feet. The land on the north, east, and south sides of the house drops off down a hill The weather is pretty mild all year. It can snow, but it's only an occasional dusting that would melt after breakfast. There will only be a handful of days that reach 100 and it will usually be cool in the mornings and evenings. Having me think about how I'd use the screened porch is great because I've never had one. There are a lot of annoying flies for about 2 months in the summer, but other than that, it's not very buggy (no mosquito problem) so sitting outside anywhere is usually easy. The entry courtyard is big because it can get quite windy so I envision having a protected outdoor space will really come in handy. And you are right, the courtyard will have an open top but be surrounded by house on three sides. The west side will also have a wall and some sort of door. That little outdoor area south of the entry will also be protected on three sides which will be nice. I see the screened porch most useful for two reasons: to have one 'clean' outdoor area to use like a living room (some really comfy furniture for lounging in a bird poop and spider web free zone) and I have cats so it would be nice to have a predator free area so they can be outside with me. I'm really looking forward to having the laundry off the master, thanks. I do think it's far to the kitchen. Originally the kitchen and living room were swapped, so now that it's 50% closer, I'm feeling rather lucky. Funny how perspectives change. I do want a little cart that I can load the car with and take to the kitchen so it can all be done in one trip. I'm going to plan room in the pantry to store it too. I'm picturing an area in the mud room to store huge bulk items like paper towels and drinks. But other than that I do want a nice sized pantry in the kitchen. We can definitely increase the kitchen as far to the right as needed by taking living room/dining room space or even having the house expand in that direction. The south kitchen bump out can also be adjusted. I just grabbed some space so I know we'd have it but it seems like I'll still want some more room. You are right, all the doors are not done. There will be some to get to the porch through the living room and also someway to get to the outdoor kitchen. That could be doors just south of the entry doors or through the west side of the kitchen bump out. We are also toying with the idea of moving the outdoor kitchen on the other side of the fireplace because there is more room over there. There is also plenty of room at the west end of the gallery/hall too, but that doesn't seem like a good hanging out space. We also are discussing putting the indoor exercise pool in that spot. So many things to think about. That hallway sticking out to the right is mostly just for some drama and to define the hallway to make it a feature. We envision having a couple of comfy chairs at the end to sit and watch the sunrise with some coffee. The size of it can change if not that much is needed. We realize that is just an indulgence. That little bumpout on the north wall in the bedroom was me just claiming some space for a makeup table with windows. I don't know about construction costs, so learning that it adds a lot of cost is helpful. Once we figure out the masterbath/closet set up, I'll try to level it out. The wall south of the entry is going to be glass. We are planning on having big overhangs on the south side to help offset the window. We'll also have some sort of screens that could come down in the heat of the day. Graywings: Thank you for pointing out we could have a more cost effective design. We don't want to be too wasteful, but we are able to give up some efficiencies for indulgences. But, your comments are really appreciated!
...See More
Layout advice greatly appreciated
Q
Comments (4)
So weird! It was invisible last night, and then poof! I can see it now. A couple of quick observations: 1. That prep sink seems awfully close to the range. How much actual working space do you have there? Putting the sink on the far left run would make it useless for prep--too far from the range. One thing you might consider: Make that entire long run by the far left fridge into a cleanup run, then use the island for the prep sink. 2. Most people on this forum with two DWs insist that it's best to keep them together, because inevitably there's not enough room in one, overflow goes in the other, and then you can't remember which is which. 3. I understand why you're contemplating angling the end of the island, but that corner looks like a potential gut-whacker. You might have room there for a straight overhang, so that all the seated diners aren't lined up in a row like an audience. Most folks here say an island with seating on 2 or 3 sides promotes better family conversation. 4. I don't know your budget but you might consider putting in a wall oven for resale issues. I also wonder if you could put in a wall oven cabinet with rough electrical inside, and find a way to modify it for use as a pantry now, so it would be an easy change-out for a buyer. 5. Trash seems awfully far from the prep area. How about switching it to the right side of the island? hth
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Kitchen Layout feedback appreciated please
Q
Comments (7)
Is that a downdraft cooktop or is it just the image the architect used? A downdraft is what you use when you have absolutely no other options and there are other options if the place isn't built yet. If it's just a stock image never mind. :) I think I'd put the DW on the other side of the sink (with a drawer bank in between so you can get into it) and store dishes in the island. Then you could lose those upper cabs by the family room if you want. I'm not sure you would because that's just a personal preference thing, but you'd miss them less if they weren't your dish storage. In general I prefer some consistency about angles. You have some angled passages and some straight and some have arches and some don't and they're all scrambled up together and might look great installed but weird on paper. The counters/cabinet shapes are square corners or 45s and I'm not so sure it's a good feature. The mudroom entry seems to have Great Importance with the special treatment it has. Seriously now, is the mudroom layout (and the rest of what is down there) so perfect/unchangeable that it can't be reconfigured to open more naturally into the kitchen? Forgive me for being critical--my plans have some pretty nutty angles too, but I'm working with old construction and yours still has a chance! :P
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Basement Floorplan- Feedback greatly appreciated
Q
Comments (17)
Sorry for the slang - I mean sliding glass door. Is your basement walk out or daylight window only? We use our garage stair daily due to odd ball work schedules and things. Our interior stair is a u-shaped though and I can't imagine trying to move a couch, weight/gym equipment or something larger like that using it. The garage access is a straight shot with wider doorways. To your point though yes there is a cost for sure. I like your newest version. :)
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Buehl
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Right off the bat, I see some potential issues, but until I have more information, I can't be sure.
- The cooktop appears to be in the middle of what will be a busy aisle as people enter from the Mudroom, turn left, and proceed to the rest of the house.
- The Cooking Zone is too far away from the Prep Zone (which is next to the sink)
- The DW is in the way of the Prep Zone (the range side of the sink)
- There isn't enough prep workspace next to the sink
- The island is not very useful as a Prep Zone b/c there's no water in it and it's not oriented so it faces the cooktop
- The ovens open directly into the Mudroom door, a safety issue.
- To put groceries away, you will have to walk through the Mudroom & Kitchen to get to the pantry. Would it be possible to put in a door b/w the Mudroom & Pantry?
- Are those open shelves flanking the hood? If so, I would reconsider - that's where you will get the most grease/steam/etc. from cooking. No hood is perfect, so there will be some errant grease splattering, steam, etc. They will land on the shelves and their contents - and all will have to be cleaned frequently!
- I don't know if your aisle widths are sufficient - I need a fully measured layout to check
Without more information, I would:
- Switch the cooktop and sink walls.
- Add a prep sink to the island
- Switch the refrigerator and ovens
Ashley Messick
Original Author
7 years ago
Wow, this is incredibly helpful!!!!!!!
Ashley Messick
Original Author
7 years ago
I was thinking about these same issues. So you're saying take everything that is on the cooktop wall NOW and move it to where the rangetop is NOW?

Essentially, flip flop them? Or do you mean just flip the fridge and the stove locations but keep rest the same?
Ashley Messick
Original Author
7 years ago
I do not have the 2d rendering yet. He has just given me a sneak peak if you will. We have two small children, and are looking for a way to have everything flow more easily and connect more in the kitchen island area. We are a little limited in room because as you can see, one wall has low windows which does not allow us to use it without the countertops cutting them off partway. There is currently a wall that separates the office area from the current dining room area, but in the drawings he has proposed to have this wall come down and we would put our dining set in that area to open the room up more. His prior rendering had us leaving the wall up, and used that wall for the other part of the kitchen layout, but I was concerned it would feel too tight in there. Most of our appliances that we don't use that often would be housed in the walk in pantry, including the KA, food processor, etc. The appliances used daily are the Keurig, mostly.
AnnKH
7 years ago
I'm with Buehl, especially since it appears that the sink is on an outside wall. Put the cooktop where you show the sink, and swap the fridge and wall ovens. So instead of fridge - sink - ovens, that will will be ovens - cooktop - fridge. make all the base cabinets drawers instead of doors.

Move the cleanup sink to where you show the cooktop and range hood now. If you can add a prep sink to the island, that would be great.

I also notice it looks like you have a desk in the mudroom/pantry. Do you think you will actually sit at the desk to do bills, write letters, or the kids will do homework there? I used to have a desk in my kitchen, and I never sat there - I always used the kitchen table, a few feet away. Before you tie up valuable real estate for a desk, carefully consider how it will be used.
Ashley Messick
Original Author
7 years ago
AnnKH: Very good points. Thank you so much. What I really want is a place where things can pile up: receipts, mail, permission slips, junk that ends up on the dining table usually. I want an area to be a drop zone, charge gadgets, have a calendar, etc. Do you think it would make more sense just to have a counter height nook to dump things? Right now we have a freestanding desk that holds the usual: envelopes, stamps, stationary, misc tech items, batteries, etc.

Maybe something more like this instead? Let me know your thoughts!
Brunswick · More Info
AnnKH
7 years ago
Yep, that's exactly what I had in mind - and similar to what I did in my remodel, except mine is facing the dining room, so it's enclosed. I have a calendar and a magnetic white board inside the doors; the drawer for pens, scissors, etc is at waist height. Below that I have two file drawers, with a cabinet below.

Mine is also 20" deep floor to ceiling, so the shelves in the "desk" portion are recessed. I haven't taken photos recently; there are just after install, so I hadn't really filled anything up yet. The top shelf is dog treats; the ice cream pail is dog food (the big bag of food is in the garage). You can't really see them, but there are two outlets on the left side - I love having all the chargers off the kitchen counter!
Buehl
7 years ago
What you need is a Message/Command Center!

I would eliminate the desk (most people get rid of them in remodels b/c they're junk magnets). Instead, design a Message/Command Center. There are many Message Center/Command Center threads, but here's a great idea from Sweeby (a GWer). She calls it her "Organization Closet".

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2691289/let-me-see-your-message-center

This is how she describes it:

*****
Instead of a desk, we have an 'organization closet'

It has a stand-up desk-height counter with a wide shallow drawer underneath in which we keep stamps, stapler, tape, paper clips.

Electrical outlet on the wall for phone chargers.

Top shelf for phone books.

Hooks and space beneath for backpacks.

Hooks up top for umbrellas and dog-leashes.

Dry-erase board on one wall, bulletin boards on the other two.

And best of all -- a DOOR that closes!

*****

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweeby's Organization Closet

*****

Here are some older threads:

Let me see your: Message Center

Clever control center built-in - post your pics!

Anyone have a wall calendar in the kitchen?

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