Need help with small kitchen counter space design
David Rynn
5 years ago
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aprilneverends
5 years agoRelated Discussions
counter top material for small counter
Comments (12)Funny that you guys started to discuss this just when I am about to start this same project myself. Here are my findings. First off, if you plan of putting a counter on top of the new 3.8 cu ft FL, good luck, and have your pocket book ready. You see, the deepest "standard" counters are those for kitchens, at 25 1/8". Assuming that one leaves around 5" of clearance behind those newer FL machines for vents, air circulation, heat, etc, then you are looking at about 30"-35" of depth, depending on how flush you want the counter to come to the front of the machine. Having said that, there are 3 prices for laminate counters in the stores (like Home Depot). The counters you see in the store in stock are the cheapest, and will cost around $10 li ft. If you need to pick a finish that matches say the sink counter top in your bathroom where the machines are also located, then that is considered a custom order, even if it is a standard depth. This will easily double the price to $20 li ft. Now if you want to order a non-standard depth so that it goes from the back of the wall to the front of your new FL, then you are looking at $35-$50 li ft, depending on type of finish like rounded vs sqaure front edge, back ledge or no ledge, etc... Keep this in mind when shopping for a counter top. I would like my counter to cover the machines completely, so I might have to bite the bullet and order the more expensive counter top.... Again, I am talking about a laminate counter top, no fancy materials here.... I am from Canada, and here is what the local Home Depot quoted me in Canadian dollars for the 3 options.. 1) In-Store counter (limited finishes) 25 1/8" (standard depth) X 6 feet = $68 CAD Custom order counter (you choose the finish) 25 1/8" (standard depth) X 6 feet = $132 - $150 CAD 30 Csutom order counter (you choose the finish) 30-35" (non standard depth) X 6 feet = $222 CAD I believe the last option of non-standard depth only allows for a square front edge finish. If you want a rounder edge in front, like that found on your kitchen counter, the price jumps to $500 CAD, since the guy said that they have to charge for a full 4X8 sheet, and then cut the custom size from there, in order to get the rounded front edge... One other option you can do, which my brother did very nicely is lay down 2 sheets of plywood (for extra thickness), and tile the top and sides, looks really nice, but is a lot more work......See MoreSmall Kitchen with hardly no cabinet or counter space
Comments (9)What you can do to improve storage depends on so many things. Without knowing more about you and especially your budget, it's difficult to offer specific advice about how to improve storage. Do you have a beer or champagne budget? Something in between? If the former, you can improve storage with after market roll out trays and other organizational units in the existing cabinets (look to be original to the house). Another way to boost storage is to add shelves across the window like this: You'd need to research how to mount them securely to hold the weight of whatever you want to store on them. Can you afford new cabinets and counters in the existing footprint? You can boost storage by going with all drawer bases and swapping out the wall oven/cook top set-up with a range. You also might be able to add cabinets to the nook area but without knowing this area's dimensions and the size of your nook table, there's no way to know how well that will work. Can you make the laundry room do double duty? If you purchase front load machines and stack them, you would have room to add pantry cabs with roll-out trays to boost your kitchen storage. Another option is to create a banquette bench with drawer storage in the nook area. Opting for a banquette set-up might allow you to expand the peninsula towards the nook area. But it all depends on how much room you have to work with. Another decision to make is whether you really need 3 seating areas so close to each other: dining table, nook table and counter seating. You'd gain a lot more storage if you eliminated the counter seating area and replaced them with cabinets. If you can DIY - which will definitely help you stretch your budget farther - and are up to redoing the cabinet faces, you would be able to hide the the new from the old. My in-laws did this in their kitchen with the help of my BIL. You absolutely can't tell that the additional cabinets weren't part of the original 1972 kitchen. Do you plan to stay put in this home for some time or will you be selling in the near future? What will the market bear? That will determine the return on investment. How large is your family? Do you have children? Do you plan to have children? Do you need 2 dining areas? If your budget is ample enough, you could remove the wall between nook and DR and expand the kitchen towards the bay windows. That's structural work, all new cabinets and counters, and possibly moving plumbing and appliances. Tell us more so we can help you figure this out....See MoreNeed help choosing a quartz counter top, please!
Comments (8)Egan-I would reduce island length by around 12”. I would eliminate pony walls on ends and use decorative cabinet end panels and reduce 18” cabinet on far end to 12” cabinet. Make sure your cabinets are designed with proper metal support plates for slab. 12-13” overlay for stools is tight. I would expand to 16”. Most slabs can accommodate that total width. 36” deep plus 4” more would mean slab has to be 40-44” wide and 108-112” long. That is doable for most slabs without seams....See MoreKitchen lacks counter space, island is awful, need better design!
Comments (2)Thanks for providing the pictures. I also looked at your kitchen idea book. You are dreaming of storage!! Can you talk to a kitchen designer(s)? This looks like a complete down-to-the studs gut rehab....See MoreDavid Rynn
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoKathryn P
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoBuehl
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoBuehl
5 years agoDavid Rynn
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoaprilneverends
5 years agoDavid Rynn
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoHillside House
5 years agoherbflavor
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoaprilneverends
5 years ago
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