I need feedback on my new kitchen layout!
Family of Five
6 years ago
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lisadlu16
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
I'd love feedback on my kitchen layout
Comments (21)Good Morning to all - lavender: We will be putting a double window on the dining room wall. There will be a second phase to the renovation as early as 3months from now. Since my husband, a couple friends, and myself are doing a large majority of the work we had the plans drafted in 2 phases. We wanted to finish the main living spaces get our c/o and move in (we had a limited timeframe on the condo we are using living in). All major structural work was done in this go-round to allow for easy addition of the family room located behind the refrigerator wall. The entire dining room wall 12.5' will be open into this room. For now there are just french doors to the back yard. So whether or not it was the right decision to break up the work.... its done as DH loves to remind me (I'm learning a lot and taking notes from our first time experience on a remodel this size. Next time I'm planning entire house around the kitchen!) . Back to the topic at hand, the dining room wall windows (for some reason) were submitted on the second permit. It would cost extra money to have the plans reviewed/changed. So, I'll be in a shadowy kitchen for a few months :( To make matters worse.I can't fit my little window either :( :( It will be VERY close to the new living room exterior wall. Too close. and it is limited by pluming on the other side. So no window actually in the kitchen. But, my new thoughts - maximize light coming from mudroom french door. If I don't put a full height cabinet (or large uppers) adjacent to the doorway (at the end of the refrigerator wall) light DOES filter in for a good portion of the day. Any ideas how to utilize that expanse of counter? What would you do on the wall? CPartist - I'm hoping to use the end of the peninsula for a grocery drop-zone. we'll see how it goes. I live with a side-by-side now and always find myself walking back and forth around the door anyway. I opted for a side by side because I thought that opining a smaller door would cause less of a traffic block in the walkway.... but now with the pantry there too. It will probably still create a bottleneck. I'm really starting to think that smart kitchen design is TRUELY and art! I bow to all who do it well!!! Rhome - I am a little sad to lose DH's drop zone but I can probably accomodate him (with some training, LOL) in the mudroom. And I removed the extra tall cabinet next to oven stack to cut down on tall elements. One more thing before I'm off to work - The full height cabinets: The one anchoring the end of the "U" is the oven/micro built in. On the straight wall there is pantry, refrigerator, and 15" broom closet. I considered getting rid of broom closet, but laundry room is quite a few steps away and there is not a logical space to put it in the mudroom. So It would be nice, but not necessary, to have a small spot for cleaning essentials in the kitchen....See MoreI Need Kitchen Layout Feedback!
Comments (12)I agree with AFritzler on 1 and 2. Even though you already own the 30" base cabinets, since you're adding cabinets and painting anyway, I'd get the additional cabinet with drawers. Drawers are so much handier than rollout shelves and definitely handier than regular cabinets! Find another use for the other cabinet - your basement, garage, etc. Consider using it in the blind corner by the peninsula, but facing toward the DR, for storing linens or platters, then using a tall skinny cabinet (for tray storage) to the right of the drawers. Check the specs for your fridge and make sure the hinges sit proud of the pantry cabinets so you can open the left side door fully. (It looks like it will be fine, but good to double check.) If the hardware on the rightmost pantry door is next to the fridge, make sure the fridge door won't swing into it (probably won't, but good to check.)...See MoreNeed advice and feedback for new kitchen layout
Comments (11)@jolly_lin in our last house we had a sink on the perimeter with no window above it. I hated it and would not ever choose that option. I'd either want to look up and out into the open space or out a window while at the sink. In our renovation we moved the sink to the island. In our current house it is on the perimeter under a window and we have a large island with nothing but countertop. I do love having a big island for prep (and LOVE my sink under the window) but honestly I only use half of the island for prep so having a sink in it on one side wouldn't be an issue. It actually would be easier prepping next to a sink to just push all the scraps over into the sink (disposal) or garbage that would inevitably be next to the sink....See MoreNew kitchen location and layout, looking for feedback
Comments (8)I share your concerns about aisle width and fridge placement. I don't see a solution for the fridge location, but I like that it's convenient to the living areas. I would make the cabinetry on the window wall shallower and add those inches to the aisles. You can use standard upper cabinets for the base, with a strip of counter, then add uppers on each end, to flank the windows. I like having the MW closer to the fridge, but if it's a combo, then the wall ovens are better in the spot where you have them drawn. An alternative would be to have a MW drawer on the end of the island, opening toward the fridge--convenient for taking leftovers from the fridge to re-heat, but adding to traffic in the fridge aisle. Re: the breakfast area--you could omit the cabinets on the kitchen window wall and put the slider there (or keep the window/door configuration as is, if it's structurally sound), with a window in the FR/dining nook. Use a bench to make it look more built in/deliberate, and to add some extra storage. Also, without cabinets on the kitchen wall, the island could be made deeper, with an extra run of shallow cabinets. Pull-outs opening to the sides would make access easier for all but the inside cabs. You said you have two young kids, so send them under the seating overhang to retrieve items from those cabinets. ;) Either of the options above keep traffic from moving through the work aisle, but decrease storage and counter space. NKBA guidelines New to Kitchens? Read me first....See Morechispa
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agomorz8 - Washington Coast
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6 years agoKate
6 years agoFamily of Five
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6 years agoBuehl
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMDLN
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