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Walkway from mudroom to kitchen too big?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We're in the process of finalizing house plans and I think my walkway from the mudroom to the kitchen is larger than it needs to be. It's about 5 1/2' right now. I don't want it to be too small, as we'll be carrying groceries, etc in, however that seems really big. I also don't think I want to see that much of the (likely messy) mudroom when I'm in the kitchen/living area. I would like to reduce it to 4 1/2' and maybe make my pantry bigger. Is that to narrow though? Appreciate any thoughts!

Featured Answer

PRO

Virgil Carter Fine Art

6 years ago

All you need is an opening equivalent to a normal door--36". But a wider opening always looks visually better and more spacious, if that's important here. The idea of a cased opening--say 36" to 42"--is a good one.

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Comments (7)

simstress
6 years ago
4.5' would still be plenty for 2 people to pass each other without having to sidle. I like your kitchen-to-garage setup. Is your island only 24" across? Will there be overhang for seating? There was a post complaining about sink water landing on a wood floor because the island wasn't big enough -- something to be aware of. HTH
DLM2000-GW
6 years ago
If a cased opening fits with the style of your house you can certainly close off that opening a bit. We have a cased opening from our mudroom into our walk through pantry and another into our kitchen from there. Each of them has a finished opening size of 34" and we find it quite adequate.
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RE: Pantry - I would pocket door the pantry and have the first visual of the space neat and pretty. That way, you can leave it open most of the time as you go back and forth for things - even when guests are about. That said - Elpha makes a great shelving system for the back of a door that holds a lot and is great for all those little packets of things and frequently used items to grab and go. If you make the door swing out, that would be very convenient. If swinging in, perhaps the same system on that wall, or the peg board idea.
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It's fun to read these suggestions! Some are very creative. I've wondered about a peninsula instead of an island. I've also toyed with re-configuring the pantry and powder room areas. Never thought about moving that living room door. I'm guessing budget and spouse will both constrain the extent of this project, but we can definitely look into moving or eliminating the prep sink, adding seating to the end of the island, and considering a range. For those who asked, the aisle between island and sink side is about 40 inches and between island and pantry/oven side it's more like 48 inches. The island itself is 44 inches wide. I think my sketch is a bit "off." Thanks, all!
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Unfortunately , we aren’t able to widen or move the doorway opening over as there’s venting and electrical running through for a light switch that turns on the outdoor patio light. To be honest , I don’t mind not having a door , I just don’t know if visually it looks ok keeping it open that way . I agree that if we don’t frame out the hallway opening with trim, it might be better not to frame out the utility opening either . I was hoping that once we make that room pretty, it would be ok to have it exposed the way that it is while standing in the dinging room area , if that makes sense ? Haha
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I like bmorepanic's direction, but if you want an island with all one surface, have you considered flipping the seating? A small TV could go above ovens. You could have a wall of shallow storage as you enter from the garage/laundry, and encourage traffic to go around the work areas. I would include a sink on the island for extra prep, snack prep, handwashing, etc., to keep those activities out of the main prep cooking zones. Primary prep could stay between the clean-up sink and cooktop, with DW and dish storage to the left. Trash pull-out on the corner of the island would be convenient to all zones.
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PRO
PPF.
6 years ago
It would be easy to do this. Move the wall do the bathroom/pantry is at least 5' inside instead of 4'10"
Allison M
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like we'd be ok making the opening smaller. Simstress - our island will be 48" across, the 24" just shows the cabinets (we're only having one row of cabinets in the island with a false "wall" underneath to support the island.

PPF - I like your modification! Thanks so much for the suggestion!
doc5md
6 years ago
PPF has a good plan :)
Allison M
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, Virgil! I’m thinking 42-48” with the casing would be a good space/look and still give me more room for my pantry.

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