L shaped island-please help!
Katie Nelson
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
kzelenka
6 years agoKatie Nelson
6 years agoRelated Discussions
L shape w/ island layout - need help
Comments (19)I should have mentioned this before (it was late!), but I think #1 is your best layout b/c of... Workflow, (Yes, it would be better to have refrigerator --> Sink --> Range, but only if you have a Prep Sink or you don't have a DW. With only one sink, the DW gets in the way of that arrangement, so this is better) Logical separation of the major zones, Easy access to refrigerator & MW for both kitchen work & snacks, No zone-crossing, and Protection of the Prep & Cooking Zones from through-traffic in the kitchen. Note that even though the refrigerator is farther into the kitchen, it's a straight shot to get to it from the LR, table space, or bedroom areas...and no interfering with work going on in the kitchen! I know you have an OTR MW in your layout, but to be honest with you, I really do not recommend one. They're usually very ineffective hoods b/c they're too shallow and b/c they're just not designed that well as a hood (they're real purpose is a MW, venting is more of an afterthought) They're rather short for a MW (at least my sister's is...but she has a very, very tiny kitchen and had no other place for a MW, so she's stuck with it) They're not the safest things to use b/c they're so high and you have to reach up and over a hot range as well as steaming/splattering/smoking food. If you're short or a child, they become very dangerous b/c you're either reaching inside above or at your eye level or you're using a chair to get to it. Try taking a dish full of water (use cold for safety!) out of a shelf that's as high as an OTR MW is...unless you're incredibly well-coordinated, you'll have trouble blindly reaching up & in and then blindly pulling it out while keeping it perfectly level and perfectly "calm" so nothing sloshes over the edge. Your youngest will certainly not be able to do this even when she's old enough to start using the MW. Now, imagine doing this with boiling water/steam, smoke, or high heat rising or grease splattering... If someone needs to use the MW while someone else is working at the range, you'll have a bottleneck...this could be someone who's defrosting something for dinner, cooking veggies or other dish for dinner, or someone trolling for a snack. A MW drawer, regular one mounted below the counter/on the counter/hanging from upper cabinets, or a built-in one is much safer and easier to use. [If any of you are even slightly tall, then I'd nix the idea of mounting a regular one below the counter b/c of bending over, reaching in, and pulling out...all would be done blindly for someone even the slightest bit tall. (Besides, drawers are great...you open it, look down, stir, close...all without taking the dish out! Plus, it has a "cool" factor...especially favorable with the guys!)] Pantry... It depends on the handles you use & whether you have hinges on the wall side of the cabinet. But since you seem to only have a 30" deep wall, even the hardware & hinges......See MoreU-shaped w/ small island or L w/ larger island? Help pls
Comments (26)OK - I may have gotten a little carried away...but here's a layout with what appear to be all your wants. I don't see a pantry, so I added cabinets behind the island as well as b/w the DR and TV room for extra storage. You actually have plenty of storage in this kitchen! The base cabinets on the top wall are 27"D (but could be as deep as 28.5"), the upper cabs on the top wall are 15"D. There are two excellent Prep Zones, although I would prefer to prep on the island facing everyone! (Prepping is 70% or more of the work/time in the kitchen; cleaning up is 20% or less.) The Cleanup Zone is out of the way of the Prep and Cooking Zones and there's no crossing through the Cleanup Zone to get to the Refrigerator or MW. With an undercounter MW like a MW drawer, you don't lose counterspace or have anything in the vertical space b/w the counters and cabinets. There's a nice stretch of counter to the left of the ovens,for a snack center or even a tea/coffee center (43" of counterspace). The ovens are in a 31.5" wide cabinet - the reasonable minimum needed for 30" wide ovens (which I assume the wall oven is at least - I don't know how wide your steam oven will be). There's a 42" wide counter-depth refrigerator - hopefully that will allay your DH's concern about a counter-depth model... In the DR, the table can be moved a bit to the left, especially if you don't put an outside door in the DR. Moving the table to the left will give you a few more inches b/w the shallow cabinets and the table. Note that the cabinets b/w the DR and TV Room are 6" taller than standard - that means the counter will be 42" high (bar-height). The cabinets + counters not only give you more storage space, but they also provide you with a separation b/w the DR and the TV Room as well as provide counter space in both places. The cabinets are 12" deep, but the counter is 15" deep. The TV Room has a sofa and chair - the chair can be moved to view the TV or stay where it is for conversation and visiting. (I even added end tables :-)) A note about the doors - I don't understand why you don't like the "line of sight" from the front door to the back door. The problem is, that middle section is the ideal spot for the back door - no obstructions, easy access to the kitchen, and out of the way of all work zones and seating areas. It keeps the traffic out of everyone's way - it's the perfect location! Put up some nice window/door dressings and you'll have a pleasant view for anyone entering your home from the front door. I wouldn't want the door to be in the kitchen (in the 8' span) b/c it would draw everyone through the kitchen to get to the backyard - the last thing you want in a kitchen! The island will help direct people around, but inevitably, some people will choose to go through the kitchen (b/w the island and perimeter) and get in your way - especially if someone is sitting at the island. If you absolutely must have the door there, then I suggest a sliding door with the opening as far away from the kitchen as possible - so that would mean the bottom of the 8' span. The rest can be windows. It's still going to be an issue, though... Here's the layout (select/click on a picture to see a bigger version): I labeled the cabinets and counters with suggestions for storage and usage - but you should tailor it to what would work for you... Here's a zone map:...See MorePls make suggestions on overall L-shaped/Island K layout 2nd Round
Comments (18)When my remodel is done, my DW will be at the end of a run, next to the wall. It will probably add a minute, maybe two, to the unload time as all but the daily dishes/cutlery/glassware will be a tad farther of a walk to put away. But I don't care as the advantages will totally outweigh the disadvantages. I disagree with your KD. Strongly. I currently have my DW between my sink and range and it is the most hated thing in my kitchen. Everybody hates it, not just me. And when I say everybody, I mean my parents (who owned this house before me), my sister and her entire family, and my entire family. Plus all our kid's spouses. That's 14 people who have all voiced hatred for the DW placement. When my niece's husband, who was a chef before he became an engineer, heard we were remodeling the kitchen actually called me up to remind me to move that damn DW. And he's only cooked in it a few times. I remember he commented that it's poor placement from both a chef's and engineer's perspective (for whatever that's worth, lol). That is the only time he's actually ever called me. At the time, I didn't know where else to put it but the good folks here guided me to the new location. In fact, if the DW placement was good to begin with, I would probably have just redecorated my kitchen instead of remodeling. Of course, I'm getting other good things out of the remodel (like a prep sink) but I'm pretty frugal and would have probably saved the expense of it all if the DW placement hadn't been so annoying. If you use the sink on the window wall for prepping most often because you're facing the fabulous view (and who wouldn't?), the DW will NOT be able to be left open for immediate loading. You will need to keep the door closed most of the time and pop it open to load. If you're prepping and someone is loading/unloading or even just popping it open quickly to pop something in, it often coincides with the moment I need to get some water for my prepping. If you had a much longer counter between sink and cooktop, it might make some sense. But you don't. It will be crowded. And note that I have 54" between sink and range so I have more space to move over when that DW door is open. You have only 39". 36" is the MINIMUM recommended by the NKBA. You really can't afford to lose work space there if you want to use it for prepping. Of course, you will have the option of moving over to the other sink to do that but then that also adds extra unnecessary steps. And if you are prepping and have to move over for someone to do stuff with the DW, you might as well move all your prep work there because it also cuts into the available counter space unless you don't mind leaning instead of standing in front of what you're prepping. I don't understand the view argument. If you use your DW properly, as DW manufacturer's recommend, you'll be spending little time at the sink as you should scrape, not rinse, before loading. Washing fruit and veg doesn't take long. I wish I could remember the statistics exactly but studies have shown that prep time is something like 70% of the time spent in the kitchen with the remainder divided between cooking (like when you're standing at the stove, not counting unattended oven time) and cleaning up. So the majority of your time will be in the prep area, not in front of the sink or at the DW. For that short period of time, you won't miss the view. Ha! Can you tell I feel strongly about this? It's your kitchen. I would never do it in my kitchen. I hope you won't regret your decision....See MorePlease help - L shape shower rod
Comments (3)The L shaped would work great. Usually used with a clawfoot tub in a 2 wall alcove. Signature hardware has a lot of them - and surpisingly sine they tend to be pricey, better prices than the one you linkes. They have a rod that goes up to the ceiling to give more support that just attaching the ends to the wall Even have the double rod in an L so you can have the inner liner and the outer curtain. http://www.signaturehardware.com/bathroom/shower-curtain-rods/l-shaped-shower-rods.html A shower curtain that goes all the way down from the ceiling is gonna be devilish hard to find and cost 3 or 4 times a much as regular one....See MoreBrickwood Builders, Inc.
6 years agoKatie Nelson
6 years agoBrickwood Builders, Inc.
6 years agoSeldens Furniture
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN MAKEOVERSKitchen of the Week: Latte-Colored Cabinets Perk Up an L-Shape
A designer helps a couple update and lighten their kitchen without going the all-white route
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: White Cabinets With a Big Island, Please!
Designers help a growing Chicago-area family put together a simple, clean and high-functioning space
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNIdeas for L-Shaped Kitchens
For a Kitchen With Multiple Cooks (and Guests), Go With This Flexible Design
Full StoryLATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALSHow the Island Is Shaping the Kitchen of the Future
Pros weigh in on why the island is turning into the superstar of the kitchen — and where kitchen design is headed
Full StoryKITCHEN LAYOUTSHow to Make the Most of Your L-Shaped Kitchen
These layouts make efficient use of space, look neat and can be very sociable. Here’s how to plan yours
Full StoryKITCHEN ISLANDSNew This Week: 5 Kitchen Island Shapes You Haven’t Thought Of
Going a bit abstract with your island design can get you more room for seating, eating, prep and personal style
Full StoryKITCHEN ISLANDSKitchen With Double Islands Pleases a Baker and a Smoothie Maker
With multiple refrigerators and ovens, this space easily accommodates a couple of cooks and their guests
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNYour Guide to 6 Kitchen Island Styles
L-shaped, galley, curved or furniture-style? Find out which type of kitchen island is right for you
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: A Hardworking Island Creates Efficient Zones
This L-shaped island delivers multiple prep areas as well as an inviting banquette dining spot for casual family meals
Full StoryINSIDE HOUZZWhat Homeowners Want in Kitchen Islands Now
Storage is a priority, and contrasting finishes help islands stand out, the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study reveals
Full Story
Patricia Colwell Consulting