Luckily, I still had Firefox open so I didn't lose the hours of work I put into it...so here's my reply...again! Ideally, kitchen work flows from Refrigerator/Pantry --> Sink --> Range. However, some common sense does have to be present in that you don't want the refrigerator too far away from the range if you can help it. For example, if you have a refrigerator + 36" counter + 36" sink + 24" DW + 12" cabinet + range...that's probably over 9'...but you can usually do better than that. You also want to be careful where things like the DW are placed...you don't want it in the Prep Zone or in the direct path b/w the range & sink or refrigerator & sink. So, with these comments in mind... First a question...do you need the eating area in the kitchen? You mention a DR...would you be willing to give up seating in the kitchen for a spacious work area? If so, a couple of the plans below will give you that. If not, well I did some w/seating as well. I know you put appliances in specific locations, but if you're open to other ideas, how about something like the first two? They both maximize counterspace where you really need it...between the range & sink for prepping. While they both move the sink out from directly under the window, the still leave the sink very near the window. Since most people spend 70% of their time prepping and only 20% cleaning up, a prep space in front of the window seems like a nice setup. In one case, I added a corner pantry with 12" deep shelves & 15" deep shelves. Most people find that 12" to 15" deep shelves are deep enough and that 18" or deeper are too deep...things get lost. Myself, I have a corner step-in pantry similar to what I put in for you in Layout #1. All my small appliances except my toaster oven fit on the 12" shelves. The 15" shelves provide deeper storage "just in case"...it turned out my potato bins are 15" deep...so it was perfect! [Drywalled pantries are usually less expensive, btw, than pantry cabinets.] In the second layout, I added 5 feet of 18" deep pantry cabinets instead. With an 18" deep pantry cabinet, you have approx 16" to 17" deep shelves inside (account for front & back wall depths). In the third layout, there's a 33" pantry cabinet. (More on the third layout later.) This gives you 3 options for a pantry. Here are the first two layouts that are different than what you specified...note how open the kitchen is with these layouts and how much counter & cabinet storage you have. Layout #1 Layout #2 Layout #1A (Layout #1 w/an eating area) This next one has a small eating area...basically, room for two. It allows you to have a little more room for counters/cabinets than the full-size eating area. (It also shows you more options for seating in the kitchen.) Layout #1B (Layout #1 with small eating area) Layout #3 tries to give you the appliance arrangement you specified while also giving you some decent work space. However, notice how the refrigerator/pantry wall, especially, is "heavy". You come very close to creating a "black hole" corner b/c of the bulk of the refrigerator so close to the window wall. The other issue is that the DW is in the path b/w the sink & range...which is also the space that's most logical for prepping. This first one has the small eating area. It allows you to have a little more room for counters/cabinets than a full-size eating area. Layout #3 Layout #3A Full eating area (like in Layout #1A) ... Which is my favorite? Layout #1. I think it has the best of everything...lots of pantry storage + lots of cabinet & counter space and better balanced with respect to counter space than the others. If some seating is a must, then Layout #1B.

Bradley, it helps a lot that you provide decent pictures to work with. Wish everyone would do! In your last question, if you are asking about the raised areas of green below wherever I have added trees, that is a groundcover. I'm giving general suggestions and you must convert them to a specific plan and specifications, adapted to the real life conditions on the ground. For the groundcover areas, you would want to select a groundcover that grows well in your area and works for the size beds you have. A main consideration (besides something that grows well) is choosing a groundcover that achieves the height goal you set. While most of those groundcovers look a few inches to a foot or maybe a little more in height, you can adjust per your needs. At the far right driveway corner, maybe you want something as much as 2' tall. Look around your area and see what grows well. Talk to local people who are knowledgeable about plants and get recommendations and research those. It is not necessary that all groundcovers match. It is more important that they be right for their particular location. Some might be evergreen and others deciduous. I'm not sure where you are located (though you might have said.) Where I show single trunk, it could be a large shade tree or a medium flowering tree ... something that gets at least 25' or 30' height. You want to have the canopy raised sufficiently (as the tree ages) so that you can maintain the view beyond. It could be multi-trunk if you prefer. It could be almost anything you want (that grows well) so long as it is not too small. Where I show two small multi-trunk trees at the house, these would be made of large shrubs, with the intention that they will only get 12' to 15' or so in height. Again, not sure where you are, but things like Lilac, dwarf burning bush, serviceberry, etc. would work. Search Google for "large shrubs for [your state] and see if any recommendations come up that look like they have potential. Avoid shrubs that suckers badly. (Lilac is borderline there, but worth it IMO.) I view mulch as a temporary condition until the plants cover it. There are no places in my drawing where I'm suggesting mulch only.

I agree for the most part Sushupup. We want to do the floors before we move in though since thatll be easier with out all the furniture. everything else we plan on waiting a little while. The house is definitely livable the way it is, we're only doing cosmetic upgrades. I was just trying to have a general idea of what I wanted to do. I'm the kind of person that likes a good plan lol. You guys have made me reconsidered the floors. When I look through different stores my eyes always go to floors similar to the one I posted though. I appreciate all your ideas though.

Congratulations on your new home, and since its your first, I know you are very excited. Your home looks to be well maintained, so here is my advice. Paint the walls, if you must, but, move into the house. Get to know it. Get to know how it functions for you. Do not spend all those dollars changing things, because, in your excitement, you want to do things. The house is very livable. Live there 6 months, or even a year. Save money. At the end of that time, you will know exactly where and what you want to change. Changing things now, because, you are excited, may result in it being the total opposite of what you want, once you have lived there for a while. Just move in, do whats absolutely necessary, and nothing more. Then settle back and enjoy your new home.