I lke the uppers above the range too.

The posts are the issue. They really close in the room. Pay the money for steel and eliminate them. And get rid of the cabinets next to the fridge in favor of an pantry.

Are you open to alternative layout suggestions that could improve your kitchen's function? If yes, please add a new "please review layout" post to the kitchen forum here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath

We're doing a complete remodel after a house fire. We have a lot of stuff going on. any quick advice would be appreciated. We already passed permitting and have removed other beams from the kitchen already. We've already been into this remodel almost 2 years now. It's been quite the headache. anything quick you can help would be appreciated. only so much money you know to remove so many beams.

If you can post the dimensions of the room--or even better, the 2d drawing? I can draw up a quick suggestion.

Can the posts be moved farther apart to be at the ends of the cabinets? If you must have posts, the present locations do not seem well designed.

Are the windows flexible or are they already in place?

My concerns are more about overall layout and function than the walls around the range. I don't have a strong opinion either way on the range wall cabinets.

How much space is between posts?

That big box is our pantry. The only flexible window placement at this point is the window above the sink. Both windows on that wall are 72x36. windows have been ordered. However we are meeting with the our cabinet guy next weekend. Thanks!

about 40" between the post

Have overhead cabinets installed touching the ceiling.

You should disregard the suggestion to put a pantry beside your refrigerator in lieu of a countertop. If you're right handed, you need the hinge on the left of the refrigerator and at least an 18" - 2' countertop to the right of the refrigerator. You'll especially appreciate that for quickly setting down frozen food packages and, as you age if get arthritis in your hands and need to set down quickly something you've removed from the fridge, having a countertop beside the refrigerator will matter a lot. It also will help with cleaning the refrigerator and sorting stuff. If you're left handed, make sure the hinges are on the right and that there is a countertop to the left of the refrigerator.

Incorporate the posts into vertical cabinets -- with a countertop on one or both sides of the posts.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/17/64/51/176451affce6026f321195dc23dfbe16--glass-cabinets-glass-shelves.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/09/9d/c8/099dc8926ba07e821020d4ff31341b0b.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/58/6b/d2/586bd23acc936f1d6194eb04decb9127.jpg

or no countertop at the posts at all:

http://neytri.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/interior-foxy-picture-of-dining-room-decoration-using-stained-glass-column-room-divider-including-round-solid-oak-wood-pedestal-dining-table-and-decorative-round-glass-3-layer-pendant-lamp-over-dining.jpg

http://hangersonly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/captivating-kitchen-divider-living-room-and-dining-room-divider-design-kitchen-divider-wall-and-laminate-hardwood-flooring-and-beige-painted-wall.jpg

You might consider having a wider counter top that the posts go through, with one side for use as a breakfast bar and the other for food prep.

Rethink the low hanging light. Unless you're building in a fixed breakfast table and seating (rather than using something that could be moved), you're all but asking for bumped heads.

If you prefer the table and chairs, you could swap the pendant light for a ceiling fan with a light or some other light fixture that clings to the ceiling.

With a patio door in the room, you might also consider a rolling cart island that could be moved outside for indoor/outdoor entertaining.

Sophie Wheeler and benjesbride. I wish I was talking with you guys a few months ago. I might have had a chance to at least move the post a little. Permitting is such a pain. We have an old house and removed a post in the middle of our very large living room and removed a pantry that turns out had some supporting beams in it we already took out...ugh. My husband is not willing to pursure any more big changes. lol

suezbell I love all your points and ideas! Thank you so much!!

Also another thing... :) At one point we considered putting a closet between the posts, but ruled it out because we didn't want to loose the open concept into the living room. I'm curious if anyone thinks we should rethink that. It's almost to late however they will be framing for a couple more weeks till we move on to the next step.

I ended up really stumped with your windows, so I approached it without the constraint of your planned windows, just using one. I had fun working on your kitchen. Maybe it will spark some ideas...

The fixtures are in [Ice-Water-Stone-Fire Order[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first-dsvw-vd~2699918).

I prefer to locate refrigerators near the kitchen entrance rather than the back of a kitchen. Less thru traffic.

A two level island attached to the posts makes the posts look more intentional.

This space is huge. You have the room, so I put a wall oven to the right of the cooktop.

The microwave is across from the refrigerator in the island. If you'd like an undercounter beverage fridge, the island would be a good place to locate it.

This is the kind of two level island with attached 30" table I'm thinking of:

Kitchen · More Info

You're very sweet, cali59. I'm so sorry about your fire and the years it's taken to get your family to this point. Your kitchen is going to be great.

If you're using the Ikea planner to visualize your ideas, here's a link to what I did in case it helps save you some time. I think it's good for 5 days... Open the design

Oh, the countertop color is just my habit because I typically do Houzz kitchen examples in white cabinets and black countertops.

Lots of counters will probably go with your cabinets. Find a combo that makes your heart flutter a bit :-)