I really dislike walk in pantries , pull out ones are a much better choiceIMO. As for giving up a 1/2 bath that is really dependant on where the other bathrooms are if near to the rest of the living space without both being ensuite then I think you could do it. But before that get a kitchen designer ( not a cabinet salesperson) and see what can be done with what you have. A 1/2 bath near the garage is IMO a nice feature.Maybe post some pics of the actual space , you have a good amount of space and I think it could be done well without losing the 1/2 bath.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the the other 2 baths are on the other side of the house. (The house isn't that long) One is at the end of the hallway & the other is n the master bedroom.

agree, its all where the 'family bath' is located. if guests have to do a long wander down the hall, past bedrooms, its far less good than a short walk to a hall bath. also you might not enjoy having your kids and their friends do a long wander when they are coming in from the yard.

i'd caution you tho: when you go to sell, the "2 1/2 baths" has the potential to be more readily appreciated in the listing than "more storage". some may not look any further once knowing there isnt a half bath for guests.

typed the same time as Laura.

Just uploaded pics of the "real' current kitchen. :)

Do you use it? I have a very similar set up (but at my house you can see the toilet from the peninsula--lovely). Other than my toddler (who thinks it's ideal to use as many different toilets in a given day as possible), my family almost never uses it, and I can't stand sending guests through the kitchen to the bathroom.

With a proper layout from a kitchen designer you can get more storage without sacrificing the half bath, which losing yes would hit your overall home value.

I would not get rid of a half bath especially if the other two baths are in the private area. That would lower your house value a lot. A 1/2 bath will raise the value more than a walk in pantry.

code4fun, we do use it. My hubby more than I. :) & when guests are over, we give them the choice. It's usually 50-50. ;)

Ok, so you all have convinced us to leave the bathroom! :) Now we definitely need help figuring out the new layout! This is so much harder than we thought! Trying to figure out where to place the stove, dishwasher, & fridge to where it all works together well. I HATE having my stove where it's at now. It is way to far from the sink for my liking. I feel like I'm trekking across country to drain a hot pot of water from whatever I'm cooking!

Moving the fridge near the pantry and the stove to where the fridge is would help with that but it's hard to tell if the measurements would work. That's why a good KD is a smart idea!

Laura, get a kitchen designer as Patricia said in her comment. Kitchens are not easy to design and you would save much more $$ by avoiding errors than the cost of the KD. It is important that you get an independent designer rather than one affiliated with a cabinet co.

I would not get rid of a 1/2 bath especially if the other baths are in private areas of the home. Bathrooms add way more value to a home than a kitchen pantry ever would.

Is that the main door you and your family use?

Can you post a sketch of the surrounding space (doesn't have to be to scale, just an idea of where and what the rooms are)

Yes, damiarain, it is actually, We come in through the garage. (But we do of course have a front door ;) )

Here's a pic from inside the kitchen looking towards the dining & living rooms. Excuse the current stuff on the counter. ;)

Why not have the KD do a plan with and without that 1/2 bath? Then you could better see what you might gain,in space and flow. MIght be worth losing it,might not be. I would not jump to the conclusion that losing that 1/2 bath in a 1900sq. ft. house will always be a re-$ell error....especially given its less than optimum location.

I have a 1850 sq ft home, and I can't imagine why a home of that size would need an extra half-bath. Two bathrooms should suffice. Also, as a guest, I'd really rather not be using the toilet next to the kitchen, especially if the host and/or other guests are cooking and socializing there. I vote for hiring a kitchen designer and making a much more functional kitchen. (That extra space doesn't necessarily have to be a pantry. The whole kitchen could be reconfigured.)

I'm a real estate agent. The way real estate agents, banks, & appraisers appraise houses is by plugging in formulas. The amount of bathrooms is factored in. Chances are high it would lower the value some. Something to consider. However, if it brings more functional use to your family, it may be worth it to you.

It's actually a good size kitchen.

The problem is how it's all spread out,therefore the function of the kitchen is lacking.

Bringing the work stations closer highly suggested.

It needs a whole new layout.

That kitchen would be no fun running all over to make a meal.

Fixing this right by hiring a good designer & contractor suggested.

where's the laundry room? as a buyer, I'd rather have that inside than a walk in pantry.

Beth H, the laundry room is in our utility room which is toward the center/back of our house. :)

ok,,good..solves that issue! As long as the bathroom is useable down the hall, then go ahead and take it out and make a bigger kitchen. maybe move the fridge down there, shift things around. I'd enlist the help of KD for this one to see what you can do.

artistsharonva, this is exactly my point & my issue. It drives me BONKERS to trek across the kitchen to the sink. & my hubby & I are empty nesters & in our 50's & my older knee, which I've had to have surgery for, doesn't do so well on our current floors (tile). & that's one thing we will be changing too. (Going to engineered hardwood in the kitchen & dining room, most likely).

We are actually now rethinking the configuration & highly likely going to lose the half bath. We just didn't have hardly any options because of the size of the layout with doorways, etc & having to have room in between the stove, etc. by moving it.

& I have a family member who has designed kitchens recently who is helping us Pro Bono. :)

I would consult with a real estate agent. My guess is that removing a half bath will significantly lower the value of your house.

Laura, I really think that you should make your home, especially your kitchen, work for you and your husband. Unless you're planning to sell your home in a couple of years, and if that's the case, I'd suggest doing nothing, make your home a place that you will enjoy living in during your retirement.

Yes, consult a real estate agent if you're concerned about future resell value, but homes of that size where I live (southern California) almost always have no more than two baths. A well designed functional kitchen is going to attract many buyers. I just don't get the appeal of a rinky-dink little powder room squeezed between the kitchen and back entrance. Can't others hear you flush the toilet and wash your hands when you they're making coffee on the other side of the wall?

I would put the bathroom decision on the back burner for now.

Start with the family member who offered to help pro bono. (I admire families that help one another:) if they are too busy, then a lot of local cabinet companies offer a layout service for free or economical price. Explain to whoever the 1st goal is to figure the floorplan of kitchen with & without bathroom, so they can focus on the immediate goal.

Ask for 2 floorplan layouts with measures

- 1 with leaving bathroom

- 1 with taking bathroom out

Then post them here to compare & get other opinions.

Off the subject : knee pain

New floors will hopefully help your knee. You may want to try a cushion work matt with floor grip until you get new floor in front of sink or stove for your knee. I have several aches these days,too.

There are lots of options of cushion mats online. Make sure it's anti-slip.

Example= https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N53KDXX/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1527588507&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=cushion+kitchen+work+matt&dpPl=1&dpID=41DujNIgrWL&ref=plSrch

In the new floorplan, hopefully they can find room to sit & prep,too.

This herb supplement has been helping me lately.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00493UZAO?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title.

Blue emu oil.

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Emu-Original-Analgesic-Packaging/dp/B000H0JYYG

If your taking statins, you may need Q10 for muscle & tendon support. Google that subject.

Always ask dr 1st. Hope this helps.

I disagree slightly with the above comment. Use an independent KD. A cabinet vendor designer will design a kitchen for you that uses maximum cabinets and not necessarily a good design as the goal is to sell as many cabinets as possible. With an independent KD the design belongs to you and you can shop many different cabinet companies.

The idea to post here (in the kitchen forum) is a good one for feedback.

We are currently playing around with a design in the Ikea Kitchen Planner which is where we will be buying our cabinets from. We had them at our old house & LOVED them! When we get the design fine-tuned, I will upload a pic & share with you all. :)

Share it on the kitchen forum. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath

(And yeah, losing a half bath will hurt for resale. You can't quantify functionality of a kitchen, but you can definitely quantify potties.)

Your kitchen is definitely big enough with sufficient storage space so the you do not have to get rid of your half bath. Personally, I don't like visitors wondering down my hallway to use the children's bathroom, so a half bath is a must. I feel the majority of persons would feel the same. You would also be losing some value and appeal for resale if you do away with the half bath.