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Design Dilemma Home Decorating Kitchens

NEED KITCHEN HELP!!! what should I do? Island or no island?

Shantel Langley

5 years ago

it just feels so empty, but I don't want it to feel so crowded? I have no clue what to do with this empty space!

Featured Answer

Buehl

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

One other thing...

Using painter's tape is not very useful to determine how things really fit. Tape doesn't give you the "feeling" of the mass of the objects and it's easy to step over/overlap/walk too close to tape on the floor. Instead, use boxes or tables.

Place the boxes/tables in the space to the HEIGHT, WIDTH, and DEPTH of what you're thinking about. Then, live with it for at least a few days, preferably at least a week. You want the "newness" to wear off and the the day-to-day reality of moving around the obstacle to set in, but not too long, b/c humans are very adaptable. [We adapt to just about anything -- good or bad! And, eventually, even the bad seems "OK" (even when it isn't) -- but we've convinced ourselves it is b/c we've adapted, for good or ill.]

Be sure the boxes/tables are "secure", i.e., you cannot move them -- accidentally or deliberately.

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Comments (7)

decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
Can you still get your cabinetry? I tend to think you'd be better off with another set of cabinets in that corner. They'll improve sale value too. Then, if there is room, a free standing work table would be easy to do.

Sportsman Series Kitchen Island Stainless Steel Work Table, 24"x60" · More Info
Lil S
5 years ago
It looks like you have room for an island and possibly even one with stools.
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Olychick
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Get out some blue painter's tape and try taping off different shapes and sizes on the floor. Live with each one for a few days and see how you like having narrower aisles and walking around an island. That will help you refine the size, shape and placement.

It looks like a great space for an island and would really expand your work area.
remodeling1840
5 years ago
I also vote for cabinets and countertops on that blank wall. Your coffee maker, toaster, toaster oven, etc can live over there, out of your way for cooking.After that is installed, decide if you need/have room for a work table in the middle. I also had a cabinet over my fridge for all the big serving pieces and holiday dishes we only used occasionally. That cabinet should be the same width and depth as your fridge.
Mid America Mom
5 years ago
From eye'ing this it looks like the fridge wall is like 10'? You cannot handle a sit down island but you could do a 2' deep prep one. But if you can get them I would say do matching cabinets on the blank wall. If not deep freestanding hutch as it looks like you need storage and counterspace.
Buehl
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
We don't know the dimensions of the space, so it's difficult to give you any really useful advice -- we're guessing!

So, please post a sketch with the dimensions, preferably wall-to-wall, not cabinet-to-cabinet. If you cannot do wall-to-wall, then to/from the items that stick out the farthest...things like appliance handles, counter edges, walls, etc.

One thing I will note is that a 24" or 27" deep counter is barely usable for prepping b/c you have to worry about things falling off the back. I have that on one of my peninsulas and I don't like prepping there for that reason. Perimeter counters work b/c you have a wall behind them to stop things from falling.

In the meantime, the following Kitchens Forum FAQ might help:

FAQ: Aisle Widths, Walkways, Seating Overhangs, Work/Landing Space etc
- https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500771/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc
[Taken from the "Read Me" thread]

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