skip to main content

Kitchens Remodeling Design Dilemma

Kitchen layout critique

5 years ago

We are redoing the kitchen before moving into our new (to us) house on a tight timeline (5 weeks). we are using IKEA glossy white cabinets, quartz counter top, and all new SS appliances. the bench in between the pantries will be custom built-in to fill the space, and we envision a small oval table and chairs in front to complete the eat in breakfast nook. what do you think of the layout and functionality of this kitchen? we have to make a decision soon, anything we havent thought of? thank you in advance!

Featured Answer

sheloveslayouts

5 years ago

Here's another way of looking at your space. I think your plan is too crammed to one end and the dishwasher in the corner is a compromise I'd try to avoid.

This give you seating in the kitchen, but it adds work space. the compromise is that if you have a counter depth fridge, it's about a foot farther away from the sink than the recommended maximum of 9 feet. however, by being on the other side of the kitchen, all quick drinks, snacks, microwave use, coffee maker, etc. could all be contained on that left wall outside of the clean up and cooking zones around the range and the sink.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

tatts
5 years ago
I don't like seeing the raw side of a refrigerator, so I'd enclose that.

I'd extend the cabinets on the left of the stove; it seems to leave an awkward needless empty space there.

The separate pantries seem odd, and require more floor space to be kept free for access than if they were together. The symmetry detracts from the functionality of that end of the room. That bench will have very awkward access once a table is in place--not very functional.

Make sure you have clearance for doors and handles in the corners. That dishwasher looks awfully close to the corner.
jhmarie
5 years ago
This is a pretty good layout as far as the placement of the appliances go. Be sure to get under cabinet lighting - it will brighten up the corners and make them much better prep spaces and give an overall prettier space.
Related Discussions
Kitchen Layout Critique
Q
Comments (5)
I agree w/what everyone else has said... We had a similar situation but instead of following the contour of the bay, we "filled" it in. In our old kitchen, our kitchen table was in the bay; in our new kitchen, our sink, DW, & trash pullout all fit in the bay. (We had to replace the windows with "shorter" windows so they could be counter height.) I do have to comment though that if you're spending all this $$ to redo your kitchen, why not look into making it more functional? You already know it's tight w/the DW in that location, now add the trash pullout and you're in a difficult position (literally!) I strongly advise you to find a way to improve your kitchen rather than just perpetuate the existing problems. Before: After:
...See More
Kitchen Layout Critique
Q
Comments (12)
The dining table is on the left side of the drawing. The main floor is open concept and you can see the kitchen from the front door (the door is located across from the range). Since it seems that the general feeling is the two cabinets beside the hood vent are awkward we were playing with the idea of having them be glass door cabinets. I did some mock ups of the kitchen without cabinets and the traditional part of me just has a hard time wrapping my head around that sort of 'look'. We decided to go with spice pullouts beside the range to compensate. I was thinking that maybe that would kinda have somewhat of the same effect as open shelving....sorta....or am I totally off the mark. Oh and there are three pull outs in the pantry and the rest are fixed shelving. I took a look at the spice drawer idea and now I want more drawers!!! I thought I wouldn't have a use for top drawers but now I'm hooked. Thankfully I have 5. On another note....are posts beside the fridge visually that important? They are 4 inches wide for each and take up a total of 8 inches of space. We have a regular (not built in) fridge. Not sure if I want to sacrifice the space and the money to get them. And of course....thanks for your input:) Can't wait for the day I get to post reveal pics:)
...See More
Kitchen Layout Critique Request
Q
Comments (10)
I'm pretty sure Sektion makes sink cabinets with drawers designed specifically for garbage underneath. If you're handy, they could be modified, if needed, for your RO. Personally, I've never had a kitchen big enough where I've been willing to give up a lower cabinet for garbage. I've always kept it under the sink. Instead of a drawer, I use a garbage container installed inside the door. It's handy and removable when you need access to plumbing, etc. Regarding your DW placement. I would do anything to keep the DW out of the prep area. Almost anything but sacrifice a goat at midnight to Satan. I have that situation now and if my world's slowest remodel ever progresses, it will be moved outta there. It's the biggest irritation in my kitchen and one of my main motivations for the remodel. If I'm prepping to the right of the DW, next to range, and DH is loading/unloading the DW, and I need to use the sink. Grrrr! Sure, he closes the DW and steps aside but I usually need to do this several times during prepping and the time wasted adds up and the aggravation builds. I've tweaked your proposed layout below only to illustrate what the kitchen in my previous home looked like regarding the DW. Yeah, I stood in that teensy area with the red spot. I doubt it was even a full 12" wide. Narrower than you or Mama G I would stand there to put the items away that went in the poorly drawn upper corner cabinet. Then, because the fridge blocked exiting, I would close the DW and exit, then re-open the DW to put the other items away that were stored in other parts of the kitchen. It was tight but not a big deal and I would take that set-up any day of the week over having the DW in the prep area. Oh, I also would not go with a sink smaller than 30". I would rather make that red spot area to stand smaller than lose those inches in the sink. 30" is wide enough, just barely, for someone to do some prepping on one side while someone else does a bit of clean-up on the other side. I doubt you would be able to share a 27" sink. Of course, we're all different. You really need to think through which situation would work best for you. I wish I were creative enough to come up with a sink/DW placement superior to either option but I'm not clever enough to do that within your placement restrictions.
...See More
Kitchen layout critique
Q
Comments (2)
Also, should i keep the sinks under the windows, or shift ththe windows into the corners so that i get better utilization of base cabinets and counter space.
...See More
queenvictorian
5 years ago
Surely you don't intend to have the range hood THAT low in the actual kitchen, right? You wouldn't be able to put a big stock pot on the back burner and be able to open the lid without scraping your hand on the hood. Even if not a big pot, how do you see what you're cooking without hunching down to peer under the hood?

I'm hoping the positioning of the range hood is just an artifact of the program and/or model you're using and it will actually be mounted at the correct height.
katinparadise
5 years ago
I agree with extending the cabinets as far left of the stove as possible. Add an extended refrigerator cabinet over the fridge and a panel on the open side as suggested. Use as many drawer bases as your budget allow-they greatly increase storage. I presume you're aiming for something like this.

I like it. It's a nice place for company to hang out with you in the kitchen but still be out of the way. You could add a lift top to the bench for even more storage.
dan1888
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Make sure of the dimensions for the depth of your frig. The one pictured is unlikely. Consider a single bowl sink with small radius corners. 25" is larger than needed and would give you 6" more space for your dishwasher with a filler to the corner.

https://www.build.com/kohler-k-3822-4-kitchen-sink/s561954?uid=1251575

It can go in a 30" base.

A smaller but still adequate single could go in a 24" sink base.
kaismom
5 years ago
If you shove the DW to the corner like that, you can't put the dishes that go into the cabinets to the right. You will be setting the clean dishes on the counter, then close the DW then put the dishes away.

I know this because I inherited the DW in a home.

Make sure that you have enough clearance for the frig to open when the dish washer is open. It looks tight. again, not idea when you can't open the frig while the DW is open.
K Sinibaldi
5 years ago
What are the size of the door openings? What about cabinet sizes on either side of the stove?

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Layouts: A Vote for the Good Old Galley

By KitchenLab Interiors

Less popular now, the galley kitchen is still a great layout for cooking

KITCHEN DESIGN Determine the Right Appliance Layout for Your Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Kitchen work triangle got you running around in circles? Boiling over about where to put the range? This guide is for you

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Layouts: Island or a Peninsula?

By KitchenLab Interiors

Attached to one wall, a peninsula is a great option for smaller kitchens

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Layouts: Ideas for U-Shaped Kitchens

By KitchenLab Interiors

U-shaped kitchens are great for cooks and guests. Is this one for you?

MODERN ARCHITECTURE The Case for the Midcentury Modern Kitchen Layout

By Flavin Architects

Before blowing out walls and moving cabinets, consider enhancing the original footprint for style and savings

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Barn Wood and a Better Layout in an 1800s Georgian

By Jeannie Matteucci

A detailed renovation creates a rustic and warm Pennsylvania kitchen with personality and great flow

KITCHEN LAYOUTS The Pros and Cons of 3 Popular Kitchen Layouts

U-shaped, L-shaped or galley? Find out which is best for you and why

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: More Light, Better Layout for a Canadian Victorian

By Vanessa Brunner

Stripped to the studs, this Toronto kitchen is now brighter and more functional, with a gorgeous wide-open view

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: An Awkward Layout Makes Way for Modern Living

By Jeannie Matteucci

An improved plan and a fresh new look update this family kitchen for daily life and entertaining

SMALL KITCHENS Smaller Appliances and a New Layout Open Up an 80-Square-Foot Kitchen

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Scandinavian style also helps keep things light, bright and airy in this compact space in New York City

Sponsored

More Discussions

White oak kitchen cabinets stain?

75

Help with dining room to bedroom conversion

26

Mitering "fancy" crown molding and matching repeats

18

Considering an addition over the garage ... ideas for the exterior?

4

Is this marble seam acceptable? I'm feeling iffy...

20