What do I need to know about cabinets around a fridge?
After what feels like an eternity I think we've finally settled on a layout for are kitchen. It's been such a challenge because there are so many doors and windows there really isn't any obvious place to put the refrigerator. I was playing around in the HomeByMe software and I've finally figured it out. It's not really the best software for really working out the nuts and bolts of a kitchen and there isn't a lot of cabinet options to build with but it was so easy to use I was able to play with a lot of different designs quickly and actually visualize them. I realized that I would rather give up some counter space in order to have the fridge look more integrated and like it belongs where it's at and wasn't just set in some odd spot because its the only place it would go (as it currently is).
Here's what i came up with. I need to start going over it and work out real cabinets/sizes, but I thought I would start with the fridge and surrounding cabinets since it's a big element.
Here's a picture of the space currently:
We've got 66.5" to work with to the right of the window to the wall (68" if we want to cut off the part of the window seal that juts out and just go to the frame.
Here's what I'm thinking:
In this picture the cabinets to the right of the fridge are 18" and the slim one on the left is 6". So with the fridge that's 60". Now I'm assuming you'll need some wiggle room to get the fridge in, and I still need to look up how much space you need if you're building around a regular fridge and not one made to be built in. I could make the cabinets on the right 24" and just put a slim panel on the left to dress it up. Though I could go right up to the window, I don't think I want to. I'd like a little space so the window doesn't feel crowded.
There will be some extra storage in the dining area of the kitchen. It's kind of far so it will be for extra/little used stuff. Thought there is the space by the door, I really want to put a bench and lockers there because the sliding door is the only back door and I deal with a lot of shoes and coats in the kitchen.
Just looking for any advice about the cabinets and fridge area. Thoughts, warnings, etc. Feel free to comment on the general layout though. I welcome any thoughts as I work on the details.
Here's an over view of the space for reference.
TIA!
Comments (17)
emilyam819
5 years agoRelated Discussions
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5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoforevernow
5 years agorantontoo - The exterior of the house is siding. I've thought more than once about if we got ride of a window or door we'd have a ton more options. It's a really dark kitchen though. There is a wrap-around porch in front and an over-hang outside the backdoor. The window over the current sink over-looks another room, a "sun" room. We just hardly get any natural light and I hate it. I'd hate to get rid of a window. I do use the area between the sink and stove the most, so I understand why that would be desirable. I didn't include any measurements here, but there would actually be about 5 feet between the stove and the fridge and with the sink in the island the counter to the left of the stove would still have easy access to both sink and stove and seemed like it would be a good secondary prep area if you had help (I can dream). A very good point about moving the trash cabinet to the other side of the sink to have counter to either side of it. I'll put a picture below with the layout and the measurements.
emilyam - I'm not quite sure what your saying. Put the fridge on the left side and keep the stove where it's currently at, around the side by the door? I have actually considered this layout long ago, but I don't think I'd like to have everything in one line and my only workspace on the island. I wouldn't have any storage either, just a little in the island. This is not a perfect layout by any means, but I have struggle with this space for a long time. It's a decent sized space but it's very limited because of all the doors and windows.
Measurements:
emilyam819
5 years agoforevernow
5 years agoforevernow
5 years ago
Theresa Wells
5 years agoI agree that you don't need cabinets around entire fridge. I chose my counter to die into one side and then installed cabinets on opposite side & above fridge. This layout works really well for us.
forevernow thanked Theresa Wellsforevernow
5 years agoTheresa Wells
5 years agoYes, our fridge is counter depth, I think about 29-inches. And yes, as you see in my photo, we can't open up freezer & pantry at same time, but that's never been an issue, probably because the most valuable commodity in our freezer is ice - and that's on the door! prior to our remodel, our room also had a window on the same wall. It looked out to our side fence, so we opted to remove it & close that space up -- leaving us with an entire wall to utilize for our new kitchen! I really wanted my range on back wall & sink in the island so it was a win-win! We had a window on the right wall which we changed to a large slider that now flows out into our back yard & patio. Have you considered removing the window?
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artistsharonva
5 years agoforevernow
5 years agoTheresa - Thanks for more pictures of your Kitchen! That is a nice island! Do you find you prep more on the island or next to the stove?
artistsharonva - Thanks for the suggestions, but with the way I work in a kitchen I just can't seem to see them working for me. I like a good stretch of counter space between sink and stove or to have the sink very near the counter I'm working at. I guess I wonder why everyone wants the island to be clear? I mainly want seating at the island because I often have to help my kids with homework and I spend a lot of time at the sink so I'd like to have it facing out to where they will be. This is also why I have never considered a range in the island. They're too young and I'd worry about paper on the stovetop. In my plan I'd mostly prep on that back wall, though if I were doing something like making PB&J for the kids I might do that on the island. Then I see the counter that is off to the side under the window for extra prep if another person is helping me, or where the things like like to end up on the counter can go. For instance my DH plopped down his crock he makes pickles in on my counter last week saying he was going to empty it this weekend. He didn't and it's still taking up valuable space right now. He does that kind of thing a lot so if I had a counter he could do that on and it doesn't interfere with my daily prepping/cooking/cleaning that would be awesome!
I did tweak my draft to move the garbage cabinet to the other side so there is counter on either side of the sink. I originally didn't have it because I was trying to put the fridge where the stove currently is and there wasn't room then when I moved it to the back wall I tacked it on to add length. I think I'd have to decide where I'd want the dishes (by the fridge or along the side wall) before I decided for sure which side I'd want the DW on. I need to draw this out on graph paper I think to make sure my sizes and distances are accurate. I think I have about 4' between back counter and island right now and about 47"/48" on either side of the island and 4' between the island back corner and the bench/lockers.
forevernow
5 years agoMaybe something like this next to the fridge, that doesn't need to swing open like a door.
Theresa Wells
5 years ago
rantontoo