Please need help on kitchen floorplan
FIrst time posting here.
We are doing a major remodel of our kitchen and creating a new dining room and home office.
Both my husband and I cook, sometimes simultaneously, so we wanted to have a rangetop and oven arrangement that would reduce getting in each other’s way. We’d also like to have two sinks to likewise avoid conflicts.
We decided to close the opening between the dining room and the kitchen in order to get more prep space. Note that the wall next to the plant (across from the two staircases) is needed to support the vaulted ceiling.
We came with two floorplans (A) and (B). (A) assumes it is feasible to move the toilet of the half-bath.
We would like for you to review these floorplans in general, and also answer these 3 specific questions:
- Q1: We have some opened space in the dining room we are not sure what to do with.
- Q2: We are not so sure what to do with the narrow space to the right of the fridge.
- Q3: The fridge is 70” tall so we can accomodate a wall cabinet on top of the fridge, however should the rest of the wall cabinet on that prep area wall be at that same height? Both my husband and I are relatively tall (6’ and 5’ 7”). Ceiling is 9’ high.
Please note that pictures below are intentionally rough; details of the cabinetry (doors vs. drawers, hinges placement etc..) nor materials are featured.
In floorplan (A) below, we moved the toilet as much as (we think) possible and ended up with a space of 30” wide by 45” deep in the dining room.
FIrst time posting here.
We are doing a major remodel of our kitchen and creating a new dining room and home office.
Both my husband and I cook, sometimes simultaneously, so we wanted to have a rangetop and oven arrangement that would reduce getting in each other’s way. We’d also like to have two sinks to likewise avoid conflicts.
We decided to close the opening between the dining room and the kitchen in order to get more prep space. Note that the wall next to the plant (across from the two staircases) is needed to support the vaulted ceiling.
We came with two floorplans (A) and (B). (A) assumes it is feasible to move the toilet of the half-bath.
We would like for you to review these floorplans in general, and also answer these 3 specific questions:
- Q1: We have some opened space in the dining room we are not sure what to do with.
- Q2: We are not so sure what to do with the narrow space to the right of the fridge.
- Q3: The fridge is only 70” tall so we can accomodate a wall cabinet on top of the fridge, however should the rest of the wall cabinet on that prep area wall be at that same height? Both my husband and I are relatively tall (6’ and 5’ 7”). Ceiling is 9’ high.
Please note that pictures below are intentionally rough, details of the cabinetry (doors vs. drawers, hinges placement etc..) nor materials are featured.
In floorplan (A) below, we moved the toilet as much as (we think) possible and ended up with a space of 30” wide by 45” deep in the dining room.
Q1A: We think this space is too small and not very well centered in the dining room to actually fill with a built-in (small butler pantry), so we are thinking we would need to turn it into a closet. Any other suggestions?
Q2A: For the space to the right of the fridge, we have 2 different ideas: either leave the space for a 15” counter loading/unloading the fridge or move the fridge to the right to increase the prep area on the left side of the fridge. We would still need to leave some space between the fridge and the wall. Any thoughts?
Q3A: What should the profile of the wall cabinets look like on the prep side in terms of heights and depths?
In floorplan (B) below, we left the toilet where it is today. This pushes the entryway of the mudroom and reduces the amount of prep counter space. We reduced the mudroom size as much as possible so the space in the dining room gets larger (4’ 8” wide), so it seems we could accommodate a butler’s pantry in this floorplan.
Q1B: Should we create a butler’s pantry in the dining room? How would that look? Or should we increase the length of the mudroom? Or use the space some other way?
Q2B: There is only a narrow 7 ¾” space to the right of the fridge, what kind of storage can we do there? Perhaps a tall, narrow open-shelf for storing large trays? (see picture below)
Q3B: What should the profile of the wall cabinet look like on the prep side?
Thanks for any suggestions or comments
Comments (13)
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Please help with floor plan: What do you think? Does it need chan
Comments (17)Honestly, I didn't consider the size of your kitchen, just my own feelings about it. I have a kitchen that's probably the same size, if not a little bigger and I can't wait to be rid of the island (well, it's gone but I don't have a new kitchen yet!). My old kitchen layout was similar to yours. The island was relatively small (3x5) but it was still in the way. I'm not a big one for cooking with people around but I do like them to set the table, to help when help is needed, or sometimes to participate as a family effort because it's enjoyable. And that's where I got the thing about going clockwise and counterclockwise. Because ample room for one person is a logjam for more than one. There's something about the way you've sketched your kitchen that looks very old fashioned to me and definitely says "kitchen table" rather than island. (Not to say an island would look wrong.) And the lower level of a kitchen table is a joy to use and enjoyable to look at. But is it in the way if it's smack in the center? I don't think the aisles are too narrow for one person but for more than one it's an issue. I know that lots of people here like the idea of using the island to establish their cooking space so as long as the triangle is intact, the island keeps other people out. I'm just introducing the fact that sometimes people don't work in a kitchen like that. And that bare space is nice -- people stand up there during a party, they traverse it while others are using the kitchen, during Thanksgiving when everybody is trying to cook different things they traverse a lot but don't bump into each other. The open kitchens I know and have used are very nice and don't seem empty to me. I'm just suggesting that you consider it. Is that at all helpful? I know that not having an island is heresy!...See MoreNeed Help On FloorPlan Renovation
Comments (9)Dear Jennifer, I see you’re not getting any traction…Here is a partial floor plan based upon your field dimension supplied. It doesn’t look like your sketch…exactly. Your drawings don’t need to be pretty but you’ll need to supply all the information if you want to get others input. If you correct the dimensions shown you can get an accurate floor plan to work from. Then you should start to receive input. Once you have your floor plan you should space plan every possible layout option you can think of (like shown here) that meets or exceeds your needs established to make your home improvement project as successful as possible for as long as possible. Your home improvement project should retain its value and continue to pay you dividends long after you complete it. Demand Better Performance Joe Brandao Kitchen Performance Consultant...See MoreNeed help and input on kitchen floorplan/remodel
Comments (22)Hi, all – thank you for all the feedback and apologies for taking a few days to get back to you. To address the comments made since I last checked in: The overhang on the island is currently 12”. I agree that the seating near the stairs will be a pinch point going to the dining room, even though it gives us more room than we have now (without someone seated there). I really like your idea of adding/shifting another seat to the end of the island, mama goose. And shifting the island towards the living room. Thank you so much for doing up the layout like you did. I’m not sure if we can shorten the half wall by the stairs, as it might make the top stair awkward with entrance from two sides? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that? Unfortuantely I can’t move the cabinet-corner next to the stairs, or put the ovens there (to the right of the dishwasher when you look at it) because of the stairs to the basement (floor isn't flat and it slopes upward under/behind those cabinets). Even though our fridge is shallow, I’m going to see about recessing it in the wall – thanks for that tip, mama goose! Strob06 – thank you for your input about the pantry! I appreciate hearing about your experience. We currently have two 18” cabinets, but they each only have two pullouts in the bottom, and the rest is fixed shelves. To be honest, we don’t use them to capacity because things just get lost in them! If they were pullouts top to bottom, they’d be so much more usable. We also have a second pantry/linen closet in the hall, where bigger or less-used items go as well. Oh, I forget who mentioned it but we aren’t using corner angled cabinets (those are showing incorrectly in the plan views) but instead we’re putting in open shelving (as shown in the elevations). Thanks for the explanation on the cabinet face layout, dan1888 - I haven’t had a chance to check out sinks yet, but I think I’ll take my biggest sheet pan and see how a 24” would work. We do have a utility sink in the basement, but I’d hate to get down on my knees and use my bathtub to do my big pans! I am really stuck on getting away from a range and moving to wall ovens to save my back. I was back at the appliance store today and checking out the miele induction range really solidified my desire for wall ovens – it is just SO low to the ground! Salex – I’m going to check out the 24” sinks, because you’re right that I’ve been using such a small one to date that 24 will seem huge! Backyardfeast – you’re right about us having an issue with dishes in proximity to the dishwasher. Our dishes are currently in the uppers to the right of the range (about where the cooktop will be) and it’s not the most convenient, but it’s not awful. But we really can’t do any better (or any worse) because there isn’t anywhere else to put the dishwasher. Thank you again to everyone for their feedback – I’m going to get some changes made and come back for some more advice and feedback (probably MUCH more) once it’s revised....See MoreNeed Help with Floor Plan Please
Comments (7)Do you have any measurements for the space? If not, could you please obtain them? Without measurements, we can only make general comments which may or may not work in your space. You did say that you are OK with moving the Kitchen, so that is an option as well. One limitation to moving it is the location of the garage -- you don't want to have too long a hike b/w the garage and the pantry and Kitchen b/c that makes it a chore to bring in the groceries from the car and put them away. However, there may be a way around that. BTW...I understand why you don't like your island...it is an obstacle! (My husband feels the same way about islands -- he thinks they're just another obstacle to run around, regardless of the layout! For me, it's all about the layout and what works best in a space!) Regarding wall space, you can add walls, if needed. If they're placed with due consideration of how they affect the overall flow, design, and feel of the house they can help to give you a bit of delineation of rooms, a place for appliances, and a buffer for sound/activity. (Especially since you don't like others around when you're prepping/cooking.) Here's a sample of a measured layout. In your case, I would just take your existing floor plan, add the measurements to it, and then upload it. I don't know how much experience you have with computers in general, but if you copy the layout into Microsoft PowerPoint, Paint, or other image/picture editor, you can add the measurements, save it as a JPG file, and upload it here. How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information...See More
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoAfter realizing my error in the plan I posted above, I decided to try to find a layout that would work with the existing powder room. In the following plan, the PR stays as is, but the wall between the kitchen and DR is re-worked.
You could have a standard depth fridge, which means more cold storage and less expense, and a convenient, extra-deep counter for anyone accessing the fridge from the living areas. A pass-through to the DR could be included, to keep that connection, or, if you are willing to give up counter space, you could still keep a door between the two rooms (red rectangle). In that scenario, you could have a side-loading, full-height cabinet to the right of the fridge.
Instead of a MW drawer on the island, you could have it on a shelf beside the fridge, and have wide drawers in the island. On the other side, you could have 12" drawers or a 12" pullout.
5 years ago
PRO5 years ago
5 years ago- 5 years ago
Here are some pictures of what the nook/bar area looks today
Here is what the nook/bar area looks like today. On that side the ceiling goes up to 17'.
You can see the string put there to represent the ceiling of the future kitchen on the other side of the wall. The plan is to open the wall between the kitchen and nook to 8". The ceiling of the future kitchen will go up to 9' (max.). We are closing off the hallway to the PR.
Below is what it is supposed to look like in the future - though in this rendering the tall vaulted ceiling doesn't show very well. Please disregard colors.
- PRO5 years ago
- 5 years ago
Thank you Debbi and Kathi for your great suggestions!
We tried to incorporate all these great comments and updated the floorplan as follows.
What do you think?We just hope we can move the toilet and support everything from the post - We are meeting with our contractor tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
- PRO5 years ago
- 5 years ago
We need to keep the PR around, that's the only one we have at this level of the house.
So if we don't move this PR, the floor plan could look something like that. There is pantry area around the fridge now,
Though, I still prefer the floor plan with the bathroom moved. It is easier to get into the kitchen from the garage.Now this island is really large. I am thinking we may need to break it into 2 pieces, the prep island and the eating island - although what would that Nook and Bar area become in this case?
Thoughts? - PRO5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
- 5 years ago
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