Rethinking the Kitchen Layout
Architectural Kitchens & Baths
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
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Ideas for tweaking kitchen plan
Comments (6)If you're also planning for the future when she's out & on her own, then you might want to reconsider the pantry. A walk-in pantry is great storage for all manner of things...from food to small appliances to utility items...all set at whatever level you want (and, "modular"). If the door is 3' wide, Lauren should be able to get in to it and, for now, you could store most things w/in her reach. Then, later, you can store things w/in your reach. I would also not limit myself to an undercounter refrigerator. At the very least, be sure to leave a place to put a regular refrigerator later. Leaning over to get things out of a refrigerator drawer may become an issue for you later (light items, like yogurts or butter will be fine, but heavier items like milk or juice will probably be easier if they're at chest-height or slightly lower for you). You may want to compromise and get one or two refrigerator drawers and store things most often used/needed by Lauren and everything else in a regular refrigerator. OR, you might consider getting a top-freezer refrigerator so most, if not all, items in the refrigerated section are reachable by Lauren and then maybe a freezer drawer or two to store things Lauren might want & then store the less-used items in the top freezer. Dishwasher Drawers--I don't think you can go wrong w/these....they're even better for young, non-disabled folks! The same w/wall ovens...easier for everyone than an oven in a stove. MW drawer...I don't know. We're getting our first one. It would definitely be better for Lauren but I don't know how it will be for you as you age. I've entered the 50+ group and I'm hoping I don't regret getting a drawer that I'll have to lift items from rather than just take out from chest-height. Cooktop...controls on the side or in the front (if no small children around) would work best for everyone, I think. No reaching across a hot cooktop or hot food. Lauren's desk/workplace would probably also make a great future baking center if the counters are slightly lower. Just some thoughts! HTH!...See MorePlease critique my kitchen layout
Comments (19)Are you interested in another layout? If so, I came up with one using your inspiration pantries (2). You may have already tried it an nixed it, but I thought I'd draw it up (I enjoy doing this). I wanted to make a comment about the pantries--ventilation! As you may or may not know, there's a fairly recent thread concerning ventilation of pantries and having venting both high & low. Your inspiration pantries inherently have just what seems to be needed--open at top & bottom! So, in addition to looking unique, it's also a well-ventilated design! First, here's the layout: Changes: * Added 2 pantries on either end of the range wall similar to your inspiration picture * Centered the 36" range and 42" hood in the remaining space--gives you 31" of counterspace & 25" of upper cabinets on each side of the range/hood (For adequate venting, it's strongly recommended that you have a hood at least 6" wider than your range or cooktop.) * Moved the MW oven over to where the pantry was * Moved Refrigerator to where the MW was * Moved the DW to the other side of the sink so the DW & Range don't interfere w/each other when both doors are open...this may not be necessary since the aisle has more than enough space to have them both open at the same time, you just wouldn't be able to stand in front of them if they're both open. In its new position, you also will not be trying to prep while someone else is trying to load the DW and if the DW is running, you won't have to prep in front of it. * Required the move of the wind chiller to the other side...this is the main reason I don't like the move for the DW Comments: With two 36" wide pantries (total 72"), you gain quite a bit of additional storage space that is also very flexible. You could even hang a broom or mop on a side wall. I showed 15" shelves b/c that depth gives you the flexibility to be able to store small appliances, dishes, pots & pans, etc. as well as dry goods. You maintain a good work flow: Refrigerator-to-sink-to-prep (island)-to-range You have plenty of workspace around the range as well as on the island Zones are somewhat separate...the only real overlap is the prep & cleanup b/c you only have one sink. However, I don't think you really have room for a prep sink--it will rob you of necessary counterspace; plus your kitchen is small enough to allow easy access to the sink from anywhere in the kitchen. If you can corral your dirty dishes to the right of the sink, that will leave you the left side for prep. (Dirty dishes will be coming from the table in the Nook so the right side is the natural place for dirty dishes) -- Prep: 38" x 42" of counter space -- Cooking: Two counters 31" x 24" each -- Cleanup: 38" x 42" of counter space Landing space for MW and refrigerator is the island The refrigerator and MW are in a position to make them accessible from both the kitchen and the Great Room without interfering with the kitchen work flow and zones. Putting the MW cabinet b/w the wall and the refrigerator helps the refrigerator not block the Great Room doorway when open I didn't change anything in the Nook It's not that this layout is better, functionally than yours, I was just trying to give you something closer to your inspiration picture/pantries. Just some food for thought!...See MoreSurvey: Use of countertop/prep space on either side of cooktop?
Comments (53)Remodelfla, Just a question, where is your microwave or will you have one? I agree with bmorepanic about the structure of the plumbing being really important to the ability to have trash under the cabinet or not. Also, look for sinks that have the drain towards the back and to one side (Franke GNX110-28 comes to mind). If you have a 12" cabinet on one side of the sink, you can use that for trash cans. If you go down to an 18" DW, that can go up to an 18" cabinet for a large trash pullout. Regarding the height of the prep area, you can always adjust the height by using adjustable legs. I have included a link below, you will have to figure out how to integrate this into your baking center. This gives you flexibility in leveling the cabinet and also changing the height as you go along! Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Some example of levelers...See MoreNeed help rethinking Great Room / Dining Room / Family Room / Kitchen
Comments (3)The plan separates each living space with access from a central hall. It would work well for an office building but not so much for a house especially f you plan to entertain. I find that trying to make a good plan out of a bad one is usually a waste of time and effort. Its like renovating a house that hasn't been built yet. Decide what you think an entertainment space should look like and develop the house around it. But I would not design a house around an occasional use. The interrelationships of family members should be the dominant theme of a house. And I would never put a level change in a living space unless there was an alternate wheelchair route. If you plan to entertain, the front door should have wheelchair access too. An accessible half bath would be good too....See MoreTuscany Builders and Design
4 years agoArchitectural Kitchens & Baths thanked Tuscany Builders and DesignArchitectural Kitchens & Baths
4 years agoOTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.
4 years agoArchitectural Kitchens & Baths thanked OTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.- Architectural Kitchens & Baths thanked Skipp Renovations - Designer Kitchens Made Simple
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