The dishwasher needs to go next to the sink. Practicality should always come before aesthetic or symmetry in kitchen design.

Truly think about putting dishes away with the DW in the island. Having to turn around from the sink to the dishwasher would get old real quick, not to mention would open you up to the increased risk of damaged floors from dripping water.

And...

• If the dishwasher requires an air gap, you'll have to cut a hole in the island countertop
• You'll have to plumb the island for water and sewage
• Dishwashers generally drain into garbage disposers which will not exist.

Yikes! So next to the sink it is. The cabinet guy said it can fit either in the left or the right, but both options make the sink off-center with the window. How odd is that? Any other suggestions?
Thank you! I appreciate your input. It’s crunch time.

How big is the cabinet to the left of the sink? It doesn't look much smaller than 24". I know and understand wanting to keep the sink centered on the window, but shifting things over an inch or two will not be obvious. We had to do that in our kitchen and I only notice it if I think about it. You could also shift the faucet hole over a bit as well to fool the eye depending on your sink.

The functionality is more important than the looks, and you would probably regret not having it next to the sink. Before we redid out kitchen the dishwasher was not next to the sink and it was a big pain.

Can you shrink the sink base to pick up enough room to place the DW on the left? A smaller single bowl sink may be a solution to allow you to still center the sink but it is difficult to tell without measurements. I would not place the DW on the right as it becomes an obstacle between the range and sink.

Definitely left side of the sink (I have mine on the right side...it's the worst! Everyone blocks me into a tiny prep corner....hate it), and add a panel so it blends in and doesn't call for attention. Are the windows installed/ordered yet?

PS. I have that same layout in my current kitchen, IF the dw was on the other side this kitchen would function much better even though it doesn't follow the "correct flow".

Thank you! Yes the windows are installed. I asked that larger window be placed in our open living area, allowing for more light and better view of the bay. I knew it would take up cabinet space, but little did I know it would impact appliance placement.

If you went with an asymmetrical sink it would be less obvious that it was not centered with the window.

The only place for the dishwasher is to the left because to the right of the sink is quite dysfunctional as it would block access to drawers when open.

Not sure if it is the rendering but it looks as though you have a double bowl sink. I would get a single bowl sink with the drain offset to the left and rear. This would enable you to free up more storage under the sink since the garbage disposal wouldn't be smack in the middle. I did that and I was able to get a full size garbage pullout under the sink with additional storage to the left.

Also consider getting a ledge style of sink which would enable you to have more usable counter space. I have one and it has a grid which I generally keep in place - it acts as a counter extension as well as being a great place to drain or dry anything. I also got the cutting board which is handy for prepping. All of this also makes cleanup easier since everything is over the sink versus on the counter.

Another option would be to place two 18" DWs on either side or an 18" with a dishwasher drawer for overflow. The Bosch 18" seems fairly spacious with the third rack.

• 24" dishwasher to the left.
• Shrink sink cabinet to fit.
• Single-bowl, undermount sink so you can push stuff off the counter into it.

-- amateur

DW placement is not the only issue here, IMO. Schlepping food from the fridge to the sink for prep will be a pain too. I would seriously consider sink and DW in the island with a dish drawer on the side of the sink nearest the dining area. You'll still be able to appreciate the view while visiting with those on the stools, and you will gain more counter prep space at the window.

North San Antonio Kitchen Remodel · More Info

No sink and DW in the island. It wouldn't be large enough for prepping if you did.

Go with a single bowl sink

Dishwasher on the left side as noted.

Add a prep sink to the island so you have a good work flow between sink fridge and cooktop. Problems solved.

Oh and forget the pullout drawer to the right of the stove. Instead make the drawer there larger. It's easier to divide one large drawer than to try and fit everything into a too small drawer.

Just wanted to add — do not discount a smaller sink. I just went from a 36” sink base with a double bowl undermount down to a 33” with a farm sink. I really love the farm sink, but I could’ve easily gotten by with a 30” or maybe even 27”. Sink bases are an inconvenient use of space and I could have better used 3” elsewhere, as I think you can.

Also, I agree with cpartist’s advice about removing the pullout on the right of your stove and going instead with the wider drawers. A much better use of real estate, IMHO. I have learned over the course of many kitchens that a drawer base under 21” is really limiting, and 27”+ is fabulous.

"I agree with cpartist’s advice about...wider drawers."

Wider drawers seem to come with aging and it's not a good thing!

Change the layout from an L plus island to a galley with one “wall” as an island. I think you’ll actually get more usable storage, and you’ll get better workflow for sure.

Lots of options, for sure. I’m not sure I understand the last suggestion about the galley with one wall.

Is this better?

dcsam I like that but dishwasher directly next to sink and drawers on end.

This makes much better sense. I agree with itsourcasa. Depending on what you need to store, you could have the end cabinet open to the side so that it would be 24" wide. I wouldn't go any shallower than 18" for drawers or 12" for shelves.. A mixer lift might also fit depending on the space that you have.

Go with a 30" sink base...and the slimmest end panel you can to the left of the dishwasher. Or consider an 18" Bosch dishwasher.

I don't like the revised drawing above. If you go that route then put the stack of drawers on end of run....that way you don't have to purchase an additional end panel.

Ps I'm not a fan of chimney hoods in cathedral ceilings unless you have the ability to do a custom vent cover to the ceiling. Consider a wood or stainless canopy hood instead.

My dishwasher is in my island and I have never had any of the issues listed above. I don't slop water all over, and if a little water gets on the floor I wipe it up. My open dishwasher only blocks the sink cabinet, so opening drawers and such is not an issue. After having this set-up for 8 years, I really don't think I'd like it to the side of the sink.

I have to agree with suedonim. I've done this DW location once before about 35 years ago. The homeowner had no other choice. The DW door opens up and fill much of the aisle (not much dripping to be had)....plus you shouldn't be pre-rinsing your dishes anyway. The DW needs the food residue to work with the soap. Read this article about pre-rinsing. Click here!!!!!!

Also, there are no wall cabinets by the sink....so it makes sense to put dishes near the cooking area for plating up food. Or undercounter in deep drawers in the island. Either way...an island dishwasher kinda makes sense in this situation.

Kelly

ps My pet peeve is when people pre-rinse....just wash the darn dishes if you're going to do that! Hope I'm not opening a can of worms here.

Can’t thank you all enough! We decided to go with the dishwasher on the left of the sink and sink off center with the window. Not my first choice. But it is the result of my choosing to add a couple large windows to the living space - which was most important for the water view and light.
Next dilemma will be how to vent our range hood with such a tall ceiling.

I think that is a good choice, though I will say we just put our dishwasher and new sink in a newly built island and DH hooked up the dishwasher for me before the countertop was on so I couldn't use the new sink next to it yet and have been filling it up from the current sink across the aisle and it hasn't been a big deal. Even with the kids helping the floor hasn't gotten any wetter or dirtier than normal when they "help". So if it WAS your only option, I really think it would be fine. However, what would be a pain if you did that was plumbing the DW. Not sure how you do that without the sink nearby, I'm sure it can be done, but worth it? Sometimes you just have to accept you can't have some preferred aesthetics. I really wish I could have put our new farmhouse sink right under the window too, since it would have showcased it better, but there were a lot of trade-offs for getting everything I wanted and needed in my space. Once its all in and you're not thinking about those minor details anymore it will be beautiful and neither you nor anyone who sees it will notice those things, they'll just see the lovely new kitchen!

Looks good! The only thing I would add is a prep sink in the island so the island is useful for prepping. Key components to a successful/functional Prep Zone include:

• Direct access to water (i.e., inside the Prep Zone)

• Sufficient clear/straight counterspace -- bare minimum recommended is 36", but 42" to 48" is much better, preferably right next to the sink used for prepping

• Next to or directly across from the Cooking Zone (i.e., cooktop/range; if across, the aisle should be 42" to 51", depending on how many people will be working in the Kitchen...42" for 1, 48" or more for 2 or more people)

• Trash & recycle bins in the Prep Zone (try for them to also be near the Cooking Zone...far more trash & recyclables are generated while prepping and cooking than any other time, including cleaning up)

.

Regarding putting your cleanup sink & DW in the island -- please don't do it.

First, your island is not be enough.

Second, with an open area, it puts your dirty dishes front & center and on display for all to see.

Third, sitting at an island with dirty dishes staring you in the face is not pleasant.

Finally, you spend far more time prepping than cleaning up...so put your Prep Zone in the island if that's your preferred work space, not the Cleanup Zone. [But, as the island is right now, it's not particularly useful for prepping because it has no water.]

• 70% or more time is spent prepping
• 10% is spent cooking (actually watching food cook, stirring, adding ingredients)
• 20% or less is spent cleaning up -- and sink work is the least amount of time b/c cleaning up also includes clearing the table & counters, wiping down the table & counters, sweeping, etc.

BTW...how long & deep is the island? Will it fit seating the way you have it? I cannot tell by the pictures, but keep in mind the following:

• Each seat needs a minimum of 24" of linear space
• Minimum recommended seating overhang for counter-height seating is 15" of clear leg/knee space (i.e., after accounting for the cabinets and the decorative doors/end panels on the back of the cabinets)
• Two seats cannot share a corner since two people's legs cannot overlap

Get a single bowl sink under one of the windows and the DW to the left better yet a kitchen designer insted of the cabinet guy. Or put the sink and DW in the island

I have a deep cabinet with pull outs in the location at the end of the island. I highly recommend it otherwise that will just be dead space. And you could store your dishes there.

Patricia,
Thank you. Could you explain what a bowl sink is/looks like?
Another thought: would an integrated drain-board (carved into the left of sink) help put more balance back into the sink area?

I just sent another email to the cabinet guy - it’s something he didn’t address when I sent him the idea at the onset. And I want to make sure he’s thought of all possibilities before it’s too late to change.
Below is a rough idea I sent him. Perhaps a 40/60 double sink? Would this bring the faucet to center? Only two choices my line of sight can handle: way off center (what he came up with) or on center.

I would leave it as you had it above but with a single bowl sink. With a divide in the sink I think that you are emphasizing the window division even more. That gives you a nice stretch of counter when clearing the table and you have room for a pretty arrangement in front of the left window.

Another option is to purchase a sink with a built in drainboard on the left and install that over the DW. Someone in this thread did it with a Kohler Stages sink.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2687586/dishwasher-under-prep-end-of-kohler-stages-45-sink

Here is one that fits over a DW.

https://www.creategoodsinks.com/collections/drainboard-kitchen-sinks/products/1-2-radius-50-ledge-drainboard-sink-offset-drain-reversible-5lps30c

Wonderful suggestion about a drainboard to the left of sink. That seems like an almost perfect solution. I think my eyes could handle that.

You can have the functionality of a drainboard as well as a larger sink when needed if you opt for a ledge style sink. I have an insert grid that functions as a drain for drying dishes as well as draining washed stuff. It can be put on the bottom of the sink if I wanted. Anything wet or icky drains directly into the sink rather than as part of the cabinet.

My faucet is deliberately set to the left of the sink bowl because my drain is to the left. This provides increased functionality since my drain isn't blocked if I want to stack dishes in the sink. Also my garbage disposal is to the left and thus doesn't bisect the sink cabinet which effectively enables greater storage functionality in the sink cabinet.

There is no benefit to a divided bowl in my people's experience. It limits functionality of the sink.

Late to the conversation here, but I had a similar situation -- small kitchen and a desire to center sink under the window. I went with a small (27"?) but DEEP single sink. I love it -- the depth seems to adequately compensate for the small width. Depending on your family size, you might also consider an smaller dishwasher. Good luck with your project.

I'm glad that you like the idea of the drainboard. I think that it will look like you designed it to go under the windows that way. If you go with an offset drain like the sink that I posted, you should have room for a pullout trash can under your sink. This sink also gives you the added functionality of a ledge like Helen mentioned. I love having a ledge sink. It keeps the mess contained over the sink when you are prepping.