kitchen remodel dilemma. beginning to think there are no good answers!
We’re in the planning stages of a total kitchen remodel (new cabinets, appliances, countertops, etc) and would like to rework the layout while we’re at it. Currently, the cabinets and island are both in an “L” shape (and the island is two levels). Initially, we had planned to close off swinging door to laundry room (shown in top picture, to right of cabinets), get rid of 6 feet of wall between the kitchen and hallway and shift the cooktop, wall oven, refrigerator and cabinets to back wall. We felt like eliminating most of that non load-bearing wall would allow us to have a good size counter-height island (96”x72”) for the sink, dishwasher and additional storage on both sides, plus USABLE seating for 4 people. I also like that it shortens that weird narrow, dark hallway (2nd picture).
But, here’s where things get a bit tricky: That door on left of hallway goes to our guest bedroom. If we were to eliminate 6 feet of the wall between the kitchen and hallway as planned, the wall would end right in the middle of the guest bedroom doorway. Weird, right? So would taking out 5 feet and stopping right before the doorway be better?
Am I trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole or is this possible (and more importantly, an improvement from current layout)?
I should’ve gotten a better angle, but third and fourth pictures will hopefully give you a better idea of current layout. By the way, as part of our remodel, we’re eliminating OR replacing those round columns with square cedar ones (depending on it they are load bearing). And also... please excuse the mess. I have little ones at home! THANKS!
Comments (17)
PROPatricia Colwell Consulting
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Just beginning remodel of kitchen...lots of ???'s
Comments (13)Thank you ladies!!! Yes, williamsem, I am going check out appliances forum, good suggest. Bahacca, I will gut the existing kitchen and move some appliances, all appliances will be new. Probably leave sink and dishwasher in same place. I really should take a picture of existing kitchen and figure out how to get it on here so you beautiful people can continue giving me great advice. Island will be situated so that there is flow room for new configuration. Catlover5, I hate bending over too, and I'm short! I can do it but that's part of why I liked the double slide in, that small stove on top!!! And the fact (rocketmom) that it's small (energy saving.) Christie327, if you loved yours so much, can you tell me specifically why you're changing to wall ovens? I'd like to have a small wall oven over a larger one. Do people do that? I really think I wouldn't mind the larger one being lower, as I hardly ever use it! That'd be more $$$ too. Ahhh! I'd like to put the cooktop (if that's the route I go) in the island but then I'd need a vent hood installed (I've been told the downdrafts don't really work) and I don't think I want a hood hanging down in the middle of my not very big kitchen. Thanks for hearing me vent about a vent!!!...See MoreBeginning kitchen remodel design process - need help!
Comments (8)We are a family of 8, with 6 kids ages 9 months to 17. We've lived in our home for 12 years and are looking to renovate. Ideally, I would like to open up the layout and make the space more open and usable by more than one person (particularly prep/cooking while another person is cleaning). We never entertain on our main level, instead having to use the basement. Our basement works well for that, but I would like the option of entertaining upstairs, especially since we are currently converting our covered deck into a four seasons room. Dependent upon cost, I would like to add on a mudroom/pantry from our garage. We have an extra deep 3 car garage and and 7'x11' room would only take from the extra space, not a stall. We are also planning a new garage on the other side of our property, so space isn't a problem. I would like to have an island or peninsula if that can be worked out. We are keeping our current appliances - only 2 years old and love the slate! I would like to do as much work ourselves as possible, contracting out only where it makes the most sense. Electrical is not a problem to move. I would prefer plumbing changes to be minor if possible. Thanks for any help!...See MoreLarge Kitchen vs. Large Living Room - Remodel Design Dilemma
Comments (6)@Patricia, you have a good point. I think I will definitely want to consult a designer to get their perspective from an aesthetics/space usage mindset. I do have a large media room in the lower level where my big screen is, so I figure if I ever have a large group to watch a game, etc., that is likely where I will need the most seating. The upstairs could then be used more generally for entertaining. My dining table seats 10 and moving it into living area would allow me to add chairs on either end. The addition of a 9-10’ Island would add seating as well. At worst, the family in its current footprint could snugly fit a ~6-7 person sectional and a chair. I think with an additional ~2-3’ feet in length and width, I should easily be able to fit a sectional in there as well as 1-2 accent chairs. Plus if I’m entertaining there would be plenty of space to gather at the end of the kitchen where the new bar would be. These pictures are not by any means exactly what I would do (I used a trial version and stock colors/cabinets), but should help give a sense of layout....See MoreKitchen remodel layout dilemmas
Comments (10)Sounds like entering the kitchen with all the openings isolates the kitchen completely from the rest of the living space. Consider relocating the entrances altogether. Without actual plans and more pics, it's difficult to evaluate the space, but since you mentioned opening the wall to the family room, this might work. Close off the existing opening to the office. Open the existing pantry to the office, or eliminate altogether. Eliminate the existing desk nook in the kitchen. Consider a full height wall-to-wall pantry / refrigerator/freezer / wall oven /coffee bar on the left wall (where the existing oven is located). The island facing the family room should be higher than the sink cabinet height to hide the sink use from the family room. This layout might make the ceiling beams make more sense also. Let me know what you think....See More
mama goose_gw zn6OH
4 years agoBuehl
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoAs others have said, we need a fully measured layout of the spaces under consideration to give you specific help. Fully-measured means a layout with all dimensions labeled: the widths of each wall/window/door/doorway and the distances b/w each wall/window/door/doorway. A sample layout is below to show you what I mean. (It can be hand-drawn, just be sure all the dimensions are labeled.)
A sketch of the entire floor would also be helpful. Normally, I would say it does not have to be to-scale and does not have to include measurements; however, in this case, please include the measurements and as close to scale as you can for the area surrounding the side of the house that has the Guest Bedroom so we know exactly where it is and what it will take to ensure privacy.
Buehl
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoIsland...unless you and your family are very tall or have very long arms, the island should be no deeper than 60" (5'). You need to be able to reach the middle of the island without straining to be able to clean it. I.e., it should be no deeper than 2 x the distance you can easily reach without straining. For most people, this is 30" or so. (Don't forget everyone else in your home as well unless you want to be the only person who can clean the island!)
You can still comfortably seat 4 since each seat needs a minimum of 24".
- That means 48" on the short side with 12" extra for "roominess".
- The long side will need to be a minimum of 48" + 16" = 64" for minimum seating for two; making it 96" means you can fit a third seat on that side and have 8" left over.
- (Keeping in mind that two seats cannot share a corner since two people cannot share leg/knee space.)
This all assuming, of course, that you can fit an island this large in your space and still maintain adequate aisles around the island. We won't know until we see the measurements.
damiarain
4 years agoI think the first picture here is what you're proposing? I haven't measured everything out to see how it fits, just trying to get a visual on your thoughts
Another thought could be a similar layout, but rotated 90º - this keeps the hallway (but maybe privacy for the guest bedroom isn't the worst?
Katie
4 years agoA few more pictures of the space and what we had in mind for back wall, along with a rectangular island. I think you’re right: 6 ft is too deep and 5 ft would work better.
Katie
4 years agoKicksychick
4 years agomama goose_gw zn6OH
4 years agoI would follow damiarain's first plan, and put the fridge on the outside. The door won't open properly against that stub wall on the hallway, and you might even be able to recess a full-depth fridge into the opening for the existing laundry door (space around table permitting). Then make the cabinets on that wall a little deeper, or pull them away from the wall, for extra counter space. Standard depth uppers can be pulled forward, too, or use extra deep uppers.
Hannah Wolfson
4 years agoKatie
4 years agoUnfortunately, we can’t move the guest bedroom door farther down hallway, as there’s a guest bed bathroom there. I wish we could— that’d be an easy fix! Patricia, I’m curious. Why are you so strongly against cedar wrapped posts? Here’s the “look” although we wouldn’t use such rustic wood
shirlpp
4 years agoBuehl
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHere's what I've come up with for dimensions of the space based on the measurements you provided. Many were missing, but I tried to calculate based on what you gave. (Tip: the measurements should be from items such as walls, door/window trim, etc.; not cabinets or counters since they don't give us accurate measurements of spaces.)
Blue are measurements you included. Red are calculated measurements.The one "mix" is the overall distance from the left wall to the far window in the Nook -- the difference is based on what worked with the window wall Nook measurements (308") vs the stated overall distance (318"). The only reason the Nook's interior measurements matter is to ensure the Kitchen doesn't encroach too far into the Nook -- you want to maintain adequate aisles around the table.
Buehl
4 years agoJust in case you're still interested. If you are, reply here and I'll give you a detailed analysis.
Layout #1:
Similar to what others suggested, but placing the Cleanup Zone and the Dish Storage close to the Nook. This should keep most traffic out of your primary work zones (Prep & Cooking) since dishes and the refrigerator are a straight shot from the Family Room (below the Kitchen) and the Nook.
Layout #1 - Work Zones:
.
Layout #2:This one is more to show how it doesn't really work if your goal is a more open space. It requires the wall to be closed up rather than opened up. It also reduces the island size.
Layout #2 Work Zones:
Katie
4 years agoWow, thank you Buehl! I am blown away— i really like layout one.
Using your thoughtful insight, I had my contractor and cabinet maker came over today to rework the space. Any reason we should not have wall oven unit in corner as pictured below? Also, they are now proposing 6 feet between the island and cabinets/ range/ wall ovens (as opposed to traditional 4 feet). The thought is that it will give plenty of clearance between the wall to upper left of space and bar to lower right. Keep in mind, if you’re standing at the sink in the island, you’ll be looking out to our family room.
The space between the cabinets is for a hood and the space on far right is for fridge.
Is this “balanced” enough? Would love your thoughts!
flopsycat1