Kitchen Update Help Appreciated
B Reid
4 years ago
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Kitchen Layout Help Would Be Greatly Appreciated!
Comments (22)LWO's layout is better on all counts. The zones are more separated and none have crossing path conflicts. Yours all do. And a corner sink you're suggesting is a huge pain. It's the choice of last resort for a tiny kitchen. Yours is anything but that. Why do you "need" uppers on either side of the range hood? Your inspiration pic doesn't have them and it looks fine. You can fit everything you need for spices etc. into lower cabinets. Especially with that continent in the middle of the space. The island is too large proportionately to the rest of the kitchen and it dwarfs even the 48" range. It needs to become shorter, but especially, shallower. You'll never be able to clean the middle of it unless you use a sponge mop otherwise. If a drive towards that functionality killer "symmetry" is driving these non functional layouts, then you need to drop back and actually analyze the two window layout. It will be very easy to make the range the symmetrical focal point between two windows, even if it's not perfectly centered on that back wall. Add in a built in MW cabinet to the counter next to the fridge. Then the range will be perfectly centered between the remaining space between the tall objects and the wall to the right. I'd also suggest centering the cleanup sink on the wall to the left since that appears to be important visually to you. It's not clear as to whether or not the wall to the right is a solid wall or merely a construction line. If a construction line, it could add some interest to create the arched opening that is in the pic with the range on the exterior wall. That adds in some visual separation that will help to define the space, yet allow it to remain physically open. Remember, "centering" isn't the same thing as symmetry. Balance, proportion, positive space and negative space, also factor into the equation as well. You're getting hung up on "matchy matchy" centering, and that's detracting from the functionality, and also the true balance of the elements in the space. Or maybe jettison this home plan entirely in favor of something that has more overall style emphasis on equilateral symmetry such as a center hall Colonial or Foursquare....See MoreClueless non-cook would appreciate help with kitchen planning
Comments (7)Thank you everyone for replying! WaltAvatar, Glad you liked the captioned dual-photos! I created them by setting up a table in Microsoft Word, with two rows and two columns, without a border. I used the upper row for the captions and inserted the photos in the lower row. Then I took a screenshot using Snagit. Let me know if you would like more detailed directions. Thank you very much for the image of the dog feeding station! Right now she pushes her bowl around the floor. (I have to feed the cats in the powder/mud room because the dog will eat their food before they can.) Keeping fresh water available is a problem and your photo gave me an idea - maybe I could use the leftover refrigerator/icemaker tap for a pet water station? Hmmmm... Regarding the cooktop ventilation - yes, I have learned about downdraft ventilation issues from reading here, and I understand that I will need a hood at least 3" bigger on each side than the cooktop. It's just not drawn in the plans. Regarding the lazy susan - Good idea. I would prefer larger drawers for flatware, towels, and such, and using a cabinet door under the bar for rarely-used items would be fine. Regarding a prep sink on the long island type counter space: I agree, that would be desirable, but would require jackhammering the slab to run new plumbing, so that is out of the budget. Benjisbride, Yes, you are right, the kitchen faces the front yard. I originally had a small 3x5 foot dining table where the computer/sewing desk and file cabinets are now, and since I wound up never using it for dining but as a desk, I removed the leaves and it is now my breakfast table. Desertsteph, I never thought about the refrigerator between the windows. There is of course 110V on that wall and running the icemaker line should not be a problem. The only issue I have with the refrigerator there is, admittedly, one of aesthetics and not functionality - I was thrilled with how that massive stainless box "disappeared" when it went into the pantry space. I didn't realize how much I disliked having that hulking mass in the room! On the other hand, putting the cooktop in the pantry alcove would let the range hood "disappear", and it would be more functional because it would be against a wall. Regarding family size - "more kids? spouse? how many working in kitchen? anyone cook?" No kids and I'm in my late 50's, so none will be coming. No spouse (divorced). No entertaining - my spread is about 45 minutes from the nearest city, so having people over is a once- or twice-a-year occasion. So it is just me in the kitchen. I eat a lot of salads, simple steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, that type of thing); roast a turkey breast occasionally, boil shrimp, make a stew, and fix scrambled eggs. I make pecan pies at Thanksgiving....See MoreHelp appreciated for kitchen/mudroom remodel
Comments (13)"I had considered moving sink to left if I can center it under the window there" Just so you know, "windows centered on a window" or "under a window" are hold overs from an era gone by when all dishes were washed by hand - b/f automatic DWs. Back then, much more time was spent in the Cleanup Zone than today. Today: 70% or more of the time & work spent in the Kitchen is spent preparing a meal or snack - "prepping" [Prep Zone] 20% or less is spent cleaning up - and that includes not just sink work (hand washing a few items), but also non-sink work such as loading the DW (if you don't pre-rinse your dishes - and you shouldn't be), unloading the DW, clearing the counters & table, wiping down the counters & table, and sweeping up at the end of the day. [Cleanup Zone] 10% is spent cooking - stirring, adding ingredients, watching food cook [Cooking Zone] Based on the above, it makes the most sense to have the Prep Zone in the best spot - whether for the view or for visiting, whichever you prefer - not the Cleanup Zone. When the most logical place for the Prep Zone is next to the cleanup sink, then it might make some sense to put the sink under the window, but I'd rather have the workspace under the window than the sink - unless you can align the sink with one side of the window and have the workspace under the window as well. I would definitely not sacrifice functionality just to have a window above the cleanup sink! Another consideration is that with all the window space and the relatively small size of your Kitchen, a 54" range (or 55") is going to not only overwhelm the space, but it will look out of place - at least in my opinion. (All the angled walls limit your usable space, so in effect, you have a relatively small Kitchen.) I strongly recommend reducing your range to a 39" wide Lacanche. That's an ample size for even the most avid cook! . Other comments: If you move the W/D out of the garage entry, I would create a Mudroom and, possibly, overflow pantry (or the only pantry - see next comment). Without a connection to the DR, there's no point to creating a "butler's pantry" there - it will seem like you plopped it down there just b/c you wanted one, not b/c it made functional sense. . "Unfortunately the closet corner is load bearing and I'm not willing to get into that." Why are you not willing to "get into that"? Cost? If so, you could use the $$$$ you save by going with a 39" range instead of a 55"! Move the Pantry to the Mudroom area - it makes just as much sense there b/c it's where groceries will be coming into the home (from the garage) and it's still easily accessed from the Kitchen. Then, eliminate that closet altogether and expand the Kitchen in that direction. . 39" Lacanche example: Cluny https://www.frenchranges.com/product/cluny/...See MoreHelp appreciated on kitchen remodel!
Comments (3)It is a duplicate thread. But since you didn’t like the honest advice you received in your earlier post, I will add my honest thoughts. The maple corner cabinet looks unplanned, a mistake in ordering or an attempt to “make do” with salvaged cabinets. It looks like you ran out of money to paint the one cabinet. The style doesn’t match or compliment the glass fronted cabinets. Before you get angry with me, know I have mixed finishes in my kitchen, but tiger maple over tiger maple, cherry over cherry, painted over painted. But yours stops the eye in a bad way. It looks like a $10 chrome yellow plastic necklace with a $4000 designer evening gown. I love the tile, but not for your style kitchen. I had discovered a blue handmade tile that I still dream about. But, it was out of place in my kitchen so I picked a backsplash that complimented the cabinets. If you listen closely, your kitchen will tell you what IT wants....See MoreB Reid
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