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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Layout dilemma-esp. for those with kitchen islands of all shapes!

4 years ago

Back a year or more ago when I started coming up with new kitchen design I thought I wanted an odd shaped island to fit my space best. There is a corner wall that I have to work around. Contractors convinced me that a regular one was probably best and that's what I ended up going with for our plans.

However, now that my space is open and I have a vision (in my head, it's completely empty) and tape on the floor I think I like the idea of a larger counterspace. But it makes my island fairly irregularly shaped and cuts out some floor space (but not a walkway). See picture below. Does anyone regret going with a larger island? It costs some more-but it gives me an extra cabinet, an extra stool, pushes seated person a bit further from sink, and more counter space at corner of island and across from the fridge (easier for two people to work there as well). We are a family of five. My kids are all under ten but they will be bigger before I know it.

Original option is 24 inch deep (cabinet underneath) plus 12 inch overhang for seating (still planning to curve out a bit in the middle-17 inches in center). Second option is to add a cabinet to one side and have 39 inches of counter plus 10 inch overhang curving out then diagonally down to other side (where there is a 8 inch overhang on very end). The length of the island is 106" total in case you're wondering and we will not have any posts under seating for either option (will use cabinet and/or steel bar). Photos in next post!

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Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

4 years ago

Photos didn't post. Add them in the comments

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Comments (14)

lindso1212
Original Author
4 years ago
I realize this pics are pretty bad but you get the point.
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Layout advice, please - L-shaped kitchen with island
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I'd really keep the corner pantry as a closet -- Much more usable shelf space, and a significant cost savings over a cabinetry version. (Doesn't hurt to ask your builder though, since if your cabinets are site-built, that might not be true.) If possible, have adjustable-height shelves on ALL of the available wall space, even though some would be narrow. In a pantry, even 6" deep shelves are VERY useful. For your pantry doors, I'd go with two narrow 'French doors' rather than the larger single. It's more gracious, more interesting, and IMO, a bit more practical since it won't block aisles. The fridge aisle has been covered -- necessary change. Either shring the aisle or scoot the island into the nook. And don't worry too much about lining up your sink and range. The only time the offset would show is when you were standing dead-on straight to the range and obsessing about it. And setting your faucet to one side would effectively camoflauge any offset anyway. I'd agree with the idea to expand your kitchen into the nook, because the existing kitchen space just seems too small for the rest of the house. Maybe a nice hutch-style piece with dish storage and serving pieces on top, linens and ugly stuff down below? Then a really cute but comfortable 'bistro' table and two chairs in front. Someting cozy and intimate. Keep your decorating style the same in both rooms and make it a gracious eat-in kitchen instead of a separate breakfast room. For your dining room, I totally agree about ditching the angle and squaring it off. It'll be so much more furniture friendly, and it's not a large room to begin with...
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Thanks Deb and rhome, I am not really having fun right now, sorry. I would be, without a question, but I am not finding my "perfect" layout and therefore we can't move on with the project. In the meantime we (or I because DH is "fine with any layout you pick") are under pressure to get it done and let the architect work on the changes to our original plan to accomodate it. Anyway, after reading about Buehl's troubles with the ventilation, we decided to check with the contractor right away before selecting the location for the range. Found out that our best choice would be to reuse the existing ductwork which means the range has to be againt the "back" wall. This leads us most likely to the drawing posted by rhome410 above. Now I am trying to visualize the flow. Refrigerator to prep.sink to range to either of the eating areas works fine. Island seating is close to the fridge which is great. A couple of things I am not sure about. How would it work for more than one cook? I think when I am cooking with a child or whoever, the idea is to socialize too, so both people would have to be somehow at the island. I guess this is possible if one person is using the oven or making a salad while the other is using the range. But I don't think the main sink would be used for cooking that often so it would be mostly dedicated to the cleanup. On one side, i really like not having a big sink on the island and having that "clean-up zone" clearly defined. But on the other hand, I am having second thoughts because I see a couple of issues: a) The "flow of dishes". The dishes are on the other end from the island seating and the fridge, so if one of my two kids wants a glass of milk, they have to get a glass from that cabinet, get the milk from the fridge, then after they are done, they need to put the milk back and then walk to the main sink with the glass. I am wondering if they would do that or if their dishes would always end up in the prep sink. b)The main sink is close to the dining table so when we change plates during a dinner party, the dirty plates are right there, almost in plain view. I was hoping to keep this area "pretty looking". My other option would be to switch the sinks or just have a sink-and-a-half in the island, but I think the seating would have to be along the back side then, which is a little crowded in the walkway and also would eliminate the raised cabinet which again infringes on my idea of no mess being visible from the dining area. Bar seating would solve the last one but we don't want it because of the kids and older relatives coming to visit. So I am stuck again. I hope this post isn't too long to read through. Let me know what you think and what would your choice be? annab6
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I would not close off the current entrance. There have been many threads on this forum from people trying to figure out what to do with their corners. If you decide to go with the 'L', I would not angle anything in the corner, as it is a huge waste of space. I think that the 'L' also makes the kitchen look smaller than it really is with the tall items crowding the range. I like the entrance there as it allows the kitchen to breathe. Functionally, I think it makes more sense to 'zone' your kitchen and put food storage together on the shorter wall to the right of your entrance. I would flank the refrigerator with pantries or pullouts and place a MW drawer across the aisle on the short end of island. Although it sounds like a great idea to have the frig near the dining space, it is not necessary. I had that in my previous kitchen, and there was just too much going on in the same space with my cooktop. Snackers can then get to the refrigerator and MW without traipsing through your cooking zone. It's also less steps when putting groceries away. I would use a range and as many drawers as possible on the long wall for all of your cooking needs. By eliminating the refrigerator and double ovens you would have a very spacious look and a tremendous amount of storage and prep space. Dirty plates will be coming from your dining space, so I like the DW on that end of the island, with dish and cutlery storage either across from or next to the DW, making it easy for someone to set the table without getting in your way at the range. I would also extend the island and make it as long as the range wall.
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This is how I was imagining the bathroom/closet/mudroom area, although without exact measurements I'm not sure it will all fit. I included the coffee/bar to ease some of the activity in the kitchen, since all appliances have moved to that side. Back to back with the bathroom, it could also contain a small sink.
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lindso1212
Original Author
4 years ago
Need to decide if I want to switch to this asap.
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
4 years ago
I think you need to work with a kitchen designer. IMO the plan is pretty rough regardless of the island shape. There are way too many traffic paths cutting through. I do think the odd shaped island isn't great though. While you gain a bit more countertop space it's not worth losing the floor space. Odd shaped islands also tend to read more "dated" which will hurt resale value.

If you posted an entire floor plan of your home we might be able to help more.
jean9216
4 years ago
It is your kitchen and your money so do what you want...not what is easiest for the contractors. On the other hand, I would prefer the look of the first drawing or would you consider doing an L-shaped island and bump a portion of it into that other space?
mama goose_gw zn6OH
4 years ago
If you do an 8' (plus overhangs) island, with a 24" cabinet on the back side, you will still have space for three seats:
vinmarks
4 years ago
Neither is good. You need at least 15 inches overhang for comfortable counter height seating. Forget the curved island. It looks dated.
lindso1212
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
@vinmarks do you work with kitchens often? Would you recommend rectangle then with 15 inch overhang? I could do that and still have almost 4' (maybe 44 inches) from counter to wall where corner is.

Thanks for all the advice. I do think rectangle looks better in general, but I was thinking I like the idea of not sitting in a straight line and possibly it helping with corner issue. And I'm updating all the countertops, backsplash, colors, etc. but I guess a rounded island could still read dated.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
IMO an island needs to lie up with something and that one doesn’t. There is no walkway the right size in the new and “improved” Your scale is all off for the stools and the walk behind them.
lindso1212
Original Author
4 years ago
@Patricia, yes I just randomly drew some stools to get an idea -I just don't have a better drawing as I'm trying to change last minute. Walkways- are 46" on all sides, I think 48" to table. What do you say is correct walkway. I've always read 36-52. And most people I've talked to say 42" is plenty....
K R
4 years ago
No to curved island. Mine is 100” long and 36” wide, with only a 12” overhang. We have 4 barstools here, though usually only 2 of us sit here at a time or just our teenager (who’s 6’ and fits fine). A lot of people get all bent out of shape about smaller seating area but in the grand scheme of things, it works fine and looks fine. Would I have a family of 4 sit here for dinner every night? No, probably not, but we have a kitchen table and a dining room table available for that. As far as resale value and just aesthetics the island looks good and seating is available.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
4 years ago
I think the confusion came from the scale of your drawing, posted without measurements--at least it was for me. If the red line is 44", then it's at the NKBA minimum for a walkway behind seating, and should be OK.
Lorna
4 years ago
My eye wants the island to be the same length as the stove wall and lined up with it. How much space is there between the fridge wall and the island if you scootch it to line up with the stove?
Lorna
4 years ago
Gah! Didn’t look at the date sorry. Did you find a good solution?

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