Review Floorplan for a Custom Build

3 years ago

Hi All -

My family and I are in the process of designing a custom home, and I wanted to get feedback on the floorplan we've come up with before we get in too deep!

It will be a one-story home and we'd like to keep it around 3K sq ft. Some "must-haves" for me that defined the plan to date are:

1) Four bedrooms, two on each 'wing' of the home.

2) Kitchen sink overlooking a window

3) Wet bar/butler pantry type area to house an espresso machine

4) Large pantry with countertops

5) A library and a home office space

6) A breakfast nook area

I would love any feedback you guys have on the plan - but I do have these specific thoughts:

- I think we should flip powder room/Bedroom 2 Bath to be at the bottom, closer to the laundry area.

- Don't have any coat closets, and not sure where to stick them! Thoughts?

- Is the "cubbies" area deep enough to be useful?

- Does the fridge look strange where it is? Does it look like an efficient work zone setup?

- Is there enough storage? We will have a basement (unfinished) too but want to make sure everything has its place.

- Is the breakfast bench area large enough? Does it look strange where it is?

- Do I have space to make the island even longer?

- The entry to the dining room is closed off from the foyer to accommodate a console table/mirror. I can't find any 'inspiration' photos on Houzz similar to what we have sketched up so unsure if this is just strange to do!

- Are the rooms too cramped? Note: We will have a minimum 10' ceilings in all rooms.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Featured Answer

Mrs Pete

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

He would never ever use a banquette.

The banquette in the latest rendition is kind of a "half booth" in that it has a space-saving bench on one side /chairs on the other side. It's the best of both worlds, and I'd leave it "as is".

Where is your dryer venting? If it is to the outside wall ...

I'd place the machines against the exterior wall (as shown). This allows the shortest possible dryer vent. It's cheaper and more fire safe, and if you want to hear the story of the chipmunk who climbed up the ivy /died in my dryer vent, I'll be glad to share ... but here's the moral: we just about died of the smell and were very happy that we have the shortest possible dryer vent!

Are those stairs going up to an attic or down to a basement? If they're going up, be sure to harness the space underneath for storage ... could be interior shelves for the laundry OR in-garage shelves, but you're paying for that space, so be sure it's

The hallways are still long

The moms' hallway looks better because you've opened a spot on both sides of the fireplace. Yes, it's still long, but having two entrances is an improvement.

but now have some natural lighting.

Eh, still not great. I do think this is a very big deal.

The dining room is closer to the kitchen.

Big improvement.

Powder room moved to have a balance of toilets on both sides of the house.

This is a good idea, and I like that you "tucked the half bath into" the office. I didn't like the half bath as a sight line upon entering the library.

However, I'd flip-flop it and that small closet. Why? Moving the closet in the office won't matter, but placing the half bath on the exterior wall means you can have a small window over the toilet.

These nose-to-toes narrow half baths aren't the best in terms of function, especially for elderly people. Could you afford 2' more from the office to have a more comfortable half bath?

The last thought I have is on the closet in the office being split into two to make another linen closet accessible from the hallway

A shallow linen closet isn't a bad idea -- my father-in-law has one, and it's plenty functional. Another idea: Put a door on BOTH sides of the closet so it's accessible from the hallway OR the office. As your storage needs change over the years, your closet will always be "at the ready".

@Mrs Pete especially :)

Thanks, I try!

Some really like closet through bath and others find it very inconvenient.

I am pretty ambivalent about closets-in-bathrooms, but I think they work best when the door to the closet is near the bedroom door /doesn't require traversing the length of the bathroom. Consider bringing the closet closer to the bedroom door as shown below. (This closet is identical in size to the one you had drawn.

This means the bathroom can potentially have natural light from three sides -- how luxurious! I'd downsize to one sink; the vanity you had drawn has space to support two sinks ... but not enough to support two sinks AND any drawer storage. Drawer storage trumps repetitive sinks every time.

I also added a narrow shelf at the end of the bathroom hallway to serve as a focal point in this hallway.

This whole bedroom area could be reduced in size without losing any
function at all. Here's a condensed bathroom. The closet is changed in dimension but is still about the same size. I prefer this moderate-sized, more usable bathroom.

One more small thing: Look at the master bedroom door in the above-abaove pix. If you "back it up" into the hallway, you get a little entrance way to the master suite, and you don't have the door swing in the bedroom. Of course, it moves the linen closet into the master suite.

I know I was a huge proponent of letting the J&J bath be but now there is so much space dedicated to it and so many sinks it easily could just be two quite nice sized individual bathrooms.

In general, I'm the one saying, "Too many sinks!" Three sinks for two people? AND a half bath is steps away from their J&J? As it's drawn, each sink is needed, but I think you can do better.

Considering your specific needs, try this on for size: each mom gets a good-sized vanity /plenty of storage by the sink and toilet ... and they share a large shower. Showers are only used minutes a day, so this is a good cost-and-space saver. Both moms' bathrooms are on the exterior of the house /can have good windows.

i was thinking of a standing coat hanger thing in the foyer in lieu of a closet

We have a coat rack by our main entry door, and it's okay. When all the kids were still at home, the coat rack was always over-full. I think hooks on the wall, which could stretch out further, might be a better solution.

Regardless, we also use our coat closet (located so wisely way down the hall by the bedrooms) for out-of-season coat storage. You could fit a coat closet into the laundry room.

regarding the island - I don’t like the idea of eating in the middle of the kitchen. i really want a nook type area, just seems more cozy. our current breakfast table is smaller than the new design so I’m hoping it’s large enough. thank you for the feedback on that. I’ll keep it in mind.

With three women in the household, I like the idea of the nook. A cozy space for 1-2 people to sit while someone else is cooking. Nearby but out of the way.

Having said that, yeah, a little larger table would be nice.

i'm considering making the island L shape unless someone tells me its a horrible idea!

I'm iffy on the L-shape. It's okay. If you go this direction, I'd say no seating at the island. Do you really need work space here AND also inside the pantry?

I agree that the large empty space in the kitchen "needs something". How about this -- it's a big switch-up:

- Change the L-shaped kitchen into a long cabinet run + large island. This gives you a LARGE window over the sink. The island is the exact same size as your original one.

- Move the banquette to the blue spot. This keeps it near the kitchen but divides the big space into two moderate-sized spaces, making the walking space large-but-not-overly-large.

- This bumps the hallway, son's bathroom and son's bedroom to the right.

One other thing you may want to consider putting the laundry between your bedroom & your son's, just for privacy between bedrooms ;)

Disagree. You have a closet between the bedrooms, which provides a barrier. I like that the laundry room is a few steps closer to the main living area.

On the other hand, it would mean fewer steps between your own closet and laundry

On the subject of the son's bathroom, I'd adjust things so you can bump the door to the left. This makes several good things happen:

- He can enter the bedroom and be in the bathroom in fewer steps. A big deal? Maybe not, but when you have the choice, why not make it as ideal as possible?

- The bathroom door is no longer squished up by the head of the bed. This means he won't have to finagle by the nightstand to enter the bathroom door.

- Fast-forward 20-some odd years into the future: he will be married and will come home with a wife. You'll replace his small childhood bed with a queen-sized bed ... and you'll need the space on that wall for the wider bed and two nightstands. Note, too, that with a larger bed, the person sleeping on the far wide will be closer to the bathroom door /won't have to walk close to the other sleeper's head to enter the bathroom.

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Comments (78)

J D
Original Author
3 years ago
@Mrs Pete

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful feedback. Some responses:

- Good point on the shape of the home/roofline. I haven't had an exterior view of the home yet (in progress) so this may end up changing once I've seen the draft.

- The back of the home is west facing so in a way I don't want too many windows - but I will give this more thought. I am considering possibly adding skylights - will be discussing with designer.

- Definitely will be using the outdoor fireplace. I saw this design at another persons house and it seemed to work well.

- The library is a shared space for the family for prayer and reading. We try to do prayer as a family when possible. I imagine the wall that is shared with the bedroom to have built-ins, and minimal furniture as we need open floor space for prayer (we are Muslim in case anyone is confused why we need open floor room and a dedicated space to pray lol).

- MIL is a minimalist and lives here only part-time, but my mom does have more clothes. However, the closets and room sizes are bigger than what they currently have so hope it will work. Both moms already stay with us so we've already sorted out the stuff they had to bring once they moved in. Their philosophy is a room is to sleep only, so any other things they'd like to do would be in the main areas of the home.

- I do plan to zone the A/C system since they like temperatures a lot warmer than I do! Regarding resale, I think potential home buyers may like the idea of a J&J, but I do have thoughts about the 'guest suite' aka bedroom 2 being too close to the master as you also pointed out. Possibly will put the laundry space in between as a buffer. I don't think we'd ever rent out.

- Moms are very mobile now and God-willing will be that way for a long time. For future consideration, I've made all the doors wheelchair accessible. I do the laundry so location of the room should be fine.

- Moms definitely do NOT want their own entrance. Maybe is a cultural difference but I think making their side of the house have their own seperate entry, etc would make them feel unwelcomed in a way? As mentioned before, they already live with us, so that hard adjustment they had to make has happened. I try my best to make them feel welcome and that this is their home too. My MIL basically owns the kitchen space when she's here, and my mom would love a dedicated space for prayer - so I think they will be happy in our new space.

- We will have an unfinished basement which I'm thinking of using for seasonal storage. I would like a coat closet too but I can't seem to find a good spot for it. Ideas?

- I plan on the office being a beautiful place for him to work! No clients thankfully!

- Agree that furniture needs more thought. Good thought on the desk too - I'll see what my husband thinks. It wouldn't be for a computer or anything, more of a decorative place. See attached inspiration pic.

- Our current dining room is only used for larger family dinners once every few weeks, and when we have guests. I plan on that staying true going forward. Hence why I wanted a beautiful nook area for our daily eating of all meals. I need to see how I can make this work..

- Agree about the long hallways. I will think about this more.

- I do want a powder room, but agree it could potentially be on the other side of the house. Need to think on this..
J D
Original Author
3 years ago

forgot to add the desk inspiration!
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WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
I really like a lot of the new changes to be honest. I think your living room will get tons of beautiful light. We also have a covered porch and then windows in and it is awesome. No complaints on light at all.

Overall great improvements but I would wait to see the exterior for sure. I would in fact really push for that as they are so intertwined. I'm surprised you haven't been shown it yet.
J D thanked WestCoast Hopeful
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
I am really stressing out on the length of the hallways now. I've looked at so many one story floor plans for inspiration and I just don't like the feel of them. This is a very tough process!
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
The hallways are long but you are also creating defined spaces that work for your unique family needs. So they are somewhat inevitable I would assume...
PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
3 years ago
What's the Vegas line on plans marked:
"NOT FOR HOUZZ REVIEW"
K H
3 years ago
I love the thoughtfulness you have put into this plan. One thing I would rethink are the pocket doors into the jack and jill. Pocket doors are a pain. I would eliminate them and put in regular doors.
Mrs Pete
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The library is a shared space for the family for prayer and reading.

Got it -- I like that you have definite ideas about why you want that space. Spaces that're planned are spaces that'll be used.

I suggest you take it a step further: make a list for every room -- every activity that room will host and everything you expect to store in that room. That'll allow you to move forward KNOWING that you've made good plans.

But -- in this particular instance -- I was suggesting that you have one large space for the family to gather AND one smaller room where people can be separate. Can the library handle the prayer /reading AND ALSO BE a secondary, smaller "away space" for 1-2 people to escape the family and have some quiet time?

I imagine the wall that is shared with the bedroom to have built-ins

Will these built-ins include a TV? If so, consider sound going through that wall.

Their philosophy is a room is to sleep only, so any other things they'd like to do would be in the main areas of the home.

That's my philosophy too -- well, sleep and clothing storage. But it isn't everyone's philosophy, so that's why I brought it up. Your house isn't a typical family house -- your needs area different.

I do plan to zone the A/C system since they like temperatures a lot warmer than I do!

I forgot that about my grandmother. In her last years -- she lived a whole century -- she wore turtlenecks in July. You can "plan smart" by putting their rooms at the back of the house -- to the West -- and harness natural heat.

I don't think we'd ever rent out.

But building so that you COULD gives you flexibility /makes you future-proof. As I said, the apartments in my mom and my uncle's houses have been used for a multitude of things. A separate space could be for your son when he's a young adult, or perhaps you'd one day have a niece or nephew who comes to live with you, or renting might look good one day for reasons that you can't see today. Options are good.

Moms are very mobile now and God-willing will be that way for a long time. For future consideration, I've made all the doors wheelchair accessible.

If they're not in wheelchairs now, permanent wheelchairs are fairly unlikely because of normal aging. Walkers, on the other hand are likely.

Things that helped my grandmother tremendously: At first she used a walker only when she went out ... so having a spot in the garage to store it worked well. Then she needed it inside and outside ... so she started keeping one walker inside the house /another in the garage, and she only had to transfer herself in/out of the house. Definitely plan a place by the door where a walker can be stored.

I do the laundry so location of the room should be fine.

Do consider that these things can change over time. Will you ALWAYS do laundry? Will you ALWAYS be able to do it for the whole family? The point: Don't assume that your family will always do what you're doing right now. Make choices that give you flexibility.

Moms definitely do NOT want their own entrance. Maybe is a cultural difference

Huh. Maybe it is a cultural thing because I can't relate to this. When I went to my grandmother's apartment (on the side of my uncle's house), we all considered it convenient to be able to go straight into her part of the house -- especially if it was a work day, and I knew my aunt and uncle would be busy /might not have time to visit with me.

My MIL basically owns the kitchen space when she's here, and my mom would love a dedicated space for prayer - so I think they will be happy in our new space.

Sounds like you have talked to them /included them in the process. That's good.

I would like a coat closet too but I can't seem to find a good spot for it. Ideas?

Yes, "bite into" the office. Build in two small closets flanking the office door. This will also "recess" the door, making the office feel more private.

Our current dining room is only used for larger family dinners once every few weeks, and when we have guests.

Doesn't matter how often it's used -- you want it to be convenient when you do use it. And at this point, you'd have to walk past one table to set the dining room table. I don't see that happening -- most people would just use the closer table.

On that subject, how do you serve food? Would you want space to set out buffets /pot luck? Or would you plate in the kitchen and take the food into the dining room? Would you want a place to set out drinks? desserts? Think this through when you're planning the kitchen.

Agree about the long hallways. I will think about this more.

And dark. The house doesn't have great "flow" overall, and long hallways are a part of this. I think if you simplify the overall shape of the house and look into an L-shape, things will fall out better. Are you dead-set on a single story house? This might fall into place nicely if you put the moms downstairs /your master and your son's bedroom upstairs -- then, sometime in the future when you're older yourself, you'd move into what's now the moms-rooms.
J D thanked Mrs Pete
lookintomyeyes83
3 years ago
You said your husband won't use the computer much, but if he works from home for long hours, consider moving the bathroom closer, or creating a 'short cut' access for him. My sister works from home, and for long hours....being able to make a 'quick dash' to the bathroom was #1 on her wishlist!
J D thanked lookintomyeyes83
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
Why rethink just the pocket doors into the jack and jill bathroom when you can rethink the jack and jill bathroom.
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
Mark, I believe the moms who would use the space have approved the J&J set up. I think it was earlier up the thread
loobab
3 years ago
A banquette with two elderly ladies is a huuuge mistake.

Just get a proper table with chairs. They are way easier to get in and out of.

And skip the counter chairs. It will be better for family conversation anyway.

You will be a two car family.

Do you really plan for your son to not learn how to drive and to not get a car?

So please make the garage larger so you learning to drive son doesn't clip the other car and you have enough storage for your other things.

Or you can in addition build a shed.

Regarding the Moms bathroom, to have a door to their toilet room is absurd!

If they are using a cane, having to open a door to use a toilet can cause them to lose their balance, and if they using a walker or a wheelchair, it is an impossibility.

Not to mention, when they are old, they will have trouble cleaning themselves, and then they are touching the door knob and door without washing their hands first. Disgusting!!

And make the shower large and barrier free.

You really can have one sink in their bathroom and reconfigure the bathroom to have room for a big barrier-free shower and bathroom.

They are not married, and they are not teen girls.

Do they really want to floss and spit in front of each other?

Also, if you plan on having your M and MIL stay in your home for the long run, I would make the doors to their bedrooms and bathroom wider (so as to accommodate wheelchairs) and I would put in grab bars in the shower and bathroom.

Please study barrier-free or at least aging in place design for their bathroom.

That dining room sure looks small.

Are you really only ever going to never have more than 8 people for dinner?

Don't forget to add in 3 feet on either end for a walkway plus the dimensions of your buffet.
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
loobab some of your comments are so condescending and rude. Did you even read the thread? So many assumption made and lack of cultural awareness too.

The child who you claim will need a second car to drive is 2!
loobab
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Yes I read the thread, did you?

What lack of cultural awareness?

Does your culture not have E. coli?

Publish away.

Children do grow, you know.

Maybe you are not culturally aware if you think people design their dream house and then are going to get another house by the time their child reaches adolescence.
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
My kids are 12,11,8 and I planned zero spaces for their future cars.

In this thread the OP has commented several times about the needs and wishes of the mother and mother in law. They have referenced certain decisions as likely being cultural.

Just because this home is different than your family would want doesn’t make it bad.
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
I have no plans for a new house as my kids reach adolescence. They will survive just fine with whatever garage we have and whatever transportation we have. We are a family of five currently doing just fine with one car on the road. Not every family needs multiple cars.

Many people have multigenerational homes where people have someone defined individual spaces and then shared spaces. It seems far outside the American norm but well within the world norms. Many people also share bathrooms among many and manage to avoid illness just fine.
loobab
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Who said it is bad?

Nothing I wrote about had anything to do with the religious considerations of the OP.

Check your reading comprehension.

The OP said the Moms assented to the J & J baths.

The OP didn't say anything about the door to the toilet.

Is a door to a toilet culturally relevant, madame soup du jour, since you think you know everything about everyone's culture?

Is a barrier free shower culturally relevant?

Is a larger garage culturally relevant?

You need to stick to decaff, because you get upset about absolutely nothing.
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
Have said zero about religious considerations...check your reading comprehension
loobab
3 years ago
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
I will happily be wrong on this one. I read your comments as super inflammatory and not needed. I read them as full of assumption and a lack of understanding and openness. I fully admit that is how I read them and I will happily eat my words of OP sees your words as accurate and relevant.
loobab
3 years ago
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
Oh internet. Gotta love the maturity level.
Mrs Pete
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
A banquette with two elderly ladies is a huuuge mistake.

I've talked about my grandmother a number of times on this and similar threads: as she approached 100 years old, she could get in/out of booths at restaurants -- she was slow but capable.

Consider, too, that you can create a banquette so that you have chairs on one side of the table.

Many people also share bathrooms among many and manage to avoid illness just fine.

I think the point was the need for a sink next to the toilet -- not through a doorway. I do agree that is a better set-up.

The OP said the Moms assented to the J & J baths.

And she's going to check with them again. I'd lean towards two separate bathrooms in this situation, but -- regardless -- I think the OP has the necessary information and will find the right path for the family.

Not every family needs multiple cars.

And not every car needs a garage.

I read your comments as super inflammatory and not needed.

I read them the same way -- not so much the concepts as the wording.
K H
3 years ago
Wasn't trying to make the jack and jill bath a hit zone. I think it is very practical in this situation I just think a normal door functions better and more easily than a pocket door!
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I drew up a sketch taking in some of the feedback I've received. Thoughts?

notable changes:

1) I bumped out the wall for the sliding glass (red line) and made that wall straight across to the kitchen area too. There would now also be a hallway to bedroom #3 which would hopefully get some natural light from the sliding door opening.

2) I moved the powder room to the front of the home and opened up the library and made the room a little bigger. Because the library is vaulted, I think the powder room ceiling may be asymmetrical but I think that would look nice. I shifted the front of the house so that the dining room opening lines up to the butler pantry area.

3) On the right side of the house, I added a coat closet to where the powder room previously was and widened son's bath. I also deepened his room expanding the hallway to add a window right near the master bedroom opening. I think the slight length increase would be negated with the natural light coming in (I hope?).
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
Just caught up on the thread.. wow, the J&J is a real hot topic! I haven't edited the drawing based on that - still am taking in the thoughts you all have on this!
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I have had only one cup of coffee so I think I can be civil and friendly this morning. :)

I want to chime in on the banquette. I am only 65 and fairly hale and hearty but DH is the same age and not so H & H. He would never ever use a banquette. As he ages further his physical infirmities will only worsen. At restaurants, he will demand to NOT be seated at a booth, high top table, or barstool.

Another thing - I’m kind of clumsy and have broken several limbs. I can tell you any steps INTO a house pose difficulty, especially if one uses a walker or wheelchair.
doods
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Give your Mom her OWN bathroom, she will very much appreciate it, believe me. She will not tell you that cause she is looking to make things easier for her child, that's you by the way, even though you are now an adult you are still her child. Not speaking as a pro, just as a senior Mom :)
D M PNW
3 years ago
Where is your dryer venting? If it is to the outside wall it will cause the units to be farther from the wall making the space very tight when there are laundry baskets there. Flipping the closet and bathrooms on bedroom 2 is a good idea to keep the toilet off the master bedroom wall.
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Here is the latest revision - would appreciate thoughts. The hallways are still long but now have some natural lighting. The kitchen banquette is back because I like it, and there are chairs for those that might find it hard to get in and out of. The J&J is still there (was discussed at length with the moms!!!!) - but is configured to give them each a private dressing space. The pocket vs. swing door is still an ongoing discussion but doesn't impact the layout much. Basement stairs are moved and now the porch has fresh air from all sides. The dining room is closer to the kitchen. Garage is wide and deep. Powder room moved to have a balance of toilets on both sides of the house.

The last thought I have is on the closet in the office being split into two to make another linen closet accessible from the hallway.. but that's a small thing. Any other feedback from this helpful bunch? @Mrs Pete especially :)
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
I know I was a huge proponent of letting the J&J bath be but now there is so much space dedicated to it and so many sinks it easily could just be two quite nice sized individual bathrooms.

What will you use the 12x10 big area off the kitchen for?

Do you need a closet near entry at all?

For using the master bath and closet think about how often you or your partner may want to be getting to the closet while the other is in the bathroom. Some really like closet through bath and others find it very inconvenient.
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
@A S thanks for the feedback.

the closet in the master bath will work out for us - we have it configured that way in our home today and have no issues. i was thinking of a standing coat hanger thing in the foyer in lieu of a closet.

the 12x10 area is a concern of mine because im not used to so much open space, and i wonder if its too much. most of the time i see this space being utilized with a dining area (which is how i had it in one iteration) but i'm not fond of that either. thoughts on how can i keep my enormous pantry and banquette and minimize that space?
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
This pic I just found kind of helps me visualize having a large space between couch and island..

Flower Mound Transitional Modern · More Info
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
Do you have a door, other than car garage door, to get into the garage? We enjoy having that access point.

How will your family normally enter the home? Only via garage?
PRO
Sharon Brindley Designs
3 years ago
Overall - it’s a good design:

The breakfast nook is too small - 6 ft wide for a table and 2 banquettes is too tight. Why not square off that wall and centre the window with the kitchen sink? You could have a whole wall of windows on that wall with views to your garden. You have enough room to lengthen the island and I would recommend eating breakfast at the island - you could do part of the countertop on the island at table height if that’s more favourable to you than counter height stools.
J D thanked Sharon Brindley Designs
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
here's another thought we had this morning on how to fill the space - an L shape island. my husband enjoys baking bread so we thought he could have his own extension of the island with all of his baking stuff. for example, a rev-a-shelf KitchenAid mixer thing in the bottom cabinet and whatever other tools he uses for his baking.

Is the L-shape a good use of the space, or does it now look cluttered? Does anyone have examples of a countertop with mixed materials? I'd imagine "my side" of the island would be quartz, and his side butcher block. Is two-tone crazy?

kitchen color theme will be black, white, and wood. the wall of windows will be black interior with grids.

usually people have an "L-shape" island to define the kitchen space from the living room, and ours is sort of an inverse, so I don't know if its just silly. honest opinions please!
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We plan to enter through garage. Only one door to there which I think is fine. I’ve seen some ideas where there is a cubby hole from garage to pantry but I couldn’t make the plan work out for that. However the garage isn’t too far from kitchen and pantry so it should be fine? what is it about having multiple entries to the garage that you enjoy?

regarding the island - I don’t like the idea of eating in the middle of the kitchen. i really want a nook type area, just seems more cozy. our current breakfast table is smaller than the new design so I’m hoping it’s large enough. thank you for the feedback on that. I’ll keep it in mind.

even if we keep the nook as it is, what are thoughts on having the window Wall in kitchen extend all the way across? right now there is a gap by the nook area. I’m having trouble envisioning it
anj_p
3 years ago
The comment about the door to the garage was about a man door (door outside), not another door into your house, which come in very handy for accessing the garage for gardening etc. without needing to open the garage door.
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
oh i understand now about the garage door. that is a good idea. i can add a door to the side of the garage for direct access outside without opening the double garage door.
PRO
Sharon Brindley Designs
3 years ago
Regarding extending the kitchen window wall, I was suggesting instead of the bump out for the nook, making the wall straight - so the exterior nook wall would extend the full width of the kitchen - making the kitchen bigger and giving you lots of room to lengthen the island. However - if you definitely prefer a nook, make the nook wider - 6ft is very tight to slide in on a banquette. Try taping out the space on a floor with painters tape - tape off the table and banquette measurements and see if you’re comfortable with the size and how it will function. You have a good sized kitchen so you could take a few inches off the width of the sink wall. Even with the nook, you still have room to lengthen your island (you only need between 42” and 48” walkway between cabinets). Lastly, if possible, invest in a counter depth fridge.
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
hi @Sharon Brindley Designs - are you looking at the latest version of the plan? I think some of your comments may be applicable to the first iteration i posted - but i may be mistaken. this is the latest idea for the kitchen. the fridge is counter depth (across from prep sink). i'm considering making the island L shape unless someone tells me its a horrible idea!
anj_p
3 years ago
I think the L shape would be a good idea as long as you're OK with L shaped seating (might be tight in the corner). More than 2 people sitting at the island would feel awkward. Two tone island IMO is fine. If you're planning on using it for baking, you may want to drop it to table height? I'm not much of a baker but I always feel that rolling out dough etc. is easier at a lower table. I also assume you'd want the cabinets on the inside, not outside? Your other option would be to leave the island as-is, and change the entry to the pantry to within the butler's pantry, then use that wall for a baking area (possibly even adding a stub wall similar to the banquette side). You'd have to change one side of your pantry to shallow shelves and would lose some cabinet space though.
J D thanked anj_p
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
thanks @anj_p! i dont foresee us ever using the island for seating. we haven't in the 6 years that we've lived in our current house that also has an island and stools. at the max, my toddler may use his kitchen helper stand to 'help' us with cooking. good idea on lowering the height of the baking section of the island.
anj_p
3 years ago
Oh I just saw the space for seating and figured you wanted it! If you won't sit there, I would definitely consider a lower height.

One other thing you may want to consider putting the laundry between your bedroom & your son's, just for privacy between bedrooms ;)
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
JD if you aren’t going to have seating I feel like the space will feel very unfinished. A small banquet, large open area and no seating near island.
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
@A S - that is why i'm considering making the island L-shape to use up some of that open space. the island is for food/baking prep, not seating.
WestCoast Hopeful
3 years ago
Do you entertain often or at all? It’s just a lot of space allocated to kitchen with no spaces for guests. Many people who opt for open concept enjoy sharing the space with guests while those who prefer to keep the kitchen as a work space keep in removed from where guests would be. It sort of sounds like you are trying to straddle both?
PRO
Sharon Brindley Designs
3 years ago
Hi JD - I liked the original design with a few tweaks - if you go with an L-shape island it won’t look as good when viewed from the living room - it all depends on the way you live and entertain - I think the original kitchen design was pretty good with the exception of the nook being too small to be comfortably functional. I liked your nook idea.
J D
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for the feedback. I will be making some of the changes suggested such as flipping my son's bathroom so that the tub is near the wall and the door is away from the head of the bed, as well as adding a 'man door' to the garage.

I've edited the kitchen a bit to add some cabinetry/desk/beverage fridge to the long 10' wall outside of the pantry and making the door into the pantry hidden. The island is also L shaped to add some work surface for baking.

The last consideration I have for the kitchen is about the windows. Should I have windows between the nook and sink area? And should I have an upper corner cabinet (top right corner) or extend the windows all the way to the right? I can't decide which look I like best.