Seeking kitchen design input

hsh2012

3 years ago

Hi there
I am hoping to get input on my kitchen and pantry area. A few details here: I prefer to have an unobstructed island area (so no prep sink if possible). If I move the fridge to the opposite wall (to the right of sink), is that better for traffic flow? If I make this change, I will then shift the sink to the left and shift one window over to accommodate the fridge. Is the fridge now too far from the stove?

In the pantry area, I will have an extra fridge. Is that fridge in a terrible spot right now? All my counter appliances will also be stored and utilized in the pantry area to the right of the fridge. I am thinking of putting in the microwave here instead of by the island. Given I don’t have that much upper cabinets in the kitchen, I am going to store every day plates, cups, etc. in the island. Open to all suggestions! Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

mama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Of the two fridge location options, I'd prefer it on the right, but in either corner you will need some space to allow the fridge door to open far enough to access and remove the crisper drawers.

I think the fridge would be OK there--it looks as if it's a step outside of the max NKBA recommended distance from the range (9'), but it doesn't intersect the island corner by more than 12".

You really should reconsider a prep sink on the island. You could have the prep zone there, with a separate clean-up zone. As your layout is drawn, with fridge moved to the right, the clean-up zone is in the middle, making it difficult for helpers to load or unload the DW if you're moving from range to fridge for items to be prepped. If you store dishes in drawers on the island, facing the DW that will allow helpers to unload the DW or gather dishes to set the table, without entering the prep zone. MW drawer could go to the left of the trash pull-out.

Even with the zone-crossing, I'd still put the fridge to the right, where others can access it without entering the work spaces.

ETA, prep sink layout:

What use do you plan for the sink in the pantry? Is that also a food prep area?

The seating overhang doesn't appear deep enough--the NKBA recommends 15" minimum for comfort at counter height.

NKBA guidelines
hsh2012
Original Author
3 years ago
@mama goose_gw zn6OH - Thank you!. The pantry sink would allow for a 2nd area to prep food and hide any mess when we have guests over. On that note, do you suggest any changes in that section? Should I move the 2nd fridge across from the sink and put a wall of pantry shelves to the left of fridge instead? That way it will allow more clearance for fridge doors? Thanks for suggestions! This is really helpful.
Related Discussions
Seeking input on kitchen design - appliances
Q
Comments (0)
Thanks for all the feedback on the combination of original wood floors with glazed kitchen cabinets. We're now leaning toward Kraftmaid maple cabinets with a hazelnut finish. Now...the important part...layout of kitchen. Finally have the plans back from the designer and not thrilled with the run that includes the kitchen sink, stove, and dishwasher. My current appliance layout is the same, so now the question is whether it is worth it to spend more to change either the placement of the stove or dishwasher. Also, we've decided to put the microwave above the stove to save space elsewhere in the kitchen, but I don't really like the way the upper cabinets look around the stove/microwave. The forum isn't letting me post more than one picture, so I'll post the entire kitchen layout in a separate posting. This picture is simply the layout of the appliances (one wall). Any input is appreciated!!!! Image link:
...See More
Seeking input on kitchen lay-out :-)
Q
Comments (11)
Funny how you feel that the banquette in Option 2 feels squished. That was my reaction to the banquette in Option 1. Here are images of banquettes up against islands (ignore the bad cook top placement in the 1st image): [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design [Eclectic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by Morristown Interior Designers & Decorators Marlene Wangenheim AKBD, CAPS, Allied Member ASID [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Suffolk Kitchen & Bath Designers Amy Birdsong [Mediterranean Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2109) by Saint Helena General Contractors Centric General Contractors [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Atlanta Interior Designers & Decorators Insidesign [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Birmingham Interior Designers & Decorators Jane Spencer Designs [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Bellaire Design-Build Firms Hann Builders
...See More
Kitchen layout and 3D drawing - seeking input
Q
Comments (16)
I think your plan looks great. I do think a prep sink would make it even better. This would make it easier for someone to prep while others are cleaning. This also gets your oven door down from the DW door so both can be open at the same time. However, this would mess up the symmetry of your windows. If, by chance, you don't really need the storage in those uppers, I would eliminate them or make them narrower and widen the windows. So, really, just thoughts to consider but your plan is nice as is. If you forego the prep sink, I hope your main sink is quite large. It's hard to tell but I'm guessing it's about 30" from the drawing. I think you would benefit by having a 36" sink which would allow for washing up on one side while someone preps on the other side. I wish I could advise you on the fridge/freezer issue. When my two kids were still living at home, we never had bigger than a 33" fridge/freezer, one of those dreaded side-by-sides. It fit enough for us along with the extra freezer in the garage. My DH, at age 60, still eats as much as two teenage boys so we probably had similar food storage needs. But, of course, we all cook different and store different foods so maybe our needs were quite different. What kind of fridge/freezer do you have and how does it work for you? I suggest you use that as your guide. I really like your entire floorplan a lot. It looks like it's going to be a very pleasant home to live in and will work great if you plan on aging-in-place in this home. I like there are is very little space "wasted" to hallways and the light you'll get in your main living spaces without the split bedrooms so common in today's plans. I just wonder if you might prefer having a little more space in the great room by taking a foot or two from the master bedroom like this. You still have plenty of space to walk in front of the bed and just think adding some width in the great room gives you a bit more breathing room there. Just a thought.
...See More
New home kitchen design, seeking input!
Q
Comments (11)
My wife normally does most of the cooking for our family but has friends who also enjoy cooking and will help out when over, so up to 3 people working in the kitchen at a time. Breakfast and lunch will likely be at island (we figured we could seat up to four there (three at outside edge and one just around the corner across from the entry to the pantry) dinner will be at the dining table which is just out of shot in the drawing but part of an open concept layout. In terms of types of cooking... a bit of everything really, stirfries, braises, roasts. She only bakes occasionally but has been known to make macarons, meringues, and other types of treats for teachers gifts/ parties, etc. (hence the preference for electric oven). We would go with a dual fuel range but that isn't a possibility with the BlueStar. We usually don't entertain large groups probably up to 12 at a time. We have a desk drawn in but during our site visit today we realized it's sort of puny and the kids will likely prefer to pull up to the island for homework rather than staring at the wall so we thought we would turn that area into a concealed storage for phone, mail, stationery, etc. In terms of the refrigeration, we figured a 36" fridge and 30" freezer would be adequate based on what we are currently using.... although feedback is helpful here as kids are still small. We do have a secondary fridge & deep freeze currently which could reside in the garage but we've also considered ditching those for a secondary fridge in the pantry just to keep the groceries central to the kitchen. My wife is the only coffee drinker in the house and we currently have a very compact Nespresso machine which serves the purpose, I don't think we need a dedicated breakfast bar/ coffee bar area. In terms of the range hood, there is a second floor but we've allocated space for the ventilation to pass through (behind a closet) to the roof with hopes of mounting the fan remotely to reduce noise. Thank you for the thorough questions!
...See More
hsh2012
Original Author
3 years ago
Sorry one more question, do you think it’s necessary to have a pantry door? Thanks
mama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years ago
The pantry looks OK. If your pantry fridge has a single reversible door, you can make it a left-to-right swing, then use the counter at the end of the range wall if you need landing space. I think the pocket door to the pantry is a good option--you can hide the mess when guests are expected, but leave the pantry open for easy access at other times.
hsh2012
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your input @mama goose_gw zn6OH. This was super helpful!
hsh2012
Original Author
3 years ago
If I decide not to do a prep sink, should I just keep the original layout as is? It seems if I move the frig to the right, it’s highly dependent on me adding a prep sink. The reason why I don’t like having a prep sink is that I find that you lose so much counter space and drawer space when you add a sink to the island. Thanks

Seeking kitchen design input

Comments (6)

mama goose_gw zn6OH

hsh2012
Original Author

Related Discussions

hsh2012
Original Author

mama goose_gw zn6OH

hsh2012
Original Author

hsh2012
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Seeking kitchen design input

Comments (6)

mama goose_gw zn6OH

hsh2012Original Author

Related Discussions

hsh2012Original Author

mama goose_gw zn6OH

hsh2012Original Author

hsh2012Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

hsh2012
Original Author

hsh2012
Original Author

hsh2012
Original Author

hsh2012
Original Author