If this kitchen is still in the planning stages, you have time to make some needed changes. The first thing that jumps out at me is the powder room opening directly into the kitchen, which is a really awkward and unattractive feature. Your instinct about the peninsula and back doors is correct--there is not enough room and you have a sitting area around the peninsula essentially in a walkway.

What is that space outside the "garden window"? Doesn't look like you are going to have much of a view beyond the wall of whatever structure is opposite the kitchen. Is this room already existing or are you adding on? Honestly, the entire room is not optimal, and if that were my home, I'd have the architect start over.

It sounds like this is already framed- why not just switch it out for a table? You refer to it as a peninsula which makes it sound like cabinets and stone counters? A small table is more comfortable to sit at and can be moved depending on traffic.

IMO architects should never design kitchens in my experience they are usually very bad at it. Garden windows are a PITA to clean and no to any bathroom opening into a kitchen Get a good independant KD and get this done right. IMO with the DR so close to the kitchen I would forgo the peninsula and get a much nicer layout for the kitchen I never like passing the cooking area to get from the fridge to the sink either.I do agree the whole space looks like an after thought.

likely some constraints w type of older residence. I would build an anteroom in front of half bath. place stackable washer dryer there and some vertical storage in this new space. remove pantry and fridge from that spot. build a banquette in that spot instead. the bathroom functions are now recessed furthur back behind a new little space so seating will actually work if you want it. the seating at the peninsula is inferior. The fridge range and sink must be worked into the one wall. but you can turn the corner to left of sink for a small side run as in L kitchens...place fridge there and move range and sink down as peninsula is gone now. . You can also use stair wall between kitchen and dining zone which is not utilized in your plan. Combine storage w /counter/coffee and hospitality section. Why don't you use this spot???? With removal of your peninsula you will have free flowing passage in from patio door and on to seating at banquette...no bathroom facility in view w new little chamber room. and you move some focus down to stair wall/dining zone which is a wider area and encompasses dining table venue w more possibilities.

I appreciate the thoughts. I live in a relatively narrow row house in an urban setting and space is a big challenge. Unfortunately, if I wanted an open concept of the dining room opening up to the kitchen, I could only put the powder room in the back of the house where it is located. It is not ideal for the bathroom door to be where it is, but row houses often have that problem in my area.

The windows are already framed and I’m at the point of trying to decide the kitchen layout so there is time/opportunity to change the layout of the cabinets and countertop. I thought a peninsula with barstools by the windows would provide good additional kitchen work space as well as a good space for my kids to often eat and do homework. As I mentioned I would not have any stool seating anywhere except the two stools in the back. I was worried if I made this a table it would always be moved and in the way. I also really, really loved the idea of barstool seating and didn’t want to give that up.

Do you see a way to keep the peninsula if I move it further away from the sliding doors?

The blue line in this picture represents the proposed edge of the countertop/overhang and measures about 40” from the back door.

Also, my husband very much wanted the garden window so we could grow a few things and we needed a window over the sink anyway. There is no view out that window - it just faces the wall of the next house. We will have to figure out how to clean it. I wanted to add as much lighting as I could along the back because we are otherwise constrained.

Here is a view of the proposed kitchen design. I will be eliminating the overhang on the interior so ignore that. The only overhang I would have is off the back at the sliding door.

I would eliminate the peninsula in front of the slider entirely. Extend the counter, with stools that can tuck beneath a portion of it, all the way to your back wall. (If you still insist on seating there.). What purpose is a greenhouse window over your sink if virtually no light will get to it? Sometimes we can’t always get what we want. You are constrained by the location of the exterior stairs. Must they be located there? Must you have a slider? Why not an atrium door with a fixed panel?

So I suppose I am even more confused. In my defense I was on my phone pre coffee so I didn't see the peninsula connected to the rest of the kitchen. Your 3d drawing shows a 24" cabinet base with the overhang to the inside of the kitchen, your architects drawing doesn't show where the cabinets are relative to the counters. If you really want the counter space I would reduce it to 24" deep and eliminate the cabinet under it, have the open end supported by a post or a panel... 40" is too narrow for the aisle with it being the door access, adding seating to the mix is crazy. I understand small urban kitchens and making concessions but you are spending a lot of money on this addition, I don't understand building a permanent barrier to your back yard access.

Hallett, if I reduce it to 24” and have no cabinets under it, what do you think about having backless barstools stored underneath if I ever wanted seating that I can move out of the way? Or do you think it’s better not to have the peninsula at all and extend the countertop as far pears the windows and maybe have one bar stool in the corner?

I am trying to find out if there is anyway to reverse the operational sliding door to the other side without interfering with my step plan. I would consider eating the cost of a new reversed door there if it let me keep my peninsula plan. I just don’t know if it’s possible. Assuming the door must open where it does, is it better to skip the peninsula entirely?

Move your peninsula in at least another 12 inches. The position in relation to the window is unimportant. Get the different door with the reversed slide, and figure out how to deal with the outdoor steps in the different position. Sell the door you already bought at a discount, or see if you can still return. Move your dishwasher to the left of your sink, for sure. You do not want the dishwasher in your prep space between your sink and stove. (Also, don’t bring your laundry into your kitchen. I don’t know where that suggestion came from.)

My laundry will remain upstairs. I’m not giving up limited space in the kitchen. I’m trying to find out if I can rework the steps outside. I don’t know if it’s even possible but it’s worth trying to find out. I don’t mind paying extra to fix that if we can. If I can’t reverse the door, I’m not sure moving up the peninsula solves the problem. I’m leaning against having a peninsula if I can’t change the door.

If I can change the door, I’ll definitely keep it and if there’s no door behind it anymore, is it fair to say I don’t even need extra clearance from where it is currently proposed?

40" is tight but could work if it is not a traffic path. Backless stools only and expect to be repainting the wall and trim a lot where the stools get pushed around. The DW between the sink and stove wouldn't bother me, I load the DW after cooking. I don't see where the trash can is located.

I wanted to let you all know that I found out that I can reverse the sliding door, such that the side behind the barstools will be the stationary side. I am so relieved!! With this in mind, how far away from the wall should I have the overhang end? Right now it’s 40“. Is that enough now that it’s not a passage/entrance and just one person has to potentially scoot behind one of the barstools to get to the other one?

And how much overhang should I aim for, knowing I want to be able to tuck in the stools with a back on them? I’m thinking an 18” overhang (with posts), especially since my husband is 6’2”...

I have a similarly sized kitchen in a SFH and am adding a short peninsula as part of a whole house remodel. I'd vote for keeping the peninsula at the back as long as you can put the operational side of the slider on the other side.

Otherwise extend the counter all the way to the far wall with space for backless stools underneath. The kids can perch there occasionally but you can also push the stools out of the way for backyard access. And you still get more counterspace.

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Fwiw your primary interest here should be maximizing useable work/counterspace, less about homework etc. As the kids get older they'll do that in their rooms anyway. I'm doing this overly expensive and complicated tweak to my galley kitchen 5 years after a reno because I opted for a banquette and table instead of a peninsula. In a small house, you don't need two tables for eating, you do need as much counterspace as possible!

Small old house, I completely agree with you!! If I could not have switched the door, I would have gone with the option you mentioned. You really have to work hard to make the most of these small houses. I have young kids right now who love to sit at barstools! I just wish I had caught my door issue sooner. I really wanted to keep the peninsula to maximize work space as you mentioned, and I’m so thrilled that it will be possible after all.

Yay for reversing door. I would not have any cabinets under the overhang.

Glad it worked out! Your windows are beautiful and I agree, the convenience of having kids nearby on counter stools is sometimes underrated here!

I meant to respond about the dishwasher needing to be where it is because I want the kitchen sink to correspond with the window above it. The dishwasher in its current location will work great for me. The trash cans are in the peninsula on the sink side of the kitchen. There is enough space for them to open there because the cabinet next to them faces the opposite direction into my dining room as you can see in the attached picture.

Hallett, my concern about having no cabinets under the back peninsula is that I would then need to have posts which I’m thinking could eat into the seating space - I’ve been told they are 3-4” each and that peninsula is only 57” long.

What do you think about me putting an 18” depth cabinet there (one facing inward toward the rest of the kitchen and the other one the back, accessible below the overhang), which would allow a 12” overhang off the back (Assuming I stick with a 30” peninsula depth where the counter edge ends 40” away from the back).

you still think I should reduce to 24” for 46” clearance? I was thinking 40” is enough based on the stationary door not being a passage way now...

Hallett, I think I’m going to go with no cabinets under the peninsula, as you suggested, since shallow cabinets might not be too helpful and it turns out anything more than a 10” overhang will require the posts anyway. By keeping the peninsula open underneath, I have maximum leg room when needed and flexible seating at the counter when needed.

I’m leaning toward keeping the peninsula counter as 30” wide and also keeping it under the window, as it was intended to be, with a 40” distance between the edge of the peninsula and the back wall.

Sound good? Any other thoughts for me on my layout?

Also, ptreckel, there is plenty of light on my garden window and everywhere toward the back of my house. I’m just limited on where I can put windows on my townhouse so trying to maximize the space.

Cantilevered granite will need support—but that doesn’t have to be in the form of posts at the corners. You can have metal bracing or brackets instead.

Thanks Muriel! I am doing quartz and I will inquire about the options with the fabricator!