Need help with kitchen layout

3 years ago

Hello. We've worked with an architect to come up with plans for renovating our kitchen/dining/living area, and adding on an addition. I'm happy with most aspects, but am feeling uneasy about a couple things. I'd welcome some input on the following:

- I've worked in a somewhat cramped u-shaped layout for 10 years, and like having just 2 steps between stove, sink, and fridge:

The new layout will take down the wall between the kitchen and living room, open up views to the deck and backyard, and add an island for some storage and a gathering place:

However, I can't seem to get over the niggling feeling that a couple parts of this design aren't so good.

- The refrigerator is 10-12 feet from the stove and sink. I know that's outside the 6' range for the traditional work triangle, and although it sounds like there are new ways of looking at this, I wonder if I'm going to hate this. Has anyone hated or not minded a layout like this?

I don't think I want a cooktop or sink in the island. The only other placement I can think of would be to put the refrigerator to the left of the counter and sink, protruding into the area labeled "window seat", but I wonder if that would look right because there will be a beam dividing those spaces visually.

- I feel the views to the back are being cut off by the refrigerator and pantry. One design had the dining room table in that corner (to the right of the French doors), and I liked it, but the island was turned the other way, meaning people sitting at it wouldn't be looking out the back. However, maybe that's the better option. The dining room table, with window seat on one end, could be under a window looking out on to the deck, and perhaps the work area and refrigerator could be side-by-side in the area currently labeled window seat.

Below is a SketchUp image of an slightly older version of the above:

I'd welcome any input/suggestions.

Thank you!

Norma

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Comments (4)

anj_p
3 years ago
Do you need double french doors outside?

Can you move plumbing?

The fridge isn't blocking your views because it's behind the pantry anyway.

If this were my kitchen, I'd move the sink to the back wall, put the range on the side wall, change the double doors to a single, eliminate upper cabs, and have that back wall be a wall of windows with extra counter (dishwasher) where the door used to be. Unless your views are fabulous below the waist, the upper wall of windows will be more than enough to capture views, and provide more of them since IMO more width horizontally is better than more height (especially low).

The location of your fridge and pantry are fine - although they definitely work better if the sink gets moved to the back wall. That layout that you have is my curren kitchen layout and I think it works well.

Consider changing your desk to a coffee bar/drink station with a microwave unless you specifically asked for a desk. Most of those are getting removed from kitchens these days.
normawaterbug thanked anj_p
normawaterbug
Original Author
3 years ago
I don't need the double doors, so maybe your idea about more higher horizontal window space is better. The below-the-waist view is just of the seating on the deck.

To clarify, I hadn't asked for a pantry, so my thought was to try to move the fridge and eliminate the pantry. But maybe your solution is better.
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Welcome! We need a bit more information. Are you doing a full remodel or just taking the wall down? I'm asking b/c if you want to remove that wall altogether, including the angled part, then you need to move the range. It needs a wall, preferably external for venting. What about the side wall that is connected to the angled wall, is that also coming down? Do you have a separate Dining Room elsewhere? Do you need a table in the Kitchen? (If so, it will significantly reduce your options.) Where is your family entrance? It's usually a garage or side door, but it might not be. Are groceries brought into your home via the same entrance? Where is the front door? How far is the window from the left wall? How wide is the window, including trim? How far is the window from the right wall? How far off the floor are the windows in the bay area? Where are you flexible? The more flexible you are, the more options you'll have. Are you willing to change windows (move, modify, add, remove)? What is the composition of your family? Children (now or in the future)? Could you please post a sketch of the entire floor the Kitchen is on? That plus the additional measurements requested above will help. The sketch of the entire floor lets us see how the Kitchen relates to the rest of the home. It doesn't have to be to-scale, but it should accurately show how the rooms relate to each other and should include all interior & exterior doors. In addition, it will help us see how traffic flows in, around, and through the Kitchen. Label the front entry and family entry. All the above and more is included in the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread. (See the sample layout in the Read Me thread for info about the measurements.)
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Although kitchen desks aren't as popular as they were a few years ago, only you know your family's habits and needs, so if a desk makes sense in your kitchen, then keep it. However, you can also have a drop zone/command center without it looking so much like a traditional desk. As for the revised layout, I wouldn't put a stool on the short side of the island, across from the fridge. The open fridge door will be in conflict with the person sitting there, and that will also congest traffic from the entry. I'd put the seat on the other end, and move the wine cooler to the bar counter, even if you would need to add a little bump-out to the counter (if the bar counter/cabinetry is shallower than standard). If you put the trash pull-out on the corner of the island it will be convenient to both the prep/cooking zones, and the fridge/snack zones. Another option for the MW would be beside the fridge in an upper cabinet, to create a snack/coffee center, then the separate steam oven could go above the dish storage at the end of the long perimeter counter (since you didn't include a prep sink--but more on that in the next paragraph). You have small children now, but as they grow they will be helping in the kitchen and taking care of their own needs (we hope). Having a second sink will be helpful for extra prep, hand washing, snack prep, etc., so now is the time to consider the efficiency and convenience of a second sink. MW in upper cabinet:
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calidesign
3 years ago
On the wall with the pantry, I'd use a tall cupboard pantry next to the outside door, then the refrigerator, and then another tall cupboard pantry. That eliminates a big door swinging into the room, and puts the refrigerator closer to the sink. Is that your only family room? If so, I'd eliminate the stools at the island, and move the dining table to the family room. That leaves the largest area between the kitchen and dining for your family room furniture.
normawaterbug thanked calidesign
mama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Moving a single door as far left as possible would give you the option to put the fridge and range on the same wall. If you need a desk area, it could go under the window on the left wall.

We'd need measurements of all walls and windows to make sure everything fits.
normawaterbug thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH

Need help with kitchen layout

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anj_p

normawaterbug
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Need help with kitchen layout

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anj_p

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normawaterbug
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