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Design Dilemma Kitchens Remodeling

please help with kitchen renovation and adding an island

Angela Acrivos Harvey

3 years ago

Since I've already tried to type up this post several times and keep getting interrupted I'm going to go ahead and share the Floorplans I've created and hopefully get more time to fully explain over time. Important points to make is that since my husband passed in end of 2019 I've been trying to make repairs and updates to this 1973 home we have owned for past 9 years. If anything were to happen to me the house would be my college aged son's responsibility or if once things settle down and I decide to move, this house would need these things done in order to sell. There was always mildew in the guest bath and the sub bases of the kitchen cabinets was literally crumbling in one spot so I finally had the whole house mold tested. Two separate areas in the house had long time small leaks. My homeowners insurance would not help pay for anything so any repairs are coming out of small life insurance. (Note the home insurance denied the claim but then turned around later and required proof of repairs by a set date or they were not going to renew my policy! ) My point is though that I'm trying not spend unnecessarily but not quite cheaply either. Things should be done matching or only slightly increasing the value of the rest of the house. In the guest bath I replaced a 9" deep cast iron tub with a 19" deep Kohler acrylic tub because of my fibromyalgia and the benefits of short soaks. I spent money on the thermostatic control and hand held sprayer on an ADA compliant grab bar not just for me but thinking families (and dogs, lol). The 12x24 lotus white wall tiles running vertical to add height to 8` ceilings were very transitional and affordable of matt finish while the 12" stripe of 1x1 accent tiles run horizontal brought in soft earth colors which are easier to change decor with.
So when it comes to the kitchen, knocking out the wall between the living room and kitchen and putting in a small island should add room to the long narrow living room, add much needed light to the kitchen and make getting to and from the master bedroom - laundry area to rest of house easier. Please let me know what you think. Thank you

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Comments (6)

Angela Acrivos Harvey
Original Author
3 years ago
- Note this home is on a concrete slab so I will have to be creative in getting electric to my prep island. The electrician and I discussed running electric down a conduit doubling as see through shelves on the SE corner of the island where the bookcase is on the sketch.
- I want seating closer to the stove and trash for when my legs and back start aching from standing. The 2nd seat would be for when I need reinforcement on food prep and cooking! I'd rather have touchless trash but will deal with pull out if can't figure out where to put it.
- I want to keep the sink in front of the window since there is usually plastics and pans in the sink waiting to be hand washed.
- will the frig and dishwasher be ok next to each other? (I really don't see any other way)
I'm attaching the way it looks right now (2 even with taped out areas representing the islandand the fridge)...basically a mess
Andre
3 years ago
The island works...The sliding door, dining area, and fridge might be a traffic jam. From a concept view moving those two living room chairs would really give a better perspective
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As a vintage home owner, I disagree with opening the floor plan. We know that in order to love these old homes, we make compromises. We did an addition that involved moving the kitchen and adding a full bath in a-gasp- 5x8' footprint. It was a six figure job. And the termite damage we found when opening walls......know what you have the budget and stomach for before deciding. We talked through our options for several years first. That being said, I'm not the layout guru, but I'm looking at what you posted and thinking that the fridge space is a lot of real estate to dedicate to a half bathroom. Is there another space to tuck in a bathroom? What are the code minimums for space? I would take the smallest footprint possible to accomplish the task. PS. Love the yellow stool!
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Proposed plan - island proposed plan- peninsula:
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7' wall, plus 3' for door, plus 2' cabinets--it looks as if you have ap 12' width. NKBA guidelines cite 42" minimum for work aisle and 44" minimum for traffic behind seating, so not accounting for wide opening to the left, you are at max for the island depth. Do you currently have a peninsula between the kitchen and DR? Without seeing the accurately measured plan, I'd say no desk on the left side unless that's where you plan to oversee homework while working in the kitchen. This NKBA guidelines link has an illustration for wheelchair clearance in a kitchen.
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Comments (12)
First, I would reduce the width of the island, especially if it is moved out another six inches to provide a 48" work aisle. You need at least 36" of walkway on each side, between the back corners of the island and the walls framing the FR. Second, add a pull-out cabinet between the fridge and stub wall, to make sure the left side fridge door will open fully. Then, if you move the range toward the window, on the left you can add a glass front cabinet the same width as the window, and have symmetry. On the other side of the window, widen the uppers to the width of the fridge, and reduce the width of the tall cab. Center the island sink on the range, with both DWs to the left (as you face the island), where it will be easy to unload them to the perimeter cabinets. Put the trash pull-out to the right, in the primary prep space, with a MW drawer on the end near the fridge, since most MW'd items come from the fridge. MW could open to the side, to keep anyone using it out of the primary prep space. Many don't like a sink back-to-back with the range, but the most time is spent prepping to either side of a sink, and a 48" aisle is sufficient if two people are working at the same time. I'd omit the peninsula between the kitchen and breakfast nook, unless you feel you absolutely need it for serving or storage. The UC fridge can go in the corner, with coffee pot on counter above.
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years ago
will the frig and dishwasher be ok next to each other? (I really don't see any other way)

DW will be fine, but you need a return panel to the left to support the counter top.

I think the plan works, but if you're using a full-depth fridge, I'd suggest pulling the cabs on that wall out to within a couple of inches of the depth of the fridge box, and adjusting the range to the right accordingly. Discussions--deep counters

(My condolences to you and your son, for your loss.)
Angela Acrivos Harvey
Original Author
3 years ago
mama goose - thank you - I didn't think about a return for the dishwasher, just for the fridge cabinet and even deco end panel. I think the dishwasher door could possibly run into the fridge door if opening at same time so maybe a little bumper on dishwasher could be rigged up - I haven't read the articles yet but thank you for the suggestion
Angela Acrivos Harvey
Original Author
3 years ago
andre - yes I see that same issue until I change out the table for a thinner one and make that dining area into a banquet style seating area - hopefully to gain more storage especially since I'll be losing my pantry. - luckily the living room arrangements area movable and only tight as long as I keep my big corner desk in there too. (Buying myself new modern pretty desk and chair facing out front windows and putting in the living room has helped me be more productive (at least more than the barely productive I was before, ha)
Andre
3 years ago

I think that corner countertop may need a support leg; Also I think losing the bookcase and having a third stool would be a good option. The stool closet to the garbage can, stove and entry would be least preferred seat to sit so having that third stool would be good

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