Trash should be next to the sink if at all possible. You have no prep space next to the sink. You're not going to prep on the dishwasher side and 30" on the other side isn't enough. Do the 24" dishwasher on the end, the sink, the trash and then microwave and you'll have better prep space.

Also you will have to turn 180 anytime you need to load the fridge with groceries or take something out. Awkward and will get old quickly.

Do you have your kitchen table already? 36" tends to be on the narrow side as most kitchen tables are 42" wide. You have the room to go to 42" as you need a minimum of 36" between table and wall.

32.5" cabinets for things like pots, pans, baking dishes, etc is not that wide. Do yourself a favor and tape out each drawer and see what fits in each drawer. Allow for the sides of the drawers especially if you decide to do inset. My cabinets are 36", 37" and 41" and I wouldn't go smaller than the 36" for pots and pans. Additionally my cabinets are not inset. They are almost the full width.

My integrated fridge is only 44" from the island edge and it's fine except when someone is getting something out of the fridge. Of course then I just walk around the other end of the island. It's a non issue.

Love the sound of the built ins.
I wouldn’t stop the cabinets where you did. Either continue the full length or put the fridge there. Should not be empty.
What’s the window or door plan for the area by the table?

@MDLN Thank you and good point - I will make sure I know what I'm getting!

@HU-187528210 Oh interesting thank you. I was thinking most people would say I was trying to do too much if I attempted to continue built in bottom cabinets all the way to windows.. I was thinking of also adding a window in that area, and then I have three windows in the "nook." It felt unnecessary to do banquette in L shape or all the way along the nook. I love the look of something like this - and can still move the three windows in the "nook" to align with the remaining opening soon if I commit to this.

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Thank you @cpartist I was hoping to hear from you!

I had the trash next to the sink, but was creating such asymmetry in the island I got nervous... You had actually said on an earlier post that it was not a big deal. But I do want to flank two island pendants on either side of the sink to frame the stove and sink.. Will it be weird if there is an extra foot of space on one side of the island? I'm hesitant to center the pendant lights over the island as one will likely be dangling right over the sink..

As for the fridge - Are you saying you just don't like the fridge placement where it is, but the actual aisle space in front of it is adequate?

I do not have a kitchen table yet - I've just been so worried about cramming that space too much or not planning enough for it and ending up not really having the room when cabinets are in..

Good point about pots and pans - I will ask if we can vary the cabinets a bit more.

Only two small ideas... move dining entrance to allow L-shaped kitchen? Continue cabinetry on dining side of wall to create built-in buffet for dinnerware?

@Therese N Thank you!

The architect actually had it as an L-shape.. But walking through the space framed it felt weird because there was a doorway into dining room *right* next to the main hall/entry.. so like two doorway/walkways right next to each other.. It didn't really end up changing the amount of cabinetry or counter space either..

When you say continue the cabinetry on "dining side" do you mean the kitchen nook or the dining room? I'm not sure it would work into the dining room as there's three windows centered..

But I am considering doing that into the kitchen nook area - if there seems to be enough room left over for a table and chairs..

Yes, formal dining. Low base cabinets if they fit, or perhaps freestanding? It was just a thought.

Idea... we put our micro in our island too, but we put it in the end. It made the island a bit wider, but didn’t take up as much of the length. We have a dummy panel, but I have a towel rack hanging there and it’s perfect.

OK because this is clearly driving me insane ...

I mocked up an alternate island with appliances ordered like @cpartist suggested.

I had really been trying to center the sink as much as possible in the island.. because I am having a tough time picturing how the island pendant lights will look if not for two flanking either side of the sink and stove?

The yellow circles represent my very not professional or to scale depiction of how 2 vs 3 lights would look in either island... But I do think one of the lights would be right over the sink.

Any concerns about either lighting configuration?? Which would you choose??

If you have asymmetry in the island, choose one of these island lights or cluster pendants. Bonus - they only need one electrical box 😉

https://www.shadesoflight.com/categories/island-billiard-chandeliers?page=1

There’s too much going on in the island and the area to the right of stove is underutilized. I’d put the microwave there. And, what’s the appliance garage for? If for toaster or coffee that requires milk or butter from fridge, that could move that to the other side, too. Then your stove and sink can scooch toward the center of island.

I really think symmetry is overrated when it comes to this stuff. I do NOT like the 2 pendants that are not centered with the island. FWIW, in my new kitchen I'm intentionally off-centering my sink so I have sufficient prep space. My island will be 10' long, and the end will be DW-sink - TR - CABS. So, not symmetric AT ALL. My sink will be 2' from one end. I could have it centered and still have ~3.5' for prep. Which I guess is fine for some people. But I have about 4.5 feet of prep space in my current kitchen. I MIGHT go down to 4' but I would hate any less. The only way I'd center a sink on my island is if I had a 12' island.

For your option B, you need to mirror the whole thing. DW should be on the outside of the kitchen so it doesn't interfere with cooking and prep. And, option B is infinitely better IMO. If you really want your range directly across from your sink, move your range. I would also extend your counter through the nook area and move the appliance garage so it's in the corner by the pantry.

I know some folks will not like the stove and sink directly across from each other, but I do not mind

Yeah, this is often touted as a no-no on this board, but I think the question is, are you planning a ONE-butt kitchen or something larger? My husband and I are solidly united in this: we both like to cook, but we are both highly annoyed by other people in the kitchen while we're doing it.

I know some folks will think it is not necessary to have a eat-in kitchen table when there's an island and adjoining dining room, but I want to keep that and know we will get a lot of use out of it

Eh, here's the question: do you really need the kitchen table AND island seating AND an adjacent dining room (and I bet you have outdoor dining that doesn't show on this plan as well). The question isn't, Is an eat-in kitchen table worthwhile? The question is, Which of these options is best for my family? And it's pretty certain that ALL OF THE ABOVE is overkill.

I could also move the microwave over to the pantry or replace the wine fridge tower (although hubby is excited about that - probably doesn't need to be that large) .. but I do like microwave hidden in island in theory

If you're thinking about hiding the microwave, you can probably get by with a small model. I know I can -- we really don't use ours much.

You have no prep space next to the sink. You're not going to prep on the dishwasher side and 30" on the other side isn't enough. Do the 24" dishwasher on the end, the sink, the trash and then microwave and you'll have better prep space.

Agree -- good eye.

Also you will have to turn 180 anytime you need to load the fridge with groceries or take something out.

Note that a 36" refrigerator won't fit in a 36" space -- you need a couple inches of "wiggle room"; if you're doing a surround, that'll take a few more inches. The point: if you build a 36" space, you're going to get a 32' or 33" refrigerator, and the difference in size is significant. Go look at refrigerators before you commit to this spot.

Consider, too, that while French door refrigerators are all the rage right now, a right-hinged door will work better in this space. A right-hinged door will open "towards your work area", and you won't have to reach things around one of the doors.

side as most kitchen tables are 42" wide.

My kitchen table is 42" octagonal, and it's perfect for a family of four. It's enough space to comfortably include serving dishes, if desired. It's a nice size for playing a board game.

There’s too much going on in the island and the area to the right of stove is underutilized. I’d put the microwave there.

Agree with the premise; question the conclusion. Note that microwaves all hinge on the left, so a microwave to the right of the stove would "open wrong" -- not the end of the world, but also not ideal.

Personally, I'd like to see the microwave hidden in the 24" pantry to the left of the refrigerator. It'd be "in the right spot" for warming leftovers.

And, what’s the appliance garage for? If for toaster or coffee that requires milk or butter from fridge, that could move that to the other side, too.

Yes, the concept of "away space" is popular when thinking of rooms ... but I think it's applicable to kitchens too. I'd skip the appliance garage /go with an open counter "away space" next to the refrigerator. This space could house the toaster, coffee maker, cookie jar, bowl of fruit ... you know, the "always outs" that clutter your counters. Either you assign them a spot, or they're always in the way. The microwave could go in this area ... perhaps in a shelf above the counter.

I say put them by the refrigerator because this spot is "set apart" from the main working area already.

I really think symmetry is overrated when it comes to this stuff. I do NOT like the 2 pendants that are not centered with the island.

I could live with some things not being centered, but pendants ABSOLUTELY have to be centered - they're super-visible.

Other thoughts:

- Ideally your dishwasher - refrigerator - glassware storage would be close together. This is just convenient for the person taking a glass out /filling it AND for the person putting away clean dishes.

- Similarly, where do you see your silverware drawer? Again, this needs to be handy to the dishwasher AND to your most-used dining spot. Plates and bowls aren't hard to carry a couple steps, but glassware and silverware need to be "placed right".

- Much of your prep work happens at /near the sink ... and you have no handy drawers for your knives, cutting boards, measuring cups and other gadgets. This is a good reason to get the microwave out of the island.

- This is a big kitchen, and you're looking at all your storage in $$$ cabinets /under stone countertops. If you were to lose some cabinetry /replace it with a plain pantry, you'd save a great deal of money.

- The sink is the single most-used thing in your kitchen, and 33" isn't small ... but it's on the small side for a kitchen this size. I'd argue for taking it up to 36", which doesn't seem like a huge difference ... but is. The sink is not a place to skimp.

- You want to store cooking oils (and vinegars seem to go with them) near the stove -- do you see an obvious spot for them? A chef's drawer would be ideal.

- You said you're planning a spice drawer -- where is it going? I keep my spices in an upper cabinet /on a turntable, and I consider that ideal.

- What's going in the tiny upper cabinets?

- Do you have a spot for a fire extinguisher? If not, pick one right now! That's a must.

I like the idea of moving both the range and sink over. Put an appliance garage beside the pantry on that wall, and make the uppers on each side of the hood equal. This is an awkward photoshop:

@anj_p Thank you that puts my mind at ease. I feel like every photo I see has perfect symmetry..

And I'm glad to hear folks think there is room to extend the cabinetry and fit a table in the nook if it's 14' long.. I was worried it would be cramped.

@Mrs Pete You have given me a lot to think about!

I like the idea of the microwave hidden in the pantry... you're saying keep pantry door to open to get to microwave?

And - you're saying you agree pendants need to be centered over island, right? But do you think if one side of the island was 9" longer, so pendants were skewed just that much, anyone would notice?

What do you mean lose cabinetry and replace with plain pantry? I do have one reach-in pantry to the right (a cabinet?)

Good point about 36" sink..

And of course the fire extinguisher!

@Mrs Pete You have given me a lot to think about!

Glad to be helpful. Even if you don't adopt my ideas, thinking things through is valuable.

I like the idea of the microwave hidden in the pantry... you're saying keep pantry door to open to get to microwave?

Lots of ideas kicked around ... but I favor losing the pantry cabinet next to the fridge /replacing it with lower + upper cabinets and using this area as an "away space" for your "always outs". I'd go with a microwave shelf in this area.

Putting it into a pantry is also a great idea -- we're a light-use microwave family, and we'd be FINE with that. No, I wouldn't leave the door open all the time. In an ideal pantry, I'd like to have a work shelf for measuring, putting away groceries, etc. And I'd put the microwave above such a work shelf.

What do you mean lose cabinetry and replace with plain pantry? I do have one reach-in pantry to the right (a cabinet?)

Built-in pantry cabinets are expensive but functional. Real pantries -- that is, pantry closets or rooms -- cost next to nothing, and they hold more than a cabinet. A walk-in pantry, even a small one, is the king of storage choices.

And - you're saying you agree pendants need to be centered over island, right? But do you think if one side of the island was 9" longer, so pendants were skewed just that much, anyone would notice?

I think people will notice lack of symmetry in the air ... not so much on the countertop.

What do you mean lose cabinetry and replace with plain pantry? I do have one reach-in pantry to the right (a cabinet?)

Hi @MBAK, please consider this arrangement. This is what have in my kitchen and it works great for us.

First you can reduce the space between the counters to 36" if you want.

The refrigerator is moved closer to the banquette, reducing your cooking triangle. The refrigerator is most often also used by the people at the table as well and the French doors are a plus since they take less space.

The microwave is on a shelf inside a cabinet that also includes a coffee or tea station. I like to do the microwave this way because if it breaks it is easily replaceable with any other model and the shelf height is adjustable.

I would suggest you consider removing or reducing the entry wall. Is it really necessary? Only you can answer that. I hope this helps.

Personally, I would feel hemmed in with a 36” aisle. My sink and stove top are 60+” apart, wide enough for my tall self and for someone else to pass. You have the space, don’t skimp. I like the idea of a linear island light fixture versus pendants.

Symmetry is way overrated. If you don't believe me, go look at my kitchen again. Nothing in it except the 4 glass uppers are the same size and symmetrical. But even there it's not symmetrical because the sink underneath is not even symmetrical with the stained glass window backsplash.

I had the trash next to the sink, but was creating such asymmetry in the island I got nervous... You had actually said on an earlier post that it was not a big deal. But I do want to flank two island pendants on either side of the sink to frame the stove and sink..

You evenly space two pendants on the island and NO ONE will notice is they evenly flank the sink. NO one.

Will it be weird if there is an extra foot of space on one side of the island? I'm hesitant to center the pendant lights over the island as one will likely be dangling right over the sink..

No it won't be.

As for the fridge - Are you saying you just don't like the fridge placement where it is, but the actual aisle space in front of it is adequate?

The problem with the fridge is you have tall cabinets on either side of the fridge which means every time you need to put something in the fridge or take it out, you need to turn 180 degrees to the island to reach for the item and then pivot back 180 degrees.

And yes, 44" should be adequate.

Good point about pots and pans - I will ask if we can vary the cabinets a bit more.

Of course you can vary the cabinet widths. Wider is better. Get the 100 lb blum glides for the drawers.

Also if you're doing a drawer sharp microwave, they are all 24" wide. They add a panel to make it wider but the actual microwave is still only 24" wide.

Your redo is incorrect. You never want the dishwasher in the work zone. Here is what I had in mind. Notice dead center this way is between the sink and the trash cabinet and so the lights would go where I indicated the green dots. Everyone will see the countertop first and the lights second.

Lots of ideas kicked around ... but I favor losing the pantry cabinet next to the fridge /replacing it with lower + upper cabinets and using this area as an "away space" for your "always outs". I'd go with a microwave shelf in this area.

I have all my stuff hidden away so it's not constantly seen., Best thing I did in my kitchen. Why would I want to constantly see the coffee pot and toaster oven? They're not beautiful!

As for putting the microwave on a shelf, that's fine if you're tall but I'm now 5'2" (used to be almost an inch taller) and I do not as I age want to be lifting my arms up to get stuff out. Especially hot plates from a microwave. The microwave drawer solved that problem beautifully. I wouldn't trade mine!