HELP! Remodeling kitchen (removing a wall) Unsure of the best layout
We're planning a remodel of our kitchen and are at a loss for how to redesign this space with increased storage and counter space, as well as good function. We have plans to remove the wall that divides the kitchen and living/dining. We had a kitchen designer in, who measured and produce some beautiful ideas for us. Two designs were offered with wall gone:
Design #1 had a 112" long x approx 36" wide island running north/south through the kitchen and crossing into what is now the dining space, with a cook top on the island, no seating on the island, and fridge placed where the stove is in the picture.
Design #2 also had a 112" long x 36 wide island running north/south, except there was seating on the east side of island, and the stove remained in the same place - fridge was sandwiched between the side door and the dining room window.
The problem I had with both ideas is that the wall on the east becomes just wall space, no use, no function. My biggest issue with design 1 is the cooktop on the narrow island - i have a toddler and having the cooktop right in the middle freaks me out, plus there would be no upper cupboard space, or a range hood, or even an over-range-microwave. A range hood hanging dead center in the ceiling above the island would look funny to me.
This little diagram is a basic mock up of the kitchen and living/dining area as it presently is, with the wall still in place. I'll call the top wall, where the stove is, the north wall (even though it actually faces west) because it's simpler that way. (The fridge is on the right, the sink on the left with the dishwasher beside it). This is a small and narrow area to work with. I really want the wall gone as the afternoon/evening light is beautiful. I don't want it to look like a bowling alley *lol*.
Comments (8)
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
3 years ago
L Berks
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Layout help, please! Angled wall, wall removal - oh my...
Comments (3)I don't see the need for two table seating areas so close to each other - just keep the dining room and use it more. So, I like your idea of making a triangle-shaped pantry against that angled wall. I would probably just put the Fridge on against the bottom wall of it with the door to the Pantry next to it. The right side of that wall is then a nice blank wall perfect place for a bar area, artwork, sideboard, or other item. I would then: put the range on the left side of the U; make the left side of the island completely cabinetry (no overhang) so you can have a prep sink at the top left corner of the island. The seat that was there moves to the right side of the island so you have seating on two sides of it; put the MW in an upper on a shelf, or a drawer MW below the counter, next to the range on the side nearest the fridge/pantry; completely delete the right wall of the U so you can make the island at least somewhat bigger whether you remove the wall entirely or not; put the ovens to the right of the sink; and put the DW between sink and ovens IF you need an obstruction-less secondary prep space (between sink and range) more than an obstruction-less baking zone (between sink and ovens. I don't think a half wall is going to do much to hide kitchen mess for you, but if you put the ovens next to the sink like I recommended at least the cleanup sink rack, mess etc. would be hidden from the entrance. However, a half wall with some nice trim, maybe some posts, etc. would provide an elegant separation between the DR and Kitchen plus some nice display space. Going without would give you a bigger island. It's up to you.. Anyway, HTH! I love interesting spaces like this and I think you can have a phenomenal kitchen....See Morekitchen remodel- need help with layout. Strange layout currently.
Comments (1)I am not sure where the walled in heater is that you are referring too. Attached would be a nice layout for your space. Ref= Refrigerator R=Range DW= Dishwasher C=rolling cart...See MoreKitchen remodel help needed: what layout works with few walls?
Comments (15)Working blind, not knowing what walls are loadbearing. Here are some pet peeves about the layout: 1) I hate the opening between dining room and kitchen, which sends through traffic by the sink and presumably DW; 2, hate the stairs coming down right in front of a wall; 3) most of the foyer to me is wasted and down the road I would try to reallocate most of it to the BR; and 4, Not fond of both a breakfast nook and dining room. What I would do: 1) Close current opening between dining room and kitchen to provide a large L-shaped area. 2) Create new opening at extreme left side of that existing wall. 3) Remove part of the wall between laundry area and breakfast nook. End the wall aligned with the stairs so they will be visible from breakfast nook and kitchen. 4) Move fridge (counter depth if possible) to the left of the sink. If space permits, steal a couple of feet from the breakfast nook but ensure there is room for a small table and chairs. 5) By moving the opening between the dining area and kitchen, and relocating the fridge, you now should have room for a decent sized island in the most popular kitchen shape: an L shaped island with a working (no seating) island. The island would be a great landing zone for the pantry and fridge. Given the structural changes, I would use a design-build firm that has a kitchen designer and a civil engineer or architect on board....See MoreKitchen remodel experts/homeowners-IS THIS THE BEST KITCHEN LAYOUT?
Comments (27)If you hire a kitchen designer s/he will have contacts in the other trades. You asked, "Is there anything you would change about the rest of the kitchen design?" And to be honest, my answer is "LOTS." Here are some of the things I would want to be different if it was my kitchen (besides the banquette as already mentioned). -the fridge and wall ovens are right next to each other. That makes it difficult to access them both at the same time, and I'm not sure if some kind of buffer is required by the specs. It seems like there should be one but that's just my intuition and I could be dead wrong. The oven handles might interfere with the fridge opening fully, too. -there's no counter landing zone next to the fridge. The closest spot is nearby, but that is next to the sink so likely to have dirty or clean dishes piled on it. -ditto for the wall ovens. It's nice to take your 20lb turkey out and slide it right onto the counter rather than truck it over to another side of the room. -when the fridge door or freezer drawer are open the walkway into the eating area will be blocked. -what's that gap to the left of the stove? It looks much too narrow to function as a passage to another room. -without dimensions it's hard to know, but it looks like a pretty long haul through the center of your kitchen to get from sink to stove and vice versa. Not good when you're carrying a pot of spaghetti to drain, or if like me you do canning and regularly blanche food then quickly cool it in ice water in your sink. For me, I need my sink and stove to be mere steps apart....See Morebiondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
3 years agoLaura Burns thanked biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
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3 years ago
Hi Laura, I know how difficult is to fit a workable kitchen when you have doorways and windows. I just have this thought about your kitchen.
Renan
Laura Burns thanked Preview Pro 3DLaura Burns
3 years agobiondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
3 years agoRange and fridge can't be side-by-side - the range needs countertop on both sides to allow you to turn pot handles, etc. A peninsula could work, but you'd have to move your dining table, thereby shrinking what already looks like a fairly small living room (or get a smaller table). The dining table is so close, the seating peninsula seems unnecessary. You are limited with what you can do on the east walls by the pinch points I have shown below:
Laura Burns thanked biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)Laura Burns
3 years ago
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