Yes

Well, first of all the sink and DW have to trade places, as do the fridge and range. In a kitchen that size you do not need a prep sink, especially in that location.

,Thanks - okay that makes sense - with fridge and range - what is rationale that I'm missing that it needs to be switched?

Most prep is done between sink and range, so you do not want the refrigerator in the way. And you don’t want a dishwasher in the way, you want it on the other side of the sink. In fact, I’d be inclined to put the refrigerator in that area to the left of the peninsula.

But, you are nowhere near ready for all that.

Your stairs don’t work at all.

Only the cook uses the stove but everyone uses the fridge. Don't want to bother the cook to access the fridge.

I would drop the second sink and limit the seating to a couple stools which fit completely under the countertop overhang. Remove the wing wall beside peninsula and push peninsula towards living room by several inches.

In addition to the above, that is an odd spot for the piano...................

I am not the greatest when it comes to Floorplans. But do you need the island seating? What if you just get rid of that all together and put a bigger table there or close to there? Then you could use the wall where the table is for a pantry and more counter space?

I think we need to understand the stairs and front door better, as well as how many people will be living here.

No to the powder room location

Please read this. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5972404/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-2020-interim#n=7

Is this an existing home?

This is an existing home _ - I could move the stairs, but I can't see any other way that would be worth the trouble of relocation.

The stairs go up to the 2nd floor - and directly under it are the stairs to the basement.

The piano/keyboard was just used by me to gain some perspective - would likely not have it there.

I definitely don't need an island - but it's preferred. I'm not someone to have any sort of dinner type parties, so any entertaining I may have will likely surround this. I could maybe swap the small dining table location and island location?

Debbi Washburn's kitchen arrangement looks great! I'm more concerned about your powder room location though. So awkward for guests to use. Could you wall in the staircase? Extend out the "east" powder room as far as the closet(?), then jog over to connect with the closet. Maybe use a pocket door so that a door swing doesn't create traffic problems in the living room or in the stairwell.

Debbi Washburn made it look similar to what I was thinking. Bigger kitchen and a bigger table instead of the island/peninsula.

Thinking about the powder room, too. Do the stairs come DOWN from upstairs and land near the powder room door? Or do they come UP from the basement and land there?

Another problem I see is the location of the fireplace, which is usually a focal point in a room. Yours looks to be in an out-of-the-way location, an afterthought. Is it a built-in? Or a free-standing coal/wood stove?

I don't think you can 'fix' the powder room location. What it needs is an exhaust fan that goes on with the light. The fan will create a noise screen of privacy so everyone feels more comfortable.

I agree with @dan1888 there's really no other place for the powder room. It's not opening into the kitchen, which would be really awful. Usually they are in hallways, but there's no hallway here.

mcarroll's idea seems good - a second door to 'box in' both stairs and toilet room - a pocket door, or barn door.

And a really strong fan for that powder room. I would be tempted to install a door that opens inwards just to have a solidly closing door. Don’t love that it faces the couch.

the original fireplace was 7 feet long and 3 feet wide and made the wall between living area and dining area - it was facing the living area room originally - is in process of being removed.

the stairs come up from basement and land at the entrance to the half-bath

This is what I have now. This is a photo from realtor

listing when it was purchased 5ish years ago.

I haven't done any demo work just yet - but am wanting to remove the large fireplace since it's such a small layout.

Draw a long line from 'secondary door' down the length of 'stair wall' - could buy or build slider 'door fronts' hiding small items of shoes, hats, etc.

Maybe a foot or more deep.

Any color, different metal finishes:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274286385342?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=274286385342&targetid=4581183927179148&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=418233787&mkgroupid=1241348861725295&rlsatarget=pla-4581183927179148&abcId=9300542&merchantid=51291&msclkid=51f7c828d9111676c6ffa98d844fcc9e

Bienville House · More Info

You could buy even Ikea, almost to match - idk if this is described well - shelves could tie in with a stylish door... ?

Hardwood Mahogany Sliding Barn Door With Glass Insert Included Hardware, 30"x81" · More Info

I guess I could build a wall that encloses the entry, the staircase, and the powder room :)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203683920196?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D235443%26meid%3D41b64b6b9eae400dafe357636aed8663%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D274286384733%26itm%3D203683920196%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseWithPLXWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A20368392019641b64b6b9eae400dafe357636aed8663%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAACACHvUlxIu%252BKbj3tWeNAb4TrHyduUGoXoWiTu4CckXQ9SnY6Gz8JP7Pdu02Gzt7A6WV2gLlLe8ISXsXQDpzj4tRQJqZdh6AW5yB25Kwxd%252BwMk1Q9XpdmZ4KasK2K4zH9IsYLCeF0GT3rO%252FRnhW78Mgk4wvFv0AV0hjsfXfUgePYiP%252FWrGq20%252BjF0O%252B7I8RdMiVPPMKb9KqcLKyoVwmh%252FX91GxRlhveiz8GLmelKUyDV1sYlowzlZkHstuLkRUBPIfvd4T6K7ZEm5f4xCc7%252BziQYEELAyWyRxpp7YTKRc1CZkiilBsQaLsDsvJRtmxbfsT4fE3ZlRXLOBFZcfAgtsoZbXcB1WuZi6sU4o86K58mbmKyqWx6skUV86se2hirLs6CO8YYAHmItgCJwHeLKIZvM0VVEGmZ6MLPeWTUibo%252FR9L%252Bs4%252B5SNdlfjuc5xN7ST5rl7rTArZ%252FpwtGmGPM7ppI2gcsTgbK4T40ikIGVAn%252BE2wmGxZOi30r%252F2WA1a%252BofOlciiinOpVYCwwfvP%252BndLOKCWG1LkO0AJuMYCz%252Fw1DK9NFUDK8YeiOi3pRJQ88PgCRdS%252Blq%252Fd36xR7ePp1LSrHzmUwgFjkAm3rSpWhB%252B6YRLagwuTm9wX8JtPPhKkGNPKdKsoW%252BHvn5szpEYzC780zzbS0t9fmFcPCP%252BXATI3SZBfL%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675

Diane Bier - I was going to replace the fireplace with a freestanding one to open everything up. That's my loose plan anyways

Tangent ideas are good in the entire picture. If you're planning a fp and maybe an electric fp - would it work if plugged in [at the stair wall]?
I just realized that you might want fp to be near dining room also! ?

Moda Flame 35" Cynergy Log Modern Built-In Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace · More Info

35" Cynergy Crystal Stone Modern Built-In Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace · More Info

maybe a one wall kitchen would work better - if I'm set on an island. I feel as if I'm missing something, or not considering something important.

Solid core swing door to the powder room for maximum sound insulation, no pocket door.

I would imagine that this powder room will be one for general convenience (many old houses here have one added in the dining room because that is the only place there is room). I doubt someone with normal behavior is going to get up in the middle of dinner, have explosive diarrhea, and come back and seat themselves again as if nothing happened, most people would go to use the more remote full bath in that situation unless they were unable to walk upstairs at all. Sorry to be blunt but there is this general notion about these sorts of powder rooms that assume that people do not have the common sense of a halfwit when it comes to how to use bathroom facilities politely.

I would get rid of the fireplace altogether if you are removing the big one.

But why are you set on an island? A dining table not only lets you have more kitchen counter, it's more useful seating than an island. It's more comfortable, especially for short people. It's a great workspace for rolling out pastry, kneading dough, or hand-mixing heavy batters. And with a table located so close to the kitchen, people can sit there and be just as social with the cook as they would at an island.

Look how crowded your latest layout is. You really only have room for a table or an island, not both. Of the two, a table is much more all-purpose and functional.

do you think a kitchen along one wall would work with just the dining table, and no island?

I'm guessing if I had an island, I would likely have a smaller dining table - 60" by 30" - around there.

Yes, I think a one-wall kitchen would work really well with just a dining table. In fact, it would give you space to have an expandable table that could sit many more people on some occasions.

I get the sense that you really want an island. You might consider a narrow moveable island cart, or a 24" deep island with no seating. Either would give you some useful workspace opposite the range and sink, but leave a little more room for a small dining table.

However you do it, I think that will be a one-person kitchen unless you want to do major surgery. Without moving plumbing too much, this is what I think would work:

• DW is close to eating area and sink
• fridge is convenient to eating area and kitchen without tangling traffic
• plenty of counter space
• existing closet is made into a shallow pantry (~18" deep)
• recovered closet space is donated to powder room
• powder room door is made a little wide and the swing is switched to give people an extra instant of privacy
• 3-sided fireplace
• I put a sliding glass door in the living room instead of the window you have. If you did this, you could potentially lose the dining area door which might improve traffic flow. It all depends on what's outside that window.

If you want to spend more money, add a window over the sink. I don't think you can extend the counter out to/past the existing dining area window without seriously cramping eating space.

You don't have room for an island or peninsula. But if you prefer bar-height seating, counter-height and bar-height tables are readily available.

I don't think that one wall kitchen you show is any better than what you have now. Sure there is a huge pantry, but you have a standard sink and hardly any counter space around your sink and stove. I don't think there is even enough cabinetry out there to handle all your every day items. That means you will forever be running into the pantry. Also the counter will be cluttered with a coffee maker, toaster oven, maybe a mixer or canisters.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who love a walk in pantry. I had one once - never again unless it was more of an extension of the kitchen ( no door ) . I hated having to constantly go in and out of a door to get things because the main kitchen could barely hold the items I needed daily and weekly.

My thought was a butler's pantry incorporated into the kitchen - something like these:

There are lots of things that can be done with your space.

Please make sure you find a good kitchen design to help you.

Good luck!

If you are set on keeping that island bar, would likely skip that second ?prep?/bar sink.

If you are keeping your original basic plan,

Would at least swap the location of the refrigerator and stove and leave enough room between refrigerator and window to put a shallow cabinet against the right side of the refrigerator -- a floor to ceiling pantry that would open toward the dining area.

Unless it is a weight bearing wall, would likely keep only a pony wall slightly higher than the countertop level -- perhaps with wall outlets facing both ways -- between the kitchen countertop and the peninsula/island bar.

Would definitely rethink the powder room with the toilet visible from the sitting area and recreate it as a larger "L" shaped powder room and have the door face the sitting room and swap the two fixtures -- putting the back of the toilet where the sink is now shown -- hidden in the end of the "L" with its back toward the living area. Far preferable to have a small wall sink visible if any part of the powder room must be visible from the sitting area.If, however, you put the powder room sink in the left corner -- now shown as an empty space at the door to the powder room, you could create access from the powder room to the "blind" "dead zone" kitchen base cabinet space left of the sink for storing cleaning supplies and paper products.

Would probably seriously consider using the "larger kitchen" floor plan posted by Debbi Washburn instead.

Some options include a U shape, but you might be better with a galley that dead ends at the wall. It means the counters and cabinets are usable all the way to the end, no tricky corners, and a little more floor space.

- with the one wall kitchen, there is adequate counter space around sink and oven - consider the counter space above the dishwasher, and of course the island would be useful.

-the pantry would serve a purpose as I like everything out on the counters, but I also do not want to look at it. Would like to keep much of my everyday items that I keep on counter, tucked away in pantry, but still out-so-to-speak.

-I like the idea of an island for it’s social purposes - so maybe something that is moveable would be better.

-I’m not sure what a pony wall is - ha!

I think the incorporated butler pantry like the picture shows (posted by Debbi Washburn) would be exactly what I would need! Ahhh - as much as I want an island, it looks like it would be touch to do

Katie, what is the social function of the island, for you? That is, how does it function socially in an in-kitchen dining table can't? If you can articulate that for us, someone here might come up with a great custom solution for you.

I would want that powder room in a different location. People do not want to use a bathroom that offers no privacy. I do like Debbi's option for a kitchen layout.

I like Debbie Washburn's plan, but I would replace the straight stair railing with a full wall that hides the stairs from the living area. Wire the wall for TV and electric fireplace. Then you can place the sofa at the double window opposite the stairs, facing the TV/FP wall. If you actually have a piano, not a keyboard, it should be on an interior wall, so that wall could be a good spot for it. Free standing or ceiling hung fireplace where Debbie shows, and TV in the corner where the powder room and fridge wall meet.

Aventura Living Room · More Info

Clyde Hill Current · More Info

corner tv stand · More Info

Greenwich Village Renovation · More Info

Just some thoughts:

Powder room.

Perhaps you could create an "L" shaped powder room in the kitchen in that back left corner (closer to the supply and drain lines for your plumbing and out of sight from the living room and the toilet not visible from the kitchen. You could put the toilet where the dishwasher is now shown, add a tiny sink in the very back left corner and then have the door to enter the powder room left of where the refrigerator is now shown (in your first image of the plan). The door could open outward and appear to be a corner pantry at a first glance.

Refrigerator and pantry/food storage:

Put your refrigerator where the sink is now shown and have the refrigerator backed against the solid wall beside the new location of the toilet but with a (preferably deep, wide) vertical drawer between the refrigerator and powder room wall for use as pantry space. (Option, contingent upon size of refrigerator and space: you could put a second matching vertical drawer on the left of the refrigerator.)

Then left of the refrigerator -- or left of a second vertical drawer left of the refrigerator -- begin against that wall (about where the powder room is located in your first image of the plan) and create a peninsula bar between kitchen and sitting area in lieu of the countertop and island bar in that first image of the plan. You could have overhead cabinets with glass doors on both sides over for part of that bar.

Make the "dead" left corner of the base cabinet of the bar/peninsula accessible via a door without visible hardware from the living room side of the bar/peninsula.

Stove.

With a 16" counter top immediately right of the new powder room wall, then you could set your stove where and just to the right of where your refrigerator is shown.

DW.

Beside the new location of the stove add a dishwasher to the right of the stove with a countertop above that.

Sink:

Beside the dishwasher and beneath the window, begin the end of another peninsula at a right angle to the wall that extends toward the other peninsula just long enough to house the sink at a right angle to the dishwasher. The beginning of the peninsula will give you countertop space left of the sink and you need another 16" of countertop space right of the sink in the peninsula facing where the dining table is now shown.

I understand that the powder room location is an issue for some people. I often see comments from posters that powder rooms shouldn't open into the kitchen, or into the dining room, or into the living room. Unfortunately, this is a 600 sq ft space which contains a stairwell and all three of those spaces. There is no obvious ideal location and walling off the entire staircase area to create a hallway that will hide the door seems a bit extreme. I don't see a better alternative than across from the basement stairs.  Plus, moving the entire layout around to relocate a functioning powder room greatly reduces the funds available for the kitchen work. This is an existing space and every remodel has some irritations that just aren't cost effective to change. Can't fix everything.