Kitchen Design Critique Requested
We are aiming to renovate our kitchen in the near future and are kicking around the idea of a layout change.
There are images attached of the current layout and an idea for a new layout. Hopefully all the relevant dimensions are included.
The current layout has a peninsula with a breakfast bar. The breakfast bar doesn't get used frequently. The corner circled is a bit of a dead space in terms of the base cabinet and counter and the upper shelves of the wall cabinet are difficult to reach.
The thought with the new layout is that a floor to ceiling panty could be used in that corner. With the island base cabinets we would have more storage overall but would be sacrificing some counter space as the peninsula is deeper. This configuration would also allow us to put some storage units on the wall for bags and other things which usually get tossed on the floor under the breakfast bar.
If the "kitchen triangle" is gospel I think the island would be a bad idea. We tried to get a feel for how the island would be with a cardboard mock up (picture attached), it seems ok but hard to know for sure.
I would appreciate your critique, does an island make any sense or is this trying to force a square
peg into a round hole?
Comments (9)
paul_saadetian
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Critiques requested for my pencil drawn plans, please!
Comments (9)@pps7, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I think the thing I love most about your response is that several of the issues you've raised I've already been struggling with myself.....so I guess that means I've really become educated on proper house design! (At least designs that meet THS's member's standards.) Or I've been spending WAY too much time on this website! :) Built-ins vs. windows- you're right, I'd much rather have windows there, but I have that old "where-to-put-the-AV-peripherals" issue. The TV will hang above the mantle. (FP will be wood burning.) So I'm not sure how to include the extras without at least one built-in. I also thought about maybe rotating the layout of the room a little bit to put the FP in the corner where the screen porch meets the room, but I'm not sure if I would like that set up over the years. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Dutch door- I'll be honest here- I only have the dutch door there because I'm really in love with them and I needed to find a place to put one! haha And the most logical place to put the dutch door was from the kitchen in to the Family Center (that's my current name for the laundry/mud/craft, etc room.) We think it really adds to the farmhouse feel. If anyone sees a reason why we should definitely not include it, please let me know! The front door sight line: I also don't have an easy fix for this. The exterior of the house will have the symmetrical windows typical of a farmhouse/colonial facade. (See pics below.) If I move the front door over, the symmetry is thrown off. I thought about putting in a double front door, with only the door on the guest's left side opening, but I assume that will increase costs dramatically. How important is my lopsided sight line to the overall feel of the house? I definitely want my home to have a welcoming, "right" feeling. If putting in a double door (or some other fix) is needed, I'll do it. Kitchen layout- funny you mentioned moving the refrigerator there....because that's where it was to begin with! :) After staring at the kitchen for a couple of weeks, I decided that, according to THS standards, having the fridge on that wall was too far from the sink, so I moved it over next to the sink. I'll admit, I felt a little dismayed, because I like the original layout, and I didn't like losing the counter space. I'll definitely have the kitchen forum take a look and hopefully they'll give me some feedback. Here are some inspiration pics: The outside is currently being inspired by these two pictures: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/2002-showcase-traditional-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~66627) [traditional exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by other metros Witt Construction Kitchen inspiration pic- do you think a dutch door would add to the farmhouse feel? [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/macgibbon-kitchen-1-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~193091) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by dc metro kitchen and bath Cameo Kitchens, Inc....See MoreRaison d'etre & a request for a kitchen plan critique
Comments (43)Here's my two cents for a similar kitchen layout remodel in Eastern MA (also land of too much snow this year!). Our dimensions are slightly different but we had same discussions about swapping cooktop and fridge, prep space etc. Our final layout is similar to your latest plan but we're getting a bigger window installed with sink centered underneath and dishwasher to the left. We'll have our wall/speed micro ovens to the right of the cooktop. Fridge on the short wall with tall pull out cabinetry to the left where you have a doorway. I've been using our island as primary prep (without an add'l prep sink) and the pull-out trash will be relocated to the island to keep the mess contained there. That gives a decent triangle from sink to prep to cooktop. My only small worry is water drips over wood floors, but figure a runner will negate some of that. For me prepping under a window isn't a priority since who's looking straight ahead to a view when handling a knife--not me--and daylight isn't all that by the time I'm prepping dinners. I like the big expanse of the island so I can interact and prep with DH/guests and then any dirty stuff not dealt with immediately can "hide" in the sink and have the island clear for drinks, appetizers, buffet serving etc....See MoreRequesting a layout critique for open Great Room.
Comments (10)Could you please post a full-floor layout? It will give us a better idea of the flow of the floor as well as a better idea of how the Kitchen, DR, & LR relate to the rest of the house. What about windows? I don't see any on your second layout. Are you changing windows in the existing space? If not, are you willing to consider it? It would be very helpful to see where they are now - and that includes measurements. The following Kitchen Design FAQs may be helpful for understanding comments that may be coming your way shortly. Please read the "Layout Help" FAQ - it will explain about posting a measured layout (with all measurements) and the full-floor layout. I do think you stated your goals pretty well already. Layout Help: How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include . Kitchen Design FAQs: Kitchen work zones, what are they? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767031/kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767035/aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-and-landing-space-an How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767036/how-do-i-plan-for-storage-types-of-storage-what-to-store-where . Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first...See MoreKitchen Layout Critique Request
Comments (10)I'm pretty sure Sektion makes sink cabinets with drawers designed specifically for garbage underneath. If you're handy, they could be modified, if needed, for your RO. Personally, I've never had a kitchen big enough where I've been willing to give up a lower cabinet for garbage. I've always kept it under the sink. Instead of a drawer, I use a garbage container installed inside the door. It's handy and removable when you need access to plumbing, etc. Regarding your DW placement. I would do anything to keep the DW out of the prep area. Almost anything but sacrifice a goat at midnight to Satan. I have that situation now and if my world's slowest remodel ever progresses, it will be moved outta there. It's the biggest irritation in my kitchen and one of my main motivations for the remodel. If I'm prepping to the right of the DW, next to range, and DH is loading/unloading the DW, and I need to use the sink. Grrrr! Sure, he closes the DW and steps aside but I usually need to do this several times during prepping and the time wasted adds up and the aggravation builds. I've tweaked your proposed layout below only to illustrate what the kitchen in my previous home looked like regarding the DW. Yeah, I stood in that teensy area with the red spot. I doubt it was even a full 12" wide. Narrower than you or Mama G I would stand there to put the items away that went in the poorly drawn upper corner cabinet. Then, because the fridge blocked exiting, I would close the DW and exit, then re-open the DW to put the other items away that were stored in other parts of the kitchen. It was tight but not a big deal and I would take that set-up any day of the week over having the DW in the prep area. Oh, I also would not go with a sink smaller than 30". I would rather make that red spot area to stand smaller than lose those inches in the sink. 30" is wide enough, just barely, for someone to do some prepping on one side while someone else does a bit of clean-up on the other side. I doubt you would be able to share a 27" sink. Of course, we're all different. You really need to think through which situation would work best for you. I wish I were creative enough to come up with a sink/DW placement superior to either option but I'm not clever enough to do that within your placement restrictions....See Moreemilyam819
2 years agoherbflavor
2 years agoherbflavor
2 years agochange of depth w optional change in height in area near to staircase corner/dining end...allows the long configuration to remain feasible.
Sophisticated and Modern · More Infopaul_saadetian
2 years agoInteresting idea herbflavor! I attached another layout with this incorporated.
I moved the island way over and could probably move it back some if that aisle in the non-working area is too narrow. The kitchen triangle seems pretty good now and the far wall can be stacked with lots of storage.
There is one cook in the house (not me) and one schlub (me) in the kitchen less frequently for cleaning and coffee making. The kitchen is used all the time for proper cooking (not nuking), we sometimes eat out or order in on weekends. The patio is never used in winter and somewhat frequently used in the spring/summer/fall for BBQ and gardening. I think we can live without seating around a potential island, but would definitely incorporate an overhang if it fit and wouldn't prevent access to an electrical outlet for using small appliances on the counter.
Is this looking like a more reasonable design?
herbflavor
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoyou can leave 12-15 in counter left of range to expand the counter between range and fridge a bit. you can use single sink to give some overhang or another drawer stack at right of sink/ you can reduce the 53 aisle to 45 inches for 2/3 of the distance... then the last 1/3 distance approx, give a jog so you have the 30 inches maintained by the arrow by the staircase corner....53 in aisle the whole length is generous but not overly so..if you want to leave the straight run thats not any harm......you just have a few options..... Instead of the full 113 inches of pantry behind .....try splitting it up and insert some casual high situation like this for a couple stools . You dont want the stools on island but do you need the full 113 in of cabinetry against the wall? hybrid/mixed use might be cool. 48-50 in of this for a stool or two then finish up the 113 in with the cabinetry you envision.
A high up lift cab can be placed above this ledge w the couple stools if you want more storage. answer about your question ?reasonable? the issue would be the fact the breakfast bar does not get used. You have space.... I would be keen to ditch the bar probably not try a peninsula its kind of the same thing all over again. Keep working with the long dimension you have with these runs . I like something right down the middle .....good counters/pendant lights as described.....etc.... .question is eeking out a bit of seating which I thought would be great but you have to decide that for yourself.
Red Hook Kitchen · More Infopaul_saadetian
2 years agoThank you again! The feedback has been very helpful.
We have a toaster oven to the left of the cooktop which is used often. I'm not sure where else that could go in the kitchen but I agree it would be nice to have a wider landing area between the cooktop and fridge.
I think the consensus is that extra breathing room in the aisles is a higher priority than accommodating seating in the kitchen with an island overhang. Maybe there could be a nice stool stationed at one end of the island where someone can hang out but not (comfortably) eat a meal.
I created a new layout with a partial pantry wall. At the end is a small work area with slightly deeper base cabinets. The "problem" is that our espresso machine needs about 18" from the wall so as not extend past the counter. I'm curious to hear any thoughts you may have about this workaround.
I've also added some images of the elevations and quick thoughts on where everything may go.
Hache Haas