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Kitchens Design Dilemma Remodeling

Kitchen layout- overwhelming!

2 years ago

We are planning a full gut of our kitchen, removing the dining room wall. A contractor has provided the options below just as a starting point. We keep going back and forth on different layouts. We are considering a narrow island but concerned about stairs leading to the basement and general flow with that option. I would so appreciate any feedback.

I’m limited in the photos here but will answer Thanks!

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Comments (14)

User
2 years ago
Definitely the peninsula works better in your space. The narrow island would just be a barrier and not contribute any additional functionality
Chris
2 years ago
I would choose the peninsula as well.
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I've been there, too. *hugs* In fact, I'm *still* there, because my first kiddo was born 14 years ago, my youngest (so far) will be born this fall, and I've had kids every 2-3 years. My toy storage solution may not be the most elegant, and it won't be the cheapest short-term, but it works for us, and is easily modified and broken down/moved. I wanted a system that could survive a nuclear blast (we are a family of many Autists), and I didn't want to be constantly replacing fabric bins and baskets. You may not need (or want) to go to this extreme, but I wanted to toss the idea out there, anyway. :-) Okay, so I buy industrial farm-grade, rectangular milk crates, and zip tie them together, in whatever configuration works best for the room. I used to have them framing a window (almost like a window seat); I currently have them stacked vertically against a solid wall, with a row of them laying on the floor, for stability and easy access for younger kids. They are all attached to each other -- all crates are tied to their neighbors, side-to-side as well as top-to-bottom. I give birth to monkeys, and not once has any crate fallen over or even budged, as children climb on them. Tying them all together also has the benefit of the kids being unable/unlikely to dump every single bin over, creating a huge mess. Because you *know* that one day, while Mom is in the bathroom, someone will get a mischievous gleam in his eye, and go hog wild emptying bins everywhere. Mass destruction. I have found that the crates nicely accommodate 3 small or 2 medium sized Sockerbit bins from IKEA. I label everything, and group by theme. It's a fantastic system. It keeps some toys visible (things like stuffed animals, wood blocks, and DUPLOs are in the floor crates), while containing the stuff that drives me nuts to see everywhere (things like play food, puzzles, and dominoes are in Sockerbit bins in the wall crates).
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mcarroll16
2 years ago
For either option, I would move the fridge to the other wall, where you have pantry cabinets in the island layout. Then move your sink and DW down the wall into the current fridge space. You could really use more countertop between the sink and the range. Move the microwave to that area as well, and have a useful fridge/MW/pantry area that's out of the prep space. Put a hood over the range.
rmb265
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for the feedback! Where is the pantry in this setup, next to the fridge?
mcarroll16
2 years ago
Yes.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Nope, you want your sink under the window. I would leave the fridge where it's located.
rmb265
Original Author
2 years ago
I thought I had posted this other version but I guess I hadn’t… this one has fridge on the other side but the longer wall. I think this is our front runner.
rebunky
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The peninsula design is much better.

I know you didn’t ask about this, but that massive beam cutting through the cabinet would drive me crazy. I have seen that in photos and it always looks really weird to me. What about stopping the wall cabinets at the beam and then do open shelves on the other side? I mean under it, but butting to the cabinet.
rmb265
Original Author
2 years ago
I like that suggestion! I haven’t thought too much about that stupid beam but agree it could look weird. Might make a wooden box around it? We were thinking about incorporating some open shelving as well
mcarroll16
2 years ago
Beverly I was assuming she could move the window. If she can't then yes, leave sink as is.
rmb265
Original Author
2 years ago
I cannot! Windows were replaced pretty recently. Thanks so much for everyone’s input!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Sorry but a contractor is not a KD and never will be. Get an independant KD and get the right layout now.IMo no MW for venting a range ever ion an outside wall you can have proper venting Post a to scale floor plan showing all windows doorways where the doorways lead all measurements clearly marked and sizes of all appliances and sink if they have already been chosen. You will get free advice here from actual KDs too.Make sure that beam is shown in the drawing with a dotted line to show exactly where it is in the space .
rmb265
Original Author
2 years ago
Appreciate the feedback! KD vs contractor only is a bit of a point of contention here, and I agree with you. Microwave there is not really the plan, and nothing has been chosen yet. This is the most detailed plan I have. Learning through this that I often don’t even know enough to ask the right questions. Room to the right is a bonus family/tv room so there is lots of through traffic. Door 30 is a powder room that is staying but also getting renovated and 29 is a closet/pantry. Continue to be grateful for the help from strangers and I will probably get some paid help as well, at least for feedback on the plans.
emilyam819
2 years ago
Making this part L-shaped is messing you up. It’s too tight a space on either side. Pick one wall or the other, to start.

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