Help with kitchen remodel, please!
Hi there! Requesting design help with a kitchen, please!
Our existing kitchen is awkwardly wide (there used to be a small breakfast nook, we think—a wall was removed to widen the kitchen) but not large enough for an island.
Here is some info:
Goals/overview
- Primary goal is more counter and storage space! More than half the kitchen (previous breakfast nook) is empty and storage/counter-less :(
- If possible, I would like room for a pantry, even if it is simply more storage and not a traditional ceiling/floor storage situation.
- We do use the kitchen to cook and bake. It would be ideal to open that large wall into the living room, but it is unfortunately out of our budget.
- We would like to work within the existing footprint, ideally keeping the stove, sink, and fridge where they are—but of course, open to ideas.
Details
- There is an awkward post on the west wall to the right of window 1. We are confirming if this can be removed—our neighbor who has the same kitchen removed theirs, so we are hopeful. We can live with building cabinets around if if needed.
- Window 1 - This is a tall window (61"x36 3/4"). We are open to getting rid of it entirely (window 2 provides sufficient light), however, more light is never terrible.
- Window 2 - This is a bay window with counter (37”x74”)—see pic. It's hard to open the windows (I have to get on a stool) and it's awkward that they're frosted. I'd like to replace this, but unsure what is the best option.
- Appliances - Replace range, dishwasher, and ventilation hood; add microwave; use existing fridge and washer/dryer (existing can be stacked). Unsure what desired range and dishwasher sizes should be.
- Other details - The house is quite old, so we need to spend budget on getting plumbing and electrical up to code. The floor is also uneven so we'll also need to even the floors. Probably other things that will come up along the way, too :)
Sharing a few images:
Note: Measurements are accurate but counters/appliances are not to scale.
- Existing kitchen layout
- Existing bay window above sink
- Idea 1 - This provides lots of storage and a bit more counter space, but the space between fridge and counter is still far. We'd also remove window 1 entirely as window 2 provides sufficient light. But would close up the space a bit. We'd stack the W/D and add cabinetry to the laundry area.
- Idea 2 - Our neighbors have our same kitchen and they added this peninsula. Perhaps a bit crammed since there is the south wall, but not as bad as I imagined. This provides lots of close counter space, storage, and ability to have a few folks at the peninsula with stools.
After speaking with a few remodeling companies, we've decided to do as much as we can with Ikea cabinets and some contractor help.
Please let me know if I'm missing any info or details—I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Thank you in advance!
Comments (9)
mama goose_gw zn6OH
2 years agoCan you remove the short walls surrounding the fridge?
New to Kitchens? Read me first.
jpoptart thanked mama goose_gw zn6OH
jpoptart
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with new kitchen remodel...please!!
Comments (1)We can't recommend anything without a measured drawing to scale with all measurements of windows, doors etc noted with correct sizes....See MoreDated Kitchen - Please help with kitchen remodel ideas
Comments (1)Are any of the short walls by fridge and stove arch load bearing or contain ducting or electrical chases? I would be eliminating as many as I could to improve layout possibilities if you plan to replace cabs....that means drywall repair but worth it I think. All those jigs and jags make the room choppy. For example, removing that little wall by the fridge means you could run cabs under the window in an L-shape and eliminate that tiny cubbyhole with window. I am not sure what the purpose of the stove arch was/is but that would be high on my list of things to eliminate. What is in that short wall by the fire extinguisher? What is the space between the fridge and the doorway? If a closet, that would be a candidate for removal too. You will need to decide on how extensive you want to go and that will probably be determined by eliminating or keeping the cabs. If you eliminate them and are on a tight budget, look at Ikea cabs when there is a sale. If you keep the cabs, I would probably forgo spending a lot of money on new countertops so big box stock laminate counters should run $150-250. Using LVT tiles on the floor, painting walls, demoing the brick arch, centering stove on the wall space, removing wood valance, ditching curtains and blinds for Roman shades, and I assume updating lighting but only because I cannot see what is there are all things that could be done within a modest budget. Additionaly, how old is the flooring...old enough to be worried about asbestos?...See MorePlease help. Small budget, small family home kitchen partial remodel.
Comments (14)Perhaps I wasnt clear. I'm looking for layout suggestions because Im aware that I need to add countertop and cabinents. L or galley? I like this color, I'm not repainting. Kind of pointless to add a backsplash when money needs to be spent on cabinets. no? The color is not an issue it's the lack of cabinets and countertops. Pantry cabinets to the left of the fridge would extend into the doorway. So you would turn into the kitchen and into the side of cabinetry? I'll add additional images with measurements. Currently there is a double sink and the plans reflect a single sink. Yes the stainless appliances are the new pictures....See MoreRemodeling Kitchen in 1923 Spanish Bungalow - Need Help Please
Comments (1)You've done the measurements already. Please draw a floor plan to scale and upload a photo of it. The Ikea floor planner is fast and easy....See MoreAnnKH
2 years agojpoptart
2 years agoartemis78
2 years agojpoptart
2 years agoartemis78
2 years agoOurs is purchased--from a (sadly discontinued) IKEA freestanding kitchen line. I wanted a slightly bigger one but they were already being phased out at that point and this was what we could get. I sometimes wish it were about a foot longer (it's 25" x 42") but the width is perfect and we love that it has drawer storage on the sink side. I've looked at replacing it with something longer, but everything seems to have shelves--to get comparable drawer storage, I think we'd need to have one built.
Hard to get the full width of the kitchen in one shot, but you can see the edge of the refrigerator and the edge of the sink on either side of the span. This is 13' across. We're finally replacing the refrigerator with a counter-depth later this year, so that will be more or less flush with the counter once that's in, giving us a bit more space in the aisle. It's been very workable for many years as is, though.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
2 years agoartemis78, it's good to see a pic of your kitchen again. :)
jpoptart: May I ask why you suggest moving the fridge to the wall, instead of leaving it in place and building a shallower cabinet situation on that far wall?
Maybe I'm prejudiced against free-standing fridges with no landing space, or maybe it doesn't seem integrated into the kitchen. Maybe because traffic from the hall passes between the fridge and the other points of the work triangle. It causes a slightly less direct path between the hall entry and the other door. As part of the whole concept of layout, plus deeper counters, it seems that the legs of the triangle are shorter. Probably all of the above. But you need to decide if moving the fridge is worth the cost of removing the stub walls and changing plumbing, or if that expense can be better used on some other element of the kitchen (or a family vacation--which you'll need when this project is finished ;).
Here are the two plans side-by-side:
mama goose_gw zn6OH