Need help with awkward 90s kitchen with corner pantry layout
Hi there,
Husband and I are brainstorming on ways we can remodel this outdated 90s kitchen that has a corner pantry and awkward doorway. We'd like to remove the awkward island cooktop altogether and would ideally like a larger fridge than the original area allots.
A few ideas we've floated around:
- Removing island
- Adding peninsula to sink side of kitchen
- Purchasing range, place next to sink side – we are afraid it might make that side of the kitchen too busy
- Placing wall oven next pantry in the original fridge spot – but where would cooktop go? Possibly
- Knocking down the upper cabinets next to pantry, adjacent to family room and placing fridge there
- Leveling/flatten countertop adjacent to family room
We plan on refacing cabinets and getting new countertops altogether.
For reference, the entire kitchen + dining measures 21x12.7ft. We plan on utilizing the nook area (adding in tables + chairs) as our informal dining room. Thank you!
Comments (11)
herbflavor
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agothe look of the cabinets isnt your kitchen's issue ...."looks" is what refacing addresses at quite high relative cost..... I would shift the dining room passage to where pantry is. You get an L configuration which you need as you lack wall space. purchase a range and hood .....install on outside wall... Since space is basically open to family room you can put large island in with sink/ couple stools and drawers so no pantry needed ...once the pony wall and ovens/etc are removed...... peninsula likewise will not be needed with an L kitchen and island. this means more a remodel than "reface and move things about. " I dont think I'd proceed with anything until I thought out a few options. please offer dimensions on graph paper. here's a couple L kitchens with islands...once you get walls set up better to work for you.....youd have numerous options better than what you suggest.
The Elevated Cottage · More Info
Eclectic Modern Farmhouse · More Info
and islands with more landing /storage function / less emphasis on seating
Kitchen Remodel - Gaithersburg, MD · More Info
Lake Oswego Kitchen & Family Room · More InfoRelated Discussions
Need help with very Awkward kitchen layout!!
Comments (20)Okay, here are two more ideas, with windows and doors in existing locations, plumbing untouched but with the gas line moved. These plans use Ikea cab sizes (rounded up, obviously). I spec'd a CD fridge in both plans to avoid crowding the back door. I eliminated the peninsula and swapped it for an island with room for 2 seats. Eliminating the peninsula allowed me to move the range down the wall, giving you more prep room between sink and range. The island is composed of a counter supported by 2 legs at the lower end and an upper cabinet serving as a base cabinet at the top end (check Ikea hacks, this has been done before). The lower end of the island is open for seating like this [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Charleston Cabinets & Cabinetry K & K Custom Cabinets LLC Plan D adds a peninsula for seating opposite the fridge. The 3 cabinets in the lower left corner are upper cabs used as base cabs. Stack an additional 12" and 24" on top of the bottom 2 to create a shallow pantry. The 24" cab below the window is only one high, topped with counter. You can eliminate the doors and have a bookcase/display case here instead. The top side of the peninsula has one each 12" and 30" wide base cabs, facing the fridge, for more storage and serving as counter support. The peninsula has room for 3 seats with ample aisles behind the seats. I curved the lower right end of the counter overhang. You can use the peninsula as additional prep area, buffet counter, snack center.... Whatever fits your needs. This post was edited by lisa_a on Sun, Jul 13, 14 at 16:50...See MoreThose darn corners - Please help with my awkward kitchen layout!
Comments (8)Thanks, everyone, for your ideas so far! Stan Z - Nixing the upper corner cab is an interesting idea! I love the balance it would bring to that wall. I'm just not sure if I would be able to reach everything, and I'm paranoid about not having enough storage (especially if the W/D goes in the "pantry"). Do you think it would look better if I put another upper cabinet to the right of the stove (instead of open shelves) to balance that out? If I end up with the second design (corner Susan and larger 24" to the right of the stove) I was planning on putting an upper there. I've definitely gone back and forth on the peninsula thing... but we're pretty set on keeping a separate dining room. desertsteph - sorry about the measurements on the floorplan not showing up well! I didn't realize the image would post so small. I will simplify the drawing so it's easier to read once I get home. The curved line is a door (in my terrible drafting skills). Those are the stairs to the second floor, and the stairs to the basement are underneath it (enter through the dining room). I just included that to show that the flow of traffic is going in that direction. The kitchen originally had the opening on the other side, but I think it makes more sense to direct the traffic on that side. No bathroom on the first floor, unfortunately, but we have a street level walkout basement with another bathroom. There really isn't space for one on the first floor, and probably less than half the houses in the neighborhood have added one, so I'm not too worried about it. mgmum - Switching the DW and sink is a definite possibility. I thought if I kept the bar seating there I thought it would be better to have the dishwasher next to it instead of the sink (since we probably wouldn't be loading the dishwasher while someone is there, but we might be working at the sink). Maybe that's just not true, though. That is an exterior wall by the bar - it's a garden window looking out at the patio (the shape in the mockup is correct but I couldn't figure out how to make the panes see through). buehl - I'm open to the sink going somewhere other than by the window... it just seems like the most obvious place that people think is "correct". I've never had a dishwasher so I keep thinking in terms of my old paradigm. It's going to be an adjustment (the good kind!). Honestly the window doesn't have a great view - it looks at the brick wall of the house across the street. I'm more concerned about the dishwasher door or sink being too close to the breakfast bar if someone is sitting there and snacking or chatting with the cook. At first I was being stubborn about the blind corner, but once I realized it might not fit into the design, I began to think that a corner Susan would be better anyway. I'm kind of the same size as a small child, but that sounds like a royal pain to deal with. I think I just got dazzled by the fancy pullout at Ikea! Maybe it's better to void the corner to fix the issue of the stove and sink being too close. I'll take another look at what that would look like. mama goose_gw zn6OH - Yes, that window is pre-existing. It's actually not a pass through and doesn't even open except a little vent at the top! It's not the highest quality window but I don't mind it and would probably prefer to change it out later down the road to save some money. It does seem like one of those "while you're at it" things, though... it's probably more cost effective to do everything at once if I can scrape up some more. I do like your U shape design a lot, but I was reeeeeally hoping to put some seating in the kitchen since the dining room is separate. Good point about the fridge - for some reason I was thinking it would stick out enough (though it definitely doesn't the way I drew it) or we would put a filler piece there to allow it to open. I'll have to double check on that. lavender_lass - You just said the magic word! I blew my bathroom budget by a mile because I went on a tiling spree... but I'll probably wait to tile the kitchen and DIY it later on, so that might make it feasible. I do love those feature tile walls in a kitchen! Is the breakfast bar what's screwing me up here? Do I need to give up that dream?? Would people think I made a giant mistake if the sink is still under the window but not centered? I could tell that idea gave my contractor a twitch when I brought it up!...See MoreLayout help with my 90s great room
Comments (6)Since noise travels upwards, I like option 2 with the television in the back away from the stairs. I also love the round table in the middle that can act as an activities table, but also for more formal dining or as a place for serving if you are having a party. I would consider building some custom cabinetry on the long wall behind the round table to give you a place to store your craft supplies, etc. The cabinetry would also act as a nice delineation between the two seating areas. I would probably use a sectional in the TV space rather than a sofa and daybed. It would seat more people and be more comfortable. Daybeds aren't too fun to sit on. Rather than four chairs in the front area, I would use two comfortable chairs in the window, then choose chairs for the round table that could be pulled over to either of the seating areas if needed....See MoreNeed help with awkward layout and opening kitchen in late 50s ranch
Comments (24)You guys are awesome! I tried to incorporate everyone suggestions (because they were all great!) and this is what I've come up with. Since I'm not sure which of the kitchen walls are load bearing, both designs incorporate the possible need for a beam to extend down, which is fine. LAYOUT A: large pass-through looking into the living room and the doorway to the kitchen has been expanded. Basement stairs and corner coat closet have also been removed and the doorway into the addition has been widened. Hoping the outer facing cabinets around the beam can act as a place to put keys and bags, otherwise, we have no entryway. Concern: I'm a messy cook and with that being said, I'm questioning whether the stove should be below the pass-through because I'm envisioning grease splattering and sauce flying into my living room. LAYOUT B: The same as layout A but with a smaller pass-through that begins after the stove. My concern for this is despite the pass-through being just shy of 5ft wide, based on this mock-up, it doesn't look like it does much to open the room. Would this be a waste of money to even bother with? Here's a loose floorplan of both A and B. What are your thoughts? The fridge jams me up a bit because it seemed too bulky near the kitchen entrance and moving it towards the addition opening made it too crammed again....See Morekandrewspa
2 months agotrngngbo
2 months agoThanks everyone on your feedback so far! We agree that this kitchen is less than ideal - both in layout and aesthetically. We absolutely despise the center cooktop island, and the colors and tile are just...yuck!
Below is the floorplan that we have access to. I have thought about removing the corner pantry altogether, but we'd have to look into how structurally possible that is.
I drew up two options last night. This is our top option in the scenario that we keep the corner pantry:- Leaving sink + dishwasher as is, adding peninsula extension facing breakfast nook
- Adding cooktop + range hood to the left of sink (towards the dining room entry door)
- Moving wall oven to existing fridge area
- Moving fridge to current wall oven area
- Adding in more lower cabinets and leveling out countertop towards the living room
Though after reading your comments, I am open to other ideas. Instead of refacing, we would likely tear out and redo everything. Our main concern is having to add any electric or water lines to support moving the sink & dw or any appliances from their original spots.
Thank you for your help and suggestions!
cpartist
2 months agotrngngbo
2 months agotrngngbo
2 months agoFor additional reference, here is what the space looks like from the living room.
JAN MOYER