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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Need help figuring out layout of my kitchen renovation

last year

I bought a 1924 house last year and am doing a small addition to the kitchen. I cook every day and want to make the space functional and bright while still feeling appropriate for a 1920s home. I've been playing with the layout for months but can't quite figure it out. Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Goals for the finished space:

Lots of natural light! Ideally from 2 walls. The kitchen gets beautiful late afternoon light
Sink under window(s) facing the backyard
Ample prep space next to stove
Dishwasher next to sink and near storage for plates and silverware
30" farmhouse sink (already purchased)
30" Range

My issues so far:

Access to the backdoor and basement is tight and cannot be moved. Feels awkward...
Shallow niche is not deep enough for counter
Tight to fit an island (nice to have, not essential)
Where to put the fridge? Pantry wall seems like an obvious spot but it would jut out, even if I get a counter depth model
How wide to open up the doorway to the living/dining room

I am not married to my design and want to make sure I am not missing an obvious answer (or not so obvious!) This is my first kitchen renovation and I want to get it right so any help or advice is appreciated!

Layout after the addition:

Current kitchen taken from doorway to the living room. Window looks towards the backyard. Doorway to backdoor (down a few steps) and basement to the right of the window. Current sink wall is the tricky niche

Taken from doorway to backdoor. Wall with cabinetry will be pushed back during the addition to square off the room

Photo from the sink niche. Door to exterior will be lost and that wall is moving in the renovation.

A few views of my current design idea:

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Comments (5)

artemis78
last year
I would consider ending the sink run at the dishwasher and then pulling out the pantry wall to 24" deep so that it is flush with a counter-depth refrigerator. Much more storage space, and then you can end it with a shallow cabinet in front of the chimney so that it is one continuous wall and masks the chimney bumpout. (Is the chimney for a fireplace, or does it vent something?)
emilyam819
last year
I don’t think the refrigerator sticking out is a problem, but I do like the shallow cabinet in front of the chimney idea. Or you can put the fridge in the middle of that wall with the shallow pantry on each side. I’d absolutely widen the doorway entry to the kitchen. Don’t like the cabinet resting on the counter; it limits counter space and it should be the same height as the other wall cabinets. Scootch the stove and sink as far apart from each other as you can. Put toaster, coffee maker, microwave, etc to the left of stove to make use of that space.
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Wow, so many replies so quickly! Thank you. I will try to answer all the questions but I might miss something... * In our part of Texas, there are NO basements because the water table is simply too high. * We also do not have a garage. * The laundry room is too small to steal any space from (the washer and dryer back right up to the kitchen's adjoining wall) nor is there any room in there for the freezer. * Totally agree about the wasted space 'down south'. My ultimate dream would be to bump out the wall and build a 'great room' there with tons of windows to catch our spectacular sunsets. * With 4 kids always in and out for drinks, balls, or potty breaks, or for hubby to get to his grill or the shed, the back door really is used very regularly. And yes, it really is only a 30" aisle. * The entry/front door measurements are a bit off since I started too near the top of the paper and ran out of room, lol. The entry itself is 53" (of which the open front door cuts into by 36"), but there is a framed walkway into the kitchen/DR which only measure 46" W , if that makes sense. It really is a bizarre layout. I apologize for the crude sketch - I know I need to do it properly in some online software or something but I still need to learn how. :)
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If you use lisa_a's with 2 entrances to the pantry it may just vent itself easily as I'd imagine the pocket entry door to it from the garage may stay open or ajar frequently. You could possibly fit it in the bump back to match the entrance stairs. Fridges in garages are pretty common around here but we have more issues with freezing temps than overly hot. Otherwise I'd put it in that spot in the garage where the writing says small appliances for inside the kitchen. That's not far of a walk at all.
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@everdebz Yes it is a country style (not my style) - this is the house I'm buying so I plan to repaint in white (more modern/minimalist style). I do have to repaint kitchen cabs anyway - they look a lot better in the photo but in reality have a lot of peeling paint. Countertop will also have to be replaced as it is concrete painted with peeling paint. Here are some photos of the bathroom. The area with 3 squares is a free standing vanity thing. Next to the other vanity thing that holds two sinks. I love the idea of making it a closet! I prefer "clean" spaces and the multiple vanity things in the master bath aren't my favorite. Where would you put an office? Also pic of the other side of the kitchen with side view of pantry (the thing that bothers me)
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
last modified: last year
I would go from the ceiling for open shelves cabinet.
artemis78
last year
I'd also push the range as close to the window as you can while still having room for a properly sized vent hood. That gives you more cabinet and counter space between the range and sink, where it's most valuable IMO. And yes, definitely ditch the upper cabinet to the right of the sink--it looks awkward, both to use and visually since it doesn't match the other upper cabinetry. (But again, I'd just end that run at the window anyway and give the space to the other side of the kitchen.) I'd also move the refrigerator to the left to be closer to the sink.
sena01
last year
Maybe a U?

Both corners are void. In the niche I have 2x30" pantry cabs and a broom closet. I think you can fit 18" wide drawers next to the DW and a 12" wide cab for oils, etc. next to the sink. DR/LR doorway is 48" wide.

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