Kitchen Layout Help - Peninsula or not?
Hi Everyone, We are in the process of gathering ideas for a kitchen update with the goal of maximizing storage and creating better flow. There are 5 of us in the home - 3 adults and 2 teenagers. There are typically 1 or 2 of us cooking meals at a time. The renovation budget is 50-60k so we are trying to avoid structural change.
I have included a picture of the current layout and a new design with measurements provided by a kitchen designer. We asked for a design without the peninsula as the space between the peninsula and fridge causes congestion. And there is a cabinet in the peninsula that becomes inaccessible when someone is cooking. However, after consideration, I am concerned that removing the peninsula will change the function of the kitchen. I am seeking opinions on keeping or removing the peninsula or alternatives to this layout.
Thank you for reading!
Comments (6)
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Layout Help - Peninsula?
Comments (8)what are the 2 rooms being joined? I see access to a covered porch, but thru a narrow door? and down some steps?.....I would want the kitchen sink window to instead be French doors or patio door and hook up flow to back yard and porch via decking/small patio/stepping stones/etc...probably have to change the screen panels on that side of porch for a screen door.....but I would....Placing sink and counter there prevents this option and that kind of access from this space would be included, if my home,even if the exterior deck or patio or the doors themselves can't be in the budget just yet.The kitchen doesn't really flow into living room/dining room at all, so at least a couple of seasons of being able to move into/out of back yard/porch/patio,, along with more light and view,would add huge value to the home.Therefore I would start planning with leaving kitchen functions at the front and the rear is where a table or banquette of smaller proportions coming off range wall might work. Then again, there is probably something like a double island[one being narrower], or galley 'within' type of kitchen that could make this a very special spot. The plan so far seems just okay. I think more enhancement can be created. This is for your friend?A lot depends on what kind of searching/thinking she's done..or what her budget is/etc.Has she searched Houzz or shown you pics/etc?...See MoreKitchen Layout help: island to peninsula
Comments (21)haha rosie, I wish! we're definitely not from a handy family (hence my cry for help here ;) We purchased a new house with this floor plan (they've just started building it). Everything looked fine on paper until I got to see the model home in person recently and my heart dropped when I realized how crammed the kitchen/bf area looked. Unfortunately the builder we purchased the house from is not very flexible (think borderline difficult). Many suggestions we offered were rejected (they won't even quote us a price), it seems any small change (especially structural changes where walls are involved) will meet huge resistance. lavender_lass, I too think they're just making up excuses regarding the french door. They first told us it's against code to have the doors open out (they have to open in). With the limited space before it wouldn't have worked anyway. Then they added the snow will somehow ruin the doors & the seal so they'd recommend against it either way. The only other door in the house is the front door. But because there is a porch, the door will be sheltered from heavy snow in the winter. Looks like not moving the fridge might not be an option due to limited space on the right wall (assuming the plan is to scale). and I try to keep the wall & features (like the sliding door) as much as possible just so the builder wouldn't get overwhelmed and give up on me ;). Here's what I think would be my best outcome. Anything more (e.g. changing the sliding door to a garden door, move the DR/kitchen door up as rosie suggested) would be bonus. Out of curiosity, would it be difficult to add the wrap window after the house is built? The builder might refuse to add windows :( Any recommendations on how big the island should be? e.g. with 3 or 4 stools? I'm assuming the bar stools will be stored under the breakfast bar most of the time, hence hidden from the FR. Any caveats on their placements as shown? i figured it'd be nice to be able to watch the FR TV (above the fireplace) from there when they're used. Thanks again for all the advice, I really appreciate it!...See MoreKitchen Layout Help - Peninsula
Comments (9)I agree with Stan - it's something we always recommend. However, if you are set on doing all this b/f you move in, then I suggest you stop thinking about "where should the peninsula be" and start thinking about the layout as a whole. Figure out what you would like for your kitchen, how it will be used, etc. We also need a fully measured layout of the space in question. This is were our Layout Help FAQ helps - it discusses the information we need from you that will help us come up with a layout that meets your needs and is still functional and a joy to work in! (It also contains a sample layout to show you what measurements we need.) 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 ....See MoreKitchen layout with peninsula help
Comments (7)Thank you all for the inputs. Sounds like the general consensus is the space is too small to comfortably fit a peninsula, without the more drastic changes I was trying to avoid. And get the DW next to the sink. @herbflavor Ha! I didn't even realize I made the windows different colors. Glad it made it easier to identify. 12in deep cabinets is an interesting idea. And pantry cab would help ease my lack of a peninsula. @Patricia Colwell I agree there is a difference between KD and cabinet folks. I even paid a KD for an initial design, but wasn't happy with the result, which in some ways led me here. Perhaps a different KD could have been better. As for Cabinet Joint, I agree with @eam44 that they are a reputable company and sell a quality product. I actually already designed, ordered, and assembled a vanity cabinet with drawers from them. Very happy with the experience/product which is why I intend to stick with them for the kitchen. @sinaarchitecturaldesign If only there was another place for me to put the back door! The other wall with a window on it is over a 2 car basement garage. As for the DW/sink on same wall, I want to work this in. And @wilson853 suggestion of either a 18in DW or a 30in sink base should do the trick! I need to go to the store to have a look at what I prefer more between the two. I wasn't even aware of 18in DWs before this. And yep, if no peninsula, I would like to incorporate a pantry cab to the right of the fridge, or even a cabinet-type pantry door that leads into an even-deeper-than-whatever-I-have-now pantry....See More
herbflavor
last yearlast modified: last year1. where does the white door lead? 2. which adjacent areas does most foot traffic come in/out of your kitchen, generally? 4. is there another dining set up somewhere else in the home? more info needed but I might place fridge where coffee bar is shown by the white door . for the 63 in wall then create an L w cabinets ....it would be 63 by about the same extending into floor space ..since you have a good number of inches across . With your number of people you could place microwave and coffee set up there , which gives that nice secondary zone away from the main wall......you would benefit from that and doesnt appear island would work....altho you could have a work island /straight run / across from sink/stove/ no seating ...again, IF fridge was positioned at wall, near white door......but the secondary zone is better w the small L on wall across the space, I think . Here's a pic of L shape coffee bar and more for your 63 in wall , instead of fridge there. ....open shelves is kinda nice , at least for some part.
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sena01
last yearDid you check any rolling carts? I think you have room for a 2x4' in front of the sink, if you can find a sturdy one that can roll easily. Maybe your trash can go there and it would give you extra prep space.
For the eating area you can consider 12-15" deep tall cabs.
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last yearlast modified: last yearThank you for your feedback!
@theresa21 - Great point about the landing zone next to the fridge. That’s the configuration we have now and was considering the tall pantry for microwave storage. Keeping the counter space there would be more functional. The shallow panrty instead of the coffee bar would also help with storage. Thank you!
@herbflavor The white door is a powder/laundry room and next to it is a back door to the deck The other traffic spot is from the hallway across from the sink. There is not another dining area. We mocked up a desgn with an island but as you suggested it was tight. I like the idea of a secondary zone and wil give some thought to the fridge placement
@cheri127 - I had never considered 30 inch counters That could be a tremendous help with counterspace. And i agree about the trash caninet - it is one if the features i really want We previously had it under the sink and it didnt work well for us. The mircowave is a challenge as i would like it tucked away i might need to compromise as the shallow pantry and counter next to the fridge out weigh it.
For anyone interested here is the design with the island (rendering no measurements) and current view of fridge/counter
cheri127