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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Comments (15)One of my motivations for keeping the sink/range where they are is to minimize labor costs, which seem to be almost two times higher for any work (on the plus side, it's as if all appliances and materials are 50% off). For example, a quote from a highly rated (for both quality and cost) installer to just hang the stock Ikea cabinets is $2000. I plan to go with them, or just do it myself. It's a small condo, so both walls are interior walls with no exterior access. The range hood duct currently vents to the exterior through the dining area (running straight between two ceiling joists). I'm hoping to reuse the existing 240V junction box where the slide in range currently sits for both the oven and cooktop to avoid breaking into the concrete slab to run thicker wiring. Will extending the countertop overhang from 10" to 15" help with safety and usability of the cooktop? The dining area isn't large enough to really take advantage of countertop seating. To keep the range in that position: 1. Move sink supply/drain lines several feet along existing wall. 2. Buy a more expensive, larger 36" range hood. But use existing ducting. To switch the sink and range: 1. Break concrete slab to route 240V across kitchen. 2. Run plumbing and drain line around kitchen wall. 3. Modify ikea cabinets to run supply and drain lines through them (the toe kick solution looks nice, but will require elevating all cabinets). 4. Modify ceiling to extend existing range duct across kitchen, and through two joists along the wall. On another note, I will probably go with a 30" GE induction cooktop with 28.5" cutout width requirement, as it seems to be the only one small enough that can fit the 30" ikea cabinet (which has two 3/4" sides for an opening of exactly 28.5"). But I'll have the countertop opening cut slightly larger so larger cooktops could be added in the future by shaving down the sides of the ikea cabinet....See MoreLooking for Kitchen Layout Design Suggestions, Peninsula vs Island
Comments (13)mama goose_gw zn6OH Thank you for commenting! Switching the DW to the right of the sink and creating dish storage in the island is a fantastic idea! The placement now IS smack dab in the middle of my cooking zone when I think about it. And the pull out trash bin in it's place makes much more sense. Definitely going to add that to our list of changes! Is there a standard for the depth of the drawers to store the dishes? My husband and I are still undecided about having seating at the island. Since it would be a gathering spot when we entertain, we are worried the walkway may be too narrow for seated guests - guests standing around - and guests trying to walk by. While I love the idea, it is something we are still tossing around. There is currently a storage unit in the school room, on the flip side of the pantry wall. If possible we would rather leave that room as is - since it is technically 'finished'. What are your thoughts about locating the under counter beverage fridge in the dining room built-ins? I appreciate the thoughts on using a counter depth fridge. We currently have a true built-in on our appliance list and the difference in price is definitely worth noting. Thanks again for all of your great suggestions!...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 MoreNeed help with Kitchen and peninsula recessed lighting layout and type
Comments (1)Your hood should have a light in it I usually change those to LEDs I like pendants over islands and peninsulas sine they also perform as task lights . You want the 4” pot lights to be placed just in front of the lower cabinets so they do not cast shadows I usually like them about 4’ apart and again in LEDs in4000K . You also should have under cabinet lighting too. Put a pot light over the sink and then just 2 pendants over the work space on the end of the peninsula...See More
herbflavor
2 months agolast modified: 2 months ago1. 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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2 months agoDid 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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2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoThank 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