Need advice on two kitchen reno choices

12 years ago

Hi, renovating the small kitchen in a 1910 apartment building. Want to keep the "vintage" feel but with modern conveniences.

Question 1, photo 1. The current stove seems too big and prominent because it sits in front of a bump-out in the wall. Want to move the range left, tuck it in, and perhaps replace it with a 24" gas range. Is 24" range (smaller size) going to be a seen as a draw-back to a potential next owner? Should we go with the 30" range?

Question 2, photos 2 and 3. Removing this DR wall and replacing with a peninsula. Should we have two tiered bar (height) and counter-top, or just a counter-top level counter? The bar would hide the direct view into the kitchen (which might be preferred by some), but that would reduce the size of the counter-top in an otherwise very small kitchen. The countertop height would give us more counter space but with a direct view into a (possibly messy) kitchen.

Thanks for advice...
Carol in Columbus

Featured Answer

Ann Carriger

12 years ago

Personally, I would avoid using anything less than a 30" range. It could deter the next potential owners. Especially since kitchens are a major selling point in a home. What is behind the stove bump out? I would not do a bar height. Although it does hide mess the desired counter top space would be a better advantage. Plus it is a more practical eating area as well. Hope this helps!

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Comments (6)

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Urbanata/Steve
12 years ago
What is the depth to face of counter at the bump out in your wall? Where is your refrigerator, on the wall opposite the sink? It would help if you could provide the present layout and some dimensions. As to a 30" range versus a 24" the only real drawback I have found (I have a 24") is in oven capacity, don't expect to cook more than a 16-18 pound turkey in most. SMEG makes a wonderful 24" range with convection oven 25" depth that would work well into your small traditional kitchen.

As to opening the wall to the dining area assuming this is not structural I would encourage you to do so as these rooms appear very small and this would visually improve the sight lines and permit you to work in the kitchen and speak to guests sitting around your table. Cabinets overheard in a cut out would certainly give you more storage but visually is not nearly as appealing as open clearance. Rarely do any of our clients remodeling a kitchen with overhead cabinets above a stub wall wish to retain them in a remodel.
Caroline Wagner thanked Urbanata/Steve
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flyr4fun
12 years ago
Not a fan of the smaller range. Why is the wall not flush and can something be done? I would recommend the counter top level peninsula with no cabinets above.
Caroline Wagner thanked flyr4fun
dolphindancer30
11 years ago
Could the counter top be extended to the door frame with drawers underneath? Find a hiding place for the trash. Put a cook top where the range is now. Then, install oven(s) under the peninsula, along with a micro drawer. Or you could install a micro/hood combo over the cook top.
Jennifer
11 years ago
Smaller range is definitely a drawback to future owners. I would take out the wall, and create a peninsula with a stove built in. Where the stove is now can be extra counterop space.
Kendrah
11 years ago
Agree with others. Smaller range is a draw back.

I don't fancy a two tiered counter in any space, but especially not in a smaller one - too much going on. You will get a lot more use out of having one larger surface. The question you have to ask yourself is if an open kitchen idea is really for you. If you keep a messy kitchen and you don't want to have to see it, I think you might want to rethink taking that wall down.