I don't have as big a room as you do, but my USEABLE space for cabs is about the same as yours. I need to post it up for comments, but maybe this draft would be helpful to you.

Here is your layout:

{{!gwi}}

I would check into the option of opening up that wall to the family room and adding the beams necessary. If that could be done, you could build a 'return' wall where the current opening to the family room is and add some cabinets there ont he window wall.

Then, I would consider adding a banquette in the corner (dependant on where that window sits on the wall). That would tuck you family seating off to the side a bit, perhaps even giving you room to expand your island (again, replacing some of the lost storage). Banquettes can offer lots of storage, as well.

That's just my initial reaction, which, after looking at your layout again, may or may not be workable. Hope you get more advice!

Sandy

I see some issues that might cause you grief.

Work aisles: Your 30" counters are only taking up 24" and your 36" fridge 30", so that means you have only 42" clearance in that aisle, and 36" in front of the fridge. Your sink wall has only 36" clearance. Take about 3" from all aisles for counter overhang, and you are really tight. NKBA guidelines say 42" minimum for a one cook kitchen, and 48" for two.

You could definitely move that island back from the range, but you might lose your kitchen table. BTW, you should also measure and check your kitchen table clearances against NKBA.

You could also cut the island down to 12" deep cabs, but that might be bad if you wanted a prep sink in the island.

I can see that you canÂt move the island left to give more clearance to the sink wall. I know that you really want the island to be big, but shaving off 24" and centering it in the space left would give you 48" on either side of it for traffic clearance.

Seating clearance: You have only 12" which is OK if you are doing a two-level island and the seating will be bar height (42" high). If you are doing a one level island (36"), you need 15". I am doing 18" because we are all tall at my home.

Also, I guess my layout is only helpful to you if you will not remove the load bearing wall. If you did, I might try something like this:
WEST WALL: 36" fridge, 15" cab, 30" stove, 12" cab, 36" lazy susan
NORTH WALL: 36" lazy susan, 24" drawer, 33" sink, 24" dw, 18" drawer (I might make this a trash pullout).
Cut down island.
This also extends your space between range and sink for more prep area. However be advised that kids may constantly be coming through your work space to get a drink from the fridge or whatever. If you could somehow do a header with a wiiiide post to hide the fridge, I would follow my posted plan, but cut down the island as above.

Sorry for not posting picture layouts  I hope this make sense.

Here is a link that might be useful: NKBA Kitchen Guidelines

Cut the cabs down by 18" and move it 12" from the sink wall, but leave 15" overhang for seating on the opposite end. That gives you 48" clearance on the sink side and 39" clearance on the dining room wall side.

It also leaves you 3 seats in an L configuration, which is better for conversation anyway.

Likely no prep sink in this configuration, if you had wanted one.

Here is a link that might be useful: NKBA Kitchen Guidelines 8 - Traffic Clearance at Seating

Wow, Tracie and Sandy, thank you for your help! I appreciate all your advice, including the helpful links.

Thank you for pointing out the areas that will 'cause me grief.'

Do you think it wise to take down the north wall and open it up to the family room? I have brand new wood floors throughout the entire first floor including the kitchen.

I will try to redraw the layout using your suggestions.

Thanks again! :)

I've worked on my kitchen layout. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I'm still thinking about taking down the north wall that leads into the family room. I think it would open up the space and let it more light, as the family room has more windows in it.

I'm trying to go through my kitchen and reorganize what I have, store what I don't use to see how much space I really need. Thank you to whomever suggested that idea! It makes so much sense, but I would never have thought of it without the help of this forum.

My local custom cabinet maker gave me a quote of 13k for painted white, shaker, inset cabinets. I guess that isn't bad? Although it is high for my budget. He makes a quality cabinet, but his kitchen designing abilities aren't his strong point.

I tried to design a banquette and center it under the only window in the kitchen on east wall. I'm sure my cabinet maker can build anything I come up with.

Thank you for your help!

I'm going to *bump* this up just in case anyone has any great ideas for my kitchen layout. Thanks!

Whoops, missed your updates. I'll check back in when I'm less bleary eyed.

Quick note: you might want your micro right next to the fridge, that's where the leftovers go for me. I'm not putting it there because of my view from the front door.

Stari, if you DO open up that wall, what about putting the seating on the sink run peninsula? Then your island could be all cabinetry and would make up for your lost wall cabs. Just a thought.

I'd prefer to scoot the range 12" or so closer to the fridge to expand that second prep area and make the corner cab angled so you can utilize that counter space better. But if you don't want to change your gas plumbing it should be fine.

I'm also a little leery of the location of your prep sink. Normally prep goes fridge>wash in sink>prep/chop area>range. The ideal place would be in front of the fridge but you do have the seating there now. However if you practice mise en place, its current location is not such a big deal.

Finally, I think your banquette seating looks tight and hard to slide into and sit down. I'm not sure how to construct a banquette though. Maybe post a thread just on that, a lot of people have them and can tell you their measurements and experiences.

Tracie.erin you're the bomb! Thank you for your helpful input.

I can't decide between opening the load bearing wall completely or doing a 4 foot opening. A 4 foot opening would gain a view of the fireplace in the family room but without losing all the upper cabinets on that wall.

I'll look into the possibility of moving the stove. Unfortunately, I don't have gas in the house. I can't imagine moving an electric stove to be a problem.

I had no idea where a prep sink was supposed to go. :) Thank you for the info. Since it's not a large kitchen maybe I should consider doing a pot filler and no prep sink?

Banquette - I'm thinking maybe I should just make it a built in bench under the window, and then add table and chairs to it. I think that would eliminate the design challenges of a true banquette.