I don't know about others but I can't open this.

I think you will get more help if you can post jpegs of your plans.

The current set up with the fridge and range is definitely a problem. You need a minimum of 12" on each side of the range. I am definitely not a layout guru, but I have a similar problem with limited wall space. I opted to put my range on the peninsula because of it. Not everyone agrees with that idea, but it is what works best for me and the space I have available. Would the fridge fit in the space where the dishwasher is now? Then I would move the sink and dw to under the other window. I see you have a fridge and freezer in the pantry, so is the one in the kitchen smaller? That could make it work.

Thanks for your thoughts....I tried to post the jpegs and could not figure out how to do it...any suggestions?

I agree with you about the fridge and range, the problem with moving it to the peninsula is I do not want a hood hanging over the peninsula. I cannot move the sink to the other window because it is a flip up window that attatches to ceiling hooks giving us access to the screened in porch.

I am considering extending the wall where the fridge and range are, or moving the doorway to where the range is and closing the other part up. Then I worry about my sight line down into the pantry and back door?

We are on an island, so that is why I have an extra fridge and freezer...and we have 4 kid and lots of family on the island so lots of visitors. I guess we could have a smaller fridge in the kitchen, hadn' thought of that.

I really athis to be an natural flowing kitchen with people coming through and lots of cooks helping out.

my other idea is to totally rethink the peninsula but I do have to deal with that one support post.

I wouldn't fight the structure so much.

Close up most of that wall where the LVL beam is. I think it's odd to open a front door and stumble into a line of bar stools in the front hall anyway. Put the range on that wall roughly where the words "flush" or "top" are. To the right, put a prep sink--your sink is way too far from the stove. Maybe the prep can be in a corner. Now open up the wall to the back hallway, and make it all part of the kitchen, with your peninsula there. You may even be able to fit an end seat on the peninsula, which is better for conversation.

Put the fridge where the DW is, and put the DW under the windows. With no uppers you'll need lots of drawers for dish/glass storage.

Thanks for your suggestions Marcolo! Never thought of that! The reason I wanted the peninsula that way is that the cottage looks out over the lake and I wanted to be open to the dining room and porch, but I will experiment with your idea,

Thanks!

Well, I can certainly see why you'd want the counter near the DR and porch. But having tried that starting point, it may be time to try others, too.

I had also thought about extending that DW-area counter to become the "peninsula," with seating behind, also removing that same wall between kitchen and back hallway--but couldn't figure out how to make everything else work.

I figured out how to do the pdfs as jpegs so here they are...the main floor plans are tiny and I could not enlarge them without them becoming really blurry. The link at the bottom is much better but you have to cut and paste them. Again, I would appreciate ideas...am working on the suggestions already made to see if they are better for me.

In this image you are looking at the side door of the kitchen opening into the hallway where there is a bathroom to the right and a mudroom/pantry/laudry next on the right.

The kitchen opens up to the dining room past the peninsula, and out to the screened in front porch through the double doors. The window leading to the front porch will be a lift up, so I cannot have a sink there. As I mentioned before, I have a post in the middle of the peninsula that has to stay, all the rest is movable. I am wondering about utilizing the area under the window better and reorganizing the stove and fridge. Thoughts?

For some reason it is much clearer with Acrobat...copy and paste this link and you can enlarge it.

https://acrobat.com/#d=Mya2gtfzFFYeOMm6FCUEFQ

I am bumping this up - I have been working on it and am totally frustrated. I think wanting the open windows on two sides has left me with so few options. Does anyone else have a brilliant idea how to help me?

Essentially the problem is not enough usable wall space and I still want the kitchen to open into the dining room. I really want the kids to sit up at a peninsula or island and I need lots of counter space. That little bump out by the window is an area I should utilize.

Thanks for your ideas so far...and i hope someone has more!

What are your thoughts (or code restrictions) on putting the range under the windows that are at the bottom of your drawing? That would give you counter on either side of it and give you a better fridge-sink-stove movement? It would also let you put a small full-height pantry (maybe micro in there too) either to the left or right of the fridge, depending on which you might want in closer to the corner of the countertop. Oh, and maybe you could even put a small prep sink in the very corner of the peninsula area, perhaps.

When you say that the post in the peninsula must stay, do you mean the one in the corner of the "L", or the one next to the bar stools?

Best wishes!

I mean the post in the middle of the peninsula, to my great disappointment. I agree with you...putting the range at that end would solve all my problems. I don't think I want one on that counter though, those are the windows that I want to have flip up and attach to the ceiling. This is a muskoka cottage, in Canada, and it is sort of trying to look a little more traditional in terms of style because I do not want it to look too new...It needs to have some quirkiness.

I have thought about separating the two windows above the sink and putting a range in there? and then a sink on the peninsula. Also another thought is to put the range at the closed end of the peninsula, if I could get it in there.
I like the idea of a prep sink that would at least help with the distance of the kitchen. Where would you put it? I worry about functionality if it is too small, and having it look out of place on the peninsula. I do not have one in my home kitchen, but think with lots of people using the cottage it might make sense.

Thanks for your ideas!

can you fit the fridge where the dw is now, and move the dw around the corner to under the window that will have the flip out?

Did you try my idea of eliminating the back hallway and putting the bar there?

What are the dimensions of the various walls/openings/windows/etc. in the kitchen-proper? I could probably piece them together by combining other measurements, etc., but it would be much easier if you could post a pic with labeled dimensions.

What do you plan for the "alcove" to the right of the kitchen (6' wide and near the back(?) door)?

Could you tell us what views are out what windows...is the lake out the bottom windows? DR windows? Other windows?

Have you considered a corner range in the closed corner of the peninsula and narrowing the 6'0" opening to be able to move the refrigerator over? For the corner range, you'd need approx 4' on each of the walls in the corner.

BTW...you're probably not receiving emails of follow-up postings, even though you checked the box requesting them. This is b/c you don't have the email option turned on in your profile. See the "Read Me" thread for more information. Scroll down to the post with the subject "Getting Emails Sent To You...3-step Process".

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens! [Help keep on Page 1]

controlfreakecs - Yes, I could put the fridge where the dishwasher is, but that would leave me only 18 to 24 inches between the fridge and the sink...I don't want it to feel to closed in there.

marcolo,
every time I try to configure the peninsula around the back door it feels shut off from the rest of the living area of the house. I also really want the kitchen more open to dining/living room.

Buehl...thank you for the tips...here are the dimensions, I am not very computer savvy so i just added them with mspaint. I hope it is clear.

the 6' kitchen window a the bottom of the plan will open to the screened in porch, flipping up so I feel like I am outside even when in the kitchen. There is a view of the lake out both the side and bottom kitchen windows and both dining room windows. The front of the cottage is the screened in porch which has a 180 degree view of the lake, although we are set back from it about 70 feet. The back of the cottage looks into the woods. Very private, no neighbors, and shady evergreen forest.

The alcove is open for ideas, I am thinking a small desk for computer, shallow cabinets, bench for the kids to sit at and chat to me, small corner banquette?

I have considered a corner range, but worried about the inefficient use of space...but will do a search for images and see what I think might work. great to know I need 4 feet.

i can open or close the back wall...it is just framed right now. I also can change the dimensions of the peninsula wall to make it longer or shorter but I cannot move the post in the middle of the peninsula. I mentioned separating the windows above the sink and putting in a range between them, but the windows have been ordered, and I need to check and see if there is enough room there to use the same sized windows.

Grateful for your thoughts and expertise!!!

Here is a link that might be useful:

oops, forgot one measurement, here it is fixed...

bump

Since you have a fridge and freezer in the pantry for primary food storage, what about just doing refrigerator drawers? That would allow you to keep the open feel and increase your counter space. It would also allow you to put snacks or drinks in a more convenient location, like the peninsula or under the flip up windows. The biggest negative is cost, but it might be worth it in your situation.

I wish I had an idea for getting that 4th stool at the counter, but you are really stuck due to that main support wall. Could you just have a column that comes down through the counter and open the wall on the other side of it? It might fit if you are going for the more rustic lakeside cottage feel.