Small Kitchen Layout Help Needed

RWeb1970

15 years ago

Hi,

I am looking for ideas on redesigning my small kitchen and eating area. Both my wife and I enjoy cooking/baking and the layout we have just doesn't work for us. Issues we have:

- We have a young child and almost always have a drying rack for dishes/bottles out above the DW which limits our counter space.

- Not enough storage space

- Prep area is really only big enough for one person.

- Prep area is more or less blocked if someone is at the stove.

- Corner cabinet between stove and sink is completely inaccessible (except around the plumbing clean-out).

- We do not have a formal dining room and would like to have the potential to seat 8 for the occasional dinner with extended family and/or friends.

- We'd like to have a door into the garage.

- With young kids, I'm not at all a fan of bar-type seating.

Here is what the layout currently looks like:

Here is the 'optional' floor plan if the builder decided to include a garage door (we don't currently have any way of entering the garage except from outside).

My first thought was to remove the load-bearing wall that separates the kitchen and family room but removing it completely would necesitate a new section of foundation in the basement to support the increased point-loads and very some creative plumbing/hvac work.

Nevertheless, here is my very rough idea in sketch-up (note, I've reversed the layout because that's the model we own):

Using two larger columns to provide both structural support and plumbing/hvac runs is also a possibility but given the 10' width of the kitchen, I just cannot make it work when I tried to lay it out. In this case, we thought about trying to fit a built-in eating area and replace the back patio door (sliding) with a single glass-paned door and a window.

I'm very keen to hear everyone's thoughs. Thanks.

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Comments (4)

marcolo
15 years ago
Funny. First thing I thought of when viewing your original plans was how nice it would be to take down that wall. You do have to ensure it's possible and within budget.

Your new plan looks good, with some caveats. That table looks too big--realistically, someone sitting and eating will have their butt on the coffee table. You might be able to fit an island with a regular overhang, but I understand you wouldn't want that as your only eating space with small kids. An attached table that allows seating only on the sides, with no butts in the LR, might possible work.

Is that patio door your main entry to the yard? In your current plan, traffic seems to go right through the working space of the kitchen.

As far as support columns go, take a look at this thread:

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread on islands with support columns
lavender_lass
15 years ago
Do you have other homes connected to yours? If not, I'd put some windows on the sides, even if there's not much view. Even high or clerestory windows, will let in a lot of light.

One other idea...could you use the layout of your builder's second option, with the sink and cooktop on that wall...and use a large table for your prep space? You could have chairs on the side facing the living area and the patio doors, but the table would work as a prep island for everyday.

When you have more people over, add a few leaves, a table cloth and more chairs. If necessary, turn the table, so it fits through a wide opening between the two rooms and then for more room, move the coffee table/ottoman, out of the way.

This would solve your venting problems and give you more 'everyday' room. The space looks a little tight, between the chairs and living area. Best of luck with your new home :)
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RWeb1970
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the feedback so far.

Is that patio door your main entry to the yard? In your current plan, traffic seems to go right through the working space of the kitchen.

It is. As it stands, that sliding door opens and you need to skirt around our round kitchen table.

Do you have other homes connected to yours? If not, I'd put some windows on the sides, even if there's not much view. Even high or clerestory windows, will let in a lot of light.

There's no possibility of putting windows in the kitchen which is why I'm not keen on moving the sink to the builder's 2nd option. With a young (and growing family) I'd like to get the sink facing and one prep area the living room so we can keep an eye on the kids.

We can put windows in the living room wall and that is certainly something else we're considering.
RWeb1970
Original Author
15 years ago
I should add, thanks for the link "thread on islands with support columns" marcolo. The issue I have with support columns in an island is that every sketch I make ends up with too much space in the centre of the kitchen for people but not enough for a rectangular kitchen table. Making a u-shape layout that tied into a support column and then along the garage and 'no-window' walls would work, but we really want to put in a door there.