Kitchenette Layout Help

16 years ago

We have a kitchenette planned for the lower level of our new house. This is not part of the initial build, but will be finished off in the future. However, we need to know where the plumbing will be for when they pour the basement floor. We are breaking ground in about 2 weeks, so I promised the builder I would make sure that I know where the kitchenette plumbing should be by then.

The kitchenette is part of the future rec room (says media room on the plan, but there is a future home theater elsewhere on that level as well as 2 additional bedrooms w/ ensuite baths.) The idea is to have a place where DD (with her future family) can stay and not feel as if they are intruding on us. Also, as others have said on the "2 Kitchens in 1 House" thread, it can serve for overspill cooking & entertaining and service the backyard.

The house designer did the basement plan based on fitting into what we designed for the main level above. The wall with the opening needs to stay where it is. The wall with the sink could move & wall with the very short counter can also move. I would really appreciate y'all looking it over and making any suggestions you might have.

Here is that section of the plan:

The two counter runs are about 5 feet long. The plan shows an undercounter fridge, but I think an apartment type fridge about 24" wide with a freezer compartment would make more sense. (Afterall, the future grandkiddos are going to need frozen fruit pops on tap, right? ) Obviously, we need a place to make coffee and some kind of MW for the popcorn for the theater. What else do you think we need and how should it be laid out?

Thanks, so much for the help - Jo Ann

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Comments (5)

rhome410
16 years ago
I would probably put the fridge where the sink is shown now, and a decent-sized sink (18" at the least)in the middle of the run where I think the fridge is shown now. (In fewer words: Swap fridge and sink) I would put the microwave in the upper next to the fridge. This leaves a stretch of counter between sink and fridge for preparing snacks, and the angled section for coffee area. I'm betting there could be a few ways to lay it out, but that's what I see at first glance.
ncamy
16 years ago
If it were me, I'd also include an 18 inch dishwasher. Even if you don't plan on actually cooking in the kitchenette, it sure would be nice to not have to lug cups, glasses and popcorn bowls up and down the stairs to be washed. Come to think of it, I wish my teenage daughter had her own dishwasher in her room. She can accumulate snack plates, glasses, and spoons used for yogurt and ice cream faster than anyone would imagine.
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dan1888
16 years ago
A 24" frig like summit/vestfrost can go on the end of the run with the current undermount. The 18" dishwasher at the other end with a single bowl 16.5"x20" deep next to it. The micro can be recessed in the wall with the 2' face to the right of the current sink. I would put a two burner induction setup or a 24" 4 burner from the uk (15lbs shipping weight) on the undermount side. There is a $69 Puck 23L convection toaster oven refurb at Premier Appliances for built-in counter height below the micro. You're done.

Here is a link that might be useful: Puck toaster oven
rhome410
16 years ago
Oh, yes...A dishwasher would be great. If this were my house, I know it'd be a problem not to have one with a setup like this.
drjoann
Original Author
16 years ago
OK, so the plan would be to switch fridge & sink, enlarge sink and add an 18" dishwasher. That sets me up for telling the builder what to do with the plumbing.

Great idea for the various cooking appliances, especially recessing the MW into the "wasted" space. I like the idea of the 2 hob induction since this area will be for future grandkids and I won't worry about little fingers turning on burners. Finishing this part of the lower level is years in the future, so we may be able to get 2 hob induction in the US, by then.

I'll draw this up, ask y'all for a quick look & then pass it along to the builder.

Thanks - Jo Ann