More light, and a better layout will really help this kitchen. Only 4 light in the whole kitchen? No wonder you feel it's dark! It IS.

If you went to a range, and put it on the wall where the fridge currently is, and moved the fridge to where the wall oven currently resides, then the whole space would feel less cramped. Because it would be. Your actual work space would be more than doubled. With the fridge backing up to the stairs, it might be possible to recess it a bit into the space under the stairs and use a full sized fridge there without it sticking into the aisle, or downsizing into a counter depth model.

Then, get rid of the peninsula in favor of a longer island. Now, you'd also be getting rid of the seating, because you don't have the space to have seating with the traffic flow, but if the eating area is right there, I don't think you'd miss having the redundant seating. Having two ways in and out of the kitchen will also make the space feel so much bigger.

I don't know what that built in might be, but eliminating it and either moving the pantry down, or making the pantry larger would be high on my priority list. Additional storage never goes amiss.

Thanks so much hollysprings

I love the idea of having two ways in and out of the kitchen but the peninsula gets a lot of use. It could be because currently it's the least cramped area in the kitchen. I will definitely mull that over.

And sadly, the kitchen actually has only two overhead can lights and some under cabinet lighting. The other two ceiling holes are vents.

This post was edited by deee on Fri, Jul 5, 13 at 7:45

A second for hollysprings' great suggestions. Besides improving traffic flow by removing the peninsula and extending the island, your kitchen will definately appear more spacious and airy. The layout now is more linear and open.

It looks like you have a beautiful view outside your kitchen window. I would also increase the width of that window by at least 15" on each side. It would be well worth the splurge here to meet your objective of bringing in more light even if you have to cut back in other areas.

I disagree about removing the seating. I cannot stand a kitchen that does not have seating at either the island or the peninsula. I don't care that the kitchen table is next to it in the same room. I don't want to sit over at the table, I want to sit and chat *with* the cook. Or, if I am the cook, I want people sitting *with* me.

From the plans, it looks like those are stairs over stairs ? So a regular size fridge would not be able to be recessed. You would need a counter depth.

Are you going for a full remodel, new cabinets for the whole kitchen, and all ? Or just looking to bring some light into your existing kitchen with minimal remodeling ? If the later, you definitely need more lights ! Only 2 can lights is not enough. Just adding more lighting would go a long ways towards making this kitchen feel more light. If you are doing a full remodel, you likely will want the new lights in different places once you decide on your layout.

I really do like the idea of moving the fridge out of the way to allow for cooktop down on the end. Will give you a lot more prep space between your sink and cooktop and make the area feel more open and less cramped. Although, if you keep the peninsula, I think the fridge would be better where the pantry currently is so the island doesn't act as a barrier between your sink and fridge.