Help with Cabin Kitchen Layout

17 years ago

This is our week-end cabin right now but will be our future home quite possibly soon. Here is a rough drawing of the kitchen. We can't move any walls. There is a loft over the space, the low ceiling has two beams lengthwise. The stove has a downdraft so I think the stove and fridge have to stay put? Is the kitchen to small for an island? I'm thinking peninsula as a workspace which connects to the dining area but also has a total waterfront view through 2 story floor to ceiling windows. How about the sink in the peninsula? Or a corner sink in the peninsula? We have a mock peninsula set up right now from the sink wall to the post and it seems to work there.

I was thinking butcher block for the peninsula but am not sure how to blend with the sink wall counter which will be some sort of stone or tile. The stove wall will be granite in seafoam or costa esmeralda (might change). I have my heart set on painted cream color cabinets. I'm thinking of a porcelain floor that is a dark color so I'm not constantly seeing mud, sand and pine needles on the floor.

I had a KD but she gave me a very vanilla kitchen with no character or space saving ideas. The grocery store is 45 mins away so storage is the most important thing as well as preserving the view. There will be minimum storage in the back porch as we have another use planned for that space.

Sorry this is so long, I know there are some very artistic and talented people here that can help me. I have a large kitchen budget as this is where we will live for many years to come.

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (5)

remodelfla
17 years ago
katy... I'm trying to play with your layout but am confused about a couple of things. You show the space between the end of the wall on the north end to the window (floor to ceiling?) as 4' but the depth of frig appears equal to that. That can't be right or I'm reading it wrong. Also, are you willing to close up the pocket door and create a doorway to the porch on the opposite end?

None of your appliances have to stay put. We're moving all ours which will involve chipping up the concrete floor (Florida has concrete slabs and no basements) and moving pipes... really not a big deal. Basically, anything can be done for $$. Get your layout done first and don't worry about which cabs you pick... even though that'll be the most fun part!

Would it be possible for you to post your layout with grid lines or on graph paper?
katybuggs
Original Author
17 years ago
remodelfla, the drawing is not to scale. We plan to put a powder room (toilet, sink) in that space but I see the possibilities moving the opening would provide. I'll work on a layout with grid lines this week end and take a photo of the existing kitchen.
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rosie
17 years ago
Hi, Katy. It sounds like a really nice future home to look forward to. I just wanted to agree with and underline Remodel's second paragraph. Given the investment of dollars in a new kitchen and of yourself in living with it for years, starting by assuming a pipe or vent shouldn't be moved is a mistake.

I'd suggest starting by planning your ideal layout of the whole home with the assumption that almost all changes could be made. This should help identify what you really want and need without the constraints of thinking only within the existing box. Then go on from there back tot the real world of budget and tradeoffs. Moving or adding a window typically won't cost more than a new standard dishwasher, though, and a nonbearing wall the same, but your bang for the buck in creating really desirable spaces and layout will be much, much greater.
katybuggs
Original Author
17 years ago
Rosie and remodelfla, thank you so much for the excellent advise! Being green at this I never really thought of changing anything. I'm now at the cabin looking around and now that I think about it I might want to add more windows and make a door where there is currently a window. I'm going to slow down and really think about this
oruboris
17 years ago
I'm importing your image [actually, your kitchens image], just to simplify:

First, I'd reccomend scale drawing with pencil on graph paper: not to scale drawings are worse than useless, they are misleading; and may lead you to assume you can fit way more in a space than you actually can.

Second, when I hear 'cabin', I think relaxed. I'd look for a plan that's top priority is ease of use in both cooking and cleanup phases. Solid work zones for the major tasks with good access to storage, and no real concern for the visiual appeal of the layout. I think you'll find that when the practical aspects are nailed down, the aesthetics will be pleasing-- yeah, you'll still need to think a bit about colors and textures, but the bones will be well established.

I'd choose appliances based on practicallity over glamour, and spend some time thinking about kithen tasks, and how to lay things out to make it easier. Take making a pot of coffee: you need to gather the filter, beans, and water-- those should be as near the coffee maker as possible. All you need then is a cab maker.

You can create a home where all these things can be accessed from one spot, or a home where they are all accross the room from each other.