Really nice layout but pay attention to the electrical outlets in your island. We came up with a similar island configuration, two back-to-back appliances on one end and a 12" overhang on the other end, and as a result spent a lot of time discussing those outlets. You need at least one at each end by code which is right away an issue on the side with appliances. But in addition, in our town at least, you also can't have one under an overhang over 9". We are making a 2" overhang on the appliances side and putting a plugmold there. And hoping the inspector is going to be ok with the outlet very close to the front of the island on the seating side but having our contractor check with him first.

Hi vicnsb!

Thank you also for all your postings, they have helped me many times! Also, I agree with you that having to hold off on our kitchen created a better finished product.

As for your layout, it looks great to me - well thought out and balanced.

My only thought that you might want to consider is to swap the 36" cabinet with glass uppers and the refrigerator. Two reasons, it might be nice for the kitchen to feel more open to the stairs to the family room and it would give you a little more "bum" room when you open the refrigerator door(s) as you could stand a bit to the left where the island won't be directly behind you. Plus, it is always nice to pair up the full height cabinets. One big CON to this idea is the tendency to grab "clutter" on countertop spaces next to main traffic areas.

On the other hand, I like the symmetry you are setting up with the two full height banks flanking the glass uppers.... Whichever you prefer really. Are you going for a full depth or counter depth frig? What about cabinet panels?

Do you have any concerns about the microwave facing the "finished" side of the island? It might be a bit odd looking at it there. If you really don't use it a lot, what about a smaller countertop unit in the pantry? Or, were you thinking "inside" the cabinet on the island and pulling it out to use it?

I love that corner pantry look - very cool! Looks like it will be a lovely space! I can't wait for pictures!

Best of luck to you!
Mindi

anna...thanks for the outlet info, I will work on figuring that out. I like the plugmold idea on the side.

mindi...you know originally I was dead set against a tall cab or refrig. at the stairs because I was worried about the cave-like feel of it. I didn't know if the refrig being right in the middle would look ok, but your reasons are right on.
It will be a 36 SZ with a glass door (so far). I am also thinking I should make that wall 30 deep, thoughts?
My other idea for the micro was in the pantry, wasn't sure about heat or
ventilation? The island idea was also in a closed cabinet. Its really not used too much.
Thanks so much for the great feedback...this is now going to happen rather
quickly because the GC who will be doing our work is ready to go. He is just waiting on me now!
vic

I think this is pretty much what you posted last time? I think it's still good. I do prefer the idea of tucking the microwave into a shelf in the pantry. When you're using it, the door will likely be open? Even so, as long as there is air space around it, I think it'll be better than in the cabinet in a hard-to-use location.

This pantry idea is my most favorite ever. If I was still planning my kitchen, I'd have to have one of those!

So exciting that you're getting started. Can't wait to see it finished.

I love your pantry too. I think your kitchen is going to be beautiful. Annab, thanks for the info regarding the outlets and the island overhang. We have a similar configuration and I'm going to have to go check that with my GC.

I have since seen (but I can't remember where) that type of pantry done with a sliding door on track inside the cabinet. The shelves on the short end did not extend completely into the corner towards the range. The little gap was where the open door was stored. When closed all the way, it appeared to pop forward a bit so it lined up with the front of the cabinet.

It completely solves the door blocking the counter/aisle thing. It would give you a close landing space when fishing stuff out of the pantry if you decide to move the ref back against the pantry.

I don't know if I'm reading your floor plan right. It looks to me like much of the pantry (24" of it) will be behind the cabinet next to the stove. Is this right? If so, won't it be hard to reach things back there? The pantry in the photo seems like it doesn't go back that far.

Egganddart, here is a line drawing of how the pantry will work with the shelf layout like I think she plans.

One thing I noticed when doing this, Vicnsb, I think if you do the door swing in the way you have it drawn, it might be difficult to get into that corner. I drew it the other way so you can see. Maybe as long as it swings all the way out of the way, it won't matter.

Forgot that my way would block your use of the counter to the right for landing space

I don't see a large area to spread out in. Maybe you don't need it but the island will only really work for dishwashing and then you have the small area near the fridge which will be hot beverage center. Although I like the picture of the pantry, I wonder how useful it really may be. Maybe I just not a fan of pantries overall but I think that you need a large expanse of space to chop and prep food. The picture has a large expanse of space behind the island next to the pantry. The pantry in the picture also looks deeper than 30". If you look at the wall cabinets, they are not in the same plane but that may just be the angle of the picture.

Good luck!

I like bmorepanic's idea of a pocket door - something like this (you could still have glass in the door)

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I like the layout and I don't think I'd change anything! (Except the island if you're planning a bi-level counter...see comment later.)

I'd leave the refrigerator where it is. Right now it's easily accessed from the kitchen and from snackers outside the kitchen (ditto for the MW). If you move it, it will be inside the working area, and anyone needing something from it will be in the way of the work being done in the kitchen.

With the glass-doored 36" cab b/w the pantry & refrigerator, you also get a hutch-like feel that fits very nicely in this kitchen.

Will your island be all one level? If so, you will have a decent workspace on the island. It'll be approx 33"x42". Yes, that will affect the seats, but there's also a 60"x18" to 24" length behind the sink. Maybe not as big as others I've seen on the Forum, but with a small kitchen you take what you can get. She has to have storage somewhere and the bigger the pantry the less storage needed in cabinets. I also think a step-in/walk-in pantry is a better use of space for storage as other than the depth of the walls, there's no wasted space...you can use all the space floor to ceiling.

Great job!

Wow, how nice to come home from work to so many great responses!

rhome, victoria, egg...thanks for the line drawing rhome to explain the pantry. Having never really seen one, I am hoping it will be as good as I think!

bmore...love the pocket door idea, I had not even thought of that, I will ask about that tomorrow. That will really help the tight space.

homepro...you are right you do not see a large area to spread out in, its just not a large enough space. It is a lot more than I have used in the last 20 years and I think it is placed well for my use. I am feeling pretty confident that the pantry will be extremely useful to hold lots of things that my cabinets fall short on holding. I wish I had room for long areas of countertop too.

pepper...wow, thanks so much for letting me see it! I think it looks like a pretty nice, although compact, work area. Thanks for your time on that!

buehl...thank you so much, that is the way I feel about it all exactly. The island will be one level and I think if I have helpers there will be plenty of room around for them to work too.

All of this help is invaluable...as all who have come before me, this place has been so important this last year...thank you! Demo pics to follow soon! Yuk,,,
vic

I like it.

Maybe put the DW other side of the sink so its door doesn't fight with oven door?

celtic...thanks so much for looking, reasoning on that position is the dish storage will be right across aisle between pantry and fridge. I also thought it might be better to offset the sink and range positions and trying to keep it away from L/R view. Whew...so many things to consider, with so little space!
vic

Discussed making the pantry door a pocket door instead of a 24 inch
pantry door and he feels that I might be sorry because the pocket door along with the framing of the pantry will eat up too much space inside.
I see what he is saying...am I missing anything??
Thanks,
vic

Vic, Thanks for your kind words on my 'discouraged' thread. I have been so stressed I've not posted much lately, so I had to find your kitchen! It looks like a really good layout. Funny thing is the pantry tucked in the corner. The same picture inspired the layout I eventually settled on! The look and the function of your pantry will be terrific.

When I started planning my kitchen, Igloochic was planning hers, too. She challenged me to a race to start construction. She won! You and I seem on track to get the kitchen under construction about the same time. I hope you can get started soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Judy

How funny to see this pop back up! This is the the one
rhome was so kind to do for me...the colors are different and
now the pantry/refrig wall is a little different too. We did start, I have a
getting started thread going that I will be posting some pics from
today to. So looks like you will be right behind me!
Happy Thanksgiving!
vic