Help my kitchen layout, please
I have gleaned much from these forums, but need more help for my upcoming remodel. I have an early 90's single story ranch, 2400sf, kitchen and breakfast area are one large room. The breakfast area is the main dining area because the formal dining room is used as a home office. We have no plans for resale in the next few years, at least.
The current kitchen has a large peninsula with seating, and a very small 2'x3' island with drawers. The breakfast area has a small, 5.5' wet bar on the wall that backs up to the garage. We do not use it as a wet bar; it's mostly used as storage.
The front door is seldom used; most activity is through the side door and garage. We are a casual family of 5 (two teens, one child) and there is lots of activity in the kitchen. I do most of the cooking, but there is often someone helping. The current layout always gives me the sensation of making circles around the island because there's essentially only main entrance into the kitchen.
My initial thoughts are to remove the peninsula, create a cooking wall with a large range where the current cooking area is located and build a longer island that allows two entrances into the kitchen area. I can make the corner sink base slightly smaller since I plan to go from a 33" double sink to a 30" single bowl (I think that means a 42" corner sink base). I'll also be getting a CD refrigerator, either FD or SxS, either 36" or 42". All cabinetry, appliances, counters, and fixtures are being replaced.
My constraints for rearranging are that the home is on a post tension slab, so I'm unable to make large changes to plumbing or electrical. The island has electricity now, and the cooking wall has a gas line already there. All plumbing is on the wall with the refrigerator.
Does anyone have any ideas for me? I've thought about it so much I'm exhausted!
Current layout:
Home floorplan, not to scale but gives room positions:
Comments (8)
11 years agoRelated Professionals
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11 years agoI'm sorry about the prep sink, seb, I realized that that wasn't going to work in your situation after I got off the computer last night. : (
As far as the window goes, it looks like you've got the space to put in a larger window where I drew in the sink, so you could have a few options, if you want to change the window configuration. You could extend the window to include the sink. You could get rid of the corner window configuration if you wanted to gain more cabinets. Or, you could shrink the window on the left so that it's at least a cabinet depth away from the corner. Slide the window on the top wall down so that it lines up with your sink, and then put some cabinets in to the left of the sink, something like this:
If you don't want to mess with the windows, then I'd look for pictures to get ideas of how to make the sink work with wall in front of it. I don't know your style, but I've seen some really nice dish racks or cupboards that go over the sink that could work nicely in your situation.
seb225 thanked laughablemoments- 11 years ago
11 years agolast modified: 11 years agoI'm not a fan of refrigerator ice and water...so if you're okay with not having that...this might work for you :)
Move the new electric cooktop to the right of the sink. I think a LOT of your frustration is the distance (and barrier island) between sink and cooktop. The dishwasher can be moved to the other side of the sink without any plumbing issues...and it's a better location, away from your prep area.
The fridge can go over by the pantry (leave a small gap to allow the doors to open fully) and the undercounter oven can be under the peninsula.
I replaced the island (never a good idea IMHO to have a stationary island that can pose a barrier) with a rolling cart, with butcherblock top. So much easier to pull it to the area where you need it...then move it back.
Also added a plate rack to the space above the peninsula. It's decorative, functional...and close to the dining room! I'd also replace the bar area with either a nice hutch or built-in storage. Have fun with the planning!
And an idea for a plate rack...
This is actually a great space for a prep sink...between the fridge and under counter oven. Either in the corner or just past it, overlooking the breakfast nook. Since your plumbing issues are a problem, you don't have to have it....but if your situation changes, you might want to add it in the future. Hope this helps :)
P.S. If you need a microwave, it could easily be next to the fridge, either over or under the counter. This would make a great space for snacks, baking, hosting parties, etc.
seb225 thanked Lavender Lass- 11 years ago
laughablemoments