Kitchen Configuration Issues - Limited Wall Space for Refrigeration

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

We are opening up our kitchen and have very limited wall space in which to place cabinets, open shelving and a fridge. One one side of the kitchen is a large living room and on the other side, a family room. All three rooms share the same wall. Because of the location of windows along the kitchen wall, we are having a very difficult time deciding on a layout. Either the fridge is an obtrusive eye sore if viewing from the back family room - and right up against what will be a large sliding panel glass door (Options B or C), or it's smack in the center of our long 19-20ft counter (Option A). Neither are ideal, both have pros and cons. We prefer the symmetrical look with the fridge in the center, but it breaks up the counter. It would be nice if the fridge were off to the side so we could utilize the counter length, but hate that it will stand right by the sliding panel door - and it makes the transition from family room to kitchen rather abrupt. We've debated under-counter drawer refrigeration; while it would look nice and clean, it just doesn't seem like a smart idea. We would greatly appreciate any POVs on these options or suggestions to reconfigure. Also, the wall across from the windows is not an option for use and we have to stay within the confines of where we have started/ended the counter/fridge, as those are the official borders for the other rooms based on the walls that you cannot see in the photos. What you see here is all we have to play with.

Option A Front View: symmetrical open shelving (30" fridge)

Option A Left View: we LOVE the smooth transition with the open shelving (30" fridge)

Option B Front View: we tried to add an open shelf to soften the side of the fridge, but the design/size of it looks bulky (30" fridge)

Option B Left View: from this side you can see how bulky the open unit is, it might defeat the purpose, which is to soften the transition (30" fridge)

Option C Front View: this is with a full-size 36" wide fridge and cannot accommodate any shelving

Option C Left View: the wood panel would be one solid piece on the side, although it does not appear that way in the image

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Comments (6)

Kelley Dockrey
11 years ago
I like the first layout since it will be less obvious that the windows are not symmetrical and puts the window over the sink, which I think most cooks like.
keenplanner
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago

The bar counter is too long and too narrow. I'd put the stove on the bar counter side and the sink under one of the windows, and fill in the space between the windows with modern glass-door cabinets, Refrigerators? Ck these out:

One problem is that you may not want a range hood hanging over the stove, but you can get a pop-up downdraft model. They don't work that well, but they're fine for most people's cooking habits. If you're a more serious, "heavy duty" cook, you probably don't want a kitchen that's quite so open.
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Richele Springer
Original Author
11 years ago
Kelley - good catch on the window, it definitely helps soften that. I also prefer the sink to remain where it is, under that window. How do you feel about splitting the counter in half, though?

keenplanner - We have most of what you've suggested in Option A (sink under window, stove in island with downdraft).The fridge is the only thing giving us problems. We have thought long and hard about the under-counter fridge (we are fine with an under-counter freezer), it just doesn't seem practical if it's our only fridge. Regarding the island, it's standard size and we have a lot of space there if we want to make it wider. We prefer it to be long and span the length of the kitchen, as we are using it in place of any dining table and need to have space to entertain. Below is the look we are going for.

If we need a tall fridge (we are considering 30" wide Viking fridge-only (seen in option A and B), a full-size 36" Viking fridge/freezer seen in C or a slim Liebherr 24" which we have not incorporated into any design plans yet), what do you think is our best configuration?
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Maureen
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would go with option C but add a narrow panty on the fridge's right (even if you have to shorten the counter a bit). I would add a bar/prep sink at the end of the island near the fridge, install one very large window with the sink in front and either to the left or right and down a bit, place the stove with a vent. If you decide to place the stove in the island, consider safety of people (children) sitting near by.
Richele Springer
Original Author
11 years ago
Maureen - thanks for the input. We've discussed placing a tall pantry next to the fridge with C, but did not create a design for that. We will try it out, though it does not solve the eye sore issue when viewing from left. We have a block midcentury home and are already converting 3 windows to sliding panel glass doors, so I don't think we can afford to or want to lose any more of the exterior block, although that would look amazing.
Spbally
11 years ago
You are going to have an awesome kitchen whatever layout you choose! I like your option C as it is and I think your kitchen is so open that the refrigerator on the end will not be a concern at all. Good luck!