Help with a small kitchen layout!

10 years ago

Hi everyone! I'm a long-time reader but this is my first time posting. You guys are brilliant for all-things-kitchen, so I thought I'd get your input on my proposed layout. This project is a long ways away, but I'm thinking about my dream kitchen and how to make it a reality :)

We will be knocking out a wall where the island is, which will make the space 9x13 feet. With a window and door on the left and a load-bearing wall to the right, we're somewhat limited.

A few concerns:

1). I'm not a huge fan of having a 9" cabinet in the island, but I just can't make the island any bigger because there is only a 20" walkway once you get to the fridge (it's 32" for most of the way though). I can't recess the back wall because it's load-bearing and counter-depth would be too small. I've considered putting in a 24" sink instead of a 30" sink, which would give me some more space. I feel like an extra cabinet is important to give the island stability because we will be using HEAVY slate countertops.

2). More about the 24" base cabinet in the main run.... Our current cabinets have a slate countertop that we love that we made ourselves (from old chalkboards). It was a lot of work and we're going to use them for the remodel. We got some old pool table slate that we will be using for the island. The 24" cabinet is where our current sink is. The plan is to cut the skinny strips off and put the range between them, preserving the slate countertop. We will get all new cabinets though.

3). I can make the main cabinet run 7 feet instead of 6.5 feet, but this would make the pass-through to the basement 27" instead of 32". Our laundry is in the basement so I think 27" is too small BUT I don't like having a 12" cabinet on the end - too small and not symmetrical with the other 18" top cabinets (I could do all 12" cabs on top but I don't like that either). I could make the 24" base cabinet smaller (and have two 18" cabs), but I'd really like to have one big drawer section.

Any brilliant ideas? Thanks!

Tandi Book

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Comments (7)

cpartist
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Sorry it's unreadable.

However right off the bat, I can tell you a 32" aisle is not workable at all. It's way too small. 42" is really minimum.
sheloveslayouts
10 years ago
It would be helpful if you tried taking a clearer picture or scan of the drawing. Can you move the back door up to where the window is so its directly across from the stair to the basement?
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Buehl
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I also cannot easily read much of the picture.

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Please check the following resources, in particular, the "Layout Help" topic. We need more information.

Layout Help - FAQ for asking for layout help. It has a sample measured layout as well as a description of the other information we need.

Kitchen Design FAQ threads - they will explain things like work zones, aisles, island/peninsula seating, etc. These threads will help you understand questions/comments you will receive.

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Layout Help:

How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include?
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include
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Kitchen Design FAQ threads:

Kitchen work zones, what are they?
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they
Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc
How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where?
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage
Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first)
- http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first
L W
10 years ago
66" island will not sit 3 adults for dinner, kids maybe! agree with cpartist, walkways distance is too short. Are you working with current power, water and vent?
lharpie
10 years ago
And a 20" walkway REALLY isn't going to cut it. Better pics please! It would be good to have the whole house layout too.
desertsteph
10 years ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't read the LO. lately I blame most of them on my eyes getting old and I won't strain my eyes to read them. Glad it's not just my eyes!
funkycamper
10 years ago
Me, too, desertsteph! :)

Per the NKBA, 42" is the MINIMUM recommendation for a single-worker kitchen, and 48" is the MINIMUM for multi-worker kitchens. Or kitchens with a lot of people congregating in it while someone is cooking like kids running through, or if you have a corridor kitchen. Some people want and need a lot more. A few people can get by with less but they seem to be the minority and only in limited applications.

I hope you'll come back with a more readable kitchen layout. And also give us a layout of the entire floor so we can take how your home flows and traffic patterns into consideration.