Without knowing how the staircase fits, I would consider putting the refrigerator on the bottom wall of the second picture, with base unit and countertop under the window. The fridge would be opposite from the range. You can then put a panty unit where the fridge is now for more storage.

Hey, I would get rid of the peninsula . It's just going to be in the way having a chair near where you cook. Move the. Island out from the wall maybe make it wider and center more towards the stove ,seat on three sides so of he wants he can see the windows from the island.

I think you should consider re-framing the window while you have the chance. Moving the DW to the other side of the sink will give you a more efficient layout--the DW won't be in your prep space between the sink and range, and a helper can more easily load or unload the DW while you're prepping, without crowding you.

I'd give your husband his seat on the inside of the peninsula, but you could add in an extra cabinet, to make sure that the stool doesn't migrate too close to the range. NKBA recommends 15" overhangs for comfortable seating at counter height, so I drew the peninsula at 42" wide. (ETA, different cabinet configuration on peninsula.)

I also redrew the island to reflect a 15" overhang, and 36" traffic aisle, but with seating on three sides of the peninsula, I'd skip the island seating, and have standard 24" deep drawer bases with 5" deep overhang on the back, so that you can have a 30" deep counter. You could have 4" deep shelves for display of trays and platters, or, you could add doors to the 4" deep shelves, and use that space for storage of extra canned goods, bottles of oil, baking sheets, pie plates, etc.

Click to enlarge.

Hello! You said that you don't want a counter-depth fridge but you didn't say why? I've had one, or a built-in, for many years now and will always.

I agree that someone sitting facing out to the view at your peninsula is going to be right in the way of anyone using the range. Perhaps you could do an island or peninsula at the opposite side of the room from where the peninsula currently is? Unless that would impede your staircase?

Or what about forgetting about seating at the peninsula and create a banquette on the back of the peninsula so that you could place a table (and more chairs when needed) for dining.

Or this island, below, that has both counter seating and then a banquette at the end! (And remove your existing peninsula.) You could just keep the banquette bench straight if you prefer...

Thank you all for these interesting ideas! FYI-- the staircase landing is around the area of that window, so I can't put anything solid there. I guess with the counter depth fridge I am afraid of losing space for food. We do a lot of bulk shopping and I have 2 growing boys... and we don't have an option for second fridge (no basement). I'm not sure what to do about the fridge area, and probably eliminating the 9" cabinet next to it... I'm not sure how a fridge works so close to a corner like that, and what is the best way utilize the corner. Thank you again for the food for thought!

Posting a photo of the framed inside. In the foreground of the photo, we'll have a woodburning stove next to that window (in the unseen area, toward the sliding doors). Personally, I agree that having a vertical island without a peninsula would flow better, but I'm currently being outruled by my better half :)

I can understand the bulk shopping for your family. Please look into the cubic feet for counter depth fridges and see if you really lose much? It will make your kitchen flow much more nicely.

Other suggestions for bulk cold storage -- do you have room in your garage for another fridge/freezer? What about building in a couple of refrigerator drawers? Are most of your bulk items cold/frozen foods? Many drinks, condiments, dressings, etc. can be stored at room temp until you need to replenish the cold drinks in the fridge. If it's not refrigerated in the store, it doesn't have to go straight into your fridge :)

we buy a lot of produce! But I think it's a great suggestion to consider a beverage/storage fridge or even a small separate freezer in the garage in order to make our kitchen flow better. Thanks!

Looking at the drawing, I think you have three spots already from which to enjoy the view (island, arm chairs, table) and thus you don't need the peninsula that puts a stool into the major work area. Instead, continue the base cabinets another couple units beyond their current stop, and then at the end can be the beverage fridge with a coffee center on top. Getting that stuff out of the fridge and main prep counters (and closer toward where you drink things) will give your kitchen way more value than that little elbow separating kitchen and dining area. Make the island a tad longer as well. Sorry, hubby, but you're getting in the way of the real work of the kitchen.

If I were going to divide the kitchen from DR, I'd do it with a colorful hutch on the stair wall, closer to the DR end...

How many people will be living in this new home?

Is there going to be a sofa in the great room?

acm's suggestion for the beverage fridge also helps with your issue for bulk storage in your refrigerator :) Eliminating the drinks in the main fridge gives you more room for other cold storage. Win-win!

The basic problem is that you don't have a 14 ft room minus 3 ft of staircase, you have an 8 ft wide room plus 3 ft of staircase and 3 ft of hallway through the kitchen. It is a galley kitchen and you need to treat it as such. Put all the appliances against the outer wall starting with the stove and ending with the refrigerator on the outside. Don't use cabinetry to enclose the fridge in case you want a bigger size someday. Put in a long island parallel to that wall, with cabinets facing the appliances. Put in a microwave on the end, and other storage if you want, but use at least half for seating. Husband can reserve the spot on the end and gently turn his head to see the water.

Jonathon on Property Brothers often uses this configuration when space is limited.

Thanks for this additional feedback. ACM/Lisa I like that configuration much better-- going to try and do some convincing (and measuring to see how much living room linear footage we'd have left)! leelee.. we are a family of four, no plans to grow. The furniture situation for the "living room" portion of the room is not set at all. I like ACM's idea of a hutch (and I do need somewhere for china, glassware) but my husband does want a sofa in there rather than that table in the middle. I'm wondering if we can do a smaller rectangular table that we can pull out from that large unobstructed wall, when we have company eating over, and somehow accommodate a sofa too. I honestly thought I'd figure out the furniture once we had the cabinets in. Maybe that's a bad idea. Good news is that we do have a den on the first floor also, where it will function as a TV room, and that room will definitely have a sofa and a desk. Catlady999-- I didn't think to put all the appliances against the outer wall, what would go where the refrigerator is currently located? Pantry or something? If you have any links to recommend please do, or I'll google Property Brothers and Galley Kitchen. I really appreciate all the advice.

Hi, we are also building a house that is narrow. Ours is 20 wide tho so it would need a little change for you. I think if you look at our plans and maybe put the fridge where my wine fridge is it might work for you. The island could then maybe become a peninsula where the fridge was? I'm guessing you are building in the NY area? We went to a great kitchen guy in Long Beach who helped us a lot. I can give you his #. They are Centermill on Longbeach Rd.

Hi Linda-- thanks a lot. Yes... :) and I have been to Centermill more times than I can count! If you would, please message me with the name and number of your person. Also curious if you bought your cabinets there. I've been in the upstairs but just to browse.

Excellent advice from catlady! Go for it! Property Brothers do this all the time and they often put the sink and the DW in the island as well, but I prefer the island to be free for just stuff and working at the island. It is so social for sure and if hubs need the water put an overhang bar for seating for his chair and he can still see out the window and talk to you at the same time. Or invest in swivel bar stools....but a heavy no on the penninsula. It will become roadblock for entering an exiting the kitchen.

It isn't ideal and does cost as an add on but yes if your contractor is worth his salt he can move the window for a minimal cost.....do it if you are unhappy with it now because it will only get worse.

What is the size of your kitchen...you say it 14' but by the sizes it looks like it adds up to 19' 3/4"

I would put the sink at the island with dishwasher bring the wood burning stove up closer and have fridge at that end.

Hi , the guy I used at Centermill was Paul. We were recommended him thru our builder Rockfish. The phone # is 516-432-6566. Tell him I sent you. We just finished with him this week! Didn't your architect have a kitchen layout in the plans for you? Paul took that and reworked some things to make it work better for us. He knows the area well .Good luck!

Were you looking for a kitchen with a modern touch........I know your finished with this post but I just recreated this kitchen in my app and there's no way of adding peninsula unless you want it to be small

Thanks -- Linda, architect did have something simple in the plans but I've worked with an actual kitchen designer since then. I went to an architect who has an engineering background... I was concerned about the foundation and figured I could design with a kitchen professional later. Thanks for the recommendation and number! Claire, we have about 38 foot length and 14 foot wide on the room. We thought about the sink on the island but I don't think that's my personal preference.

Have you ever simulated this layout....I tried it with two different flooring

Please consider moving the stove three feet to the left in the plans above; it is opposite the walk thru area into and out of the kitchen penninsula and will be a traffic jam all of the time. Also your fridge is opposite a narrow walkway so it needs to have more room for opening door standing in front of it and moving away from it while people are entering or leaving the room.....have you ditched the island idea.

PS I do like your original plan but you will have to move the penninsula down two feet to have seating room at it which you seem to have the room. If the dining table were turned 90 degrees you would gain space in the eating area of the room as shown in the plan directly above this post.