Leave well enough alone. Concentrate on your future endeavors. No point is changing any of that. You will not see a substantial enough improvement to justify the effort and expense.

We have to buy new cabinets, etc for the barndominium anyway so for relatively small incremental cost would rather upgrade the cabin since it will likely be our main residence indenfitely.

So you want to 100% replicate this layout in another structure? That is the only way to use these cabinets there. And it's more than twice the effort of just putting in new cabinets that actually fit the other structure.

If you may end up being here permanently, would you be willing to make changes to the layout?

Yes, it fits nicely in the layout there and I will be doing the demo, reinstall myself. In the cabin the big thing is we would like the uppers to be taller, off white cabinets and granite or quartz counters. I will either get a larger oval piece of quartz to expand the existing island counter space or put in a larger rectangular island. Adding power to the island will make using appliances easier too.

The cabin is actually stick built, but was small enough to bring in on a truck. The construction is outstanding but their kitchen choices were not ideal. Again originally we intended to build a larger main house, but now we are leaning towards several smaller structures. When it is just me and my wife at home, the cabin is perfect size so this may be our permanent house. Thus the desire to upgrade the finishes in the kitchen.

Palimpsest,

Anything is possible but was not planning to move walls, doors, or windows. What did you have in mind?

With the exception of the skewed island, I would leave the layout alone. You could easily fit a 48" by 36" island if you'd rotate it to be parallel with the perimeter counters (long edge parallel to the sink wall). Maybe even larger than that if you and your wife don't mind squeezing by each other to get around the kitchen. Consider a microwave drawer for the new, larger island then you could have a better ventilation system over the range.

I don't know exactly what I have in mind, yet, but you really have pretty minimal prep space where you need it.

Hi John --

I think it's great that you and your wife are open to staying in your cabin.

In dealing with smaller spaces I really think it pays to look for inspiration in places smaller "lives" -- vintage homes, city apartments, tiny/micro homes, accessory dwelling units ("ADUs"), boats, mobile homes, flex space offices, etc!

I struggle with the spatial, but generally speaking know there are many creative ways to incorporate elements like the below.

However, I'm sure the layout gurus will come up with some great options for you to explore.

Some things to consider:

• recessing into stud space
• breadboard pullouts
• drop-leaf counters/tables/islands (or "murphy bed" tables)
• reduced-depth cabs here, deeper-depth cabs there -- both upper and lower
• pull-out work stations at counter or table height (integrated with base cabs when not in use)
• counters that drop to table height (for, well, tables)
• swing-out work stations

Additionally, color and other design elements can make a space feel more expansive, harmonious, and/or distinct from other zones -- even if your overall vibe is rustic or cabin.

• glass-front uppers
• reflective vs matte surfaces [counters/tile/faucets/knobs/pulls]
• using the same color for horizontal surfaces and a different one for verticals [cabs]
• using one color for lower cabinets and another for uppers

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I have a similar L shaped kitchen with small island. My layout works well for me and differs from yours mainly in the space between the sink and range - which becomes a major prep area even if there is an island. My fridge is also to the left of the sink rather than to the right of the range. If you could make the window bigger or move it so you can switch the sink and dishwasher, that would increase that area between sink and range. I would definitely straighten out the island. You want to be able to set things on it from the fridge but still keep plenty of clearance for the fridge door.

I like, for myself, a more unfitted kitchen look so I use a pie safe for additional storage.

I have considered increasing the size of the arch between my kitchen and dining room. I don't want to totally open it up, but it would help the traffic flow in the kitchen. A hutch or welsh dresser in the dining area can also serve as extra storage. My older, vintage kitchen is in my "my pics" idea book.

rather than another propane stove, look into induction