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kimmk987

Please help me make this kitchen/dining room layout work!

7 years ago

We are planning to combine our kitchen and dining room sometime next summer. I'm using the IKEA kitchen planner (stumbling through it really) to come up with potential layouts but we don't currently plan to use IKEA cabinets.

I have my heart set on maintaining the current dining room area - my priority with this remodel is having a large table area for our family of 6 (2 adults, 4 sons ages 9 and younger) to eat at. My main problem with the current kitchen is the squishy eating area surrounded by doorways.

I need help determining if this layout could make sense though, the last thing I want to do is make my kitchen worse! We are going to hire a kitchen designer to measure and figure out exact cabinet sizes etc but I'd like to meet with them after I come up with a general idea what I layout and features I want to fit in.

A few things to note: the angled solid wall is actually the doorway to our family room, the planner wouldn't let me add an angled doorway. Also the 3 windows on the sink wall are a 3 bay window area that is bumped out in our current dining room.

Also of note in the plan I'm posting I:

  • made the existing sun room door smaller (I'm picturing a glass french door where both sides open into the sun room)
  • removed the existing window above the sink
  • added windows to the dining room wall.
  • I also threw seating on the end of the island where I picture the kids hanging out, chatting, doing homework. We are not planning on ever eating at the island so those can go if they really don't work.
  • It's not clear from the layout but I have the DW and trash in the island, I need a spot for a MW too - where's best for this layout? drawer in island or wall?

I appreciate any and all suggestions!

CURRENT LAYOUT:

FLOOR PLAN:


POTENTIAL NEW LAYOUT:




Comments (10)

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks! I stay at home with the kids so I do cook a lot but don't like it very much if that answers the question ;) I considered the fridge there but felt it was too far from the table. I'd like it closer for middle of the meal drink refills, condiments etc. I also think I'd be fine prepping at the island since I often find myself wishing I could wash veggies there now. I currently grab from the fridge, put it all on my island then have to move it again to wash.

    You might be right about getting the designer first but I was hoping to think some things through here first to make it more efficient when I do find one. I can be very indecisive and slow to warm up to new ideas.

  • 7 years ago

    I'd suggest a 30 deep (33" with 1,5" o/h on both sides) island and b/w the studs storage at the back wall so you can have about 40" in front of the fridge and have enough room on the other side of the island for traffic.



    You can also consider a small sink b/w the fridge and the range so more than one cook can prep at the same time.

    An utc fridge may be useful near the fr/sun room side, so you won't be disturbed while you prep/clean up.



    kim k thanked sena01
  • 7 years ago

    Sena I absolutely love the pantry idea. Right now our pantries are actually two closets 20" deep (I couldn't show it correctly in the planner) so that aisle is only 38" which is fine most days but when we have people over and they stand around the island it feels very crowded.

    I actually was planning on doing a beverage/wine fridge under the counter where the coffee bar is. When we are entertaining I thought it'd be nice to have a spot for the kids especially to grab drinks. I'm hoping to get a counter depth fridge because I really don't like how our current one stinks 9 inches into the isle. We are going to purchase a second fridge for the garage to make up for the lost space. I shop often enough that I think we'd be fine with counter depth.

    Do you think 33" is deep enough of an island to accommodate a sink? I love the idea of the prep sink on that wall... I just wasn't sure I'd have enough cabinets if I kept it and the window.

  • 7 years ago

    I'm going to post an old kitchen layout I did to better show current aisle depths...

  • 7 years ago

    I'm not a fan of having your sink front and center when you enter the front door of your foyer. I don't think an island fits your space well. I think a peninsula might work better.

    kim k thanked Karenseb
  • 7 years ago

    Would you consider flipping your dining & kitchen space?

    kim k thanked mark_rachel
  • 7 years ago

    Karenseb- That's a good point about view from the foyer. It is however exactly what you see now (peeking over our raised counter even) and it doesn't bother me. The doorway isn't large so it's not much of a view, and no one really hangs out in the foyer. Also most people enter from the garage/mudroom. Coincidentally I have friends that have our exact same house however their kitchen has a peninsula and they're having the same issues with being crowded and lack of flow in their kitchen too. I have considered doing a peninsula between the dining room and kitchen... I'd be fine ditching the island if we get a better layout though if you have suggestions.


    Mark_rachel - I have thought that option through but really don't want to swap spaces. I want to maintain a large eat in area that isn't near so many main doorways.

  • 7 years ago

    A counter depth fridge can give a few more inches for the island, but your aisle behind the island would still be around 38-40", and since the island is quite long that may not feel very comfortable when you got company.

    Here's an idea with a peninsula.


    kim k thanked sena01
  • 7 years ago

    Sena that's a really interesting idea, I'm awful at visualizing and can't quite wrap my head around it yet but I'm trying. If I did that not sure I'd put a sink in the peninsula.

    What about a layout like this?


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