Kitchen/mudroom/powder configuration

8 years ago

Hello! We are planning a layout change to our current house, which will include reconfiguring the kitchen, relocating a powder room, and creating a mudroom area. We've created two designs at the moment that we're considering. Option 1 creates a bigger space for the mudroom, however we're concerned about this area being too open to the living room. It also has a bit of an awkward kitchen corner, which we are not sure how to handle. Option 2 creates a mudroom entry into the kitchen, eliminating the kitchen corner. However the powder room would be tucked away and smaller, which has pros and cons. Note the outside entry (from the garage) is currently existing and we'd prefer not to move it, but might if it really makes sense. The dining area is at the bottom left of the figures, living room is to the right, and basement door is at the upper right. Thoughts on these 2 layouts, or ideas for something else? Thank you!

Featured Answer

seashell456
Original Author

8 years ago

Thanks for the thoughts so far. A couple of things to add regarding reasoning for some things. For the refrigerator location, we based option 2 on a friend’s layout, which also has the fridge and mudroom in this configuration (and the whole kitchen layout really). I like their layout and though it’s kind of hard to imagine, it does seem to work. They like it too, no problems. But the fridge is awkward yes in that spot in option 1, I agree.

Also, for the bathroom entry: we originally had it on the living room side, but got some feedback that it might be odd right off the living room. Tucking it away a bit sort of hides the... noise...plus I liked the idea of kids having the bathroom right there when coming in from outside and not trekking through the house.

Last, we thought to put a pantry on the right side of the stove run... that’s partly why the fridge isn’t there.

And yes next step is to work with a kitchen designer, just haven’t gotten there yet.

Thanks again!

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Comments (8)

PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
8 years ago
1st one is better, you don't want to walk through the kitchen everytime you want to use the bathroom or have the kitchen handle the traffic in and out of the house.

I would also get rid of that Ref from that location, it's not a good spot for it plus is killing that whole corner.

Good luck
Natalie P
8 years ago
I like option 2 and have lived in home with this option. However, why not add a large sink in the mudroom (for cleaning/muddy things) and open the bath door on the other side by the family, right off the kitchen?
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acm
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There's no reason for that corner to be awkward in Option 1 --- move the fridge to the right end of the run and put a normal series of cabinets all the way into and out of the corner, with a lazy susan at the bend. Are you using a kitchen designer??

That layout makes more sense, of course, in Option 2, but it's still bad fridge placement -- I'd rather have the fridge near the LR (so people getting drinks aren't underfoot of the cook) than near the doorway (where opening the fridge blocks an entryway!)... If you use Option 2, I'd put the bathroom entry on the other side for convenience.
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
8 years ago
I like option 1 better, but I would (if possible) make the kitchen into an L-shaped so you don't have that awkward corner. Move the sink so it's in front of the window on the fridge side and not on the island. Move the fridge so it's on one of the exterior portions of the kitchen (prevents any blockage from people trying to get into it).
miss lindsey (She/Her)
8 years ago
I would do plan 1, kind of.

Move the powder room door to the other end of the wall so when entering it from outside you don't need to walk completely around the exterior door to get to it. That's also helpful for the occasions when someone wants to enter/leave the powder room while someone else enters/exits the house.

The kitchen should be a complete L-shape with the fridge at the outside edge (by the mudroom entry) and the range where you've placed the fridge. Or the range could go in the same run as the fridge, with the sink under the window. (I suspect you want the sink facing into the room though which is why you've placed it in the island.)
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
8 years ago
I agree with acm - if you go with Option 2, move the fridge to the end of the run by the living room and the bathroom entry to the living room side. Option 1 is probably a better use of space overall, though. I would still play with the location of your appliances, sink and cabinets, especially the fridge.
PRO
Carolina Kitchen & Bath
8 years ago
My vote is for number 1.