Pros/Cons/Advice for this kitchen layout?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We are hoping to start construction on our home this coming fall and I'm wondering the best way to lay out the kitchen. We are a family of 6 (kids 2-12 y.o.) I think my kids might be hobbits (lol) and are always eating. I cook a lot from scratch and do lots of canning in the fall as well.

Here is what we have from our architect:

Photo of the entire plan (high res photo) here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/162637804@N07/29008993438/

I was thinking of maybe laying the kitchen out like this...I'm wondering the pros/cons to this layout or if there would be a better way to do it?

Essentially, the main sink will be under the front window with a dishwasher on each side. On the outside wall of the walk through pantry I was thinking about the fridge on the corner nearest the sink with some counter space and then the gas cooktop in the middle of the counter area. I'd also like two ovens...both beneath the counter and the prep sink in the island. Does this work?

Any thoughts or ideas are much appreciated :) Thanks! ~ Rachel

Featured Answer

chispa

8 years ago

I'll leave kitchen layout to those with more vision, but with that many people in the house I would consider an under counter beverage fridge too. We have a 15" ULine that took the place of the previous owner's ice maker. It is amazing how much space opened up in the main fridge when we removed the beverages. We don't have soda, but have sparkling water, other water and juices.

We also have an extra fridge in the garage, more for parties. Place the beverage fridge out of your main work area and the kids can help themselves without getting in your work space and opening up the big fridge.

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Comments (8)

ourlifeinthesticks
Original Author
8 years ago
Just for clarification...here are the rooms labeled:
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ourlifeinthesticks
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks chispa! I love that idea! We like having an extra fridge in the garage too, lol ;) Thanks again! ~ Rachel
damiarain
8 years ago
I think that I would flip the island & cooktop layouts - everything feels kind of squished at the 'bottom' end. This way the prep sink is closer if you need to run inside and wash your hands. Also, I think generally having space on both sides of the prep sink is nice - then you can sort of have a 'to be washed' and a 'washed' side. Taking chispa's idea, for the island it could go (from 'top' to 'bottom'):

- bev fridge (facing towards the outside); prep sink; trash; storage drawers

While the other side:

- fridge, counter, cooktop, counter

I see you have two under-counter ovens listed - often those end up being even lower to the ground than a range oven - which feels like not a nice upgrade for your awesome new build. Have you thought about your family's needs? Two full ovens or maybe 1 oven and a combo-oven? What about a microwave? Warming drawer? You have tons of space, maybe one or more of the less used (but useful!) heating appliances could go along the bottom wall - across from the pantry?
ourlifeinthesticks thanked damiarain
ourlifeinthesticks
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks so much damiarian! I forgot completely about a combo oven! My sister had one in her old house and loved it. She has regular double wall ovens in her new house and I think they might be installed too high or something because I swear I'm going to burn myself using the top one...the reason I was thinking two lower ovens. I didn't realize that they would be lower to the ground. Thanks for the tip. I also forgot the microwave, lol. ...a combo oven is kind of a microwave, kind of a convection oven on the top and a regular oven on the bottom, right? Would this layout be better then?

Thanks again! ~ Rachel
ourlifeinthesticks
Original Author
8 years ago
I was just looking at this layout again and noticed that the wall oven/combo is next to the fridge...is that a problem? ...do I need to rethink? Thanks! :) ~ Rachel
Buehl
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hobbits... size as well? Under counter wall ovens are much lower to the floor than ovens in a range. I suggest finding one installed that way and trying to use it. That's what we did and immediately nixed the idea!

.

ETA: Just noticed someone else discussed the low ovens!

Sometimes KDs install double ovens too high for aesthetic reasons... to line them up with other drawers/cabinets. Function is more important!
ourlifeinthesticks
Original Author
8 years ago
Ha ha! ...no, they are regular sized human kids (who eat like Hobbits, lol). Thanks again for the oven tips!!