I would also relocate that TV, put cabinets with a shelf for that microwave. You don't have enough counterspace to leave it on the counter. We are cooking in a 9'x4' kitchen right now and it works, but you want all the counterspace you can get.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Decoenthusiaste, the main kitchen has the stove. This will be a lower-level kitchenette for guests, mainly so that my elderly mom can use a fridge and microwave when she comes to visit us (and in case she ever needs to move in). But it'll also be convenient for other guests to get a glass of water or a snack, since our guest room is on the lower level of the house right near this area.

Cyndy and Decoenthusiaste, the problem with putting cabinets on the wall where the TV is shown is that the ceiling height changes along that wall. We'll be able to get rid of some of the dark wood header, but there will still be a dropped ceiling in the kitchenette nook. Base cabinets could extend all the way to the glass door, but wall cabinets might look funny on that wall, due to the change in ceiling height. Also, there really isn't any other good spot for a TV that we'd be able to see from our elliptical and our couch in the rec room area.

Why not a "U" shaped kitchen? You have enough width for one. Will give you a lot more storage space. I don't see a range. You can put it on the left wall. Those glass cabinets are pretty, but don't you need that space for more practical storage? Two would give you more storage instead of four.

Do you need a full size fridge if there's no cooking going on? I'd be inclined to put an undercounter fridge in, which frees up space for the MW and a coffee machine or kettle.

blondelle, That's a neat idea. We hate how dark and claustrophobic the bar area feels, so we had assumed that an open, L-shaped kitchenette design would feel more inviting and spacious for guests. But maybe we should be considering a U, and/or a small range. My mom wouldn't use a stove when she visits (her stove and oven days are over!), but my sister's family would use a stove.

Also, I feel like the glass cabinets make the space feel less claustrophobic, given the low ceiling and how small it is. But you're right that we'd be able to store more stuff in normal cabinets. We won't need a lot of stuff in the kitchenette (mainly dishes/glasses), but our main-level kitchen is fairly small, so we'll also be using any extra storage space for things like our holiday platters/china.

jmm1837, That's a great thought, but I believe we'd get use out of the full-size fridge. Our main-level fridge is often quite full, so we'd love to store extra drinks in a full-size fridge downstairs, which would be great for entertaining. And my sister's whole family is always on a special diet, due to the kids' food allergies, so they definitely would love to have a full-size fridge for their own use when they come to stay with us. (They just spent a week with us, and it was a nightmare juggling all their groceries, and our own, in our jam-packed main-level fridge.)

Would a mini-fridge be sufficient? This model from Lowe's is only 19.13" wide x 48.09" tall, and would fit under standard height upper cabinets. That would leave space against the wall for a pantry pull-out. Or, at that price, you could have two mini-fridges, side-by-side, since the door swing is reversible.

YouTube video--DIY pantry pull-out

mama_goose, I love that pantry pull-out idea!

I don't think the mini-fridge would be quite enough (see comment above about my sister's hostile takeover of our main fridge), and I can't picture my mom bending down to access a mini-fridge. We also already have a spare 33" fridge, so it's free, if we're willing to give it the space.

I would probably consider a portable induction burner or two rather than install a cooktop if it is just used a couple of times a year. More than that and a cooktop with ventilation starts to make more sense. Maybe the microwave could be a convection oven as well?

You may not want the additional cost since you already have a refrigerator. But years ago we had a small LG that worked great in a small kitchen. It is approx 24in wide by 24 inches deep. Here’s a link to the current version: https://www.lowes.com/pd/LG-10-1-cu-ft-Bottom-Freezer-Refrigerator-White-ENERGY-STAR/1000343601?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY--Appliances--SosRefrigeration-_-1000343601:LG&CAWELAID=&kpid=1000343601&CAGPSPN=pla&k_clickID=12372e30-4788-5a68-3b35-000024defbcc&gclid=CjwKCAjwyrvaBRACEiwAcyuzRHPzuu79VzWNpB5lVMNpiT6DYXMAZWWudz3UvSL3Kcl7Mg7IqThy0xoCv0MQAvD_BwE. I think it would be a good size for the use you describe and would allow for a bit more cabinet storage.

crl_ Thanks! I really like that fridge; it's a good height and has the freezer on the bottom and fridge on top, so my mom wouldn't have to bend to reach the fridge part. And it would surely be enough for my sister's groceries for a week, and for extra drinks for us and guests during the rest of the year. Paying an extra $500 to get a new fridge, and then having extra counter/cabinet space for the rest of the lifetime of the kitchenette, is probably a wise investment.

Also, your thinking about the portable burner makes sense to me, given how rarely it would be used. Thanks!

You want a full-size refrigerator, maximum storage, a wall-mount TV and a workable kitchen in a space of a closet.

It's not going to happen.