Kitchen design advice (peninsula or small l-shaped island)

8 years ago

Hi all! I am remodeling the kitchen in my first home and am having a small dilemma. The original kitchen was small and dinky, and my mom had a great idea to extend the kitchen about 5ft into the existing converted garage space behind the wall with the oven (which was a huge room that wasn't super functional).

Before:

Current progress:

Potential design ideas using the Lowe's design application. It doesn't allow me to add a dishwahsher (it crashes every single time) or a highbar island/peninsula, so use your imagination. The dishwasher is represented by a 24" cabinet to the right of the sink.

1) 6ft peninsula extending after the fridge. There will a highbar/stool seating from the living room (the door will swing into the garage instead of into the living room to save room) and we are building back in a wall that ends at the fridge. The red dotted line represents approximately where the extension starts, which is semi-important because we are transitioning from vault to non-vaulted ceilings.

2) A ~4ft L-shaped or diamond island in the corner between the living room/dining room. I feel like this option gives a better view into the kitchen, and having two openings from the living room and dining room is nice.. but feels a little random?

If you made it this far, I commend you! I know this post was a little long, but I wanted to be thorough..

Any other suggestions/layouts/ideas would be appreciated!

Featured Answer

houssaon

8 years ago

I wouldn't do the extra opening and the L shaped cabinet. Think about getting a counter depth refrigerator. It will make a big difference in the look and feel of your space. My first house had the identical layout! Super efficient.

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Comments (9)

becplatts
8 years ago
The problem I have with an L shape is you end up standing in this corner. Guest want to visit while I am in the kitchen. Soon I am standing in this corner all night and they are seated across the bar. No more L anything for me.
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Rachael Black
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! A counter depth fridge would make it easier to see into the kitchen space from the peninsula. That's a great idea.
User
8 years ago
The L “island” is terrible. And useless. And more expensive.
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
8 years ago
I'd swap the pantry and fridge location (definitely go for a counter depth in this kitchen). The floating L shaped island just looks odd. I'd do the peninsula.
bkeithaz
8 years ago
Wherever you put the fridge, make sure it has the side panels for a built-in look. That really ups the look of the kitchen for not a lot of money. And yes, a counter depth fridge. Also, think about drawer bases in the peninsula instead of the cabinets you show. I just added them to a recent kitchen remodel and can't believe I spent 50 years getting on my hands and knees to get stuff out of the lower cabinets! Be sure to make them as wide as possible (two 36"?). My widest are 27" and 30" and I wish I'd reworked the design to make them wider.

Have fun with your new house! You're off to a great start!
Rachael Black
Original Author
8 years ago
@ Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design - I could swap the fridge and the pantry, but I was worried about messing up the 'working triangle' that people seem to harp on so much. I don't want to have an awkward layout..

Here is the look with them switched (the Lowe's app doesn't have counter depth fridges)
sandk
8 years ago
Consider the habits of your family and guests for the fridge and pantry placement. What will they use most? Will people accessing the fridge get in the way of you cooking? IMO the fridge and stove are too close, but I like to keep the kitchen tourists away from my work zone and my tourists want in the fridge.
PRO
Bill Fry Construction - Wm. H. Fry Const. Co.
8 years ago
See if you can find inspiration from Houzz photos - here are compact kitchens with peninsulas: https://www.houzz.com/photos/small-kitchen-with-a-peninsula-ideas-phbr2-bp~t_709~a_30-231--65-521