Some inspo photos

Would an open undercounter shelf on the island work for a microwave? Could possibly also store a toaster there and bring it out as needed.

Sonny, I've seen pictures of the under-counter micro and it looks cool. The one time I tried it (in a public place), it seems a bit awkward, but maybe it's something that I'd get used to with practice ;) BTW, I have a KitchenAid toaster oven, so it's about as big as a small micro. I never considering storing it out of site. Maybe. Hmmm... Thanks for your thoughts.

Go for it! :)

Yay! I’m meeting with my contractor this morning (to get a rough estimate on this scaled back plan) and was wondering if this plan needed any tweaks. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

It's hard to say whether you have adequate cabinet storage, depending on where exactly you have uppers, which lower are drawers vs. doors, etc. What type of corner cabinet are you planning? And you did the DW is to the right of the sink, correct? It looks like you have 3' of space there and 2' to the left of the sink - so what's going on in the other spaces next to the sink? I'd think very carefully about what will be stored where - it appears that you don't have a ton of cabinet storage space.

Thanks salex. That’s one of my concerns. Yes, the dishwasher will be to the right of the sink (so it’s not opening next to the eating nook.) On that left side I have 24” of lower cabinets, so probably drawers. Next to the W/D I‘m planning a pantry with pull-out drawers One cabinet guy proposed a pantry that is 42” wide by 30” deep . That’s why I was considering using some of that space to be a pullout for the ironing board and step ladder. (The banquet seating can provide storage, but as I said, I’m rethinikning that) Do you think this helps? Not sure if it’s a question of better optimizing the space or I’m just constrained by the walls. Thanks!

BTW, one option is to reduce the size of the window above the sink (and maybe over the nook) to put an upper cabinet to the left of the sink, but that may block light and the open feel of the room and I’m not sure it will provide all that much extra storage. Maybe?

I would move the DW to the left of the sink so it’s not in your prep area. It’s not advisable to place it between the sink and range unless there’s absolutely no choice. It will also be more assessable to dining. I would definitely shrink the window to allow an upper there. DW can be unloaded to drawers in island and the cab above. I would move the range about 6” to the right. This will give the range more breathing space and allow clear access for exhaust. There’s a perpendicular wall right behind exhaust in your plan. I’d eliminate the 6” broom pantry (store them in the 12” pullout by W/D), scoot the fridge down to that space allowing a 24” cabinet to the left of the fridge. Your MW can reside in that 24” upper on the bottom shelf. Toaster oven can be on the counter below it.

Wow great suggestions bbtrix. I’ll definitely consider them. On moving the stove, do you mean closer to the sink? FWIW, I want to go from 36” as drawn to 30” and planned to put the 6” on the right side. Are you saying to put that extra 6” to the left or ....move the stove 6” to the right from the current drawing? (the drawing shows 12” to the right of the stove, needed for a lazy Susan corner cabinet.)

Move it to the left toward the sink away from the corner. Two reasons for this, it’s crowded to the corner when it doesn’t need to be and the wall I’ve circled will prevent direct access for venting.

bbtrix, thanks again. Now I see. I think my architect was trying to give me a long counter between the sink and stove but...with this change I'll still have 2.5 feet (maybe 3 feet with the extra inches next to the sink). And I'll have more space on the right, plus the island. I really like your suggestion of putting the micro in the bottom of the upper cab next to the stove and toaster oven below. I think that's the way to go.

If I wanted to put an upper cab to the left of the sink, I think the window over the sink would shrink from 48" to 36" or even 30" to fit a 15" upper cabinet. I have an old bungalow so the window trim is about ~4" on each side of the cabinet (since it will be between two windows). I need to do the math (and talk to my architect). A 36" window seems OK. 30" seems like it might be too small and maybe not worth it. (?) I don't know. Thoughts? Since the sink is centered on the window, whatever space is gained on the left side of the sink is also given to the right, so I'd gain a bit of upper cabs on the right as well..... Thanks for all the good food for thought!

bbtrix has made some excellent suggestions. I'd keep the wider windows, but since I have no real window in my kitchen, I always have window envy. ;)

If you put the DW to the left of the sink, and move the range out of the corner, reducing the space between the sink and range, you can have a cutting board made to fit over the sink, so it creates an instantly wider prep space.

Would that leave enough space to the left of the fridge, for a small MW on a shelf?

The suggestions above are great - especially about switching the side of the DW away from your prep area.

In reference to your window: In my kitchen, I gave up a 60" window for two 30" ones (just so I could center the range on the window wall) and they are great - but then again, there are two of them, and just one might seem small.

My first thought about the upper cabinet to the left of the sink was to skip it though. I think you're right about it giving a totally different feel than having a clear view toward the window. But the only way to know how critical that space might be is to measure what you have and what spaces you will have available to store that stuff.

^^Agree about measuring your stuff to make sure you have enough storage. You may be tight which is why I suggest an upper there though I too would prefer the looks of all windows. You might consider glass doors there to keep the airy feel if you find you need the storage.

Wow thanks again for all the great comments, since I want enough storage. The cabinet guy seemed to think the pull out pantry drawers could hold a ton being 3' deep. (but he was proposing 42" wide, and I'm thinking of stealing 12" for a pullout broom/step ladder closet). Still that's 2.5 wide by 3 deep => seems like each pullout drawer has the same space as a ~ 15-18 upper cabinet?

mama thanks for posting the pic. A small micro is enough for me. I needed to get a new one last fall. (all my appliances are on their last leg, lol) It's 19" wide, so if the micro shelf is below a 24" wide cabinet, there would be enough room, and maybe even space to store a narrow cookbook or two.

If it's helpful, here are some diagrams from the cabinet guy. He had some of your ideas, but I was a little miffed at him (I had asked for a 6" deep broom closet, and on-sight he said I should have 12" and then he increased it to 14.5" Plus there are a couple other mistakes, like him showing a cooktop instead of a range). But...the wisdom of Houzz overrules! ;)

>>following >>

Here's a plan from last year when we were planning a much bigger remodel (the house would have been bumped out and the kitchen would have gotten shifted 6 feet back, plus other things). I thought these dimensions were way off the current plan, but the L is still the same (!); the current plan shows a 5' foot island (this one is 6' and it's where this designer put the micro). That big remodel would have also used the entire W/D nook as a 6' wide by 3' deep pantry. sigh) But maybe this layout is the way to go????

I would try to make the cabinets on each side of the range hood equal widths. If your trash pull-out is under the sink, dishes could be kept in drawers between the sink and range.

I'm glad you mentioned that mama. I thought the same thing.

I would put oils, etc in the left upper and glassware in the right. Pots/pans in the 36" island cab. You should have plenty of dry goods space in the pantry roll-outs and room for casseroles and small appliances. It's always a good idea to inventory your stuff and map out where it will fit.

Your MW will fit fine on the bottom shelf of the 24" wide upper next to the fridge. I did one like this for my daughter. You can have them make a door to fit above the MW. My daughter wanted an open shelf.

What's your concern since you are mentioning possibly switching to the larger island and pantry? I would keep your pantry plan but not make the 12" a pullout. Just have a door and mount hardware to hang the ironing board on one side, broom holder on the other and the step stool on the bottom. I don't know that you have aisle clearance for a longer island. Can't tell what the pinch point would be. You aren't planning an overhang, correct?

Just to clarify, the plan last year had been to bump out the house, so we would have had a slightly bigger kitchen (and thus space for 6’ Island) That’s not happening now. It’s the top plan. (But the one diagram I posted was from last year). BTW, what do you mean by an overhand? (So I guess that’s no, I’m not having one, since I don’t even know what it means lol)

Is there room under a sink for a trash and recycling pullout?

bb, thanks for posting that pic. My dimensions may be close, so it’s great to see something that works.

Where would you put the broom and ironing board, on the back of the door to the W/D? Or maybe make the W/D cubbie wider and place them there. FWIW, I have (and need) a tall step stool, I think it’s like 18” wide by 46” high.

BTW, currently my ironing board and tall step ladder live in the master closet. I wanted to move them but now I wonder if that’s a mistake. Seems like storage in the kitchen is at a premium.

The last pic of your former plan shows an island overhang for seating. I understand what you’re saying.

I was referring to the 12” cab between the laundry cab and 24” pantry. I would hang something like this on the inside wall of the 12” tall cab:

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/real-simple-reg-iron-caddy-board-holder/1018221497?skuId=18221497&&mrkgcl=609&mrkgadid=3253103175&rkg_id=0&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_closetlaundry_local&product_id=18221497&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&adpos=1o2&creative=232470226284&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiAkrTjBRAoEiwAXpf9CfWWi9qDUSJ_1OFJJhzKUWTbnOzsGCB9bkAIwlkC4rLFJf79PwWoExoCtRkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Does your step stool collapse? You do need one relatively close.

You're right. No island overhang with the current plan. Not enough space. My step stool does collapse, but that's it's collapsed size (by 4-6" thick)!

Thanks for the picture of the ironing board caddy. I see what you mean. I practically never use the ironing board. Maybe I should stick it somewhere out of the way, like the guest room closet. (so my guests have handy access if they want to iron, lol) Thanks again for all your thoughts. All of this is helpful, even this discussion about the ironing board! :)

we purchased ironing board that fits into a drawer...for our new build/laundry area..
have not finished that area yet so no photo you share..it is a smaller one though, but good enough for what I have to iron

Hi, I'm back looking at these kitchen design ideas.Thanks everyone for your feedback.

@ mama goose_gw zn6OH I like the concept of trash under the sink but...I'm hoping to have a deep sink. i.e. a double sink with 60/40 split; deep on the larger side and a garbage disposal on the smaller side. So it doesn't seem like there's room for trash (I want trash + recycling). Or do you know of something for that size space?

damiarian, thanks! That looks great. Is everyone against double-sinks? I still do some dishes by hand. The friends who have a single sink usually have their dish drainer on the counter, which to me defeats the purpose of having a pretty kitchen. Maybe I'm an outlier?

I have a double sink, we are on an island where water can become an issue, so we went with a smaller double sink and because there is only the 2 of us, I often do hand wash the dishes

.I agree about the dish drainer, dont want it on the island counter either. :)

bbtrix, I have a question about your daughter's microwave shelf. Do you know how deep the micro is and how deep those upper cabinets are? Did they make the area for the micro deeper? Where's the plug? (behind the micro?) I have a 34" on the "return" part of this L, so my thought was to put in a 34" wide micro shelf/cubbie (and a cabinet above), and use the extra space to stash a few cookbooks. A friend who did this put the plug in the cubbie area next to the micro, and then it's covered by the cookbooks. Thoughts? thanks for your help. The more I look at your daughter's kitchen, the more I appreciate it.