Help needed kitchen layout for remodel

6 years ago

We would like to redo our 1980s colonial kitchen but are having trouble envisioning a different layout that would create a better workflow in our kitchen. Attached is a photo of the current layout. We'd like to include an island so that the workspaces aren't so far apart, but the kitchen seems a bit narrow. We're open to taking down the wall into the Dining Room but aren't sure if that really makes sense. We need to move the fridge away from the doorway so that opening it doesn't block traffic flow. Seeking ideas to think about this space a bit differently

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mama goose_gw zn6OH

6 years ago

If you leave a stub wall on each side of the DR entry, all you need is a new header--but make sure the remnant of the wall beside the fridge will allow the door to open fully, to remove the crispers for cleaning. We made the opening between our kitchen and DR wider; it's made a great improvement in traffic flow--and both rooms seem larger.

You don't have space for an island, in either dimension, but could you use a peninsula for added counter space and storage?

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Comments (8)

thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
I’d start by finding out the structural issues of removing anything first. Those findings coupled with an overall budget and whole first floor plan would get people (correctly) guiding you.
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RappArchitecture
6 years ago
Mama goose has a good start. Not enough space for an island. You might get more ideas if you posted the entire first floor plan.
Lisa Romito Pozsgay thanked RappArchitecture
felizlady
6 years ago
Put the fridge next to the breakfast nook on the sink wall. Getting produce to the sink or drinks to the table will be much more convenient. Make sure you can open the fridge doors fully to enable removing shelves and drawers for cleaning.
felizlady
6 years ago
Put the fridge near the breakfast nook on the sink wall. You want produce to be closer to the sink and drinks closer to the bkfst table.
felizlady
6 years ago
Sorry about the duplicate entry...my comment did not show up for a while.
Carol Westover
6 years ago
I don’t know what the large item along the dining room wall is, but if you can relocate that, you do have room for an island. In both dimensions. Talk to a kitchen designer.
Lisa Romito Pozsgay
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks to all for the suggestions so far. The large item along the dining room wall is actually a counter with base and wall cabinets. If we removed it and opened up the doorway as mamagoose suggested, that might leave room for an island - maybe a little more narrow. Here's the floor plan for the 1st floor RappArchitecture. Of note, the 'family room' is quite small and more of a 'den'. The family really spends most of our time in the Living Room area. Mamagoose - we thought about a peninsula as you suggested, which may be the best option but seems to still make for 3 separate counter workspaces. We likely will go to a kitchen designer next, but wanted to first pose the question to see if anyone had some ideas to get us started. What feels like a big kitchen at times starts to seem really small when we think about rearranging it!