Feedback on kitchen layout

6 years ago

Apparently I am a glutton for punishment, and I'm willing to post our current kitchen layout as a starting point and ask for feedback. Here is a snip from the kitchen layout we are starting from. We meet with the cabinet designer this week.

We are planning to have a counter-depth fridge, and do a floor-to-ceiling cabinet to the right of the fridge with the microwave inset into it. Pantry cabinet doors below with slide out shelves, cabinet above for storage. We're doing all drawers in the lower cabinets on either side of the range. TBD on what to do in the corners both upper and lower. Also TBD whether to have an upper cabinet in the corner to the right of the range, or to do open shelves. That counter space is envisioned to be the coffee station for my wife's espresso machine.

One more minor detail, we are enlarging the island just slightly, As drawn it's about 3.5'x7.5'. We are going to 4'x8'. Also in the island we plan to have a pull-out trash/recycling can to the left of the sink.

Flame-proof suit is on, let the comments fly ;)

Featured Answer

mama goose_gw zn6OH

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

It's really no fun picking on someone who is ready for it--we lose the element of surprise. ;)

I like the plan, too, but I'd switch the DW to the left of the sink, so DW can be unloaded, and dishes can be gathered, without helpers crossing the prep and cooking zones. If you move the fridge toward the corner a bit, it will be more convenient to the prep space on the island, and you can have a coffee/snack area, which will also keep others out of the work zones. For symmetry. I'd add an open shelf in the corner above the dish storage, keeping the reveal the same on each side of the window:

I'm going to add this one because I think it's better suited to an island 4' deep, and also leaves more space for the DR. I added a prep sink to the island, although it would still work without one (green line).

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Comments (8)

GN Builders
6 years ago
What's wrong with existing layout it looks pretty good from here.
SBDRH thanked GN Builders
SBDRH
Original Author
6 years ago
I don't think there's much wrong with it as-is, but there are more experienced folks here and I'd like to get feedback to consider prior to meeting with the cabinet designer
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One Devoted Dame
6 years ago
I like Mama's suggestions, and the only thing I'd add is to consider changing the swing of the Pantry door -- so that it opens out -- and rests on the wall shared with the word "Pantry." I like having hooks in my pantry (for aprons and such), so I'd put hooks along the wall that the original swing of the door rests against (the wall shared with the mud & laundry). But that's all totally personal preference! :-D
SBDRH
Original Author
6 years ago
@mama goose_gw zn6OH thanks so much for the feedback. We actually considered all of your ideas in your first set. In our current kitchen the "pinch points" are when someone needs to throw something in the trash/recycle while my wife is cooking, hence why we wanted the trash/recycle on the end of the island outside the work triangle. The other thing we encounter on a regular basis is the kids getting drinks or items from the fridge during cooking/prepping/serving. We thought having the fridge on the outside of that bank of cabinets would reduce the crossing of paths. I do agree that having the fridge more aligned with the island would help for loading/unloading items to the island. That's something we need to think about.......

The second layout would add more space to the dining area, and that would be great. Unfortunately we're too far along to make that large of a change.

@One Devoted Dame we considered a pocket door for the pantry, but decided against it. I don't think the wall on that side is long enough for the 3' door to swing fully in that direction...
One Devoted Dame
6 years ago
What about a saloon-type door? With a double-acting hinge, or whatever it's called? lol
mama goose_gw zn6OH
6 years ago
I like having the trash pull-out below the primary prep space, but if your kids save all their trash until Mom is busy in the kitchen ;), you could put it to the left of the range. It's not too far from the sink, and it's still convenient to fridge. Use a cabinet the same width to the right of the range. I hope you are using all drawer bases.

How far along is too far? Framing? Windows ordered? Plumbing?
SBDRH
Original Author
6 years ago
@mama goose_gw zn6OH thanks! This is a lakehouse, and when mom's cooking there are usually family and friends all hanging out with her. That usually includes the need to toss an empty "soda" can in the trash, grab another from the fridge, etc. ;)

We are at the stage where framing is complete and windows ordered. We have flexibility on electrical and plumbing locations, but the timeline is short at this point.