Software
Houzz Logo Print
chris_riesner

small cabin kitchen layout

4 years ago

hey guys in contingency for a house that needs some remodeling.

Were's definitely taking out the kitchen drop ceiling and that center post but cant quite figure out what to do with the layout.

The contractor suggested removing the dining table all together, removing that back slider door (extending the counters/cabinets there) then moving the stove to the center island and making it longer for 4-5 seats.


It's just me and my girlfriend right now but we still like the idea of having a dining room table (even if its small). Do you have any suggestions for what kind of layout to do with that in mind? It's pretty tight right now with the side counter and dining room table







Comments (298)

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Some ideas for a table. You can pick styling, sizing, price range, etc. but there are many looks that are emerging like this in the current open concepts.

    Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Brownstone · More Info


    11th Street Residence · More Info


    Magnolia Renovation · More Info


    Sugar Land Transitional · More Info


  • 4 years ago

    Here is what I am suggesting to make your kitchen and DR bigger, and the entry foyer stays the same size.



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Thanks for sharing the kitchen cab details, Chris. Spice rack pullout to left of cooktop/oven is very handy. Instead of cookie sheet pullout on right side of cooktop, you may find a wider bank of drawers for pots and pans is useful with a top drawer 6” high for potholders and cooking utensils. You can store the cookie sheets and roasting pan in the drawer under the oven. Also, if you intend to have a garage section in the food pantry for small appliances, maybe add an electrical outlet inside it.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Any thoughts? Been so quiet. Hope everything is OK?

  • 4 years ago

    @Flo Mangan interesting idea to integrate the island, I just wonder if it messed up the flow / view form entrance to back deck having to go around? Since we've been using the kitchen with the stove next to the fridge I think we've decided that its much to tight with no prep space right there and moving the stove over next to the dishwasher is better.


    I think were leaning towards getting the cabinets in, everything knocked out of it and then just feeling out the space with furtunire, different sized tables and non permanent island. since my GC thinks islands are pretty critical for resale he said we should just have it wired up and put under the floor for future buyers and tell them if they want an island its ready to go.



  • 4 years ago

    @marylut interesting idea, but then would I have to move the door out and the bathroom door out or just have a false wall thats off center in that hallway?


  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Ok Chris. Best of luck. Good idea to wire up for island. I am betting you will wasn’t more prep/lay down space so that sets things up for the future. Where will microwave go?

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Want not wasn’t. This crazy software.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Any suggestions on the cabinet layout? were having a hard time getting the trash can in there. I think we would like a pull out spice rack and pull out pan drawer if possible but space is tight. The cabinet guy said we couldn't do a appliance garage in the pantry its just a set 24x24x96


    we were going to look into a downdraft vent instead of the overhead vent to make things cleaner but not sure cost and how well they work.

    The right window size can vary as we are taking out that slider and can frame it in to a something different









  • 4 years ago

    Hi, and I'm very 'late' here, but want to see if quick answer is ok -- thoughts to remove the wood on entire wall [with recliners, and dining's narrow width]?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Any thoughts instead of removing post, etc.... is amount of wood/lattice element above needed? only me, but not kitchen's wood that bothers my eyes, cause it's a defined work space, but rather the wood on walls, etc....

  • 4 years ago

    One more: thought about amount of drywall that'd be on entire upper wall / low cabinets at floor....

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Downdrafts are worthless. Have had several. For good exhaust get vent with direct to outside venting. You can do it since you want stove on that window side. Reminder: don’t purchase oven with high back control panel. Get flat and make sure you have measurements really precise. Account for hook ups sticking out from wall too. Plus if recessing make sure recessed space is big enough to accommodate plugs and wires if electric range and gas line plus shutoff in back of adjoining cabinet. Code requirements on this in most locales.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Kitchens are all about tiny parts of inches. Make sure you are accounting for space so refrigerator doors can open completely. If you don’t, you will never get drawers out of refrigerator. Common problem. Some companies specify 4” needed on each side. So you must select exact appliances before you order cabinets. Consult with specific on line specification manuals on line for models you select. Also, examine “Installation” instructions because they tend to have better info. It’s all about details.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    What fuel do you want/need for range?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    A false wall that juts into the 4’10” hallway. More room along kitchen wall where you say space is tight, and hang bespoke sconce or vertical art on other side to be seen from the front door.


  • 4 years ago

    Really in the weeds, but does the cab maker have a trashcan pullout that fits under the sink like this?


  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I like marylut’s idea for expanding that wall in kitchen. You still would have your line of sight. Another option if that doesn’t work for you is a stair step set of cabinets along stair wall for seldom used items but easy access. You could build in a doggie station too.

  • 4 years ago

    Very worried about your cooktop vent and microwave. I cross my fingers that you get a wall vent that vents cooktop odors and steam through the wall to the outside, that is ideal. If vent includes a microwave over the stove, and you are getting a charcoal filter kit for the microwave, that means the odors and steam are vented back into the kitchen. Not ideal for open floor plan living.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Totally agree. Here is cabinetry for fam room along side stairs for extra storage. A unit like this could also sit on left side of entry to help visually transition from entry to family/kitchen/dining.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    These come in many price points. Cabinet guy could build too.

  • 4 years ago

    Unfortunately there’s stairs under the stairs so couldn’t fit those in

  • 4 years ago

    I do think an under sink trash or at least can turned sideways would be better to save space. They don’t recycle in cans here so you don’t need 2 cans

  • 4 years ago

    It’s electric now but asking GC to check if we can move to gas at first glance he said we could. Also if we move stove to wall like we plan to adding an outdoor vent will be easy. We don’t really want a microwave above the stove.
    So marry you agree on the downdrafts not being good? We had one in my parents house and it was fine on the island but it was electric stove.

    I guess we can make the window smaller so it’s more balanced in there with the stove near the middle

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Good point. I have gas cook top in island now with downdraft vent. When the downdraft is on it pulls the gas flame toward the center downdraft. Makes cooking rather challenging. I didn’t design my current abide (renting) so this was owners renovation. I have had a very high end downdraft where it was placed behind the dual fuel burners and upon pushing a button it rose up turned on and when done cooking could be lowered. I almost never used it because it was super loud. One of the newest at the time but do consider noise level especially with your open concept. Personally, I would rather have larger stand alone waste basket because the built ins don’t hold enough and no matter how careful you are, the insides get very messy and are hard to clean. A bit harder to do without an island where one could tuck a Smart-stainless can.

  • 4 years ago

    Do you guys think the triangle is to big if we centered the stove on the back window? I might set my camp stove up and see how it feels over there, definitely the easiest. although I would have to get the downdraft stove for that





    Other configuration to make it look decent is make the left and right window the same size (loose on the sunset view, although there is some power lines on that side which would cover that up a bit). so trash could go stove right or maybe just put it inside the pantry which is 24" wide, I think 12" is wide enough to do a can sideways so open one door and pull it out






    more expensive route, move the sink over to the right, making that window above the sink wider so the sink is still centered on the window, putting the trash on the left of the sink






    here's some other trash can options I researched






  • 4 years ago

    I have no experience with a down vent. I have a gas cooktop that I love. I agree with Flo to check hood vent decibel rating (mine has hi and low settings) for sound. I agree with multiple cooks you don’t want microwave over cooktop.

  • 4 years ago

    According to the experts, the triangle would be too big, with fridge and stove leg too far apart, but try it out with camp stove and see. Narrow cabinet to left of sink may work for trash can pullout, especially if using counter to left of sink for food prep.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    There are always trade offs. The benefit of direct exhaust vent is big so That says put oven on back wall. I would want basket near sink. I like the corner carousel one best. The work triangle works best for me when refrig/some lay down space and sink are fairly close. I go to those locations most. But that left corner is tight. You might be able to do long days 18” high window along back wall. Get some sunset views but preserve layout options.

  • 4 years ago

    Even with a down vent, the window panes behind the cooktop will get grimy and greasy, and your camp stove experiment may or may not show that. I think keeping cooktop closer to DW, with spice rack pullout between them will look fine. If you want a symmetrical look, keep the open shelves flanking the hood the same length on both sides, even if you have more wall space to the left.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Sorry. I don’t know what Houzz gremlin is rewording everything I say. I said think about long window or two along that back wall. You could frame good sunset views but maintain functions.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Just playing with sunsets, windows etc.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I just had to have a stainless cart for some additional lay down space. 😊

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    If you are going for modern, check out modern floating shelving. Shelves are not my fav. Get too greasy in that location. Pop up linear cabinets would be my choice with frosted glass. Check out Blum systems. If budget is issue now you could add later one on each side of vent for linear look.

  • 4 years ago

    some updates from living with our make shift model


    blanket covers the window where it would get walled off it we were to make the right window the same width as the sink window. stove is centered on the windows (piece of wood for size reference)


    From being in here I really dislike the small window, totally loose the view (from the island view at least, I guess we wouldn't be sitting at the island) but it makes me want to go with riding the kitchen window so we can not close off the right window as much. so this:



    or do a bigger center window thing and deal with grease splashes on it?



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    some updates from living with our make shift model, having the stove there in the center did not feel like to big of a 'cooking triangle'



    blanket covers the window where it would get walled off it we were to make the right window the same width as the sink window. stove is centered on the windows (piece of wood for size reference)

    From being in here I really dislike the small window, totally loose the view (from the island view at least, I guess we wouldn't be sitting at the island) but it makes me want to go with riding the kitchen window so we can not close off the right window as much. so this:



    or do a bigger center window thing and deal with grease splashes on it?



  • 4 years ago

    the other thing I realized is I'm going to really miss that island barstool and being able to talk to girlfriend while cooking, if sitting at table might be lower and more awkward? made me think what about doing a taller bar height table? I couldn't find any reference photos of one in a kitchen though


    that would be with this layout:



    the other thought was what about add in a narrow bar counter + stool on that right wall. someone could be sitting over there talking with whoever cooking and it would be a nice place for breakfast sitting right at the window




  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    GF sits facing you with a counter in front of her to rest her elbows and set down her beverage. Would she be as comfortable sitting in a swivel stool with a counter behind her? Would sitting in the same spot but 6” lower at standard height table but facing you as you cook really be awkward? Wouldn’t you get used to it fairly fast? Is that window long enough (48” min) for 2 stools, or will the other person face the wall? To be able to access the cabinets, you probably need a hinged wooden countertop under the window. Will you like the look of that with your white stone countertop along the other wall? Can’t you see out the window if sitting at a standard height table? if no, then counter height table is a good idea, but for leisurely dinners (or board game nights) would you and your guests be more comfortable with your feet planted on the floor?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Is their enough room to move the DW to the left of the sink, center the sink under a wider window, and center the cooktop and vent between the windows?


  • 4 years ago

    right wall bar idea: from counter to window edge is 40" from counter to sliding window is 63"

    why would that barstool counter need to be hinged? I do see the stools being annoying to get in to the counter guess that would need to be like a 45 or lazy suntan cabinet






    sitting down lower you still see tree view but it does loose a little no longer having the sliding door (to the floor window view). makes me want to turn to the right and look out the right slider so maybe the table has chair on that end.


    bar height table for reference






  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Bar height table and chairs you can’t give away. People don’t like them because hard for most to get onto tall stools and down (women especially). I think you are overthinking this. You don’t have enough wall depth on right corner without impacting back/side window and slider. I think a mobile cart/island with lift up table would be ideal for you and GF and more functional too.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I found this unit. It is a bit pricey but would work so well for you and GF.

  • 4 years ago

    so you think that would fit in the kitchen with a table too? right now our island is 62 x 42 which seems really big, we put in a round outdoor table to see where it would need to be placed with chairs but it feels super tight


    I think if we did an island it would need to be really small, whats the minimum island size?

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I will do layout tomorrow late. I am tied up til late in day.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I am eager to see what Flo comes up with. Honestly, GF watching you cook while seated at a table for 6, whether standard or counter height, the direction you had the table oriented, gives you better entertainment options. However, by my calculations, you can fit a bar for 2 people and a table for 4 and have room to cook. The bar would have no cabinets, just support and countertop 18” deep (for leg room and counter support) and 24“ wide for elbow room and be 6’ from fridge wall and 6’ from sink wall. The 3’x4’ table would be pushed up against the window wall and be 6’ from new window. Do you like the look of 2 separate eating areas versus 1 table for 6? Do you like the cooktop and oven being in plain view of LR? Do you like the look of standard bar 36” high and the standard table 30” high? A while back you nixed the idea of 30” H table pushed up against 36”H island, but now that you have used the kitchen and seen it in Flo’s post above, are you changing your mind?




  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I am tied up til later today, but Chris it would help if you gave you input on Marylut’s questions. Ask yourself this. How many times in a normal month will there be more than 4 people here? How do we want to use this space on the kitchen/living area? Will guests really use lower level? Or will entertaining basically be in and around kitchen? I suspect the answers are going to really help you, your GF and us help you get the best overall layout you can get. Bbl

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    My layout is "conceptual" for the entire space. I like to make total spaces work and this is a great space to create multi-purpose for your lifestyle. Option E is a layout with the island I proposed. It can be positioned to fit the space once the outer parameter is defined. I made the cabinets under the right side of kitchen 12" deep. That would hold a lot and you can continue it over to a 12" deep shelf/counter with a couple stools. This is for "viewing" outside when desired and would have stools, counter height, if that is supported by space below the window. If not, then table height would be used. Then I put a drop leaf table behind the sofa that would be pulled out for dinners where seating for 4-6 is needed. In my experience, once you get beyond 6-8 at a sit down dinner, it becomes a "buffet-style" meal and people find seats wherever they can. I also believe this space will be "central" to the home. So, I put a TV on the far end wall on a console along with a couple swivel chairs, a coffee table and accent tables. When entertaining, if you have a "game day" type lifestyle, this works great. If you don't normally watch TV when entertaining fine. But streaming movies on large TVs is becoming more and more common and his is a great room to have enjoyable times doing that. So, it boils down to what your entertaining/lifestyle is and will be. The Option E just shows the drop leaf table behind the sofa; and Option E/F shows how this size would work in the open space of dinners.

    layouts · More Info


    layouts · More Info


  • PRO
    4 years ago

    If you require a full 42" around your peripheral cabinets, you can move the "movable" island to a spot that works for whatever requirements you have. You might have to delete the "bar seating" at the window. Just depends on what you want.

  • 2 years ago

    @@chris riesner, where are you on your cabin renovation?