Upper cabinet placement question around kitchen windows

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi All!

My husband and I remodeling the kitchen in our 100 year old Craftsman style home. We are struggling with what to do on the window wall as far as upper cabinets/shelves etc... This is the wall you see when walking through from the living and dining room so I want it to look lovely.

Below is the current design and I'm not sold on it. You'll notice we have a lot of space (12") on either side of the window. That's because initially we were going to have floating shelves but didn't like the look of the ones drawn so we removed them and left the space empty in case we change our minds and add some at a later date.

My questions are:

1. Does it look odd to leave that much open space on either side of the windows?

2. Would the 42" cabinet to the left of the window look better centered rather than pushed out to the far left?

3. Does it look odd to only have one glass fronted cabinet on that wall? The 24" corner lazy Susan cabinet to the right of the window is solid and will stay that way. I chose glass fronted because I didn't want to end up with a wall full of upper solid cabinets as is the case on the adjacent wall. I wanted to break the kitchen up some. The only other glass fronted cabinet is on the opposite wall in a small coffee bar space.

4. Also I have a a lower drawer question. You'll notice ours are currently 30" and 24" wide. Should they be symmetrical? As in both 27" wide?

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Featured Answer

PRO

User

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi Sue, great questions!

No, it does not look odd to leave that much space around a window. In fact, many are opting for far less upper cabinetry these days to make a kitchen feel larger.
No, the cabinet will not look better centered. Keep that cabinet "anchored" to the left wall/align with the base cabinet end.
I don't think a glass front cabinet will look odd since you have another cabinet like it in the space. However, does it work for you function-wise? I would imagine that is where you will store your dishes and glasses. Are those display-worthy enough? If not, then I would switch those doors to solid fronts.
I think two 27" drawers will look better. However, were the current sizes selected based on function? If not, then I would definitely choose symmetry.

A couple of questions for you...Do your floor plan and elevations use the same dimensions? Your floor plan shows such little space between the window and upper cabinet compared to your elevation. I would check those to make sure. Also, on the east stretch of cabinets, I would consider exchanging the upper corner cabinet for a normal straight cabinet. The corner cabinet makes less sense since there is no cabinet it is meeting on the north wall. Plus, it will allow you to mirror the other side of your range hood with a 24" upper + 30" upper that dies into the end of the wall. This will further facilitate a "statement wall" which sounds like is your goal with a mantel-hood.

Hope this helps!

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Comments (11)

Shannon_WI
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Not what you asked, but why do you have a 60” hood over a 36” range?

Just leave the window wall with no uppers on it. Not everything needs to be decorated. Things look better when the eye has a place to rest in a room otherwise filled with cabinetry and appliances.
SueC thanked Shannon_WI
SueC
Original Author
5 years ago
JuneKnow,

These are the only drawings I have right now,

The wall is 14.5' The cabinet to the left is 42" wide.

Why do you think the corner cabinet which is 24" should go?

Thank you!
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SueC
Original Author
5 years ago
Shannon_Wi

The 60" hood is because I want a mantel and a 48" mantel looked too small.
dimaia
5 years ago
The appearance/symmetry of the lower cabinets is not of major concern, as they will be hidden behind the island.
SueC thanked dimaia
SueC
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you Glo European Windows & Doors for answering all my questions.

You and JuneKnow are on the same page re: getting rid of the corner cabinet. And I think your reasons make sense.

JuneKnow You've got me rethinking a mantel hood now.

I have a follow up question re: the cabinets to the left of the window. If we remove the corner cabinet to the right (which I'm going to do) won't it look odd to have just the one set of uppers to the left? And nothing to the right of the windows?
PRO
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The island needs some design attention to create better functionality, support for the overhang, space for the electrical outlets, and the ability to fit into a single slab of stone without a seam. All of those exist with the current configuration.

I’d also get rid of the space wasting mantel hood. A nice stainless chimney hood will be easier to clean, less expensive, and expand your storage capabilities.

If you dead end the cabinets into the wall, that will throw the negative space around the window off, so your 42” cabinet will need to be reduced to allow the same amount of space in both sides of the window. Consider doing a hutch cabinet down to the counter in order to recoup some of the list storage there.
Sofia
5 years ago
Or, keeping the negative space around the window the same on both sides, could the pantry go on the end where the glass front upper is now? Then shift the fridge down to where the pantry was?
SueC thanked Sofia
PRO
The Kitchen Place
5 years ago
I agree...the diagonal needs to go. Why? Because you have a 100 year old Craftsman. Diagonal cabinetry wasn't a thing back then. But then again, I'm more of a purist when it comes to 'old house' design.

Here is an old house kitchen I did a few years ago for a client. 30" 'mantle hood...and note, no diagonal corners.
Showplace Pendleton Maple - Oakwood · More Info
SueC thanked The Kitchen Place