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wolterjwb

Trying to combine two rooms into one large kitchen but very odd shape

4 years ago

Currently have a kitchen that is located at the top opening in the dining room. That kitchen is roughly 10x21. Due to bearing walls and other reasons, I can't open it up. Decided to take the current dining room and formal sitting room, remove the middle wall (non-bearing) and create a large kitchen. The gstorage on the left is currently storage in the garage but figured I could turn that around and use it for a walk in pantry. The front windows are 1 ft. off the ground and would prefer to keep them that way unless I figure an amazing reason not to. The current kitchen was recently remodeled and has an electric 24" cooktop, 36" fridge, and double oven/convection microwave. I wanted to add another oven and prefer gas so figured I would add a 36" gas range (Bluestar if I can afford it). Due to how new the electric range is, I figured I would still use that as family gatherings can be over 50 people so having enough burners to warm food would be great (and since I have the room, why not). Not going to be starting for another month (that's when I close on the house) so below is my 2nd design I came up with. It shows the configuration as it sits now, the current plan, the wall dimensions, and the opening dimensions. I'm not married to anything, just wanting a kitchen that is great for entertaining and feels like home. Open to any/all thoughts, designs, etc. and truly appreciate any/all help. Oh, the one odd thing (to prolly most everyone) is you'll notice there aren't any upper cabinets. I'm not a fan of uppers and was planning on having shelving on the walls (type, amount, etc. still to be determined). Cheers





Comments (25)

  • 4 years ago

    I think double islands, particularly in this layout, is a bit contrived. I would make it one, because your aisle along the left is too small anyway. I would also move the under counter ovens to a stack along the left wall, because under counter ovens are uncomfortably low to the floor. And, really, I’d make that whole left wall floor-to-ceiling cabinets. I think, being on the side, your kitchen will still have the open, airy feeling you want. I’d also consider making them deeper so the doorway at the top is centered between the two, and/or slide the beginning of the cabinets along the top wall to the right.


    Also... what’s your plan for the dual cooktops? Two range hoods? That seems... weird to me. I would do 36” of your preferred cooktop is (gas?) and then do two burners of the other one, with one shared 60” hood. Center it along that back wall. Sell your existing appliances that don’t fit the new design.




  • 4 years ago

    With the new set up, are you having the 15" bar top going the whole way or starting halfway where the stools are? While it would be nice to sell the appliances, do have to think about the budget which is why I was re-using them.

    For the hood, was going to have one long exterior visual piece (8 ft) that had two separate vents in it over each burner.

    I like the idea of half pantry, thanks for that.

    I thought about a long island but was worried how the seam would look. Also with that setup, does it seem like wasted space in front of the window on the right that has storage on each end?

    Are you thinking FH cabinets along the left side to hold small appliances in or more for the aesthetic look?

  • 4 years ago

    I was thinking the island top would be all one level, I just didn't bother to change all the seating to stools or chairs.

    Storage in the alcove could be tailored to fit your needs--both tall cabinets, or drawers on the bottom, with hutch type cabinets on the top, or one of each. Or, if convenient to other rooms of the house, one section could be a coffee center,

    If using natural stone, and if the budget allows, get a bookmatched seam on the island. It will bisect the sink, so will meet at the shortest point--less chance of mismatch.

  • 4 years ago

    There will still be a dining table somewhere, correct?

  • 4 years ago

    Using the aforementioned ideas:


  • 4 years ago

    @wolterjwb I'd remove the 18" garbage on the left side and start the island there so it'll be about 11'. Also make the island one level. And move garbage next to the sink.


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    or this one with cabinets and use listed below:





  • 4 years ago

    Do you realize the space is 24'-4" long? Most garages are not that deep. So as an example you will be walking from the fridge over to the island utensil drawer (in your latest) a good 18'? For reference a Chevy Suburban is that length. The mechanics of that function and scale of the space is something to address. Consider also the ceiling height and adjacent rooms in that scale.

    Also, since you haven't closed on the house yet I assume that you have only had limited walk-throughs and an overall inspection. Regarding removing the interior wall, are you knowledgeable with structural framing and whether MEP is in it? Are you certain that after living there through your first summer season, that you won't want to, say, add a patio out one of the windows?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    @3onthetree - I've had the run of the house for a few weeks as it's basically mine so walked through daily and have spent hours there measuring everything. Also have a construction background and went into the attic and looked at the floor joists. This wall is the only viable wall to remove as other wall is between current kitchen and living room that has a fireplace and hardwood flooring (kitchen and these rooms have vinyl plank and carpet.

    The windows in these rooms are towards the street (home sits back about 30 yards and it's a dead end street but wouldn't want a front patio as all entertaining is in the rear. House also has an attached casita and large outside concrete area with pool and hot tub (adding the hot tub since it's the midwest). Going to also have to eventually remodel casita and master bed/bath but those will be another post. haha Below is the entire indoor/outdoor living space



  • 4 years ago

    You are going to wear yourself out walking around in that really large space -- every meal you cook is likely going to end up being more of a chore than a pleasure after the novelty of "new" wears off. Recommendations to keep the "kitchen triangle" (stove, refrigerator, sink) in mind should be taken seriously.


    If you cannot put your sink beneath a window in an exterior wall, that is when you consider putting your sink and your dishwasher in the island facing those you serve at the bar rather than facing a windowless wall while you prep your meals or clean up afterward.


    Wouldn't take the garage storage space for a "pantry". Instead, create floor to ceiling row of "pantry" cabinets in that left wall and use that for storage -- but you could pair an upright refrigerator and freezer side by side in that row of cabinets across from the end of your bar so you could set items on the end of the bar that you remove from those appliances.

    Then focus on creating parallel countertops, such as that last plan you posted an hour ago.


    You don't need to "use" the space in the bottom right as a part of the kitchen. If anything, consider that small angle off your kitchen as a hallway and see if it would work as a place for a shallow "butler's pantry" -- or pair of them facing each other -- perhaps the one on the right focused on serving beverages (coffee maker and tiny bar sink ) and another focused on snacks (perhaps with your popcorn popper and/or a microwave on the left -- any you could even wrap that left one around the corner (depending upon the depth of your island, of course) and make the one of the right a bit wider because of that.

  • 4 years ago

    @suezbell, A couple comments above your comment is the 4th iteration that just has a long island. That is the current plan. Also including photo below.



  • 4 years ago

    Make sure you know whether the material you choose for your countertop of your island will be one piece or have seams. If you know what you're getting, you'll likely be better satisfied than if you are surprised with unexpected seams.


    Do let us know how your project turns out.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    That is the danger in 'micro-designing' a space, rather than 'macro-designing' the entire house together, out to the property line inclusive. You and others may come up with the perfect kitchen. However, when I look at your house, that is the wrong place for it. It seems obvious where the action will be, and want to be. The kitchen will have segregated itself from that, when it should be front and center the hub along with the family room and outdoor living. The size of the kitchen plan is out of proportion in comparison to the Living and Party rooms. Remember that all 50 people will not be in the Kitchen at the same time. There is just too much dead space. If I were to glance at this plan I would ask where the loading dock was for the catering kitchen. The basis of the kitchen should not be which wall is easiest to remove to gain space - any wall or portion of one can be removed; spaces can be re-arranged as well.

    Time to bring in an architect. Don't design 'pods' as you get to different parts of the house, sit down and conceive the entire property holistically.

  • 4 years ago

    @3onthetree Chuckling at how you left it hanging for me to ask; where do you think the kitchen should go? And I am asking. At this point, I'm honestly open for any/all suggestions. I'm 3 weeks from closing, nice thing is the house is big enough that I can live in it while remodeling, and all I care about is having a house that entertains well while still feeling like a house.

    A couple notes about layout as home sits now:

    -Kitchen has two french windows that don't open and lead to the covered patio

    -Living room has french doors and two french windows on either side that don't open

    -Living room has fireplace about 3 ft in from hall bath wall

    -Casita area is being brought to studs as it was set up for someone in a wheelchait

    -Casita is has sliding door that goes to a small wood deck with steps leading to ground level

    -Main left/right wall is the bearing wall

    -Living room, entry, office have hardwood

    -dining room, kitchen have vinyl plank

    -formal sitting and back bedrooms have carpet

    -Main house has basement

    Casita has crawl



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Can you put the cooktops side-by-side and use a smaller hood? Also, I would want landing space beside the fridge and ovens.

    With so many seats at the island, two should be on the short side for easier conversation. Will there be a separate dining room?

    Another pantry door option would be to move it in line with the fridge front, for a sleeker look. If you use one door you could add a little more storage space, or add space back to the garage storage:

  • 4 years ago

    @wolterjwb we have a very similar home layout except our kitchen is where your dining/sitting is at the front of the house. And we have a triple garage so it connects to the party/guest bedroom area. It's not a common layout I don't think so I wanted to comment. :)

  • 4 years ago

    @itsourcasa - Did you have the bump out as well? The casita was added a few years after the house. And appreciate the comments/help. As @3onthetree, I prolly will find a house designer as I'm planning on gutting the casita and need to change the master bath/bedroom as I barely fit in the shower so would prolly be best to have someone look at the big picture. Huge basement as well (across entire main house living space) so also want to build the dream hidden room speakeasy bar :) But that'll be phase 217. haha

  • 4 years ago

    @wolterjwb this is our layout.


  • 4 years ago

    Using @itsourcasa layout as an example to illustrate your plans vs theirs, I have marked in RED the "foundation wall" of the kitchen (where you base your focus from and eminate it out from there, if you will). In BLUE is living/dining in the same manner. In ORANGE are those pesky humans. See how with itsourcasa there is interaction, communication, and focus directed on areas where people naturally want to congregrate? In yours, see how you have segregated that? To be clear, this is not an "open concept" kitchen vs a "closed kitchen," you can easily open up some of a wall and still feel like a "closed kitchen" if that is what you prefer. Rather, it is the segregation and diverging focus of the adjacencies. Also, functionally I would think the kitchen would want to be close/interact with the Party room and outdoor eating when the pool area is such a dominant force in this property.





  • 4 years ago

    I can only see a diagramatic floor plan, I have no idea of sun/location, level of house/neighborhood, existing constraints, your budget, your patience/skills, your space/function needs, etc etc. So just as an example here is a theoretical adjacencies sketch of some ideas to get you thinking about how the entire property should be evaluated together.



  • 4 years ago

    Came in to say, I would leave the kitchen where it is as well . . . It really is in a great location, off the front living area (ie current dining room and sitting room which I would still open up and it becomes a great place for holiday gatherings) the family room (aka the current living room) the backyard and also the party room. It is very central to all of those and you can still have a long kitchen with a beautiful island in the center of it.


    Depending on the size of your budget, you could also consider bumping back the back part of the kitchen so it lines up with the garage to make that space even larger

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Change for changes sake is the worst possible reason. Change that results in a worse layout, and worse sociability, actively devaluates the property over what exists. Plus the loss of the expense you incurred.

  • 4 years ago

    @3onthetree Thanks for that. It gives some ideas (and funny as phase 825 is creating the master suite with where you circled). Even mentions on here, and looking at how much space I'm wasting is going to have me look into a house designer to see what they propose. Was debating posting the actual measurements for the whole house to throw it out there and see people's thoughts. Should I do it on this thread or start a whole new one?

    @Malcolm the house is already 2800 sf with additional finished basement so definitely don't want/need any more living space haha. Just need to figure out how to maximize it best possible.

    @User I know it but not a fan of the set up so wanting to change it. Hence throwing it on here to be talked "off the ledge" haha

  • 4 years ago

    @wolterjwb you'd be better off living there a bit, getting your wants/needs/desires and duck$ in a row, having a big party to understand how people utilize this midwestern located outdoor/indoor living, then hire an architect. There is just too much info required about you and the house for anyone to give you layouts that would be useful. But once you have some preliminary designs, you can request independent opinions here.