Thoughts on fridge placement

pkp

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We're currently redoing our kitchen and I could use some advice on fridge placement.

Our current planned layout looks like this:

The planned floor plan looks like this:

The planned fridge location is marked by the blue arrow. It's embedded within a pantry area and we're creating a coat closet behind the fridge that opens up on the other side, which is the foyer. To the right of the fridge (our right looking at the floor plan from above) is an L-shaped pantry.

I've been thinking about whether to move the fridge over to the other side of the pantry where the red circle is. If we do that, then we can scrap the coat closet and just make the entire pantry a rectangular pantry that encompasses the current planned fridge location and coat closet location. The coat closet isn't that important to us either way.

Any thoughts on which fridge location would be better?

My thoughts were that if we stay with the current plan, the fridge is more centrally located within the kitchen and next to the kitchen island/closer to the dining extension on the island, which could be convenient when taking things in and out of the fridge. However, our pantry is an L-shape, which to me seems a bit weird and feels like an inefficient use of space.

On the other hand, if we move the fridge to the red circle, we get a larger normal shaped pantry, which I like. However, I'm wary of putting the fridge in the corner of the kitchen like that. Initially I didn't like that idea because I was afraid of blocking the walkway from the dining room and also that area feeling too crowded. But I realized that the amount of walkway blockage is probably relatively similar in both areas and since we're opening up the wall behind the stove, it won't feel as crowded. And I'm not sure whether the fridge in the corner is a good thing (closer to the stove) or a bad thing (less central, not as adjacent to the island, possibly would feel like more walkway blockage). We're also scrapping the bar chairs next to the stove if that matters.

Any thoughts on which choice would be better would be appreciated!

Stick with the current plan (blue arrow)

Move the fridge to the red circle

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Comments (7)

herbflavor
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I dont think I'd create almost nine feet of pantry space if this were my space......[the big rectangle that would ensue]. I have a smaller pantry and its enough.... so by leaving the fridge and retaining the closet behind it ...could you also make the red circled area a little closet from the room behind as well. Or put some counter there as a landing when coming from dining room..setting out food as well. If you feel the almost nine feet of pantry is a big advantage then work with that and move fridge. You have perhaps a scaled back minimalistic plan as far as useable cabinets altho drawers are terrific and hopefully you have done the requisite work about storage needs. Probably the logical impulse is to say to move the fridge and have the bigger easier pantry for access. so I'd lean that way because this is not my space and you obviously have a destination with various seating areas and storage can't be overlooked .....but evaluate your circumstances and heed that bigger isnt always better. I'm looking at this in terms of pantry configuration in other words. The aisle is generous...from standpoint of fridge I think either spot is okay.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
5 years ago
Your island is a barrier between the fridge and sinks. Can you put the closet to the right (as we see the plan) and the pantry to the left? Moving the fridge over will take a step or two off the prep path, and would give you a straight shot to the secondary prep space between the main sink and range. Speaking of which, I'd move the DW to the left of the clean-up sink, and store dishes in drawers to the left. Add a pull-out pantry or ROTS to the left of the fridge (as you face it) to keep it from being stuck in the corner.

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User
5 years ago
Neither. Too many issues. Start over. With a real kitchen designer.
Toronto Veterinarian
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"Neither. Too many issues. Start over. With a real kitchen designer."

Wow, how rude! You don't know that she isn't already working with a real kitchen designer, and you don't know whether there are "too many issues" or not.

It never fails to amaze me how many so-called pros on Houzz are so totally unprofessional.
Toronto Veterinarian
5 years ago
I think you're right to move the fridge, because it will be closer to the prep sink and cooking area, which is where you'll need ingredients. I am envious of a pantry that large.
emilyam819
5 years ago
What is the window/seating situation? Looks awkward and expensive. The refrigerator would be best to the left of the sink, with a single glass door to the left of it.
palimpsest
5 years ago
I don't think the refrigerator is in a good relationship with the rest of the kitchen workspace in its current location, it would be better in the location you have circled.