Agree with housegal that a french door fridge with narrower doors would have less swing, but used what I think your current fridge measurements are in the graphic. Andrea makes a good point about drawer banks. Love being able to put pots and pans in drawers.

I expanded your window haha! I thought you might feel crowded having the sink and stove so close together in the corner. Moving the sink to the left a few inches threw off the alignment with the window, so I gave you a 48" window. There's a pull-out trash can under the counter, and an 21" pantry next to the fridge. I can make changes if you want. I kind of rounded up or down on measurements.

Example of trash cans...two for trash or one for trash and one for recycling

Have you considered an under counter 'fridge/freezer? This one is available at Home Depot, Summit. It will give you extra counter top. Not enough storage? If you have a garage or basement, you could buy an inexpensive 'fridge (I have a great one in my garage that was around $300.00).

My idea below:

Thank you Bluemarble! That looks awesome. The windows may have to be changed in the near future so that's an idea to consider too.

can you stand further back and take another pic?

also, stand in the kitchen w/your back to the far wall and shoot the other direction.

need to get a 360 degree view of the entire space

is this the linen closet? (the door on the right side)

need to see the room where you are standing in this picture^

@Beth H. :

Your very luck that Beth has dropped by.......Take more pictures and she will give you a million ideas and great advice.

Sorry Beth H, that's the only photo I have right now and I don't know if I'll be able to get another one for a while. I don't think we are changing anything at all on the other side since thats where a door is to outside and where a dining area will go and nothing else will fit there.

Can you take out the drywall above the cabinets and go to the ceiling. It will give you extra storage. I would not choose pull out trash over cabinet storage. If you did remove the closet it would give more counter space, and you could get a lazy Susan. (No offense taking). Definitely a microwave hood vent over the stove will help with function.

Thanks Susan, We haven't figured out if we can remove the drywall above yet but we definitely will figure that out before cabinets are bought. The closet in that corner is a hard decision, we just have to decide if we need closet space more for the other area of the house, or counter space in the kitchen. So far keeping the closet on the other side seems like the best idea just because it doesn't seem like it would add a lot more counter space.

Sorry Beth, I didn't see your question. The linen closet is the awkward corner stopping the cabinets from meeting. You can't see the door at all in the photo. It is on the other side of the wall. If I can get more pictures I will. Just not sure when that will be. The door to the right leads to the basement.

Thank you Beth. Great visuals! I will add more pictures when I can. The door next to the arrow goes to the basement.

If your triangle stayed as it is - how about functional lower cab [in stock at a store] to left of stove, with countertop? wider than the spice drawers [or even that would hide the side of stove].

Like this, but reversed....

The Social Kitchen · More Info

If any cabinet were left of the stove, you might as Beth showed connect a peninsula... but you could also connect a banquette for seating, move eating table up to it, etc...

On wall [opposite sink] might have room for a console/ storage of seldom used items.4

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The stove will probably end up being moved everdebz. But if not that's a good idea.

If basement is 'finished' and heated, would it help to do remove the door, like this house -- to install a second tall unit? If room, there'd be 2. Have a safety light at top of stairs.

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I'm not sure I understand what you mean everdebz, but the basement isn't finished as of now and I think we want the door to stay.

Could you live with an apartment size stove and refridge ?

I think we would rather go with standard sized appliances.

Ok. The door itself isn't relevant.

It's about the open unit [by the door] -- could another one be added to the unit's right... or buy a new pantry pull-out, in whatever width/depth works.

110 inches on that wall yes? - can you spare another 12+ inches to place a counter/cab. Doesn't matter what is moved to the wall I suppose. It's been said already that where the trashcan is can have cabinet. They sell standard... is it 18 inches wide?

Okay Everdebz. Thanks for explaining. I think I get what you mean now. And yes, it might be possible to add extra counter on both sides, there still needs to be room for a table and for people to walk past the U shape kitchen. I'm not sure about the table going against the counter like that. I will have to post a picture of the other side when I get a chance. I only had a chance to get one picture and not sure when I can another one.

i think just relocating the stove - switching the sink and stove - should make a big difference in the space. Also, changing out the fluorescent light. And maybe bringing in some sheet vinyl flooring.https://www.lowes.com/pd/Armstrong-Flooring-Pickwick-Landing-II-12-ft-W-x-Cut-to-Length-Upcountry-Hickory-Natural-Wood-Look-Low-Gloss-Finish-1424532/999978506

You could do a couple of shelves on the window side next to sink.

Do you really need new cabinets? I don’t think cabinets to the ceiling will really give you that much extra storage - and how are you going to get up there?

The lighting is definitely going to be changed in the kitchen and in some other rooms in the house. I agree that will help a lot, it's just not the priority right now. Not sure on the flooring yet either, we might change it, leave it as is or it could possibly be hardwood underneath but I have my doubts. Nothing has really been decided yet, just trying to focus on one thing at a time, and right now we are trying to figure out the best layout and then go from there. The cabinets there aren't bad, but the whole space under the window is empty now and we want to fill in that space plus want to add a dishwasher. Keeping the cabinets as is and trying to add something that looks good in the empty space seems like it would be hard so new cabinets that all match seem like the best option, especially since we want to move some stuff around and since it's such a small space. We will probably try to repurpose the ones there now and put them in the basement. As for the cabinetry going to the ceiling, I don't even know if it's possible yet but it's something we will look into. I agree it's not much more storage but I honestly like the look better and it would be a good place to store less used items.

Thank you so much! Everyone here comes up with such good ideas and it helps so much to know different opinions and get a different perspectives on things.

Just a thought to squeeze out a little extra storage…the corner where cabs meet is a linen closet you don’t want to lose, but could you live with one less shelf in it? Maybe you could create a counter height niche into the closet, almost like a built in appliance garage, open or closed, deep enough to hold a few rows of spices or deeper to accommodate a toaster you pull out to use, or a small cookbook shelf, etc. you’d still have a linen closet and a place off the counter and out of a cabinet to store something.

You have some great suggestions. Think about hiring a fee-only kitchen designer to maximize the space you have holistically so that everything works together and many of these suggestions can be implemented into a plan. Good luck!

Okay. So I got a few more pictures sooner than I thought. There are a lot of doors and windows. So that's why we will probably just move around the kitchen part and not change anything else right now. The first picture shows where most will enter the house and the dining area will probably be somewhere near that niche in the wall. The second picture shows another outside door that leads to a side porch, we may eventually build that out to make the dining area a little bigger but if that ever happens it won't be for a while. The doorway right beside the outside door is where the living room is. The last one is standing by the sink looking straight out. So pretty much it is a big hallway with a dining area. Lol.

How long is each "long wall?" The wall with the window and the wall with the fridge?

Thank you for the extra photos...very helpful. Love your old windows. When was the house built?

Is there a difference in level between the kitchen floor and the dining area floor? Just wondering why there is a threshold strip. If it can be removed and you could extend the window wall another foot or two into the "hallway", that would give you more kitchen area/counter space.

What are the odds your living room is big enough to double as a dining room?

Often not best look when frig is a first thing seen upon entering house. Might it fit with trim adjustment, or not -- where trash can is. A wall behind frig not so expensive. A wood panel at its side... For a while, might look messy.

A pull-out pantry unit where frig is, doesn't have to match - if a good spot for a bit of neutral stain [minwax?], ok.

110 and a half inches is the side where the window and stove is. And 68 and a half is the fridge side. I didn't take the measurements myself and I think the 68 and a half stops at the end of the fridge and he didn't measure the corner/open shelf part since we thought about keeping it there but I'm not sure.

Possible option to relocate front door? - make walking space around frig, etc.

move to where window is? or to other wall...

The house was built in 1947 I believe. As far as I know the floor is level. No idea why the threshold is there and it may be removed. The doors in the photo are the back door and a side door. The back door will be used most because that's where the parking and carport is. The side door across from the kitchen leads to a small porch which could be extended eventually to make bigger dining area or we might leave it as porch. Only one person will be living here as of now and a small dining area will be fine for a while. The front door (not in the photos) enters to the living room and probably won't be used much at all. Unfortunately the living room isn't big enough to add the dining to. Moving windows and doors isn't really something we are considering, at least not right now. Really want to try to make it simple and get it done without reorganizing everything, other than the needed stuff to make the U shape look and function better.

The entryway is awkwardly placd since people come in bang up to another door and you need a walkway into the whole area. As an interim solution, find a long low upholstered storage bench/console/for under the window for people to put things down.

Beth has some great ideas for you kitchen wise, especially her last photo. For dining, an upholstered dining bench (Wayfair has them with different orientations) with a round table in the far area might make a cozy dining area for now. Have the outside door swing outward so you can maximize that space. Get a great light fixture, some art, and you could probably live with that a long time.

Ikea? rectangular one under the window? as a console - chairs can fold...

Winsome Wood Lynden Drop Leaf Dining Table · More Info

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Thank you. I think it will have to be a table like that. A small circular one that folds in half was there already when the house was bought, it's not great but it will be used for a little while, at least until we get some other stuff taken care of. I like the idea of a bench in the entryway. There are 2 hooks there already (which i assume was used for coats) but they need to be changed or removed because they don't feel sturdy. The front door, which won't be used much has a nice closet for coats and shoes, so all that stuff may be stored there except for a few pairs of shoes for everyday use. It's a nice little house and is livable as is, we aren't looking to do a total remodel, at least not right now, just needs a little work here and there to make it function better.

That is a very cute house! I love having lots of windows and they look to be a nice size too but they sure do throw a few curveballs at redesigning the layout. It sounds like you are juggling the time/money versus scope issue facing every new owner. I urge you to step back and take a long term view of how you expect to use the space and how long you think you may keep it. You might be making some shortsighted choices by trying to contain the project scope to your kitchen now, dining space later approach.  I don't know your objective so perhaps a wider or narrower scope should be considered. 

Look seriously at removing the shelving by the fridge in favor of a pantry cabinet. To keep the cost down,  use a shallow cabinet with lot of shelves rather than a pullout. It is a common approach to consider some elements as fixed when changing them is actually easier than working with them. In this case, don't let the ductwork become an obstacle to getting a good kitchen layout.

How about narrowing the opening to the mudroom by 6,9, maybe 12 inches? You would define the mudroom and gain space to tuck a shallow cubbyhole unit between the doorway and the kitchen. An area can feel spacious without being totally open and gaining a bit more storage is alway a plus in the houses of that era.

I guess I didn't say it right everdebz. The first picture isn't the view you see when you enter the house, but it shows the door where most people enter the house (on the far wall past t stove). The second photo would be the view on entering the house, so the fridge wouldn't be seen much. I hope that makes sense. I'm not the best at explaining things.

Pictures are fine to get a "feel" for a space or to put things in context. However, they are not a substitute for a fully-measured layout of the space when designing a Kitchen (see the link I posted above to the "Read Me" thread). So, based on what I've been able to glean from this discussion, this is what I've come up with for the space.

Note that many measurements are missing -- anything with a question mark is an unknown. Sometimes I guessed, other times I didn't try to guess.

I totally agree Lyndee Lee. Definitely trying to think of the future and what would be best, but also not wanting to make a ton of changes just yet until it's lived in a while. My brother will be living there and he doesn't need a big kitchen or dining area so I think he basically wants to leave it as is for now other than maybe swapping a few appliances for better function and maybe new cabinets just because it's such a small area and he could use the old ones in the basement. He just wants to make the simple changes for function now and make it look nice but not actually redo the whole thing right away. Nothing is actually decided yet in terms of anything other than us knowing the kitchen needs to function better. Just looking into all the options right now and trying to decide whats best. And everyone here helps so much with that and I appreciate it.

Thank you Buehl. That layout is pretty much right. And I agree measurements are very important. I don't have the measurements of everything just yet, just what I posted. Unless something changes he is really only changing the kitchen part I did give measurements to and leaving the rest as is for now.

Cabinets are not simple changes -- they're major infrastructure items and of one those items you should NOT change until you have a plan in place for the entire project. Ditto floors, windows, doors, etc. Appliances, while they are expensive items, are not the same as they are easily changed out as needed -- plus, if you get standard sizes, they can generally be easily incorporated into a future remodel.

If you only want to do inexpensive/minor changes for now, then don't do flooring, cabinets, counters, etc. All these items are intertwined.

Regarding measurements -- I understand, but all those "unknowns" are part of the Kitchen and are very important when determining aisle/walkway/etc. clearances, especially where doors/doorways are involved.

Also note that floors should generally be done BEFORE the cabinets are installed.

Even for floating floors, they should be done first along with the plywood underlayment for under the cabinets done at the same time ensure the correct height so the entire floor is level.

Like I said nothing is decided yet, just looking at ideas. This house is not going to be a huge project, or at least he doesn't plan for it to be. It will be something done a little at a time. Right now the focus is making the kitchen function better and hopefully not look awful. Haha. We are definitely doing standard sized appliances. While I agree that cabinets are not necessarily a simple change, it is pretty much the only thing knows he wants to change right now and feels he has to because of adding the dishwasher and to fill that empty space under the window. As for the location of doors and windows and everything. Those will all stay as is for now and probably for at least a few years if not forever. The floor may or may not be changed, he hasn't thought much about it yet, but definitely will before the cabinets are decided. He isn't worried about measurements much that are not in the kitchen part because so far the plan isn't to make the kitchen go out any further than what it already is, and if he decides to he will measure and make sure the clearance of everything is good.

I appreciate everyone's ideas and advice and there are so many good ones that we are thinking about. A lot of this we haven't thought about yet and I know a lot needs to be considered before anything is actually done. Really I just posted to get layout ideas because before he decides to do anything he wanted an idea of where he would put what in just that tiny area and then go from there and decide the rest.

BUT, if you change the floors later (or other infrastructure items), you run the risk of not being able to use the "new" cabinets and will have then wasted money on the cabinets and counters .

Do you have an IKEA nearby? Their cabinets & butcher block counters are relatively inexpensive and your brother might not regret putting the cart before the horse if he didn't spend too much on Kitchen cabinets & counters now.

Maybe reuse them in a garage (since the existing ones are planned for the basement)?

Decisions on flooring and layout should definitely come before cabinets, and floors should be done first followed by new cabinets.

Keep in mind as well that you may have other issues to correct once you start doing anything, e.g., needing to upgrade electrical or fixing the "surprises" that are always encountered when remodeling or moving into a new home

Yes Beuhl. We are considering all of that and expecting things to come up while working on it. If the floors aren't changed now they will stay the way they are for a really long time. He isn't going to make any decisions and not live with it for a while. Like I said we haven't thought about the floors much yet but definitely will before changing anything else in the kitchen. We haven't decided anything about cabinets yet either. Like you said, layout needs to be decided first and thats really what my post was about. And in changing the layout we are thinking we will probably need some different cabinets and probably a few other things changed too. This post is really just a starting point on the whole thing and we plan on deciding and figuring out everything else after we decide the layout.

Those appear to be modern era individual cabinet boxes so they could be moved. What about moving the sink base under the window and installing the DW in the corner. Move one of the bases next to the sink and remove the other. I don't have know which wall cabinet would fit over the DW but one probably does and the short cabinet could go over the stove.  Then build an open shelving unit to go against the back of the closet and balance the unit beside the fridge

If the flooring is under the existing cabinets,  you can move them. Build a small countertop over the trash can to protect the side of the stove and have a bit more cooking space.  That would be the cheap fix and then redo the kitchen later when the long term view becomes a bit clearer.

That's an idea to consider too Lyndee Lee. I love all these suggestions and ideas from everyone. It's nice to be able to think about all the options.