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sookmomof4

Empty wall and open shelving or added upper wall cabinets

25 days ago
last modified: 24 days ago





We are trying to decide whether to keep the new window we are putting in and entire wall empty and put in some kind of open shelving or put in some more upper cabinets. For reference kitchen/dining is 17x25 . Slider in front opens up to an enclosed patio. The room does not get much light so we are putting in a window. We are also adding a 15 inch wide floor cabinet on the left hand side after the dishwasher to make the kitchen equal on both sides. (I also don't like the dishwasher on the end as the last thing.)





  • We have our table opened with 5 leaves here (9Feet) normally it would be 5 or 6 feet long, at the most, and many times it is only 48 inches round. We did keep 42 inches around the island.
  • We also have a trash compactor in the island.

In response to Buehl-I have absolutely no idea how to or where to move around the refrigerator in order to replace hood and range where it is currently located. Unfortunately, I hired a kitchen designer who just placed the cabinets and appliances with ideas from me but with no design opinions. I definitely feel we wasted our money. I am so grateful for all the help and pictures given!


Comments (23)

  • 24 days ago

    I'd put a fabric blind on the window and leave the rest empty.

    Beautiful clean space!

    sookmomof4 thanked Lyn Nielson
  • PRO
    24 days ago

    Hi! I agree with the side left cabinet. I think you also need to add a ceiling with spot Light or rail Lights. But it definetely needs to close this area to create something like a nook at this point. And continue the tile until the ceiling and above the dishwasher too. The window in that place above the sink is good! You could also, instead of cabinet on the left, add some narrow shelving facing dining area. This way you won't use so much space near the TV. I am not sure as well about the TV. Do you need this in the dining area?

    sookmomof4 thanked PA Interior Design
  • PRO
    24 days ago

  • 24 days ago

    Who doesn’t need more closed cabinet space?

  • 24 days ago
    last modified: 24 days ago

    Not a pro but when you empty the dishwasher will a lot go into drawers on the island? I think being able to easily unload glasses glasses etc close by would be nice (i’d skip the open shelving, I think it is overdone and when I had them they got so dusty)

    one other thought - would you reconsider the diagonal cabinet in the corner? you’ve got a clean modern look going and I think that distracts from it

  • 24 days ago

    The most important space in a kitchen is the area between the sink and the stove. I fear that while it looks like you have a lot of counter space, the only space that will see real productive use is what looks to be about 24". It's also awkward to end a cabinet run with a dishwasher.


    I'd think about layout if you are remodeling enough that you are adding a window.

  • 24 days ago

    Move the fridge and ovens to wall on the right. Get counter depth fridge. Move and center stove to the wall where ovens were. Center window and sink on current wall with bigger window and upper cabinets.

  • 24 days ago

    Agree that you are going to have an issue unloading that DW unless you are storing glasses in drawers. I like the look of a clean window wall but if you keep it that way, you need a more substantial hood. This one looks dinky.

  • 24 days ago
    last modified: 24 days ago

    It looks "off". I don't know if it's that diagonal corner cabinet that's hanging out there like an orphan or the backsplash ending at the window (left and/or top) or the lack of uppers. I just know that when I look at the pictures it looks "wrong".

    If you insist on no uppers on the window wall, then the cabinet run to the right should end at the window wall, not continue onto the window wall.

    However, I agree with others - you have a lot of wasted counterspace. There's very little where it's needed most (b/w the sink and cooktop/range) and a lot where it's not very useful.

    I also think you may be shorting yourself in storage, but that's up to you, maybe you don't have much to store or maybe you don't cook much and don't care about function. It's not a slam on you, there are people who come here looking for a show Kitchen and don't care about function b/c they don't cook. It's becoming more common on the Forum these days than it used to be.

    If you decide to make the Kitchen more functional, be careful where you locate things.

    • Aim for a minimum of 42" of straight counter b/w the sink and cooktop/range.
    • Don't let the island be a "barrier island" b/w the refrigerator & sink or the refrigerator & cooktop/range.
    • Be sure to have a minimum of 42" wide aisles b/w the island and work counters, 48" would be much better. Behind the seats, 54" b/c you have counters and cabinetry behind the seats.
    • Remember that aisles are measured to/from the items that stick out into the aisle the farthest -- counter overhangs, appliance handles, etc. They are not measured to/from cabinets b/c cabinet measurements only include the box; the doors/drawer fronts, hardware, and counter overhangs are not included in cabinet measurements. The standard depth of a perimeter run is 25.5" (24"D cabinets + 1.5" counter overhang).
    sookmomof4 thanked Buehl
  • 24 days ago

    Starting from the perimeter by the table, you should have the refrigerator, dishwasher, sink. Then the corner, stove, wall oven. Then it’s balanced and functional.

  • PRO
    24 days ago

    IMO no angled upper in the corner and the best now would be one more window and the fridge where what looks like TV is on the wall the layout is poorly designed from the start . Where are you in the process ? I do not usually love 2 tones and this is poorly done IMO We need to know where in the prcess you are please .

  • 24 days ago

    Buehl: "you have a lot of wasted counterspace. There's very little where it's needed most (b/w the sink and cooktop/range) and a lot where it's not very useful."

    But he could solve that by swapping the range with the cabinet to its right and changing the end cabinet to a normal one that didn't 'round the corner onto the window wall. Right?

  • 24 days ago
    last modified: 24 days ago

    We are solidifying the layout. We are trying to use as much of the old kitchen as we bought and adding onto it. We have bought our slabs (poseidon quartzite) . We can take away the angled cabinet. I just do not know what to do with that wall. We left the oven microwave next to the frig. As we only use it for a microwave and it works well.


    Is this more balanced and with more work space? And I would just replace the corner cabinet with a non-angled one? The fridge has to stay where it is.. It would destroy the dining area and egress out to the lanaii having the fridge where the tv is. The other side is a pantry and buffet area.


  • 24 days ago

    @wdccruise - Yes, that would fix the counterspace issue. I would actually prefer that to moving the range/cooktop to the wall on the right. I'd rather keep the refrigerator & ovens where they are instead of moving them to behind the seats. That move would be the least disruptive to the current plans and would make a big difference in the functionality of the space.


    If a major re-design is being considered, then please post a fully-measured layout of the space & and a sketch of the entire floor the Kitchen is on. See the Featured Answer in the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread for more information.

    We can then look at the Kitchen as a whole and work on a design that would meet your needs as well as, hopefully, your wants.

    sookmomof4 thanked Buehl
  • 24 days ago

    How do you plan on walking around the table if you extend the cabinet on the left?




    sookmomof4 thanked Jennifer Hogan
  • 24 days ago
    last modified: 24 days ago

    To Jennifer's point, you should have at least 33", with 36" or more much, much better, b/w the table and the counters on the left and right. (Personally, I'd rather have 42" to 45", but 36" is probably doable/livable.)

  • 21 days ago

    @Buehl . I have kept 42 inches around the island and much more behind where the stools are. I will most likely replace our current fridge with a smaller one -so getting 42 inches in front of fridge as well.. QUESTION: I was wondering if I could swap the sink for the range and hood and of course put the dishwasher in between instead of at the end?


    And I will replace the end corner unit with a normal one-as I had no idea most people hated them.


    And yes, I do cook.. I am not a gourmet cook but we eat in most nights. I have 4 grown sons, 2 of whom are married and grandchildren on the way! The table is pulled out to the max in the photo like I would use it on Thanksgiving, but it can be put back to a 48 inch round or we may simply replace.


    And yes, I love your idea of an even larger window. The kitchen has high ceilings and one slider at the end that is only 7.5 feet high. So the kitchen is a 17 x25 foot cave.


    Unfortunately, we have a narrow property and have only 6 foot fence to view from the window. I will simply cover the fence with a succulent holder, and at least have more natural light!

  • 20 days ago
    last modified: 20 days ago

    "I was wondering if I could swap the sink for the range and hood and of course put the dishwasher in between instead of at the end?"

    Don't put the DW b/w the sink and range. Unless you have a very tiny Kitchen and have no other choice, the DW should not be in the middle of the primary Prep Zone. In your case, the primary Prep Zone is the counterspace b/w the sink and range.

    Now, if you add a prep sink to the island, then yes, you could put the DW b/w them because then the island likely becomes your primary Prep Zone. It's still not a particularly good idea, but it would work. You will still have to dodge an open DW door when going from the refrigerator to the island prep sink or range.

    The island is a "barrier island" b/w the refrigerator and Prep Zone in the island and b/w the refrigerator and range. For the island Prep Zone, it could be somewhat mitigated by using the island as the refrigerator landing space and then walking around the island to the Prep Zone and pulling the food to the prep sink and prep workspace. It won't, however, help with the barrier b/w the refrigerator and range.

    I'll work on a layout for you tomorrow (Sunday) -- today we're busy getting our house ready to show tomorrow.

    sookmomof4 thanked Buehl
  • 18 days ago

    I did not get a chance to work on it yesterday (Sunday), so give me another day or so. Others can chime in as well.

    sookmomof4 thanked Buehl
  • 18 days ago

    @Buehl. I am very grateful for any help. Renovating a house has been challenging and I am quaking in my boots at spending the money on a large kitchen. Thank you!

  • 18 days ago

    Just pitching in with a small comment to leave the window wall with no uppers, or at the minimum with no uppers to the left of the window. You get SO much more light through a space and even the adjoining spaces when you let the window area alone.

    sookmomof4 thanked Julie S
  • 7 days ago

    @sookmomof4 - do you still want help? Work and prepping our home for sale have taken all my time. I'm hoping to have some time this weekend. Since I promised you help, you'll be the first I help if you still need/want it! Just let me know.