Mulligan on Kitchen Layout

last year

last modified: last year

So, we designed this kitchen layout with an island, installed the surrounding cabinets, and decided that the island created too much congestion. There was only 36” to the fridge and about 32” on the other side due to a few foot overlap against the back wall, as well as trying to accommodate bar stools (original design didn't take fridge doors into account which adds 4"). Since we already have the cabinets and connections for appliances, we need to make something work. I attached the original layout. The fridge is on the far upper left behind the island. The oven is in the upper middle behind the island. Sink is on the right by the window, with dishwasher to right of it. Bottom left of the photo is the pantry.

The other options we are throwing around is doing 2 of the 3 cabinets from the island as a sort of peninsula up perpendicular to the wall opposite of the refrigerator, with bar seating behind it going into the other room. And then adding a smaller oval island in the kitchen vertically instead of horizontal.

Also, we could leave the 2 cabinet bar and do a peninsula on the opposite side. We'd still be able to utilize all but 1 cabinet and would just need to order a corner or blind cabinet.

I included the original kitchen pre-remodel and before taking the wall out, the original island design, the island in place, as well as some mock ups. The last photo shows where the end of the peninsula would sit if doing that option. Spouse is worried that would bottleneck things too much heading into the kitchen with a peninsula there and the bar opposite. I am worried that putting a narrow oval island into the kitchen and just leaving 36" on either side would congest things too much.

Welcome to any suggestions. One thing not an option at this point is moving pantry or appliances. Open to ordering another cabinet or two if needed. Any insight on which would be better for resale value would be great as well.

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Comments (15)

wsea
last year
what can move? is it only the island cabinets? what spaces are adjacent to the kitchen and how do they connect?
PRO
Minardi
last year
The original layout was very obviously the superior option to any of what you were considering. Change just for change sake is often a horrendous mistake. As you've learned.
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la_la Girl
last year
not a pro but I’d remove the current island and use those cabs elsewhere (laundry room or garage) and finish the kitchen - once the space was done I’d find a floating narrow island that could work, Room and Board has several options

FWIW i see a pretty dramatic counter in the rendering - with the 2 tone cabs, it might be nice to choose something quieter

PS you will likely hear a lot of ”told you so” comments - just ignore them and stay on thread until you can find a solution you’re happy with
apple_pie_order
last year
Move some of the island cabinets to recreate the original layout. There is no room for an island of any size in this kitchen.
la_la Girl
last year
^ maybe something like this?
Nova
last year
last modified: last year
Definitely backless stool to start. Then maybe the island can shift an inch or two? Or create a small seating area overhang on the left side of the island towards the room left of fridge to eliminate the need for stools between the wall and island. Maybe forgo seating at the island altogether and do a small square island that does not overlap the fridge doors.
PRO
McDonald Enterprises
last year
Add back the peninsula that was there before. No waterfall anything works.
ackbarious
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Anything could technically move that's not an appliance at this point. The little bar/peninsula opposite of the fridge is not secured yet. As far as spaces adjacent to kithcen, to the left of the fridge is a dining room and living room area with a raised ceiling and fireplace. Through the other opening is a small dining area in a bay window and another living room.

The wall coming down meant the fridge had to go against the wall so we couldn't directly recreate the original layout. The bar against the wall opposite the fridge along with using the island cabinets for a peninsula on the other end would be the closest I think we could get.
PRO
Minardi
last year
Put the wall back.
ackbarious
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Yeah not helfpul, but thanks. There was reasoning beyond the kitchen to remove the wall- lighting is terrible on that side of the house, etc. Looking for solutions.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
I would do your second plan but dummy the corner instead of ordering a blind corner. Use the cabinets you have. You will need a dishwasher end panel and a filler to create the corner. Turn it just after the dishwasher. if you use the 21" cabinet and the 30" cabinet, it should leave you about 42 of walking space. You might need some new back panels.

If you can do the overhang into the other room by the bay, then you can keep the 18" base next to the dishwasher, then turn the corner with 2 fillers and put the 21 & 30 as the peninsula. The overhang would extend 12" into the bay area.

What is the dimension from the front of the ref to the opposite wall? Could you forgo the 12" overhang and do and end seating instead?

It is too bad someone didn't step up and tell you there is no way this would have worked.

Sorry you are having to shuffle now.
ackbarious
Original Author
last year
For more context, here is a pulled back view of the kitchen. Spouse is concerned adding a peninsula would close off the kitchen too much.
chispa
last year
As I read this post, I keep hearing this song in my head ... "you can't always get what you want".

Maybe start humming it around your spouse!

At least you realized things weren't going to work before it was really too late.
rebasheba
last year
Did you hate having the peninsula before? Closing off the kitchen a little can be useful! Makes a place for serving and so on.

I agree with Debbi and la la girl's ideas. No island whatsoever, mobile or otherwise.
herbflavor
last year
last modified: last year
consider a new enclosure for the fridge next to the pantry...fridge to face the kitchen sink...... [instead of the two seater counter] ...make the current fridge spot the pantry. make the current pantry a coffee bar /entertainment setup ......more shallow depth than the pantry..... then do the peninsula coming across from the wall near the bay window section. where would your peninsula begin --- along that wall or at the angle area? I'd prefer to have seating..Id prefer as big a seating set up as possible .....people from two living rooms converge into this kitchen??? I dont care for the fridge so far over if you make a larger peninsula...thats why bring fridge closer in ,,,, even if you have to order panels and make a new enclosure. this is just minor delays and you may need the electrician to get pendant locations if you do a nice longer peninsula. the space is big...dont skimp on the seating if you want it....if you knock back the pantry area to a 15 inch deep coffee bar, how long could a peninsula be?