Kitchen layout help- getting started
We are just getting started with a kitchen remodel and would love some help on layout ideas. Our kitchen functions ok for one cook, but whenever my husband and I cook together, we are in each other's way (the worst offender is where the DW is- basically if you are trying to load the dishwasher, you're blocking much of the peninsula lower cabinets as well as prep space).
I've included a sketch of the whole first floor since changing the kitchen layout will affect the rest of the first floor. The kitchen is part of an open floorplan with the living room. The dining room is adjacent to the kitchen, but has a pantry closet and a broom closet flanking doors that lead into it, making it a bit formal and closed-off from the kitchen.
My current thoughts are to: get rid of the peninsula and extend the workspace a little farther into where the eat-in space is now, get rid of the eat-in table area, add an island (with seats if there is enough space), and somehow make the kitchen connect to the dining area a little better. We are also thinking we'll make the opening to the sunroom a bit smaller and add a door to it.
Sketch of first floor with dimensions:
Overview of kitchen/eat-in area:
Looking into the dining room from the kitchen:
Looking back at kitchen from the dining room:
Comments (18)
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Can I get layout help w/ a non-kitchen?
Comments (31)Beagles this is a really "OUT There" idea but this is something they do in places like Greece, Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Morocco... Maybe it can work for you too. Tile is inexpensive in some parts of the world and often kitchens, laundery rooms or mudrooms are designed by having tiles on the walls and floor. There is a main drain on the center or corner of the room. The floor slightly flows to that section of the drain. This way the entire room can be washed down with a hose. And the water trickles to that spot and out it goes. My girlfriend in VA had this done in her mud/laundry room because she wanted to be able to wash her riding boots and dogs before entering the house. She had a hose that pulled out from under the sink. This hose has hot and cold water. I have seen this done in Brazil and Argentina where I believe tile is inexpensive along with the labor. These cute little rooms have tile on the walls and floor and are super easy to clean up. I assume and this is the tricky part that all the dirty water is flushed into the septic or some sort of drain catch so it is gone. Again a plumber would have to look at this. You could eliminate your dog tub and instead have a drain on the floor of the entire room/laundry too. Perhaps a tiny step down so that it would not harm your built ins. Even a tile table or granite table to lift the dogs on to clean, wash, dry but narrower so you have more space. The hose can also be used to wash the muddy paws when they come in from a run. I know it would mean eliminating your beautiful groomers table but since you are not a groomer perhaps a special built in dog bath would be better use of the space. Again this may be a silly idea. I just wish I had this in my own mud/laundry room. My DH said we need to finish the kitchen first and maybe we will think about a drain on the floor with a little hose like Argentina. Having boxers means lifting 80 lbs is a challenge for my skinny arms. : ) ~boxer...See MoreKitchen Remodel-Layout-Just Getting Started
Comments (2)Thank you, I could not for the world figure out how to get these pictures in the post, at a reasonable size to view. Appreicate your help....See MoreFresh start-Kitchen Layout HELP needed
Comments (23)thanks alice and everyone here that have been so helpful. I'm up again after 4 hours of sleep but this time because of middle child throwing up... another thought since extending into the family room even by a few feels too cramped i think. what if i left the peninsula one level but put my prep sink towards the window and had my main sink on the center island? on the peninsula, people could still sit and not be too concerned of splashing- kids could sit and finish up homework and not have to clean up since we have the kitchen nook- i could prep and still talk to people and rhome , the fridge would be just a few more inches right although not inbetween? i could also use the main to prep if it is clear of dishes i could have my cleanup sink with the dishdrawers right behind me and above that I was planning to have glass doors anyhow to house glasses and glassware- this way i keep all everyday servingware close at hand. if i extend that island a little bit i could also fit my prep stuff at the end of the run next to the stove so i can still access this if there were dirty dishes and i wanted to prep in the prep sink.- kids could wash hands in the prep sink or fruit and the bev center would be at the end of that run. then, because i don't have to hide a cleanup sink, or be worried too much about splashing, i won't have to extend too far into the family room? does that make sense....See MoreHelp! Kitchen Starting Sooner than Planned! Layout Question
Comments (28)Love your views! How about a U with a long, tall wall like this: This gives you a prep/cook zone that is protected from traffic. It also gives you more prep surface. The peninsula nearest the DR could also be used as a buffet area. The fridge is balanced by the oven/MW column. The placement of these appliances could be swapped so that the fridge is closer to the prep sink. Or you could move the prep sink to the seating peninsula and have it do double duty as a bar sink when you entertain. Another option is a galley lay-out with a ginormous island with cook top and prep sink. The island would be 51" to 54" deep, seating at the dining room end. Something like this: If you said, I missed it. Do you have to work on the contractor's accelerated schedule? A kitchen remodel is a big deal and expensive. My advice is to take the time to get it right so that you have no regrets later....See More
Jennifer
8 months ago
Denise Marchand
8 months agoker9
8 months agoJennifer
13 days agoJennifer
12 days agoDenise Marchand
12 days agoSuch a sweet home! You have plenty of room to have a gorgeous kitchen and I agree that you don't need two dining tables. Swapping the kitchen with the dining room, unfortunately, will not allow more space than you have now.
Consider the following, for the layout and then you can concentrate on the finishes and details:
Move the opening to the garden room to the center of that room, allowing for a 15'-0" sink / oven counter elevation on the window wall. Reconfigure the kitchen windows - one to the left corner and one over the sink (or leave the window over the oven).
The fridge / pantry wall is 10'-0" with a 24" deep fridge and pantry towards the mud room entry. On the right of the fridge allow for a counter to accommodate the cooking area.
The Island is 8' x 3' with plenty of room for storage and a generous prep surface.
Don't forget, it's all about the finishes. To keep with the style of you home, consider a darker color (charcoal grey, moss green, navy blue) lower cabinets and pantry and a unique island base. I feel like a white kitchen will detract from your home's wood details and stick out new and shiny, instead of complementing the space.
Relocate the existing dining room french doors to the mudroom entrance, using the right door as the operating one and the left stationery.
Move the coat closet towards the front door and create a niche at the dining room for a buffet, art, light sconces.
Jennifer thanked Denise MarchandJennifer
11 days agoDenise Marchand
11 days agoJennifer- Your existing dining room is good the way it currently is now. This new plan eliminated the niche altogether. I would love for you to use the existing french doors now leading into the dining and relocate to the entrance of the mudroom (with the left door stationary). It's a beautiful door. Or locate them to the stair opening and just move down the mudroom entry towards the dining room. This way it will give you more pantry on the left of the fridge. Keep the pantry on the fridge wall. Don't separate the pantry with the mudroom entrance, it will just be the same issue you now have.
(Ann Olsen-on the left of the fridge is a pantry, not counter. On the right of the fridge is counter for more cooking area next to the oven.)
The reason the stove is in the location indicated is because it tucks the cooking area and keeps access to the sink and fridge (which are used most) more convenient. Relocating new windows on the far left and far right of the counter makes the most sense. See third pic on my original post.
Also looking down into the kitchen past the fridge and front face of the stove - which can be amazing with the hood - is exciting. Since the oven is now on an exterior wall, it can be vented at any position.
Let me know what you think and what color / style / finish you are considering.
V V V Note the stove with the exhaust vent over the windows. I've specified "backsplash" with success. Also consider clerestory windows across the entire back wall.
Pugga70
10 days agoJennifer
10 days agoDenise Marchand
10 days agoDenise Marchand
10 days agolast modified: 10 days agoWhen I look at a space, I imagine myself interacting with each room. You had mentioned that the dining room always seemed remote from the rest of the rooms. The way we live now is so different from years ago.
You should make the dining room an unconventional set up with an area that not only is for dining, but also reading, working, hobbies, games. - An area that you would like to hang out.
It's not for everyone, but I am a big fan of banquettes. Not only are they comfortable but they remind me of a fine restaurant when done right. Don't be concerned about covering the windows, as the banquette can be brought forward to allow the light. The room shouldn't be only about the windows to make it useful.
Note there is also a wrap around buffet on the back of the closet and to the kitchen. Functional and adding another layer to the design.
Here's some pics:
Jennifer thanked Denise MarchandJennifer
5 days ago
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