Can you spot five differences?

[ampersat]

I've been mulling over remodeling my kitchen. I've got a small house and I want to make it "feel bigger". I've been playing around with different ideas about how to arrange the appliances and stuff. None of my plans were working out though. I'd put this there and that over there and when I looked at the 3d rendering, I just wasn't happy with what I saw. Through a bit a luck and perseverance, I had an inspiration the other day.

So I hit the nearest home selling website this evening and started scouring images of homes near my size built since 2000. I was looking for photos of kitchens to get some ideas about how to lay mine out. I copied images to my photo editor for kitchens that seemed to have a decent layout and some promise toward my own design. After a while I said to myself, "I've seen that kitchen before". No sooner had I said that than I found a third just like it.







These were houses from all over the Northwest but apparently it was a plan that was somewhat popular. I won't be building my kitchen exactly like this but it'll be darned close.

[Hogmaster]

Amp,

It is by far the most popular concept because it is highly functional and follows the triangle thoey.

Fridge on left. Get food out next to the stove and microwave for immediate cookage or nukage. Note the toaster could be close, as in the corner. The sink in kitchens are almost always under the window. The dishwasher, counter space and natural places for dish storage are to the immediate right of the sink.

Laid out that way faciltates flow. More than one person can be performing a function without stepping on someone else's toes. If the microwave were above the dishwasher, for example, the flow would not allow someone to easily clean while also nuking. Whether one person or three, the kitchen works and is still asthetically pleasing.

From this plan, what you really want to consider is if you want things like tall pullout drawers next to the stove for easy spice access, "garages" to hide appliances, Corner susans, shelf consideration and such, as well as cabinet type and counter material, right?

But that flow works really well, especially in a smaller space.

Good luck on your project!

[ampersat]

I was talking cooking and kitchens with MossyOarReelCreek while we were out hunting last fall and he said, "the dishwasher has to be to the right of the sink; that's just the flow of the kitchen". Funny, but look where the dishwasher is in all of these images. Also, note the rotating spice rack in image 3.

Unfortunately, I have to modify this plan since it just won't work in my space. I'm also hoping to squeeze just a tad bit more efficiency out of the design.

[Spindrifter]

My kitchen is an exact mirror of those and was built in 1950. I have updated the entire thing but kept the same layout......seems that design layout goes back a ways.

[jvp]

swap the sink and dishwasher plus flop it over and that is my basic layout also 1978

[ORhunter]

I like all three kitchens and they probably are the best one can do considering the limited space. Can't say a whole lot for their taste in decorating but certainly some potential there.

Two of those kitchens have vaulted ceilings and I recommend this to eliminate the closed in feeling. Canned lights and sky lights will also open things up.

We did all three to our kitchen a couple of years ago and made a remarkable difference.

[goodkarma]

Do you have room to build an island in the middle? extra counter space and cabinet space. I just did that and it really becomes a gathering spot in the kitchen.

[ampersat]

All three of these have the microwave/stove hood setup. Any pros and/or cons anyone would care to share? It's an efficient use of space but I could see it being difficult to use because of the clearances required.

Here's my kitchen design so far. Any input is appreciated. One thing I'm lacking at this point is a good pantry space. I was hoping to use the base and upper cabinets toward the back of the kitchen for that but I realize that this is also less than optimal.

[Hook-Line-N-Sinker]

Amp, you will probably want to drop your upper cabinets by about 18" to fit better around the fridge, moicrowave, and window. If you don't you'll most likely be using a step stool to get all of your dishes and food out of those cabinets. Basic design looks good. Have you thought about building the range into the island?

[Hook-Line-N-Sinker]

How about sliding the fridge over to the right about 2.5'-3' and having your pantry cabinets to the left of the fridge? You will end up losing some counterspace, however you are already adding much more with the island. Just an idea.

[OceanBlue]

Hey amp, I had one of those kitchens with the yellow sink, yellow counter tops, gold linoleum floor and DARK cabinets. I lightened it up and went with white for the cabinets, light oak for the floor and a neutral/light countertop. My mom came to visit after it was done and thought that I'd enlarged the kitchen by at least 2 feet. Lighter is definitely "bigger".

Get the biggest sink you can.

Get everything possible up off the counters. I got one of those black & decker coffee pots that mounts under the cabinets, put the microwave above range (as shown in your pics). If I could have found a suitable toaster oven to mount under cabinets, I would have done that, too.

If you decide on tile floor (and after my little incident with wood laminate, I would never do anything else), go the extra mile and put in under-floor heat. Trust me on this one.

Good luck. Kitchen remodels SUCK! But it will feel so good when done.

[Tom H]

I`am a cabinet maker ,and I would have them make some 16" uppers and a large pantry next to you Refer ,and Island is great but make sure they utilize all of the space in side and get adjustable shelfs in side ,who what or where are you going to buy you Cabinets from ,or are you getting custom made ?????????

[Hogmaster]

Put your fridge handles on the other side.

I can see why you have done what you have done. A long pantry left of the fridge might be a possibility, but the fridge and oven doors then potentially conflict (though usually you shouldn't need to open both at the same time.)

The only thing about the dishwasher on the left is that it is easier and more natural for right hannded people to open with the right hand. Not a huge deal, but again, it affects flow.

If your kitchen is cramped, is an island really going to fit? Walk-around space is important, more than a single path.

An island range/cooktop doesn't seem to buy a whole lot in this design. If you want to spend a lot more, you could wall-mount an oven/microwave combo and have just a cooktop on the island.

But a skylight would defintely add the perception of size. Vaulting even moreso. Skylights are pretty inexpensive...

[ampersat]

Two reasons I don't like tile flooring:
- it's cold
- if you drop something, either it's going to break or the tile is going to break
I plan on going with marmoleum or linoleum since it will install right over the existing stuff. At least the dropped thing stands a chance on that.

I've been fighting to keep any appliances off of the island. I want it reserved for prep and serving space. I've got a 6' stainless steel prep table and am planning to install the deck on top of the base cabinets. I haven't figured out what countertops I want for the rest of the kitchen but I'll definitely be taking your advice on the lighter stuff, OceanBlue.

Right now, I've got all of the upper cabinets going to the ceiling; I'm thinking of dropping them 6" and putting rope lighting along the wall above them for accent as well as some undercabinet. I'll have to find cabinets that are a little taller so that the lower portions are more easily accessible. Gotta be something "off the shelf" for the cabinets, Tom; no way can I afford to go custom. No two ways about it though - a step stool is going to have a home in the kitchen somewhere.

I'm also thinking of moving the dishwasher to the bar portion of the cabinets on the right. But that means the door will open toward the sink and I'm not sure I like that idea either. I'd have to watch the sink/dishwasher door clearance if I do that.

[ampersat]

Here's the latest iteration:





I can't move the fridge door to open the other way with my software. The pantry is 18" wide and I'll do slide out racks for its contents. I've dropped the cabinets 6" as well for the lighting.

Thoughts?

[CATCH AND EAT]

Loose the breakfast bar to keep the open feeling. Otherwise looking good.

[Pelhament]

My parents configuration is exactly like the top pictures except it also has the island and bar like in your iterations. That is too funny.

[negoc8]

You might consider having a movable island. We had this "movable" island in our last place, I loved it. When we had large groups over we just released the break mechanism, rolled it against a wall, and used it as a food buffet. It matched the rest of the cabinets, looked just like a permanent fixture.

[dolphinmarty]

Originally Posted by negoc8

You might consider having a movable island. We had this "movable" island in our last place, I loved it. When we had large groups over we just released the break mechanism, rolled it against a wall, and used it as a food buffet. It matched the rest of the cabinets, looked just like a permanent fixture.

Good idea if they're the same height. You could pivot it and make an extended breakfast bar. Other wise as C&E mentioned, I'd lose the bar and open her up. It's looking a little crowded as it sits now. Also focus on your lighting. Every home I've had the kitchen lighting doesn't seem adequate. There is a reason that the pic you took up top has 4 can lighting as opposed to the 2 you are proposing. If you go with hanging chandelier consider height and location especially if you go with the moving island. I HATE smacking myself on the dome with a light fixture....and for gods sake DON'T use florescent tubes lighting. Just my

[ampersat]

Actually, those two light cans are already in my kitchen and do a pretty good job of lighting up things. They're spaced far enough apart that wherever you stand, where one can casts a shadow, the other can lights it up.

[goodkarma]

Can't tell for sure, but don't the cabinet doors interfere with each other in the corner by the microwave and like the base cabinets as well? You may have trouble finding a corner cabinet that is usable and fits those dimensions.