Kitchen layout help! (floor, countertop, ceiling, sink)

[StarryEyedSurprise]

Hello all! Just wanted to see if I could get some opinions from the knowledgeable board members here in figuring out the best kitchen layout I can get when I remodel next month.

Here is the current layout (was done in pencil, sorry if it is a bit light):



I'm pretty open to rearranging the layout - we're doing the remodel ourselves, and my father-in-law can help if plumbing needs to be moved. I'm definitely entertaining the idea of putting a utility sink in on the island, and possibly making the island bigger - how much bigger, not sure!

Another issue I am having is, on the left-hand side near the sink and where the current DW is, there is a thin wall - the other side of which is a useless dry bar in the family room. I am thinking about tearing out the wall to open the space up even more (it's not load-bearing), but I wonder how the sink area would look if we do that, assuming we keep the sink where it is. Maybe extend the countertop to make room for bar stools? The bottom part of the kitchen (near the windows) is technically the eat-in area. Doubt I could move the sink over there (windows are floor to ceiling).

Another thing - we definitely want to put in a double oven (will have a 36" electric cooktop as well). So I suppose I need a cabinet specifically for that - and maybe a microwave on top of it too?

Any ideas?

[eggalegga]

Where's your fridge? Are you still deciding on where to put your wall ovens?

[bellalunatic]

The first thing I noticed is that the space between the island and the DW is too narrow. It looks like it's at about 28" ? Did I see that right? Minimum space should be 36" all the way around your island.

[StarryEyedSurprise]

egga: We will be moving in at the end of this month, right now there is no fridge, though I assume the space just above the island was where it was originaly.

And yes, we are still trying to figure out where to put the wall ovens (and maybe a pantry, though that might be tough, the kitchen isn't huge).

bella: I think the space is about 30" currently (I drew it to scale on graph paper, though you can't make it out because it scanned so lightly). It seemed like an OK distance, but again, it could just be that I know the kitchen isn't as large as most newer kitchens. It's roughly 4'6" on the other side, so I guess I could shift it a bit, though I hope it won't mess up the flow from the dining room through the kitchen, hmm..

[bellalunatic]

30" most likely will not work unless you are planning on not opening the dishwasher door completely!
even 36" may not work with the dishwasher door.
I know that the minimum standard around islands for optimum traffic flow is 42" so maybe you should be considering bumping back that sink wall? Or not building in the island but finding a small work table type island instead?

[bellalunatic]

Also, next to 36" cooktop you only have 28" which I think you will find is way too short while cooking.
Why not extend that 28" wide cab to the door frame of the laundry room...so 28" plus the extra 2 feet?
Also, why not put the wall ovens on that 37" wall to the left of the doorway from the top of the sketch?
Also, is your fridge going to be french door, standard of side by side? Counter depth or standard size?

[StarryEyedSurprise]

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

30" most likely will not work unless you are planning on not opening the dishwasher door completely!
even 36" may not work with the dishwasher door.
I know that the minimum standard around islands for optimum traffic flow is 42" so maybe you should be considering bumping back that sink wall? Or not building in the island but finding a small work table type island instead?

Hmm, now that is odd, which means I will have to double-check this. I know the inspector tested the dishwasher, and my husband probably opened it at some point, time to send him an email haha.

Actually, I have a picture of that part of the kitchen.... it's horrific, you will see why we are renovating it LOL. I think I didn't get the measurement right, SIGH, since it looks like the island starts past the cabinet near the dining room doorway... looks like the door will open, but there would be not much room between the open door and the island...

[StarryEyedSurprise]

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

Also, next to 36" cooktop you only have 28" which I think you will find is way too short while cooking.
Why not extend that 28" wide cab to the door frame of the laundry room...so 28" plus the extra 2 feet?

I agree, and was considering this as well.

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

Also, why not put the wall ovens on that 37" wall to the left of the doorway from the top of the sketch?

That could work, but where to put the fridge?

Originally Posted by bellalunatic

Also, is your fridge going to be french door, standard of side by side? Counter depth or standard size?

French door, undecided on standard or counter depth, could go with either - if the counter depth really gives that much more room, we can go with that.

[Ohiogirl81]

Oooh, I love that wallpaper!

I'd get rid of the island altogether. Do you really need it? I'd crash into it when going from the sink to the stove.

The soffit would go, too.

Are there any windows in the kitchen that would affect where you locate cabinets, appliances, etc.? I'd almost rather have the stove where the fridge was, closer to the sink, and then the wall oven directly across the doorway from the stove.

Which doesn't solve the refrigerator problem ...

[StarryEyedSurprise]

LOL Ohiogirl... that wallpaper is giving me nightmares now, and I don't even live there yet! There are no windows except for where the eat-in area is (how I wanted a kitchen sink window, but alas...).

As for the rest, these were my thoughts - keep in mind I never designed a kitchen, but use one quite frequently!

1) Put the wall oven where the spot for the fridge is.

2a) Either keep the cooktop where it is, and put a utility sink in the island which would give me decent prep space, OR
2b) Put the cooktop on the island

3) Put the french door fridge next to the door to the laundry room (which would be near the cooktop in 2a.

4) Somehow open that wall that currently has the dishwasher on it (not all the way, keep bottom counters and countertop and dishwasher). This is the other side of that wall:



I figured having the fridge near the eat-in area would help the "flow of traffic" a bit. However, I really hope I am not gipping myself out of too much counter space. Also, if I do get rid of that halfwall (where that dry bar is), how awkward would the sink look with only having upper cabinets on the one side?
I wonder if there would be room for a pantry, or if these ideas even make sense.

Edit: Oh, I hear you on the soffit. No idea if there is plumbing or duct behind it though, wonder if there is an inconspicuous spot to check...