Kitchen design around floor to ceiling windows

7 years ago

I'm struggling with designing our new kitchen. It's currently u-shape with a breakfast bar near floor to ceiling windows - but no one sits near the windows as it's not a central place. For our renovation, I'm considering:-

1. Galley kitchen with island bench.

Pros: will open up space and sink will remain in island, so can fit dishwasher & bin near sink
Cons: bench against wall would be 600mm, but the windows are 960mm - so if we take bench to the corner to maximize bench space we will block the bottom of the corner windows - which means 360mm of glass would be showing on the lower corner window. Will this look odd?

2. L-shape kitchen with island bench

Pros: we get more cabinetry/storage
Cons: island would be smaller so sink would go next to window but there is not enough space to have bin & dishwasher right next to sink - plus it means we will block the bottom of three of the floor to ceiling windows which would reduce light.

We can't remove the windows as we want as much light as possible, and we have raked ceilings so the posts between current windows are load bearing which I've been told would be expensive to change. Any advice is very welcome!

Featured Answer

PRO

2 FIND and DESIGN

7 years ago

I can see why you don't use that counter next to windows for seating... it is an awkward design for this space. I like the idea of a galley kitchen. Taking cabinets all the way from door to window with built in fridge and pull out pantry.
Then get that island bar working harder for you. I'd be inclined to do draws wherever possible as they are space saving and more useful. Built in microwave in lower cabinets is an idea too.
Make sure to consider storage possibilities at either end of the island (including a power point or two).
Hope this helps and good luck with your design

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Comments (23)

bigreader
7 years ago
I wouldn't block the Windows it will always look odd.

What extra functionality are you trying to achieve?

I'd do full cabinetry from window to door along the existing wall where the fridge is, incorporating the fridge within new cabinetry. Then I'd match it with a small length island which gets you extra cabinetry. Then on the left hand wall as you enter the area I'd put a narrow pantry along that wall.

Or I'd move the kitchen entirely but I suspect you're on a slab and moving plumbing will be costly.
Rach P
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks bigreader for your advice. Only thing is that we can't put a pantry near the door as we wont have enough space as we're going to widen the doorway (it's too narrow as the hot water service was in the hallway but we just had it removed). Maybe if we declutter we can just have a galley kitchen that stops before the windows as you've suggested.

We have considered moving the kitchen completely as we are on stumps - but haven't come up with an ideal lay out that way either. Thanks so much though, I'll look into those options you suggested.
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bigreader
7 years ago
Good you're on stumps. Hang around here a bit longer and you'll normally get a few whole room redesigns if that's what you'd like.
PRO
2 FIND and DESIGN
7 years ago
One more thing I would suggest is making your island bar run from door to window in length as well... this will definitely help replace the "u" cabinets
Rach P
Original Author
7 years ago
2Find and Design - thanks for your suggestions. When you say run cabinets to window - do you mean run them right to the corner and block the lower part of the window? Or stop the cabinets before window?

I'm stuck on this point - if I cover lower window it may look odd, but if I don't it is dead space.
PRO
2 FIND and DESIGN
7 years ago
No don't go to corner just to where the window starts, is what I'd do...
Rach P
Original Author
7 years ago
Just wondered if anyone can recommend a kitchen design computer program? I know there are a few out there, but thought I'd see if anyone has any recommendations?
PRO
Cordony Group
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I agree with 2 FIND and DESIGN, a galley style with an island would suit the space perfectly. We'd love to see your progress- be sure to keep us up to date!

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jaydub0
7 years ago
That corner of windows seem like a waste of space if it's all about light - there are lots of ways you could pull light in while still altering that corner. Have you considered skylights, which would give you more light and less worry about altering the window areas? Or even just losing the lower windows and taking the kitchen all the way to the upper ones?

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Rach P
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Jdublya, yes the corner windows are a waste of space - the single window facing north is 1100mm wide, and the window that matches the rest is 900mm wide.

My original idea was to block the lower window so the bench & cabinets can run all the way to the corner - but others thought it would look odd to do that. As the bench is only 600mm wide, so I'd have 300mm of lower window showing to either leave as glass or plaster. Maybe it would look fine though? I have googled this to death to see if anyone else has done it but no luck!

We have a raked ceiling and I like the simplicity of it so would prefer to keep windows and avoid skylights...
girlguides
7 years ago
Sorry I may have misunderstood will you bench only be 600 h or 600 w?? Either way I love my 900 h and 900 deep bench. This would better fit dimensions of your Windows? Blocking out one window pane below should be fine
Shelley Brauer
7 years ago
i would push the kitchen right up to windows and remove bottom windows but keep the top ones by doing that you could have an island bench as well and if its an issue with light get a skylight
Rach P
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks GirlGuides - 900mm bench would be ideal, but we don't have enough space plus an island bench with breakfast bar. The current kitchen is already quite big which makes living area small - the new design will be more slimline for this reason. Maybe I need to just give up on breakfast bar though?! Seems a shame to do that though as I like chatting to people when I cook.
Barbara Dunstan
7 years ago
If you really like the design you have drawn up and the window/s is/are the issue, simply go the extra bit and remove it/them and end up with exactly what you want.

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Barbara
kooky_karen
7 years ago
I can see two option but it means moving the kitchen.
1. Corner on upper right and making it a U shape. More bench, more cupboards and you could have a breakfast bar - at table height (I believe it is called a vanity table - see picture) that hangs over the edge of the window.
2. Long wall on left (not sure how deep the space is). Similar design to Cordony Designs - Laurel St. Willoughby.
girlguides
7 years ago
Go 1 but have butcher block so can use as added bench so can still have island and light!!
KK1000
7 years ago
Is it possible to put kitchen on the long wall without windows something like galley kitchen with integrated dining area at the end of island bench. That way you will retain the view and windows and have your living are rearranged a bit.
Megan Russell
7 years ago
How about running the kitchen along the back wall where the dining setting is? You could have a galley style kitchen with a bench that overlooks all the windows and views. It frees up all the area, gives you more scope with furniture placement and opens up the whole area.
spmm
7 years ago
Just a thought, have you checked your lovely flooring will persist under new cabinets or more importantly the gap created by the island bench.

Possibly put a simple narrow breakfast bar (with power point of course) across a couple of the window sections, lovely to sit and look out of the window and preserve the look and the light.

Then you would save some depth into the living space, as the current breakfast bar is quite large and deep.
PRO
The Dream Stylist
7 years ago
Hi Rach

I haven't read all the comments so it's possibly been suggested but have you considered a galley kitchen from window to door. The island bench included in that length.

Mind the scribble but something like this...
Rach P
Original Author
7 years ago
Wow so many awesome suggestions. So glad I discovered this site!! Wish I had found it before I renovated our bathroom
dorosar
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

This could work, you would keep all the light and have extra bench space.