Help with kitchen layout...kitchen too darn BIG!
We've been in our house for a year now and we're just not happy with the kitchen layout. The biggest complaint is that it is just too darn big! I know many say the work triangle is of questionable relevance in today's kitchens, but now that we've experienced it we really understand the value of keeping the work triangle reasonably tight. As you can see it is 4.4m (14'6") from the fridge/pantry to the cooker, and it takes far to much time to walk from the pantry/fridge to the other side of the kitchen to get every little thing (and take it back again).
Luckily, we never got too far with completing the current kitchen - none of the cabinet work has been done and the island bench is just an old table. So we're free to modify things somewhat!
So I've been trying to figure out how to reduce the size of the kitchen without moving the pantry and it looks like I might be best to literally...reduce the size of the kitchen! As you can see I've inserted a new wall (which won't be too hard, I've built a few walls). I would love to move the wall even further to the right but for the existing window. I'd also prefer to reduce the distance between the peninsula and the sink counter some but if I do it will mean the fridge will sit partially outside of the U and won't be as direct to access. So it's still quite a lengthy triangle, but more compact than the existing one.
Opted for a U-shape instead of an island as it gives more counter space and we don't need multiple kitchen entrances. It now means both the pantry and the fridge face straight into the heart of the U.
I was racking my brain for what to do with the newly created blank space and I realised it could be a great spot to put (hide!) my computer desk (we wanted one near the kitchen/living area anyway). That still leaves another 2 square metres of blank space. If nothing else I could shove a door on the exterior and make it a garden storage area or something.
The pole in the middle of the house is a bit awkward I know, but it seems like it is going to be awkward no matter what, and I expect it wont bother us too much.
Anyone have any suggestions or criticisms for what I am contemplating?? Don't hold back! If you think it's a terrible idea let me know!
Existing layout:
Proposed layout:
Proposed 3D view. Note pole marooned in an awkward spot. Moving the counter to incorporate it affects the work triangle which is already on the verge of being too big.
Comments (11)
oklouise
6 years agotry moving the fridge instead of the wall ...the fridge stove and sink are now grouped with plenty of space for a 2400 x 900 island bench and easy access to the fridge and pantry and, depending on what the space next to the pantry is being used for and where the door next to the pantry leads to now???
the whole area including the old fridge space could be a small study opening to the lounge area or??Related Discussions
Kitchen Island is too far from cabinetry
Comments (5)Thanks you. I thought this was the case and so frustrated with it. We do have the space as it leads into a living room. It has made it a focal point of the whole house though....See MoreHelp with colour scheme. Too much grey?
Comments (12)It is definitely not too much grey! If you offset this with the white walls and other white/oak features. Your best bet is to mix the shades of grey you are choosing. Try not select the exact same greys for each selection. Play around a little bit with the grey tones to add depth to your space. Or even add in a few bolder black items or coloured items to offset this if you are too worried. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any assistance in colour selections, as I am a interiors colour specialist and can come in and help you find the perfect shades at a reduced price. www.jfistudios.com.au...See MoreHelp please? Is accessing the study via the kitchen too wierd?
Comments (26)Simon, 100% agree with OKlouise, she's on the right track..... I've done a stack of these types of things.....big projects, that call for professional solutions....what I would say as a start is that there are always various ways of achieving your needs. It's not just about the rooms, it about the quality of the spaces, the proportioning their connection/relationship to both the adjacent internal and external areas.....I'm guessing from the floor plan you have a lovely older home with some traditional character...depending upon your needs for the rear yard (pool??) I see opportunities here for alternative configurations that would open this thing up and let more natural/north light into the main living/kitchen areas.....if you want my 2 cents I think for a home of this scale no you shouldn't have to pop through the kitchen to get to the study...a study nook within a kitchen is OK but as a differentiated room that could potentially be used for other purpose (always good for the property value factor ;) )....its ALL in the planning, there's a lot of money involved here so make sure you get it right and if it doesn't "feel" right, then there's an issue.....clearly here you have priorities and vision for your study, and that's great, so make sure you get it right and that the outlook is how you want it to be - so it should, it's yours!.....but it's not a simple as just swapping the spaces around/over...floor plans are delicately balanced and carefully considered/arranged and when resolved properly/professionally they will just sit there and be unquestionably "right", appropriately scaled & proportioned, not awkward, representative of your specific requirements/priorities and balanced within the particular context.......See MoreHelp with floorplan for big home reno/extension please?
Comments (32)You are most welcome, I have always said that I haven't been put on this earth to "Hug" toilets, so I'am wondering who is going to clean all of these Bathrooms. Our two kids a boy and a girl had the upstairs "apartment" which they and all their friends loved. I have added a timber stair case for fun, there's plenty of space but you will need to decide what you want to do in the attic and place the stairs to open up into a tall space. I have also turned one of the ensuites into a powder room. Your Jacaranda's only drop once a year!, you used to be able to trim them by 25% each year, you would need to check with your council, we were on the lower North Shore, I think you should consider the patio side of the house and make better use of that, is the front deck something you plan on adding because of aspect, and plant some tall growing hedge ready for the apartments. Our kids Attic desk/study space over looked our pool in the rear garden. With respect to using the formal rooms for bedrooms, you will find that once you have your large family/alfresco and the kids have their upstairs space if you still feel you need it, it would make a great office. You spend most of the time there only using only using the front room in the evening for watching movies etc. I have had another play with my floor plan, I think if your wife sees this you may be in trouble, it's a Master Suite, the free standing bath in the window alcove with white timber shutters for sun and privacy control..... Iam' adding a couple of photos of our old Federation which wasn't protected, when we sold it the new owners removed all of the Fret work & posts replacing them with simple timber posts. The front rooms which we didn't use very much once we opened up the rear rooms into a family area. The room with the Bay window had a Baby grand sitting there, we sold the piano before we took the photo. Cheers...See Morelil
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoWoops I should have given you the whole plan. This should answer all of your questions-
siriuskey
6 years agoThe Old fridge
space could be used for Wine or upright Freezer. I have turned the island around as this gives a 2450 x 900 space and brings that support post in close so as not to look so out of place. A small sink in the island close to the fridge for prepping veggies, and a continuing bench across the dining room for computer desk and side board.The sink under the window has the DW next to it. cheers
lil thanked siriuskeylil
6 years agoThanks everyone - your comments and diagrams have given me plenty of ideas I hadn't considered. Perhaps shifting the wall is a little drastic! I'm now thinking of going a long U shape like this. I'll add a few upper cabinets on the left side too for the most frequently used stuff from the pantry (as the pantry is still a distance from the stove/oven). The fridge as you can see is now right amongst the action. We also have a chest freezer hiding out in the laundry which I can move into the old fridge space...alternatively I might convert it to a computer workstation as suggested.
I'm leaning towards a peninsula rather than an island, just because I feel like it will give me a slightly more efficient/seamless work space, and we don't expect seating at at the island/peninsula will get used much given how close the dining table is.
Any thoughts on this revised layout?
siriuskey