Kitchen thoughts

[mccallister84]

Our kitchen and family room is one gigantic rectangle. We had a contractor out tonight to give us a quote on new countertops, backsplash and sink. While he was here we discussed how to get more storage and counter space. Right now most of our less often used appliances - crockpot, blender, etc live in the basement. 

We discussed changing the kitchen table in to an island of sorts - we’d do double cabinets - 24 inch deep on the side facing the kitchen and 18 inch on the side facing the family room with a 12 inch overhang on three sides. The thought being our lesser used appliances could then be stored on the side with the overhang. Cons include the price and that we would only be able to seat three people at the island while right now we can get 6 at the kitchen table (not particularly comfortably but we could do it if we needed to). There are 4 of us FWIW. 

I’m having a hard time visualizing it so they are going to mock it up for me but I was hoping you ladies might have some thoughts/suggestions after seeing a sketch. I was also hoping to turn the garbage can in to a cabinet (it just sits next to the stove now). He said it’s too narrow for a traditional pull out cabinet but we could probably make something work. If we do the island he suggested putting the garbage can there. I am pretty desperate for some counter space on that side of the stove though. 

I can take more measurements if people would like. 

thanks!

[momin2013]

I wouldn’t want to give up a kitchen table in favour of just an island. Do you have room to keep both? If not, I’ve seen an island with a built in banquette and then chairs on the other side of a table, like this: www.pinterest.ca/pin/305892999672608555/ (google island with banquette seating). If I were going to re-build, I’d totally consider doing that idea.

Our garbage is under the sink, and I find that really handy. Do you have room to put it there?

[libbygrl109]

How often do you use your dining room? Could that be considered the main eating area when you are all together as a family? You could then use the island as more of a gathering spot.

When we moved into our house, We had a weird gap between our stove and the support wall that divided the kitchen and living/dining room area. When we added our dishwasher to the kitchen, we also added a small tray cabinet in that space (Lowe’s kitchen designer’s idea) that gave us a place for cookie sheets and a little extra counter space next to the stove. Maybe something like that could work in your space?

[mccallister84]

Sept 24, 2020 19:02:25 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

How often do you use your dining room? Could that be considered the main eating area when you are all together as a family? You could then use the island as more of a gathering spot.

When we moved into our house, We had a weird gap between our stove and the support wall that divided the kitchen and living/dining room area. When we added our dishwasher to the kitchen, we also added a small tray cabinet in that space (Lowe’s kitchen designer’s idea) that gave us a place for cookie sheets and a little extra counter space next to the stove. Maybe something like that could work in your space?

Now, never. Like only when we have guests. It definitely could be our main eating space. I guess I still see us mostly eating in the kitchen - I’m thinking I would just stand to eat. We do all eat lunch and dinner together (well lunch will cease if H ever goes back to the office). We could do a cookie sheet cabinet next to the stove but then I don’t know where we put the garbage (unless we do the island and put it there). It won’t fit under the sink.

[mccallister84]

Sept 24, 2020 18:54:10 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

I wouldn’t want to give up a kitchen table in favour of just an island. Do you have room to keep both? If not, I’ve seen an island with a built in banquette and then chairs on the other side of a table, like this: www.pinterest.ca/pin/305892999672608555/ (google island with banquette seating). If I were going to re-build, I’d totally consider doing that idea.

Our garbage is under the sink, and I find that really handy. Do you have room to put it there?

That’s an interesting idea. My concern is how much we encroach on the family room. I do like that idea at first glance.

[momin2013]

Sept 24, 2020 19:15:01 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Sept 24, 2020 18:54:10 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

I wouldn’t want to give up a kitchen table in favour of just an island. Do you have room to keep both? If not, I’ve seen an island with a built in banquette and then chairs on the other side of a table, like this: www.pinterest.ca/pin/305892999672608555/ (google island with banquette seating). If I were going to re-build, I’d totally consider doing that idea.

Our garbage is under the sink, and I find that really handy. Do you have room to put it there?

That’s an interesting idea. My concern is how much we encroach on the family room. I do like that idea at first glance.

To me, it’s a great way to have an island without losing the kitchen table, for kitchens that aren’t that large. Plus I love the look of this idea.

[dr.girlfriend]

Sept 24, 2020 18:02:11 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Our kitchen and family room is one gigantic rectangle. We had a contractor out tonight to give us a quote on new countertops, backsplash and sink. While he was here we discussed how to get more storage and counter space. Right now most of our less often used appliances - crockpot, blender, etc live in the basement. 

We discussed changing the kitchen table in to an island of sorts - we’d do double cabinets - 24 inch deep on the side facing the kitchen and 18 inch on the side facing the family room with a 12 inch overhang on three sides. The thought being our lesser used appliances could then be stored on the side with the overhang. Cons include the price and that we would only be able to seat three people at the island while right now we can get 6 at the kitchen table (not particularly comfortably but we could do it if we needed to). There are 4 of us FWIW. 

I’m having a hard time visualizing it so they are going to mock it up for me but I was hoping you ladies might have some thoughts/suggestions after seeing a sketch. I was also hoping to turn the garbage can in to a cabinet (it just sits next to the stove now). He said it’s too narrow for a traditional pull out cabinet but we could probably make something work. If we do the island he suggested putting the garbage can there. I am pretty desperate for some counter space on that side of the stove though. 

I can take more measurements if people would like. 

thanks!

I think measurements with things drawn to scale would be helpful?  To me it looks like you have room for a much bigger island turned the other way, or a t-shaped island like this:



If you guys eat in the kitchen all the time, I would not switch to a scenario where one of you has to stand.

If it helps, I did a 2-level peninsula with cabinets on both sides, because we had a table just on the other side and having bar seating a foot from the table would have been a big waste.

[mccallister84]

I have given up with floor planning tools. There really isn’t any space in the main kitchen area - we used to have the kitchen cart in the middle and it really just got in the way. I think we have about 11.5 feet (width) by about 6.5 feet to play around with. That would then extend the kitchen area to the end of the garage door which seems a good natural break point.

[froggy76]

I don't really like that idea, to be honest. If your kitchen is 11.5 feet wide and there are cabinets on both sides, there's no room for an island within the kitchen area, and it seems weird to build an island standing alone in the eating area. I'd rather have the table so you can all sit and eat comfortably. If you need a little storage, you could buy a table with storage underneath (Google "kitchen table with storage") and that would be cheaper and probably more functional.

If you post a pic of the space that would help a lot since your drawing isn't to scale.

[mccallister84]

Sept 24, 2020 20:43:46 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

I don't really like that idea, to be honest. If your kitchen is 11.5 feet wide and there are cabinets on both sides, there's no room for an island within the kitchen area, and it seems weird to build an island standing alone in the eating area. I'd rather have the table so you can all sit and eat comfortably. If you need a little storage, you could buy a table with storage underneath (Google "kitchen table with storage") and that would be cheaper and probably more functional.

If you post a pic of the space that would help a lot since your drawing isn't to scale.

Yea I’m concerned that it won’t look like it fits in either. I’m just desperate for some extra storage - I’ll check out some of the storage kitchen tables. I’ll snap some photos tomorrow or Saturday.

[dr.girlfriend]

When I designed my kitchen I just put graph paper in a Powerpoint slide and made every check like 6". You can delete the graph paper background in the end if you want to look cleaner. I'm a nerd that way though. :-D

[sandandsea]

Sept 24, 2020 19:20:41 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Sept 24, 2020 18:02:11 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Our kitchen and family room is one gigantic rectangle. We had a contractor out tonight to give us a quote on new countertops, backsplash and sink. While he was here we discussed how to get more storage and counter space. Right now most of our less often used appliances - crockpot, blender, etc live in the basement. 

We discussed changing the kitchen table in to an island of sorts - we’d do double cabinets - 24 inch deep on the side facing the kitchen and 18 inch on the side facing the family room with a 12 inch overhang on three sides. The thought being our lesser used appliances could then be stored on the side with the overhang. Cons include the price and that we would only be able to seat three people at the island while right now we can get 6 at the kitchen table (not particularly comfortably but we could do it if we needed to). There are 4 of us FWIW. 

I’m having a hard time visualizing it so they are going to mock it up for me but I was hoping you ladies might have some thoughts/suggestions after seeing a sketch. I was also hoping to turn the garbage can in to a cabinet (it just sits next to the stove now). He said it’s too narrow for a traditional pull out cabinet but we could probably make something work. If we do the island he suggested putting the garbage can there. I am pretty desperate for some counter space on that side of the stove though. 

I can take more measurements if people would like. 

thanks!

I think measurements with things drawn to scale would be helpful?  To me it looks like you have room for a much bigger island turned the other way, or a t-shaped island like this:



If you guys eat in the kitchen all the time, I would not switch to a scenario where one of you has to stand.

If it helps, I did a 2-level peninsula with cabinets on both sides, because we had a table just on the other side and having bar seating a foot from the table would have been a big waste.

I love this built in table idea. I would do something like this with an island/table vs having the counter at two different levels.

[lolalolalola]

I wouldn’t create a 3 person island if you need 4 people to eat there regularly. Is there a reason you won’t eat in your dining room regularly? We only have one dining table. We have a 3 person island and my kids eat there but when we eat as a family we always eat at the dining table.

I plot everything out on grid paper and I would recommend you do that, it really helps visualize his much extra space you’ll have.

[mccallister84]

Here’s the picture. Don’t judge the mess!  I am standing on the family room rug. 

I am leaning now towards a countertop height table - square shaped.  The contractor said the recommended clearances are 3 ft so we can go a smidge closer to the doors with a table and I think we can basically double the width of that table and make it work. 

PDQ pic. mccallister84 ,momin2013 ,libbygrl109 ,dr.girlfriend ,froggy76 ,sandandsea ,

[froggy76]

mccallister84, I like the idea of a counter height table if you will be comfortable sitting at one. You can have some storage under it then possibly. Also, it looks like you could fit a skinny cabinet and counter to the right of your stove if you wanted to. Otherwise, if you need more storage, I'd just see if you can squeeze a small hutch or cabinet somewhere. I think the island will be a big expense for something that doesn't make much sense here.

[mccallister84]

Sept 25, 2020 9:36:13 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

mccallister84, I like the idea of a counter height table if you will be comfortable sitting at one. You can have some storage under it then possibly. Also, it looks like you could fit a skinny cabinet and counter to the right of your stove if you wanted to. Otherwise, if you need more storage, I'd just see if you can squeeze a small hutch or cabinet somewhere. I think the island will be a big expense for something that doesn't make much sense here.

I definitely think we will do a cabinet next to the stove. Hopefully we can rig something that will fit some kind of trash system because I don’t know where else we can put the trash. The clearance will be less than 3 feet but the contractor said that’s general guidelines - there’s nothing that says we can’t do that - but that’s probably why one wasn’t included originally. It’s going to make that area feel a little tight but there’s still plenty of clearance for the pantry door to fully open, etc.

[froggy76]

Sept 25, 2020 9:42:49 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Sept 25, 2020 9:36:13 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

mccallister84 , I like the idea of a counter height table if you will be comfortable sitting at one. You can have some storage under it then possibly. Also, it looks like you could fit a skinny cabinet and counter to the right of your stove if you wanted to. Otherwise, if you need more storage, I'd just see if you can squeeze a small hutch or cabinet somewhere. I think the island will be a big expense for something that doesn't make much sense here.

I definitely think we will do a cabinet next to the stove. Hopefully we can rig something that will fit some kind of trash system because I don’t know where else we can put the trash. The clearance will be less than 3 feet but the contractor said that’s general guidelines - there’s nothing that says we can’t do that - but that’s probably why one wasn’t included originally. It’s going to make that area feel a little tight but there’s still plenty of clearance for the pantry door to fully open, etc.

If you go that route, you can buy one of these to put the trash in the cabinet:

www.target.com/p/rev-a-shelf-rv-12pb-50-single-50-quart-easy-installation-cabinet-mounted-pullout-kitchen-trash-can-waste-bin-with-lid-white/-/A-79688523?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df_free_online&CPNG=Storage%2BOrganization&adgroup=2-1

[juliachild]

What is in the soffits above the cabinets? That seems like wasted space there. Even just having open space there could give you storage options. You could have a cabinet above the fridge too.

[mccallister84]

Sept 25, 2020 10:38:56 GMT -5 juliachild said:

What is in the soffits above the cabinets? That seems like wasted space there. Even just having open space there could give you storage options. You could have a cabinet above the fridge too.

I think that’s more than what we want to take on right now. Our plan is only to be in this house about 3 more years. I think we are pretty convinced at this point to stick to our initial refresh ideas and then just look for a table that will work a little harder for us. I’ll leave the picture up a little longer just in case anyone has some inspired ideas.

I do appreciate everyone’s suggestions!

[dr.girlfriend]

Looks like I missed the picture but good luck!