Which design is best?

Question

Hello everyone...I need some help deciding the best design for a house I am rehabbing and selling after 2 years. The main living area is a small open kitchen/living room. The design needs to be cost conscious but still appealing. Which of the three do you like best? I included some fuller dimensions to help understand to full layout. (the design problem is there is no where else to put a pantry).

Corner Pantry Idea 1

Corner Pantry from front door

One wall kitchen with angled pantry

L Kitchen with small 18inch pantry door.

Full living/kitchen area dims

Full main level dims

Thanks for your input!

Corner Pantry Idea 1

Corner Pantry from front door

One wall kitchen with angled pantry

L Kitchen with small 18inch pantry door.

Full living/kitchen area dims

Full main level dims

Thanks for your input!

Jeff Berg · Answer

There's not enough space for a closet pantry, it clogs up the design. Try this: Reefer in the far left corner of the 8' interior wall. You can opt for a very skinny (12") floor-to-ceiling broom cabinet on the left between the wall and the reefer if you like. Use a full-depth (24") cab above the reefer. You can use a return panel on the right if you like, gives it a more "built-in" look. You can use a full or half susan in the corner.

On the window wall, the sink under the window, DW to the left of the sink. This should leave at least about 62" between the sink and the door for the stove (so it can be fully vented to the outside) and either two 18" base cabs on either side, or a slightly wider cab to the right, and a narrower one between the stove and sink. A base cab with deep drawers is good for deep pot and wide pan storage. Leave about 3" from the countertop and the door casing.

The problem is the size of the island vs. the size and placement of the dining table. A four-bedroom house should comfortably accommodate two adults and three kids sitting down for dinner. You should have about 48" for two barstools, which will leave about 7' to the blank wall for the table. A 30" wide table needs almost 8' minimum, so you can see it's tight but do-able.

Now, back to the pantry...as Marcia suggested, the right exterior wall could be used (if there's no window) for a floor-to-ceiling, 12" deep pantry, with racks on the inside of the doors, at least 3' from the door. However, I'm not sure there's enough room for it and the dining table. Plus, if there isn't a window there, it would be real nice to install one to create a brighter, less confining-feeling, more comfortable dining area.

Obviously, you need to do a VERY accurate floor plan to make sure it all functions properly. If the kitchen is (or will be) gutted, take your drawing and plot it out with chalk on the floor, to get a better "feel" of the space.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

Since you have the liberty to decide on the layout, consider the best placement for the appliances first and what they need for proper ducting, power, water and gas (if applicable). Also consider the work flow of a kitchen. Kitchen triangles have stood the test of time. Counters and cabinetry features as well need to be incorporated into the design.

I would install the range and range hood in a place with good exterior ducting and ample counter space on both sides. I would not place the refrigerator near an exterior door. You'll need sufficient air space above the refrigerator too and sufficient space for the door swing.  I would place a dishwasher near the sink and make sure there was power and plumbing to the area for not only the dishwasher, but for a garbage disposal too. For refrigerators with icemakers/water dispensers, plumbing needs to go to that location as well as electricity.

For the reasons mentioned above, none of your proposed ideas would work for me. Pantries are nice, but do you really have the space for one? What features could you incorporate into the island?

John Horner · Answer

L Kitchen with small pantry door.  You get everything you need and it still feels open.  The one wall is too cramped by the fridge.  I think the corner pantry looks a little off.  Hope this helps!

Caleb Brown · Answer

Account Closed thanks for the follow up! The rehab is underway. I went with the L kitchen. Putting the fridge on the left side and the range by the door with an island in the middle. And yes they will do drawings as long as you bring them good dimensions. Great idea!

Here is where we are at!

Original State

Current State!

Account Closed · Answer

You're probably all finished with this project but I went to the Home Depot kitchen department and they did a whole professional layout for me for free. No obligation to purchase. Another place who offers the same service is MFS Supply in Solon, OH - they make all the VaultLock lock boxes for realtors as well as a full line of kitchen and bath cabinets and countertops for investors.

Jim Adrian · Answer

@Caleb Brown

Is the frig purchased yet?  May be go with a narrower / smaller unit? Your renderings show the new

trendy supper wide (~36") ones.  You may need to stay old school and use a 30" wide unit.   Take a look at this option... pantry and frig are interchangeable.

Caleb Brown · Answer

Not bad - but it's not exactly to scale. The fridge takes all the way up to the back countertops when put on that side alongside a pantry...leaving hidden countertop space.

Jim Adrian · Answer

Nice renderings!   Here is a down and dirty layout with dimensions.   I would go with tall 36" upper cabinets to give the extra storage space if you have the height.  I would put a built in microwave at the stove location.   The island you could reduce down to 4' long.  Keep 3ft clear at the dishwasher for when the door opens!  The pantry could go deeper if you reduce the island down. Pantry door should latch on the right side for access function.  Sink located at the windows.   Hopefully I scaled things accurately in bluebeam pdf.  Don't have the cabinets touch the ceiling due to uneven ceiling work or floor defection.  Use a soffit instead. Im not a fan of white kitchens but this is personal preference.  Rework this in autocadd accurately.

Caleb Brown · Answer

2 story. 2 small bedrooms upstairs

Which design is best?

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