The Final Kitchen Design (And Why I Chose It)
Reading all of your comments on Wednesday’s post about the two kitchen layout options was a bit like drinking out of a fire hydrant. 😀 It was a lot of information to take in, so I had to do it in small batches and give my brain time to rest and absorb the info before reading more. And of course, I tried out probably a hundred different suggestions on the floor plan to see what improvements I could make based on those comments.
Obviously, the bigger kitchen won out. There was no question about it. Most people urged me to go with the bigger kitchen, which looked like this…
If you missed the post with the two options, you can see it here: Kitchen Addition – The Two Very Different Kitchen Layouts I’m Considering.
And that kitchen would look like this on our whole house floor plan, sitting behind the music room and the dining room, with access to the desk on the left side and the carport on the right side…
But what I noticed about the comments was the the majority of people who urged me to go with the bigger kitchen chose that one simply because of the size, but then went on to have all kinds of suggestions for changes. I should move the deck door here and make it a double French door, and then move the range here, and move the sink over there, and the refrigerator is in a bad place, so it needs to be moved, and then I need to add an island.
I tried so many different arrangements, but with all of those openings into the kitchen (two exterior doors, one laundry room door, and two large cased openings), I just couldn’t make it work. To make the work triangle a reasonable distance, I’d almost have to add an island, and not a movable one. I’d have to add one that had one of the three elements of a work triangle incorporated into it. But I do not want an island. And really, a decent sized island wouldn’t work in there anyway unless I move the back wall back at least two feet. And I don’t want to keep enlarging and enlarging and enlarging when it’s just not necessary.
I also have to admit that I love the idea of having doors at the back of the music room that lead to our deck. I don’t know what that would mean for the music room doors. Could I keep them and close them when I want privacy at night? Or would they interfere with the actual exterior doors? I sure would hate to lose them. I think those doors “make” the music room. That room wouldn’t be nearly special without them.
But I just kept going back to the galley kitchen design. I love the arrangement, the efficiency, and the fact that there aren’t five doorways chopping up the space.
So I went back to the floor planner and made two minor adjustments. I moved each of the side walls out one foot. And just like that, it clicked. The bigger kitchen in the previous post was 13′ x 21′. And if I move the walls of this kitchen out one foot on either side, that makes this kitchen 12′ x 20′. And since this is arranged so much more efficiently, and has a proper work triangle, I don’t think I would miss that one additional foot going either direction.
In fact, I tried to add an additional foot of width to make it 13 feet wide like the other kitchen, but that threw off the work triangle. The general rule is that each leg of a work triangle (the triangle formed by the sink, range, and refrigerator) should not be less than four feet or more than nine feet, and the total of the three legs should not be more than 26 feet.
With the kitchen at 12′ x 20′, and the work triangle arranged as you see it above, that puts my work triangle within those measurements. If I make the kitchen 13 feet wide, it makes the work triangle too big. So a kitchen that is 12 feet wide is perfect!
For all intents and purposes, my current kitchen is basically a galley kitchen. Technically, it’s not since it has two exits at one end, and a wall of cabinets at the end. But it does have that arrangement of two items of the work triangle on one side, and the third item on the opposite side.
So this past Wednesday night when everyone was here, I paid close attention to how people move around the kitchen. The kitchen is definitely a gathering place. People just naturally congregate in the kitchen, and it does feel a tiny bit tight, but it’s not really bad. We weren’t stumbling over each other. And this kitchen is only 9′ 9″ wide and 14 feet long. So if I widen it by two feet and lengthen it by six feet, there will be plenty of room for how we use the kitchen.
In order to do this, I will have to steal one foot from the pantry (future laundry room), but I’m okay with that. That will leave me with 7.5′ x 11′ for a laundry room. That’s plenty of space, especially considering that my new-ish washer and dryer will stack if I need them to. So here’s an approximate view of how the kitchen looks in relation to the whole house floor plan.
So with all of that said, here’s a look at the floor plan drawing from the IKEA kitchen planner. And you’ll notice that by extending the side walls out a foot on each side, that gives me room for French doors! I’m pretty excited about that.
And here’s the drawing of the sink and fridge side of the room. I even went so far as to make a list of everything I currently have in my kitchen and pantry, measure the items, and make sure I had a space for them in this kitchen. So the cabinets shown in these drawings are what I chose based on what I actually need. On the two previous kitchen arrangements, I just chose cabinets somewhat at random to get a general idea of the layout, but this time around, I got more specific.
And then this is the opposite wall with the range and the door to the laundry room. You’ll notice that I did not center the range with the cabinets because that would throw off the work triangle and make the trek from the range to the fridge ridiculously long. It’s much more important to me to have the sink centered under three windows. That’s a non-negotiable for me. And another non-negotiable is to have the fridge just inside the kitchen from the dining room. So the range had to be the floater to accommodate my wishes for the other two.
I just absolutely love how this looks. Those French doors at the end have me so excited! And I can’t wait to have those windows over the sink. I long for direct sunlight into my kitchen!
This kitchen actually has way more storage than what I need. I know it’s not a bad thing to have too much storage. But this is way more storage than what I have in my current kitchen and pantry combined.
And here is the view back towards the dining room.
And then the opposite view back towards the back yard.
And then I have a few countertop height views that I’ll let you tour…
So while there may be some minor modifications after I meet with the contractor on Tuesday, I’m 99% sure that my future kitchen will have this arrangement. But now I can let my mind rest. I feel prepared to meet with him next week.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Love!!
Very nice new design. The extra storage will be great, especially since you will be losing some of your beautiful pantry. One suggestion, since the sink windows overlook the deck, consider making them a pass through, possibly sliding windows, with a counter space outside. You’d be able to set items on the outdoor countertop directly from the kitchen instead of walking them outside.
This is a very nice idea. You could even put a couple of stools at the countertop outside the windows for additional seating.
That’s a PERFECT floor plan! Love the French doors! I still would suggest you add a door to the left of the laundry room sink going to the ramp. It would make the walk to bring groceries from the carport into the kitchen much shorter.
Sadly, that’s not an option. That was one of my first thoughts on how to get rid of one of the doors into the bigger kitchen, but I went outside and measured, and the step from the interior floor to the wheelchair ramp is 8.5 inches. By the time a door is added, with the additional height of the threshold, that step would be around 9 inches, or maybe a bit higher. The maximum height of a step down from an exterior door is 7 3/4 inches. Not only would it not be within building code, but a 9-inch step for someone as short as I am would be very uncomfortable.
Could you do a little grocery door (sometimes called a Costco door) somewhere instead? It’s a tiny little door specifically for bringing in groceries, usually from the garage into a pantry. I’m not sure how it would look externally, but I bet you could almost hide it inside one of your empty cabinets, if that makes sense.
I could, but I just don’t think it’s needed. My method of shopping right now requires no lifting or carrying of grocery bags at all. If I had a Costco door, I’d actually have to lift the bags of groceries into the door. I’d rather stick with my method right now which requires no lifting or carrying, and I wheel all of the groceries inside in one trip.
I was thinking this would be very handy, but I see why it wouldn’t work for you. Another solution to short cut is build a ramp/deck from the carport to the deck into the french doors in the kitchen. Wheel chair accessible of course.
I absolutely love everything about this.
I like your plan. My only suggestion is putting in a pull out trash/Recyling drawer. Personally, I like the drawer beside the sink. One side of the sink for the trash/Recyling, the other side, dishwasher. People tend to forget to plan for the trash can.
Our pull-out trash/recycling cabinet is one of my favorite things we did in our remodel.
Excellent 👍. But where does your freezer go or are you getting bigger frig w bigger freezer? One of my friend made a side by side w an upright freezer & upright frig( w no freezer). Maybe you don’t really need one? Love this galley kitchen so much better
Those sound like the Frigidaire Twin Pro set that are ridiculously expensive. I just bought a “freezer less” fridge for about $800 when Lowe’s had a sale. The neat thing is that a flip of a switch turns it into a freezer. So you get 2 and use one for each. Under 2K. The twin set is about 9K. I didn’t need another freezer inside my new house. One in the garage. Instead I got an ice maker like ppl use in an RV. Countertop and you just add water. Just like we used to add ice trays but without spills! Works great for 1 person but also for 2 when daughter was here for 10 days. Love it!
We’re really streamlined and simplified our buying, so once we eat everything in the freezer now (which we’ll do from now until we get started on this kitchen), I don’t anticipate needing a separate freezer.
This is awesome!
Just one question, how do groceries get from carport to kitchen?
It will take eight steps to get from the end of the wheelchair ramp to the back doors of the kitchen.
I didn’t realize that you’d be able to get from the carport to the French doors in a few steps when I suggested adding a door from the ramp into the laundry. That will work very well.
GREAT!
I love the galley layout best as well. I think this is perfect for your situation.
I know this is premature but have you considered what color of cabinets you will do and type of countertops? Teal again? I’m guessing you will go with a vibrant color vs. white right?!
I’m sticking with teal. 🙂 I may pick a slightly different shade this time, but teal is my color. I have no interest in testing out other colors (been there, done that, didn’t work out) when I have a tried and true favorite color that I’ve loved in two different kitchens now. 🙂
Love it! I was concerned about you not having enough gathering space with a galley setup but clearly, that is NOT an issue! Yet you haven’t sacrificed the overall efficiency for tasks. And I love those french doors, drawing your eye out to the vista you’ll create in the backyard.
I think this is a fantastic compromise. The flow makes so much sense, fewer doors and openings, still a ton of natural light and, in my opinion, the function of a kitchen always trumps form (though, in your case, you’ll make the form amazing!).
One thing that dawned on me is that you’re laundry room will be so far away from your main bedroom and bathroom. I realize it’s not a super large house, so “far away” is relative. But it also occurred to me that this is a one bedroom house with two full baths and a half bath in the studio.
Have you ever considered nixing the tub in the hallway bath in favor of laundry machines? You’d still have a toilet and sink for guests but laundry closer to where the laundry originates, and closer to where the laundry gets put away. In this scenario, you could keep your pantry or make a bigger “tv room”, or even a game room for Matt.
No matter, it’s super fun to follow along. It’s fun to see you so excited and reenergized with the new plans.
I considered that briefly, but I prefer to have a dedicated laundry room. After the sunroom is torn down, I’ll need a place to store things like my vacuum cleaner, carpet cleaner, broom, dust pan, SpinWave mop, etc. So an actual dedicated laundry/utility room would be nice for that.
I’m not really concerned about the washer and dryer not being by the bedroom. I do laundry during the day, and I spend my days on the studio end of the house. It seems convenient to have them close by. And I can always get a rolling cart to haul laundry to the bedroom/closet to put things away, if needed.
I agree Kristi! I never understood the desire to have the laundry by my bedrooms. I do laundry during the day when I’m working in the main parts of the house. I have no desire to run back to my bedrooms to load, change over, or fold clothes all day. I’d rather just do all that while I’m in the main area then put all the folded clothes in a basket and make one trip back to the bedroom. And a wheeled cart is an awesome idea!
I scrolled too fast, and see you had the same concerns with the laundry lol. Kristi ignore my comment you have already addressed it here with Heather!
It’ll be nice for your group to have the large countertop to the left of the stove as a buffet area.
I love the efficiency of a galley kitchen so I’m happy you re-designed and came up for a plan that is best for you. It looks like a really great kitchen! I have followed you for years and have found your work inspiring.
In looking at the floor plan I’m wondering if you have considered the route from the carport into the kitchen. If you can make a door into the laundry from the ramp your route to transport groceries from the carport to where they are stored and used could be more efficient. You have a convenient door already in the design from the laundry/pantry to the kitchen and I notice a window in the pantry/laundry that could become a door? Speaking from my own experience I much prefer the easiest route.
Unfortunately, that window can’t be turned into a door. If you scroll up a bit, you’ll see my response to Laura who had the same suggestion.
My only suggestion….would be to do a custom range hood – that is a non negotiable for me. I don’t like the builder grade stainless ones seen in so many homes. With your talents & abilities – you could custom a range hood in your sleep!!
Definitely! I’ve been looking at the hoods from Hoodsly. They have some beautiful ones, and there are two specifically that I really like.
Galley kitchens are efficient – and no corners! It’s also cost effective for counters. People want to make kitchens so gigantic and that’s not always the best for everyone. I think you’re sure on the right track. The light is going to be amazing.
You have no idea how soothing this post is. As I write, my own kitchen has half the cabinets installed and half still sitting in my living room and the anxiety of in progress remodel is making me nuts. Love the choice you made, functionality is much smoother with the long gally. Good luck!
I love a galley kitchen!
Would it be an option to extend the sink side wall out a bit like this picture?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zfmjLQBfn6zfr6dn7
I extended it one foot that direction. That’s all I can extend it because if I push it further out, the work triangle gets too big and inefficient. A 12-foot-wide kitchen is the max for the work triangle to be efficient.
My ONLY reasons for choosing the other kitchen was the fact that it created an odd line on the back of the house, and the view of the neighbors’ house. But if it doesn’t bother you, then that’s what is important! I actually like this layout, and am glad to see no narrow cabinets, which are useless fillers in my opinion. I have one, and it holds things I may only use once every few years, if I even remember they are there! Hate it so much! Maybe when you get all settled with the kitchen, you can hang some glass or plexi shelves in front of a window or two for plants of basil, chives and cilantro!
Are you putting a dishwasher in there? You have talked for so long about getting rid of yours that I am just curious!
Love the layout and can’t wait to see the colors you use!
Now that we have people over regularly, I’ll be putting a dishwasher in the kitchen.
YES! Im so happy you chose this one! I think it’s perfect and comfortable!
Now you can choose the option of a flat ceiling or vaulted 🙂 a beam down the center perhaps? I could see a wood ceiling treatment like you have in the guest bat, with a flat one, with all the sunshine steaming in it wood feel so cozy.
Maybe you couldn’t do it in the 3d view but i would put a panel on the side of the frig. It really elevates a design.
I’m thinking a vaulted ceiling! I love that idea. And I’ll definitely be putting a panel on the side of the fridge. I couldn’t figure out how to do that on the IKEA kitchen planner.
Gorgeous, just wondering about the handles on the cabinets to the right as you face the sink? They would work better if they open left to right, not towards the corner. Like the way you have them on the opposite side by the stove…
Yes. The IKEA kitchen planner doesn’t give you the option to change the swing on the doors. At least I couldn’t figure out how to do it.
I am liking the new layout. I have one suggestion, the 2-15DB drawer base to the right of the dishwasher could be 0ne 30DB instead, use dividers inside the larger drawers will give you more versatility.
Make some of the drawers by the range double deep for your cook wear.
A couple of thoughts.
You may want to consider if you have enough room to serve food? Casual dining really needs counter/server area. Per plan it seems dining room is too narrow for any service area.
Also, not sure if you are aware of all architectural needs as far as placement of addition.
What do you mean by “architectural needs” specifically? What am I missing?
Love, love, love it! I don’t worry avout bringing the groceries in, it can be done by the french doors.
Love the new galley! I know this is jumping the gun, but have you considered a banquet in your dining room? I know you could make a custom table to scale everything
appropriately.
That’s an interesting idea! I’ll give it some though!
Would a stacked washer and dryer be too high for you to use comfortably.
Do like your revised plan.
It probably would. But I’m so short that I’m pretty used to regularly having to use a step stool for regular daily things. With my previous washer and dryer, I had to use a step stool to get things out of the bottom of the washer. 😀
I’m glad you found an arrangement you are happy with!
My only thought (and maybe it’s already in your plan), is to somehow connect your path from the carport to your deck/kitchen back doors so that you don’t have to loop around so many rooms just to put your groceries away!
Yep! That’s definitely the plan. I went out yesterday and spray painted the outline of the new kitchen. The end of the wheelchair ramp and the back doors of the kitchen will only be eight steps away from each other.
This looks awesome! Since you have plenty of storage, maybe you could swap out some of the enclosed wall cabinets for some open shelving. I have 2 of these in my “dirty” kitchen and I love them! https://www.potterybarn.com/products/benchwright-shelf/#
Kristie, I realize you want the fridge close to the dining room. Will you actually spend more time going from fridge to dining room rather than from fridge to stove? Will a person opening the fridge door somewhat block the dining room entry?
To me the fridge is misplaced. I would prefer it on the same wall as the range. My kitchen has the range(cook-top) and the fridge on the same wall, about 3 feet apart. It works perfectly for me-just a few steps to get things I need while cooking and a counter to rest items I take from the fridge.
Moreover, you show a fridge with side by side doors. I lived with one for years and HATED it. The freezer side is simply too narrow. I was constantly repackaging or having to store diagonally. The door water/ice compartment takes up a lot of freezer space. Now, in our main home, I have a freezer drawer on the bottom and single door fridge area on top. We have a summer place near our grandkids which has double doors on top and a freezer drawer on the bottom. I like them both. Ice is in the drawer. I don’t miss the water dispenser which encouraged mold and required frequent cleaning. Plus, it’s faster to fill from the sink where there’s a water filter faucet. I much prefer the wider refrigerator space that I have in both houses.
Where is your microwave? I hope it won’t use counter space.
To me, a kitchen with a separate range looks dated, and not custom. I enjoy my built-in cooktops with drawers underneath to store pots and pans. There’s no space on either side of cook top to collect crud. Each house has double wall ovens which I enjoy. I use my convection steam oven about as much as my microwave.
Since you are entertaining more, would you enjoy a warming drawer? I don’t use mine often but I don’t often entertain. I don’t have a pot filler over my cooktop but I know people who love theirs.
Obviously your kitchen should reflect your preferences, not mine. I’m just offering “food for thought” before your permanent decisions.
I miss the full house additions but understand that $ are always a factor. Your stripped wall gym will be a loss-it’s so pretty.
There’s plenty of space for the fridge. I currently have 67 inches between my countertops on either side of the kitchen. I can have the fridge open while people come in and out from the living room. And in this kitchen, I’ll have two additional feet of space.
I’ll be buying the Cafe appliances — matte white with brass metal. The fridge is a French door refrigerator. I didn’t see an option similar to it on the IKEA kitchen planner, so I just used a generic one and put the correct dimensions.
I don’t use a microwave. The one I have sat in the pantry for a full year before I ever used it, and I’ve averaged about three or four times a year. And that was for popcorn, and now that I’ve learned how toxic microwave popcorn is, I won’t be doing that again. We just don’t eat food out of a microwave, so I have no plans to make room for it in the kitchen. I’ll keep the one I have, but it can sit on the countertop in the laundry room.
I like a separate range. I’ve already decided to get this one: https://www.cafeappliances.com/appliance/Cafe-30-Smart-Slide-In-Front-Control-Dual-Fuel-Double-Oven-Range-with-Convection-C2S950P4MW2
I don’t think that looks dated at all. I had even planned to get a panel-ready fridge and dishwasher until I saw this line of appliances. I think they’re so pretty that I now have no intention of trying to cover them up.
Those appliances are GORGEOUS!! We have a kitchen remodel in our distant future… I’ll be bookmarking these! I love a galley kitchen! I’m so glad you were able to make it work!
Though I didn’t comment, I preferred kitchen plan 2. But now! I have to say I love the revised plan. It’s so open and airy but is full of everything you need and so much storage. You utilized every inch. I actually prefer the offset range because it gives a larger prep space on one side which can also double as buffet space. And the French doors are simply amazing!! I can just imagine a potager garden just outside. Excellent job Kristi! Can’t wait to see this all happen.
The prep space on the side of the range was an absolute must for me. I don’t have that now (I just have two small countertops), and it’s my least favorite thing about my current kitchen. I’m so excited to have all of that countertop space!
I wouldn’t want to bring groceries in from the carport, through the studio, through the sitting area, and through the dining room to get to the kitchen. That seems like a long way to carry groceries or anything else you have to bring in.
That’s not the plan. But even if it were the plan, it’s not a big deal for me. I shop with a cute flowery insulated bag that has wheels on it. I go to the grocery store, take my rolling bag in, put all my groceries in it, and then wheel it up to the checkout. They put the stuff back in the bag, and I zip the top and wheel it to my van. When I get home, I get the bag out of the van, wheel it up the ramp, into the studio, and into the kitchen. I don’t carry bags of groceries anywhere in that whole process. It’s super easy.
How will the existing ramp be used? It seems like it now is blocked by a wall? Will you take Matt out the French doors?
I love the galley kitchen. Big open kitchens do not do it for me.
The existing ramp goes into my studio. That won’t change. If Matt wants to go out the French doors at the back of the kitchen, he’ll be on a deck. I’m sure we’ll find a way for him to get from the deck to the yard eventually.
I think you will love this kitchen. Will the new kitchen cabinets be the same color as the old kitchen cabinets? Will you pour concrete from the carport ramp around to the French doors at the end of the kitchen?
Kristi, you will never be able to stack your washer and dryer. You could not reach whichever one is on top! I don’t think you will have to do that anyway. What color are you going to paint the laundry room cabinets that will go with your new-ish washer and dryer?
The new kitchen will be teal. I’m not sure if I’ll use the same color I have now (and had in the condo). Since the new kitchen will have so much more light (and possibly a vaulted ceiling), I might go a shade or two darker. But it’ll be teal. I won’t even waste time trying out other colors when I know exactly what I like.
I’ll wait until the kitchen is built to determine how to connect the carport to the kitchen, but it will be connected somehow. Since we’re on a pier and beam foundation, there will have to be steps involved.
I haven’t decided anything on the laundry room yet. I’ve been too focused on the kitchen. 🙂
You rock. If anyone could figure it out it would be you. I love that you refer back to the triangle for the kitchen, when we retired and moved to Tennessee and after living in 16 different houses beforehand, I can tell you I thought the triangle had been tossed out the window years ago. The house we bought was older, but it still paid homage to that very basic kitchen design. All I have to do when the time comes for that project is install new cabinets, the ones that came with the house were junk, and new countertops and install my 1939 General Motors Frigidaire Town and Country refrigerator…I am still bringing it back to life, it runs, but now the finishing touches, like paint that will match the 1930’s look of the cabinets. I can’t wait to see your kitchen; I love the Ikea kitchen planner.
Cheers!
Love seeing all the drawers you have in your plans. It’s always a hassle to get things out of a lower cabinet, but as I age it’s darn near an impossible feat.
Hi Kristi, this is not pertaining to the kitchen but future plans, so skim at your leisure.
I am sure you have mentioned your reasons and I have just forgotten them, but would laundry in or near the bedroom/bathroom area work for you?
I only ask because currently my laundry is opposite end of the house of the bedroom etc, and thats where most of our laundry comes from, closets, bedroom, linens from the bed, bathroom towels yada yada. Dragging all that to the opposite area of the house can be such a pain!
If you thought it may work for you, could your laundry be nearer the bedroom etc, like in the closet even? (I know fitness equipment etc), but then you could also leave your beautiful pantry as is! Hehe.
If I ever get the chance to reroute our laundry it will certainly be near the master bedroom and bathroom.
At any rate, the new kitchen looks exciting, blessings for the outcome!
Love your new kitchen floor plan, but I wouldn’t want to give up floor space for my full size washer and dryer side by side.
I’m sure I’ll still have plenty of room for them to be side by side. I don’t really foresee me having to have a stacked washer and dryer. But if I had to, I’d make it work.
I can hardly wait to see this kitchen materialize! It’s going to be fabulous!
One concern I have for your love of symmetry (and mine!) is that your fridge isn’t enclosed on the sink side with a cabinetry panel…standing at the sink facing the window and having the beautiful finished cabinet on my right – yet on my left is the raw side of the fridge within its gaping space…
Putting in a refrigerator side panel to finish that off might take up to 3″ (1″ minimum open space allowance for each side of the fridge + ~3/4″ thick at the narrowest for a panel…
Perhaps more inches if you choose to do a face frame for the enclosure…
Just a thought for your consideration – better to plan ahead for the space before it’s too late! 😉
It will be enclosed. 🙂 I just couldn’t figure out how to do that on the IKEA kitchen planner.
I meant to leave a comment in the previous kitchen post, but didn’t have the time, so I guess I missed the first round of idea sharing. But when I was designing my kitchen I thought about the layout a lot, and my habits. In every kitchen I ever had, I always ended up working in the space between the sink and the stove, even when I had a tiny space there, and a ton of space on the other side of the stove (is it stove? Where you would use a frying pan, anyway). That’s more important than the entire work triangle. The whole cooking process is like, go to the fridge, get the materials, wash vegetables/meat/whatever, cut, put in the appropriate pot or whatever, cook. And a lot of times, like when making a stir-fry or something, the second part is non-stop, as I keep adding materials. I compared notes with friends that also cook, and they all had the same habit – space between sink and stove. (Which also means no water dripping on the floor, when carrying the materials I prepared to the stove, as an added bonus). When I renovated my kitchen I made the sink smaller and moved the stove just a bit to the right, to increase the space between the two. It made a world of difference, and my cooking really, really easy! (For the first month I was wondering why on earth have I decreased cooking when I have a new kitchen, and then realised that I hadn’t, it had just become so easy it didn’t register).
Fridge is not as important as the other two points of the triangle, as we spend less time there, and potentially fewer trips (most people won’t open the fridge, get one ingredient, come back, get another etc). But it’s also important for it to be accessible for other purposes, like getting water/ice (if the fridge is what you use for it), or milk for the coffee or whatever. Especially since you have guests – you don’t want someone crossing the kitchen and bothering food prep just to get some ice, for example. So again, lesser part of the work triangle.
And a note about the sink – I made it smaller because I went from a double sink (which to me is a relic of times when people would fill one sink with soap water and use the second sink for rinsing), to a single sink that is actually huge (I can take out my oven plates and wash them in it). Less overall space, larger sink. My kitchen is from IKEA, so check those sinks, they are great!
Oh, and another thing, in Europe cabinets are pretty standard in size, so pantry-style wire drawers or other mechanisms are interchangeable between brands. Which worked great for me, because I don’t like IKEA’s wire drawers, they are shaky. So keep this in mind, maybe it’s the same there!
I do agree that having the prep zone between the stove and sink is amazing! I had that in my last two L shaped kitchens (with the fridges more or less opposite the prep counter) and now I have the sink and stove on opposite walls, boo. That and the wide distance between them are the two biggest pain points – at least for the way I cook.
I love how it’s all coming together, Kristi. I’m happy you will be able to have the music room doors opening onto the deck with this plan.
I was a galley plan voter so yay!! I think you are right to keep the work triangle clustered near one end and let the long end be storage (for this is a very long kitchen! Kristi, my current kitchen – so very similar in layout to this plan – is 13’w and that leaves 9′ between the opposing counter edges. It is definitely too much to cross when I want to rinse my fingers for a moment after working at the stove side, or need paper towels. I’m 5’2″ (smaller steps than tall people) and would love my kitchen to have 6 or 7 feet between the inner edges of the cabinet runs – I have worked it out as I move around in my kitchen, fantasizing 🙂 Do consider giving the laundry room back that extra foot. Your kitchen is so long that a bit narrower may appear proportionally tight on a floor plan, but actually be very spacious.
I didn’t weigh in last post but I was in favor of the galley kitchen design. I love having access to the deck from the music room. I never liked my kitchen being the only access point to the back yard. I also don’t love a center island, to me it makes putting dishes away that much harder. I think your latest plan is going to work beautifully for you and the way you use your home.
I’m just wondering why the stove and fridge can’t be on the same wall? Instead of having two large pantry besides the stove I’d add the fridge and put the other pantry where the fridge is. Maybe it’s just me but it would make more sense and save so much walking around in the kitchen.
I don’t think they need to be on the same wall. The way I use my kitchen now, I generally take things (meat, produce) out of the fridge and take them next to the sink. That’s where I prep everything — wash produce, cut produce and then wash the cutting board, cut meat and then wash the cutting board, wash knives as I go, etc. I guess for the way I cook, it makes more sense being on the sink side.
This is perfect! Just what I had hoped you would do. It feels so right. I’m so glad you can have some peace of mind. I’m looking forward to seeing this come to life next year. I suspect it will take at least the remainder of this year to finish your workshop, the two bath rooms and new master bedroom. This is so exciting! I can’t wait to see all these finished projects, you are so close on several of them.
That looks wonderful. Adding that little has really given you a bit of space, and storage, and even work counters so it looks wonderful! I think you have made it perfect for you, and Matt, and your needs. I would LOVE to have that kitchen too! I am so happy for you to have a decision, and you are ready for the next step!
You have made some very wise choices and totally agree with them. I look forward to the progress of your addition. And those French doors! Giddy!
I love your finished design. And, my absolute favorite part is the windows over the sink. With those and French Doors at the back, you will have SOOO much light. Random question– Will you save the drawer organizers from the current kitchen to use in the new one? I covet the spice jar set up.
I doubt that it’ll fit, but if not, I’ll make a new one.
Kristi…wow, this does give you a lot of counter top room. AND, I will say you will love those french doors. I have french doors leading out to my patio alongside wide windows with a slide through. I read one comment that mentions a slide through window leading out to your deck. I think you might like one of those too. We used to have lots of family get togethers and it was so easy to have almost everything prepped and sitting on the counter…ready to pass through the slide through window. You and Matt will enjoy spending time on your deck with friends, and having a slide through will come in handy.
Adding one foot on each side of your kitchen plan made a lot of difference. And, I’m betting you are going to make it the best ‘one of a kind Kristi’ kitchen. Oh, I forgot to mention….I read one of your reply comments where you said you are sticking with the teal color. I just think that is such a good idea. Yep, your new kitchen is going to be beautiful. Plus having lots of sunlight in the kitchen is wonderful. Your new plan gives you that too.
I have quite a large home (3,800 sf) and my laundry room is across the house from my bedroom but carrying the laundry to my bedroom has never been an issue for me. I prefer having the laundry room away from my bedroom and I am definitely not a fan of second floor laundry rooms.
Oh wow! This is super!! Amazing how a smidge more space makes it all work beautifully.
Splendid, enjoy this new adventure.
I just did a kitchen and porch. Couple things I love. Our French doors are actually handicapped exterior doors with zero grade threshold. They were so much more economical and super quality. Adore our Blanco composite sink, ours is double sink, extra deep. Zones of LED recessed lights improved the space tremendously. Had dimmers, and outlets with the additional charging feature. CoreTec luxury LVP, cork backed so quiet, no THWAP when walking on, plus easier on feet. Whatever choices you make they’ll be lovely.
Will you have a walkway from the carport to the french doors, so carrying armloads of groceries don’t have to go through several rooms? I too love the multiple windows over the sink, and all the light that will be coming into the room.
Eventually, yes. But I don’t have a problem going through several room, either. I don’t carry bags of groceries when I shop. I use a rolling bag from beginning to end, so I don’t ever have to lift and carry bags of groceries, and I can bring them in, rolling them behind me, all in one trip.
I didn’t get a chance to weigh in on your last post. I was going to vote for the galley! One advantage I didn’t see mentioned was how great this makes your sight lines. Your countertops will be somewhat hidden from view from the dining table or anyone in your front living room. I like a tucked-away kitchen. I don’t have an island and my kitchen is a little over 12″ wide. It works perfectly.
Yes! I’m glad you went with this kitchen layout, the other “bigger” one never made sense to me-too many doors and a waste of real estate. I prefer simple and efficient. I”m in the middle of planning a reno myself and have been using the Ikea kitchen planner this week and have a question for you-I must be using a different version I can’t find the range hood you used, the only ones I can find to use have a cabinet above them and I want something more substantial and visual. Do you have the link to the version you are using?
The one I used is located under Appliances –> Freestanding –> Extractor Hoods. The Appliances tab is just to the right of the Cabinets tab. Hope that helps!
So happy you chose the galley layout and found ways to make it even better. Very well done – as usual. You are such an inspiration!
I am so jealous! Lucky you to have all this space. I have a mini triangle because I have a very small kitchen area. I do have a 30 x 30 work area next to the stove, but limited counter by the sink and fridge. My dream is to replace my lower cabinets with drawers. Good for you! You will enjoy it. No such thing as a too big kitchen.
Looks really good!
Definitely add a pull out garbage/recycling drawer. I wouldn’t go without it. I have dishwasher on one side of sink and pull out garbage recycling on other side. Even doing prep work, just pull out drawer and slide scraps off counter into garbage.
Other splurge we did was an induction stove. It heats up so fast, clean glass top with just a wipe and can touch element within a minute of shutting off stove. It won’t heat up house as much because cooks in half the time.
I’m putting a Sub-Zero Classic French door 48” built-in refrigerator in my new kitchen. Yes, it’s just my husband and I, but we frequently have family over and other company. A 48” counter-depth fridge has the same cubic feet as a 36” standard-depth refrigerator. And yes, it is a huge price tag, but the ethylene gas removal and other features have won me over. It’s built to last 20+ years, compared to typical brands that last 6 to 8 years. The Sub-Zero Class isn’t integrated, but I’m going to make it look like it is by placing it in a 27” depth cabinet, however, the reveals will be a bit larger. For my kitchen layout (and your proposed galley kitchen plan) it will work, because I am going to place a frame around the built-in refrigerator to separate it from adjacent cabinetry. Just for fun, go to a showroom that has one and expect a “Wow!”.
I’m really enjoying following along as you work through this new direction. However I’m trying to figure out if I missed something. I thought you nixed the addition because of the cost and yet you are still building onto the house in a pretty significant way. I don’t know anything about renovation costs. Is this new plan not going to be nearly as expensive? Because to me it still seems like a whole lot of work! Thanks for answering our questions so patiently.
Yes, this will be expensive. Once the kitchen is complete with cabinets, countertops, appliances, and decorative finishes, it will cost about $100,000. That’s $170,000 less than the big addition would have cost to completely finish it with all of those things plus furniture, etc. So this will cost 63% less than the original 1000 square foot addition.
How nice to have a good plan that will save you quite a lot and still serve you well! Thanks for answering and for taking us along with you on your “adventures.”
Hi, I’m sooo excited for you guys! It looks like a much happier plan than the larger addition to me.
BTW: Here’s a video I saw with church and I hoped it might help anyone dealing with autoimmune (actually anyone dealing with guilt or not fully loving themselves) Here’s part 1 and then next is a part 2 (watch til the end of the 2nd one for SURE) ♥
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vFldqNYj2xE&feature=youtu.be
I love it! And I feel like I won, because this is basically (with a whole lot more detail!😂) the thought that I (along with others, I’m sure) suggested!
You may want to consider getting French Doirs that open out and can fold against the house. Then have retractable screens that you can have for cooler days to let air into that space.
Kitchen designer here. Some things to consider –
Wall cabinets look best when a run of cabinets has the same size doors. You’ve got a 24 (single door), a 30, another 30, and then a 24 with a butt door on the other side of the range.
It also looks much better if the door sizes are the same on either side of a hood or an OTR microwave.
You need a 3″ gap between the hood and an adjacent cabinet. Hoods vibrate when they’re running. You will also find it difficult to clean the “valley of crud” where the hood meets the cabinet.
If the cabinets are full overlay you need filler where ever a cabinet meets the wall. I don’t see any on the plan. 1 1/2″ is sufficient.
Like where a cabinet meets a wall, you need filler where a cabinet meets a deeper cabinet. For instance where a wall cabinet meets a pantry cabinet.
If any of the pantry cabinets have roll-out trays, the door needs to be open past 90 degrees to access the roll-outs. I don’t know if you have roll-outs in those cabinets, but if you do you need 3″ of filler on the hinge side.
The only a deep refrigerator cabinet needs support on three sides. Wall, pantry or panel counts. I only see two supports on the refrigerator cabinet. You’ll need a panel on the right side.
Most refrigerators need at least an inch of rear clearance, sometimes two inches. If you want to cover the body of the refrigerator so that it’s not visible, you need a panel that’s deeper than 24 inches and then cut down to the appropriate depth. For instance, if a refrigerator has a depth without doors of 24 inches and the manufacturer recommends 2 inches of clearance behind, the panel would need to be cut to 26 inches on the right. Since the pantry cabinets are only 24 inches deep, we would pull them forward 2 inches and cleat them to the rear wall. This will give you a nice, seamless look.