Kitchen Advice

[Skillz14]

My wife and I recently purchased a home that will be ready later this year. We unfortunately didn't get to see a model (bought from the floorplan) and now that we're looking at the kitchen a little more, we're thinking we may try to re-organize it.

This is what our kitchen is supposed to look like :

http://www.thevanshs.com/files/kitchen.gif

Now we're thinking about re-arranging the stove/sink/dishwasher and adding a window on the side wall to look like this :

http://www.thevanshs.com/files/newkitchen.gif

We're just not sure what would be a more appealing look when walking in. Also we're wondering if we will loose a lot of cabinet space.

Perhaps people who have one of these configurations can comment.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks! :cheesygri

[dandiggler]

depending on whats next to you that window may and will probably be facing the brick wall of your next-door neighbour.

I also agree with the loss of cabnet space...

[v_tofu]

How recent did you purchase? Have you passed the 101 date yet? Usually the builder requires you to have all structural changes made by then.

I for one like the second floor plan better. Not a big fan of having the sink on an island/breakfast area. Althgouh you might have to move the dishwasher closer to the sink.

cheers

[lapse]

In my opinion your dishwasher is too far away from your sink. You'll be leaving drippings all over the floor.

[mystical2003]

I like your second option better. You will lose a few feet of uppers though. But it looks like you will still have enough. I also see you removed the breakfast bar. Do you just not like breakfast bars or are you afraid of the space it takes from the dinette?

[3weddings]

It appears you have lost space in the second configuration, can't tell where though, since you did away with the breakfast bar. I personally would keep the bar...it's where ppl will sit when you are entertaining/cooking.

Your dishwasher will be a problem with the plumbing being so far away from the sink. You will hear it draining and it will become a nuisance (trust me I did it and regret it)

It would be nice to have more light in the area with that window (even if it looks at bricks) since you only have the back door for natural lighting.

[Skillz14]

First off, thanks for all the opinions. Keep 'em coming! :cheesygri

The second option is not something I designed, its taken from one of the other models the builder is offering. The 2nd house is a bit smaller so the kitchen dimensions reflect that, but if we were to do it, we'd have the configuration from the 2nd image in the space allocated in the first kitchen (if that makes sense!).

Also, we do have an extra window added on the left wall of the dinette area. We had the builder throw that in, but we figure if we go with the 2nd layout, we could move that window over the sink, rather then the dinette.

We do like the idea of a breakfast bar but we're wondering if it is raised from the counter level, or is it just extended? Haven't had a chance to ask the sales office.

[emidyl]

Your layout looks very much, hell almost identical to my former kitchen with dimensions just slightly smaller. The length from the far right cabinet measures 12' into the corner just beyond the sink and also 12" across the back end. The right length was originally 9" in my floorplan (still have it and just looked it up to confirm) so our kitchens are pretty identical in dimension until we renoed.

As for cabinet space it really depends on what type of cabinets you will have heightwise. We had plenty of space and a pantry on the left which is still there but not in the new pic. However we did get taller cabinets and now have almost too much space if there is such a thing. If storage space is a premium, then I say add a pantry on the left wall just beyond your bar area.
We use half for the kids stuff and the rest for secondary kitchen needs. If the wall by the new window faces a neighbour, I would say no just because you'd be looking at the wall as mentioned, which looks to be the case because your patio door is on the end.







http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/emidyl/B4.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/emidyl/Kitchen.jpg

[leonkaz]

I don't like those peninsulas that form U shaped kitchens, most of the time.
Here's an idea.
open the U into an L - turn the peninsula to the wall, add upper cabs on top - it'll give you the space you lose for the window and more.
I like the window. Have DW next to the sink. and range next to dw, this way the range is in the outside wall and the exhaust is nice and short - the best.
additionally you could move the F to where the range is and build a pantry in the corner where the F is now.

[macdonlg]

Your layout looks very much, hell almost identical to my former kitchen with dimensions just slightly smaller. The length from the far right cabinet measures 12' into the corner just beyond the sink and also 12" across the back end. The right length was originally 9" in my floorplan (still have it and just looked it up to confirm) so our kitchens are pretty identical in dimension until we renoed.

As for cabinet space it really depends on what type of cabinets you will have heightwise. We had plenty of space and a pantry on the left which is still there but not in the new pic. However we did get taller cabinets and now have almost too much space if there is such a thing. If storage space is a premium, then I say add a pantry on the left wall just beyond your bar area.
We use half for the kids stuff and the rest for secondary kitchen needs. If the wall by the new window faces a neighbour, I would say no just because you'd be looking at the wall as mentioned, which looks to be the case because your patio door is on the end.







http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/emidyl/B4.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/emidyl/Kitchen.jpg


Please tell me where you got your kitchen cabinets, the kitchen looks brilliant now.

[emidyl]

Please tell me where you got your kitchen cabinets, the kitchen looks brilliant now.

Hey Macdonig,
We used one of Canac's distributors. They are called Price Cabinet Warehouse and only sell Canac. Price was decent and service was great. Most importantly, they delivered on time and were accommodating enough to hang on to them an additional two weeks because our floors were delayed. We got a mid range cabinet and our first with real wood. So far so good.
If interested, ask for Shayne. They're on Cartwright and also another bigger showroom location in Aurora.

http://www.cabinetpricewarehouse.com/

[v_tofu]

Hey Macdonig,
We used one of Canac's distributors. They are called Price Cabinet Warehouse and only sell Canac. Price was decent and service was great. Most importantly, they delivered on time and were accommodating enough to hang on to them an additional two weeks because our floors were delayed. We got a mid range cabinet and our first with real wood. So far so good.
If interested, ask for Shayne. They're on Cartwright and also another bigger showroom location in Aurora.

http://www.cabinetpricewarehouse.com/


Very nice cabinets.. but i'm more interested in that gas range!! Is that a 36 incher? Jenn air? Viking?

[1yellowdog]

I have the same layout as macdonlg, I don't find the dishwasher in the peninsula to be too far away from the sink because when the dishwasher door is open if there are any drips they will fall on the door anyway. I really like the idea of a window regardless of what you are looking out onto, you can get natural light and at least you can hang a pretty roman blind up if the view is not all that great. I wouldn't like to see a peninsula with a sink in it so moving the sink and gaining a window sounds like a good idea to me.
I'm not crazy about the fridge being on the same side as the stove, I've had the before at another house and I really didn't like it. It could be a personal preference thing but I really prefer having the fridge on the next wall.

[emidyl]

I'm not crazy about the fridge being on the same side as the stove, I've had the before at another house and I really didn't like it. It could be a personal preference thing but I really prefer having the fridge on the next wall.

I feel the same way as it leaves a more natural working "triangle".

V-tofu, the range is a 36" Garland Starfire.

[Skillz14]

I feel the same way as it leaves a more natural working "triangle".

V-tofu, the range is a 36" Garland Starfire.

I agree, however if you look at the wall space in the kitchen (first pic), I don't think it would be possible to have the fridge on the other wall. Wouldn't you agree?

[emidyl]

I agree, however if you look at the wall space in the kitchen (first pic), I don't think it would be possible to have the fridge on the other wall. Wouldn't you agree?

True, but they second pic is the one you are contemplating to alter into, which looks like you have the opening space on the right closed off further up, which would clear up space for the fridge to face the "new" window. Then you could add some cabinet space in that now empty corner.

However if you don't do the alteration then yes there is no place to move the fridge.

[stealth]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/emidyl/B4.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/emidyl/Kitchen.jpg

Nicely done. Our kitchen is a very similar layout to yours, except where your dinette is, we have a door to a powder room and the wall where your fridge is, in ours that wall divides the kitchen from the dining room and living room.
Thinking about taking out that wall so as to open it up more....Not sure where to put the fridge though (maybe where you have the big bowl on your counter?), plus we'd be losing a lot of cabinet space.:confused:

PS. Is that a burn mark on your stainless backsplash? And does the shelf above it, interfere with the vent hood performance?