Coming up with a kitchen design plan we’ll want to live in and enjoy for a good long while was fun but daunting …because a kitchen remodel is HUGE! It’s the most important room in the house and generally the most expensive to redo. So, I want to try to make sure I create the best kitchen FOR US. I drew up almost 20 different layouts with different island layouts and different appliance configurations. I printed them all out, I put tape on my floor, I walked through the kitchen and I stood in front of the kitchen, staring at it –imagining each layout to get a feel for how the room would FUNCTION with each configuration. This is my winning design.
And these are the appliances I picked out and ordered. They are NOT all from the same manufacturer so we’ll see if I decide to switch up my design plan a tiny bit when the appliances arrive next week. The ovens and cooktop are KitchenAid, the Refrigerator/Freezer set is Frigidaire and the vent hood is Cavalier. They are all stainless and I don’t expect the finishes to match so I will have to see how much that bugs me when I see them together. I spent 2 weeks searching for the items I wanted and there were a lot of factors involved beyond just the appearance. Size, depth, capacity, reliability ratings and reviews, noise level, etc. So I REALLY hope all the different brands “stainless” finishes are similar enough that it doesn’t drive me crazy. The dishwasher drawers are panel ready so they will be hidden but everything else stainless. I would have LOVED to have been able to get a built-in refrigerator that I could have hidden with cabinet doors and done a built-in hood as well but the cost factor got in the way.
Built-in refrigerators are ridiculous! Anyway, I found appliances that I’m pretty excited about and I almost stayed within my budget — I went over by $100 but I’m ok with that. They are all being delivered next Wed. I’m NOT ready to put them in place but I want them here so I can physically measure everything before I build cabinets that have to house the ovens and cooktop. I don’t like relying on spec sheets — sometimes they lie.
Ok, so what, where and why on this layout:
This little entry, on the right of the brown cabinet is the area that is becoming a side entrance. There is currently just a window there but I’m putting in a door. Why put in another entrance?
Because currently we have to drag the trash THROUGH the living room and main entrance to get it out of the house — which can (and has been) a disgusting disaster if the bag gets punctured and there happens to be juicy garbage in the bag! It will also make bringing groceries directly to the kitchen from the car a lot easier so it’s happening.
Because this is becoming an entrance and because I’ve completely changed the layout of the rest of the kitchen, living room and main entrance, I’ve closed up the entrance to the dining room that used to be right here — and I’m building cabinetry here that will provide a place for mail, keys, bags, purses and whatever else needs a home.
The brown cabinet is a narrow cabinet 14-16″ deep. It will hide a coffee bar; open it up and use it but close and hide when you don’t want to see it all. Wide path past the island and coffee bar so there’s plenty of room if someone needs to walk through the kitchen to go to the basement.
The cabinet on the left of the ovens is a broom closet or pantry. It’s the same depth as the coffee bar to push the appliances over for visual reasons. I want a broom closet instead of just regular cabinets because I want a broom closet not regular cabinets. I don’t want to store it in the food pantry and I like it right there because it seems like we need to use it 10 times every day.
Wes like to cook, I like to bake and Madison is in charge of dishes so I want all three of us to be able to be in the kitchen doing our thing and not getting in each others way. That is how I came up with this configuration. Refrigerator is in between Wes’ workspace and mine. If I’m baking bread (or whatever), I’ll be working on the main island so we could both be cooking up a storm and not in each other path. Two sinks. so cooking and cleaning don’t get in each other’s way either.
Dishwashers are shown as squares in this picture. We’ll have a double drawer dishwasher on one side and a single drawer on the other.
Then big drawers on the side of the big island for dish storage. Pull out trash and recycling next to the other sink.
The Pantry is in the same spot but twice as wide. Possibly using bypass barn doors there because I’m still really into that look AND it allows me to access storage all the way up instead of wasting the top 3′ — as is generally the case with a normal door.
So that’s the general plan. It’s not iron clad. I won’t be surprised in the least if I decide to change things up as it comes together. I do that a lot.
Ayisha says
Wow. Those double islands are the cats meoooowwww. I like the design. The two sinks are “kosher” I’m assuming one of them will be a prep sink? My stove, Double Ovens and dishwasher are all white Kitchen Aide and I love them. They are a bit dated but they work EXTREMELY well. I think you made a good choice with that brand. I bought Samsung Fridge, washer and dryer two years ago and all of them are giving me issues.
Sandi says
You will LOVE that “built in” fridge and freezer! E-mail me if you want to see an installed picture! We went the same route and everyone thinks it is a $10,000 Viking!! You’ll love your cooktop too! We have the same one! BEAUTIFUL!!!
Diana says
Wow, can’t wait to see it all done up. Thanks for sharing. Just one question, any concerns about the heat of the ovens so close to the fridge? I know my oven is new and gives off a ridiculous amount of heat.
Lynda says
I really like this lay out..can you tell me what the length of the wall where you have the ovens, fridge, and cooktop on is? We are working on a plan to remodel our kitchen and would love to do something similar, just not sure I have enough room!
Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Lynda
kristin says
I repeat myself on these posts too often, but again….YOU ROCK! This is a huge, huge undertaking. 20 plans and making all these cabinets is no small task. You are amazing and I can’t wait to see the completed kitchen!
Rhonda says
The only problem that I see with your layout that you may want to reconsider is that there is no space on either side of your oven to put hot things when you take them out. And I notice that your sink is directly behind it on the island and across from the frig. It will really limit you when your putting away groceries as well as having spot to turn around from the oven and place hot items. The oven doors may also pose a problem when open for entering and exiting the kitchen area. I think if I were you I would swap my ovens with the pantry.
As for the different stainless, I have different brands of appliances in my kitchen now, all stainless. You don’t really notice, it is more that the handles styles are totally different between brands. That is what I looked at when I chose different brands, to try to get similiar styling. That being said, my Frigidaire cleans beautifully but my Samsung is horrible and the GE is somewhere in between. I have done 7 kichens and learned something different with each one. My next kichen will not have any stainless, I’ve learned to hate it no matter what kind it is.
Sandra says
Good point on the sink Rhonda. I definitely want the ovens and fridge where they are but will feel out the placement of the sink when I get to the island build. I may put it on the side. Good food for thought. 🙂
Julie W says
LOVE the layout! I can totally see what Rhonda is talking about with the oven doors and sink placement, but, keeping in mind your point about the wide walkway, you should be fine. I personally have a tendency to either throw hot pans on top of the stove, or turn and put it behind me on the other counter – there is just not a good spot on the close counters to put hot things.
I love the idea of bypass barn doors, and that FRIDGE! Wowzers!
Monae says
We have that same refrigerator/freezer combo and we LOVE it too! Everyone that comes to our house thinks it’s amazing-but the price was VERY nice. We have loved it. We have different stainless appliances and I haven’t noticed the different finishes (they are very close) at all. That being said they all aren’t next to each other so I think that helps. I love the broom closet idea as well, we have ours in the pantry because it’s convenient, but would love a separate closet for it. I would make sure you put an outlet in there-we have a swiffer vac and it can’t go in our main hall closet with the other cleaning items because no outlet.=( Love the layout-a nice tight work triangle is great. My only concern would be the oven right next to the refrigerator as well-I only say that because that was our original plan too. I am so glad we switched it around because boy does that oven put off some heat.
Here are some pictures from when we first moved into our house 2 years ago if you want to see the refrigerator/freezer installed.Good luck, I know it will be gorgeous when you are done!=)
http://thestarbuckfamily.blogspot.com/2012/02/holiday-house-tour.html
Chris says
Hi, Looks great. What software do you use to create the 3D images?
shells says
WOW- I am soooooooo excited about the timing of your kitchen build, I’m about to start on mine soon too!! so can’t wait to see how you approach things. My biggest indecision so far is with the drawer hardware. Do you have any thoughts on if you’ll go concealed full extension with soft close for the drawer slides, or something else. The price of $30-40 per drawer for the slides is making me seriously reconsider if I can live without them (tight budget!), or just hack some ikea bases and make my own draw fronts…..oh the decisions!!
TKraft Art & Interiors says
Nice kitchen layout, I’m especially digg’n the broom closet close-by as one never knows when they may need a quick get away. From frequently reading your blogs we’re already privy to the fact that your hip to the dilemma that design is a work in progress, Rhonda’s bringing up some really good points here, sleep much…
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
I was following along and envisioning the new space fine until I got to the side entrance. I’m trying to see it since I’ve actually been in your kitchen. Is (was) that just the walkway before to the dining room? back room?
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Drat, hit reply too fast. Wanted to say, but I LOVE everything you are putting in!!! The double ovens, suhweet!!! Two sinks, jealous!!! Also love that you still have the bar style seating area for when I come over and get to watch the master chef in action.
Karen Watson says
Wow!! It looks gorgeous Sandra! I can’t wait to see it all done, I know it will be amazing!!
Loretta says
I can’t wait to see the final project – I am always amazed at your work! You inspired me to get my first Kreg jig and I love it!
I am reading up on your crown molding instructions because I want to install it in my home.
Do you have a place for a microwave in your new design?
tasha roe says
LOVE all of this!! Exciting stuff! We are in the planning phase of our kitchen remodel and wanted to know what software you used for yours. My husband suggested SketchUp, but I don’t know if that is sufficient.
Thanks!
Bridget C says
Looks awesome! Luv the pictures! What program do you use?