Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Jun 27, 2014 6:57 pm Hi all, We are planning to build and am currently finalizing the design/plans for our place. Below is a plan of the overall layout and the kitchen. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ In the builder's original design, the kitchen was at the TV cabinet section and the island was at the sofa. We decided that we wanted a bigger kitchen and ended with the design above. However, we do not plan to have a TV cabinet there and would instead be putting a sofa there instead. And not having anything to replace the sofa. It would just be empty. We plan to mount a TV on the WIR wall. The reason we did was because we believe that if people want to watch the tv, they can watch it in the cinema. The living/dining/kitchen is more for people to gather and have a chat. So the TV is just mounted on the WIR wall just in case we want to watch some tv and we can watch it from the kitchen, dining or living. But I would still put a tv point on the sofa side, just in case that does not work out. Sorry for the rant but back to the kitchen design. We are afraid that the kitchen is too big and it might look very weird. Our main concerns are 1) There is too much empty space between the island and the stacker doors. What might make it worse is there is also a lot of space between that space and the dining area. 2) Would the current layout of the kitchen work? Are we missing anything? Are we making use of the space efficiently? Please let us know if you have any other suggestions or comments about the layout. Cheers! Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 2Jun 27, 2014 8:38 pm Wow! Huge kitchen! I have a few questions. Are you planning on having stools at the island bench? (Ie that will add to the feel of open space a bit). Will you want a coffee table near the sofa? And how often would you use that TV? I totally agree it's nice to be able to see the tv from the kitchen. But then it does make to an awkward angle from the sofa (and looking over the dining table). Are you happy to see the tv as soon as you walk in the front door? There is a big space between the island bench, the stacker doors and the dining table. But that may look lovely and open too. Would you consider adding another 30cm in a depth to the island bench or adding a big table extension? Or can you get 3D drawings done to help you visualise the space? The pantry is generally something that is frequently used, but isn't heaps accessible where it is. If you doubled the width of the pantry & used full height doors I think it would add to the aesthetics without impacting much on bench space. Because I don't know how often the bench space between the pantry and the sink would be used. Also, are you planning on running the splash back for the whole length of the bench along the wall? What will be under the overhead cupboard either side of the window? Happy planning! Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 3Jun 27, 2014 9:06 pm A couple of quick things that are jumping out at me: - that's a HUGE work triangle (sink - stove - fridge) plus as pointed out, the pantry is a long way away. That's a lot of walking if I want to get some milk for a coffee plus a bikkie from the pantry. - Is there a specific reason you're having a short window with overheads above your sink instead of a bigger kitchen window? If I'm at the sink, I want to be able to see out the window or be facing out the other way, eg, with the sink on an island. - One way to utilise the space better could be to rotate the island bench 90º so it's running lengthways and possibly lengthen it a bit. At the moment the kitchen seems very separate to the dining and living areas and that would help it seem more cohesive (to me anyway). - I like the suggestion to double the pantry especially in a big kitchen like that - you can never have too much storage space! Another option might be to shorten the whole kitchen (slide it up the page) and put a long, narrow walk-in pantry where the fridge and stove currently are. You'd need to move your fridge or stove to another spot. A friend who extended her house and got a new kitchen recently did that and it works really well ~ Anne I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite sure. Eeek - We're embarking on a knockdown rebuild! Click here for our build thread Our blog: kdrhome.wordpress.com Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 4Jun 27, 2014 9:58 pm One more thing... I'd suggest getting a photocopy of the plans, enlarging it and using it to play with the space. White out the tv & sofa, draw in your new sofa. Are you happy that there are only 2 "furniture" items (being the dining table and the island bench) in the middle of such a beautifully large space? See if you cut and paste things with a large copy. You may find a better use of space or you may come back to this design as your favourite. Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 5Jun 28, 2014 12:33 am Charlston01 Wow! Huge kitchen! I have a few questions. Are you planning on having stools at the island bench? (Ie that will add to the feel of open space a bit). Will you want a coffee table near the sofa? And how often would you use that TV? I totally agree it's nice to be able to see the tv from the kitchen. But then it does make to an awkward angle from the sofa (and looking over the dining table). Are you happy to see the tv as soon as you walk in the front door? I did forget to mention that we are planning to have stools on the island bench and also a coffee table just in front of the sofa. At least we know there is someone that is thinking on the same page as us! With regards to the tv, we are not sure how often we will be using it. But I was planning to have an adjustable tv mount installed so that the angle of the tv can be adjusted allowing us to swivel left and right. We did also think that it was going to be an awkward angle if watching it from the sofa and was hoping that the mount can help to get the best viewing angle for the kitchen, dining or sofa. With regards to the front door, because we have another set of doors after the front doors, maybe it won't be as bad? However, we are definitely unsure about the best place to put a tv. Maybe its better to have 2 tvs? We can have a tv mounted on the column wall in the kitchen and have another for the dining/living? But then again, where do I put the tv in the living/dining area? We don't really like the current plan where the back of the sofa faces the dining. We prefer sofas to be against the wall. Quote: There is a big space between the island bench, the stacker doors and the dining table. But that may look lovely and open too. Would you consider adding another 30cm in a depth to the island bench or adding a big table extension? Or can you get 3D drawings done to help you visualise the space? Yup. We would definitely consider adding more depth. Is there a maximum depth that you would go before it becomes too "deep"? What do you mean by a big table extension? We asked the builder about 3D drawings and he said that he would have to charge us to do that. Quote: The pantry is generally something that is frequently used, but isn't heaps accessible where it is. If you doubled the width of the pantry & used full height doors I think it would add to the aesthetics without impacting much on bench space. Because I don't know how often the bench space between the pantry and the sink would be used. That is a good suggestion. We will try to think if we have any use for that bench space there. Quote: Also, are you planning on running the splash back for the whole length of the bench along the wall? What will be under the overhead cupboard either side of the window? Yes. We are thinking of having glass splashback under the overhead cupboards and all the way across to the wall where the stove it. We also have glass splashback under the fixed window as the fixed window is not "full" height. We prefer to have a brick just below the fixed window so we can have a proper splashback for the sink rather than using the window as a splashback. We might also go for tiles instead if glass turns out to be too expensive. Do you have any other suggestions? Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 6Jun 28, 2014 12:59 am Slightly Random A couple of quick things that are jumping out at me: - that's a HUGE work triangle (sink - stove - fridge) plus as pointed out, the pantry is a long way away. That's a lot of walking if I want to get some milk for a coffee plus a bikkie from the pantry. Yup. I agree but I can't think of a better layout unless we make the kitchen smaller? Quote: - Is there a specific reason you're having a short window with overheads above your sink instead of a bigger kitchen window? If I'm at the sink, I want to be able to see out the window or be facing out the other way, eg, with the sink on an island. Do you mean we should get rid of the overheads so that we can have a bigger window? If not, the reason would be because we feel that a window should not be a splashback for a sink because you would always be getting water marks on your window. So, by having a brick just before the window, we can have a proper splashback (glass or tile). So, as much as we would like a bigger window, it's purely from a maintenance point of view. Please correct me if I am wrong but it is not easy cleaning a window when used as a splashback cause water marks are really obvious. And you will have to clean the frames more often as well? Quote: - One way to utilise the space better could be to rotate the island bench 90º so it's running lengthways and possibly lengthen it a bit. At the moment the kitchen seems very separate to the dining and living areas and that would help it seem more cohesive (to me anyway). We did think about rotating it but wouldn't the island be too far from the main benches? Unless we have a huge square island? Quote: - I like the suggestion to double the pantry especially in a big kitchen like that - you can never have too much storage space! Another option might be to shorten the whole kitchen (slide it up the page) and put a long, narrow walk-in pantry where the fridge and stove currently are. You'd need to move your fridge or stove to another spot. A friend who extended her house and got a new kitchen recently did that and it works really well Does that mean that we would need to have a wall between the fridge and the column? Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 7Jun 28, 2014 12:59 am Charlston01 One more thing... I'd suggest getting a photocopy of the plans, enlarging it and using it to play with the space. White out the tv & sofa, draw in your new sofa. Are you happy that there are only 2 "furniture" items (being the dining table and the island bench) in the middle of such a beautifully large space? See if you cut and paste things with a large copy. You may find a better use of space or you may come back to this design as your favourite. Noted! Cheers! Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 8Jun 28, 2014 1:35 pm I think a coffee table and stools will really add to the space, so that's great. And adjustable tv is also a really good idea. As long as you are planning the splash back, that's good. Window and glass splash backs are boy difficult to maintain - I find they look great but are hard to keep free for streaky marks even when clean. That much glass will also be very pricey for a splash back so be prepared for the cost. As for island benches, check our our build plan (building in SA with Dechellis: selections) our bench is 1200 deep and I'm in love! We found a display house with those specs so I know it's not too big for me. It creates and awesome area to have pre-dinner drinks and nibbles at the bench if you can't be outside. Here is a pic of a table extension (I think they have a proper name but I don't know it), they can also run perpendicular to your island bench creating a right angle to add to the space. But if you went for a deep bench you wouldn't need this.... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 9Jun 28, 2014 1:38 pm Not sure if that image works, but a google search should show you what I mean. 3D drawings do cost, but if you aren't convinced your space will work out then in may be better than finding out when it is too late to change! Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 10Jun 30, 2014 11:52 pm The pantry down near the stacker doors is way to far away from the fridge and the cooktop not practical at all. Having the bench run through to the stacker doors would allow for you to bring it food and drinks and have a close spot to dump them or a good place to have things there ready to go out to the alfresco area. I can suggest to move fridge and pantry together and put the cooktop at 45 degrees in the corner but would work best for a 600mm under bench oven and 900mm cooktop and canopy. Than slide the sink and window towards the stacker doors to help balance that wall. Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 11Jun 30, 2014 11:53 pm Charlston01 I think a coffee table and stools will really add to the space, so that's great. And adjustable tv is also a really good idea. As long as you are planning the splash back, that's good. Window and glass splash backs are boy difficult to maintain - I find they look great but are hard to keep free for streaky marks even when clean. That much glass will also be very pricey for a splash back so be prepared for the cost. As for island benches, check our our build plan (building in SA with Dechellis: selections) our bench is 1200 deep and I'm in love! We found a display house with those specs so I know it's not too big for me. It creates and awesome area to have pre-dinner drinks and nibbles at the bench if you can't be outside. Here is a pic of a table extension (I think they have a proper name but I don't know it), they can also run perpendicular to your island bench creating a right angle to add to the space. But if you went for a deep bench you wouldn't need this.... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Our current place has tiles as splashback and so we were thinking of trying glass this time round. Is glass really that hard to clean? I will definitely check out your build plans. Is 1200 deep the "deepest" you can go with an island for a single slab? Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 12Jun 30, 2014 11:55 pm Charlston01 Not sure if that image works, but a google search should show you what I mean. 3D drawings do cost, but if you aren't convinced your space will work out then in may be better than finding out when it is too late to change! I am currently trying to do the 3D drawing myself using a free software online. It definitely does help! Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 13Jul 01, 2014 12:04 am Splashers The pantry down near the stacker doors is way to far away from the fridge and the cooktop not practical at all. Having the bench run through to the stacker doors would allow for you to bring it food and drinks and have a close spot to dump them or a good place to have things there ready to go out to the alfresco area. I can suggest to move fridge and pantry together and put the cooktop at 45 degrees in the corner but would work best for a 600mm under bench oven and 900mm cooktop and canopy. Than slide the sink and window towards the stacker doors to help balance that wall. Hmm...that is an interesting and great idea. I have not noticed/seen any cooktops/oven in the corner at 45 degrees before. Will try to do more research on that. Thanks! Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 14Jul 01, 2014 12:22 am To do the cooktop in corner you just need to first put false wall at angle but done it on many occasions. Glass is easy to keep clean, smooth surface with no joins its a breeze, but the darker the colour of the glass the more it reflects the marks but honestly once you have had it most will never go back. Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 15Jul 02, 2014 12:51 am I tried doing some 3D drawings and came out with the following for the original design with the following changes: 1) 3 pantries instead of 2. 2) Wider island bench (Probably 1200). Please ignore the corners as I wasn't sure how to finish the corners. I will leave it to the builer for that. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 16Jul 02, 2014 12:53 am I then took Splashers advice and moved the pantry and cooktop. However, we had a look online for some 45 degrees cooktops and didn't really like the look of them so we just moved the cooktop closer to the corner. One thing we are not sure of is whether we should leave the island alone or turn it 90 degrees. The island bench below would be a 900 bench with 3 900 drawer sets. I think the maximum length of a single slab of EssaStone is 3000. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 17Jul 02, 2014 1:03 am Another thing that we are unsure of the 2nd layout is whether it's fine leaving the set of drawers beside the pantries as it is, so we have more bench space at that corner. Or maybe it would look better if it was another pantry instead? I have noticed in some kitchen magazines that a wall of pantries does look pretty neat. Please let us know what you think of the first layout vs the second layout. I am sure there are pros and cons to both but we quite like the second layout(inspired by Splashers). Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 19Jul 02, 2014 11:03 am Love the 2nd layout! Looks great! I find 3D drawings really helpful cos I'm a visual person. Our bench is 3m long and is essastone, no idea whether that is the maximum length though sorry. You can never have too much pantry space. You can always store small appliances etc in the pantry too. Re: Kitchen design - HELP please 20Jul 02, 2014 11:46 pm Thanks for the drawing! It does not look bad at all! If we do not end up going with a 45 degree cooktop/oven/rangehood, do you think it would be alright if we laid it out just like the 2nd layout above where the pantry and cooktop is moved closer together? Our Bondi Greenwall was impressive from day one with advanced lush plants to provide a wow factor to this recently renovated living area. 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