Kitchen layout and position of doors for new extension

4 years ago

We're extending our kitchen/diner to make a big open family-friendly space. We are struggling to work out how to fit all of our requirements, including a back door to the garden (in addition to the sliding doors, as we have dog and kids constantly in and out). We have an initial kitchen design but the floor space is too large and we think the pensinsula needs to move in at least 1m from the position shown on the drawing.

About the space:

The walls at the top and right of the drawing are external. The new extension will have a pitched roof with velux windows. The position of the back door is not fixed - it could be along the rear wall (top) or somewhere along the wall on the right. On the left hand side, on the top wall, is a sliding or bifold door to the garden.

The door on the bottom wall leads to the hallway and the rest of the house.

Things we want to fit in:

- double size (1200mm or bigger) larder cupboard, ideally on an external wall to keep it cool

- ideally an american style fridge or full height integrated fridge and freezer units

- a lower height breakfast bar for kids, with cupboard space underneath for toys etc

- plenty of worktop space for food prep and worktop appliances

It's really the back door that is making things difficult. The kitchen designer has got around it by making the kitchen space huge, but this feels like a waste of space and also it will be far too big to walk from, e.g sink to hob.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (5)

Jonathan
4 years ago
I agree that the space between the sink and hob is dangerous and this kitchen is divided by the back door.
But there are many many ways this could be planned. Have you considered using a concept planner to help you visualise the layout?
mrs Christos
Original Author
4 years ago
We're not sure who to turn to really. We've been to various kitchen designers (Ikea, Howdens etc) but don't feel we're quite getting it right. What is a concept planner and can you recommend one?
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Embrace the courtyard! Seriously though I love the idea of an inner courtyard. It could be a private retreat, a Japanese garden perhaps. I would be inclined to keep just one door opening into the lounge and have a window in the kitchen wall. Your utility does seem to be a more practical size for a shower room but my first thoughts are what do you need more of on the ground floor, a shower room or a utility room? Could you settle for a cloakroom in the existing shower room? Or do you need both which leads me to a second consideration. I am puzzled by the layout of the kitchen. It seems to be very small for the available space and tucked away in the corner. Such a shame to have the table and indeed the breakfast bar both up against the walls. Is there room to turn the sitting area 90 degrees and push it up against the wall (top of the plan) leaving room for the dining table to be sited in front of the glazed doors (bottom of plan). This setup would allow views of the garden from sitting and dining. This would then allow you more space to accommodate a kitchen island and breakfast bar sited in the middle of the room where you have written ‘open space’ on the plan. If you want to go with your idea of having a shower room in the utility room then the above rejig would allow you to build a utility room where the breakfast bar is currently. You would have the shower room and utility side by side with the doors opening onto the hall. This would mean all the plumbing would be together with a convenient manhole nearby in the courtyard. This would involve building a wall and squaring off the kitchen thereby opening up the opportunity for more kitchen units on the other side of this wall. Perhaps site the sink under the window overlooking the courtyard. Again your plumbing would be located together. Cupboards could go along the wall where the dining table is now. The kitchen island would need to be aligned to allow free flow from the hall to the garden doors between these cupboards and island. I hope this proposal makes sense.
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Jonathan
4 years ago
Look up OnePlan here on Houzz for examples of her work and many testimonials. This is a remote design only service that specialises in projects just like yours.
rinked
4 years ago
Would this layout be an option? It keeps traffic lines open.
mrs Christos thanked rinked
Lydia Cooke
4 years ago
Definitely recommend OnePlan she’ll suggest ideas that are practical and work for your specific needs

Kitchen layout and position of doors for new extension

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Jonathan

mrs Christos
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Kitchen layout and position of doors for new extension

Comments (5)

Jonathan

mrs ChristosOriginal Author

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mrs Christos
Original Author