Kitchen Layout Ideas - Awkward Extension

3 years ago

Hi everyone!

First time post, although I've been reading advice for a while!

We're looking at redoing our kitchen. It's got plenty of space but it's had a slightly awkward extension. It's a typical Victorian semi so would've had a galley kitchen, but the back dining room wall has been knocked out and extended to create an L-shaped kitchen space that's open to the dining room.

We're struggling with how to make the most of the space. Currently the kitchen runs the length of the long wall, with the sink under the large window opposite. We then have a small island unit in the middle of the room, and then a sofa under the two smaller windows.

Something we find is that our guests gravitate to this room, but we then have space for 2-3 people on the sofa, 2 people at the breakfast bar and anyone else has to go and sit in the dining room, so everyone has their backs to each other.

We'd like to create a comfy seating space for when we have around 8 people (including us) for dinner/drinks/coffee, but struggling to see how we could make it work. Thinking of just going for a peninsular or huge island that could seat people in bar stools, but not sure it'd work for the aged contingent, so would rather get a sofa/armchairs space in if possible.

Rough floorplan attached. Measurements in metres. The door at the top is the door in from the hallway. Open gap is to the dining room, then there are french doors out to the garden and the pocket door at the bottom is to the utility room.

Thanks in advance!

Comments (6)

Artistic Interiors
3 years ago
Hi B W,

If you draw in your current layout, I might be able to get you what you want with what you already have. Otherwise, if you are wanting a new kitchen rather than just solving the 8 people fitting comfortably & sociably into the space, then can work with the floor plan you have provided.

Best wishes!
B W
Original Author
3 years ago
Hiya - we need a new kitchen anyway, so happy to change from the current layout. Thanks!
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Thank you for all the comments! I really appreciate it. It’s great to have other inspiration to play around with. I’m not actually planning on using Wrens but their 3D virtual reality mock up is very useful! I spent the day playing around with different ideas, using cardboard in the space to mock things up, including tall units! The problem is the width of the kitchen isn’t huge so full depth units facing each other becomes a problem. I might have settled on a layout that wasn’t in my original sketches - I’m going to take it to a designer to see what they think. The only awkward bit about this design is there would be an appliance (probably the freezer) in the corner under the breakfast bar, so the only access would be from the lounge/dining side. My parents are wondering if I need the 300mm breakfast bar overhang, but I think that if I have units across the entrance to the kitchen like that, I’ll naturally want to use it as a breakfast bar and will be annoyed if it isn’t comfortable to sit at.. here’s my 3D app mock up of the space (not a professional mock up!!)
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Ellie
3 years ago
Can you draw on tour kitchen units and where your Island/stools are? Looks like you have loads of space.

The long gap at top.... opening into dining room, I don't understand how everyone would be facing away from you if you are in dining room, rotate the table? can you draw in the dining room on the sketch,
B W
Original Author
3 years ago
Hiya, hope this makes sense - this is the current layout! I should’ve been clear in my original post - the kitchen is getting replaced anyway (floor broken, mouldy worktops, broken cooker etc.), so don’t need to make it work within existing layout, but hopefully explains why we have a problem when family are over (parents/grandparents sit on the sofa, siblings sit at the island, we sit at the dining table..)
Ellie
3 years ago
How bad is the layout? If the island stools were along the bottom side of island in your pic, would that help?
Artistic Interiors
3 years ago
Hi B W,

Yes, the architecture of the space is a bit of a challenge. If all you want is a new kitchen rather than remodeling (hence keeping the footprint of the space the same), may I suggest the following which will give you a breakfast bar, more usable work surface in your kitchen, and enough room in the area opposite you dining room to put lounge seating which will accommodate all of your guests, until you eat together in the dining area:
- Remove the island - awkward placement and is probably challenging to use effectively when cooking I'd imagine as so far from other appliances and cooking areas.
- Extend the cabinetry and countertop on the short wall out into a peninsula with breakfast bar (keeping the passageway to enter the kitchen area adequate).
- An example of this is drawn in my comment for another Houzz question which may help with the visualization of this concept - https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/5948686/forever-home-wrong-downstairs-layout-help-please#25741749
- In the area left-over, only put lounge seating enough for 8 including pull up poofs or stools (these can also act as side tables with smaller groups) around a small coffee table, rather than an additional eating area (table and chairs) as your dining room is open and so close by.
Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Kitchen Layout Ideas - Awkward Extension

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B W
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Kitchen Layout Ideas - Awkward Extension

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Ellie

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