Kitchen Layout Ideas - Awkward Extension

6 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!

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Comments (6)

Artistic Interiors
6 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
6 years ago
Hiya - we need a new kitchen anyway, so happy to change from the current layout. Thanks!
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Office/Guestroom: Shame about the two doors in the study/guest. If you got rid of the vestibule and made into a pantry for the kitchen and then made a pocket door from the guestroom to an expanded WC/shower-room, could you have the door to the hallway? A pocket door would mean you don't need to account for the door swinging into the room and as it's in the extension there should be a cavity for it to slide into. Would that make space enough to have the double bed and a desk? Then put the desk in the corner under the window and the bed on the wall that meets the hallway? Would the pullout daybed not work - when needed it becomes a double, but when not it's just a single? You could also look at a trestle desk that can be stored away when you've got guests and a wallbed for when it's an office. I seem very determined for you to have a door from the hall to the study :) Kitchen:- Do you need the table in the kitchen? Could you not have a peninsula with cupboards underneath and seating around, kind of like a breakfast bar? That might kill two birds with one stone - increase the worktop space and provide an in-kitchen dining area. Using the vestibule as a pantry would increase the storage space - it could be for food or for equipment you don't use often. Downstairs WC:- Is there scope to having the WC under the stairs? Would that help with more space for the guest room and kitchen? You might end up with more wall space in the kitchen to have units, and countertop, against. Anything in the understairs could find a home in broom units in the kitchen.
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It's really long and narrow, isn't it. I think you have lots of options. The best place to start is with figuring out what you want and need and then working out how to change the house to work for you. It seems like you're coming at it from the position of what is practically possible and then will you like that. This isn't going to give you the best result for you. I understand that you've been speaking with builders about it and they will always give you the most practical solution, and the easiest option. But that might not be what is best for you. Though it might be the cheapest way to alter the building. You don't need to limit yourself to what the builders tell you. You can work with an architect who knows what is possible technically and then simply get builders who will build what you want. It might cost more that way, but it's going to deliver the space that you'll really love instead of feeling like a compromise position that you're having to squeeze yourself into. I hope this is helpful! Jane, i-architect.co.uk
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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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Your extension looks great! Your layout has a nice open feel and good flow, but a few small tweaks might help: Fridge Placement – It feels a bit tucked away; moving it closer to the cooking area could improve efficiency. Island Seating – If space allows, making it deeper would create a more comfortable spot for family and guests. Storage – A pantry cupboard or extra drawers in the island could be useful for a family of four. Zoning – Different lighting or slight material changes can subtly separate the kitchen from dining/living spaces. Overall, it’s a solid design just some ideas to fine-tune it!
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Ellie
6 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
6 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
6 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
6 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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Artistic Interiors

B W
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Kitchen Layout Ideas - Awkward Extension

Comments (6)

Artistic Interiors

B WOriginal Author

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Ellie

B WOriginal Author

Ellie

Artistic Interiors

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GET HELP

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B W
Original Author

B W
Original Author