Proposed narrow kitchen layout

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hello all,

I'm looking for some alternative layout suggestions for my quite long and narrow kitchen dinner. Works haven't started yet so still in the design stage and may well use a recommended professional from this site but wanted to initially see how far I could get before going to the professionals to add another dimension (I have Karen @ OnePlan in mind but open to lots of recommended).

The room when knocked through will be 8.5m (L) x 3.2m (W) and will lead out to patio/french/bifold doors to the garden.

I know the idea of an island is controversial with the width of the room but I am happy to sacrifice having units along two walls and just have a single run of units with an island in the middle, and nothing on the opposing wall. I have managed to hit the golden 1m rule between island and wall units with the fridge/freezer and ovens being away from the island run. The plan doesn't show it but there would be a venting hob on the island, along with a dishwasher and wine cooler on either end.

My biggest bug bear at the moment is trying to get the units at the entrance doorway wall to be symmetrical. On the left (where the units run is) I have placed the fridge and freezer in a kind of corner set up, and to the right of the doorway would be cupboards hiding the washing machine and tumble (stacked) and also a small broom cupboard. I don't know if the fridge and freezer would work in terms of opening and closing, I can't picture if they would come into contact with each other or not, I know it would be tight. The alternative would be to place the fridge and freezer next to each other on that wall but then I wouldn't get the symmetry that I'm after with the utilities the other side of the doorway.

The other end towards the patio doors would house a dining table, maybe as a standalone or maybe as part of banquet seating along the right hand wall, with a TV on the opposite wall as I'd like the kitchen to be a place we could spend whole evenings in and also to entertain in.

I'm hoping this makes sense and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Picture attached of an online 3D planner I've mocked up.

Many thanks in advance

Featured Answer

Gloria GR

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I would also go for a galley and I'll have the tall cupboards in one side. You'll have a good flow and also symmetry

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Comments (36)

Daisy England
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Do you have a void in the bottom left hand corner? The fridge and freezer next to each other should open fine. It’s a DIY kitchen planner?
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Daisy, yes, there’s a void there as I wanted to bring another unit along the doorway wall so it was (kind of) symmetrical with the other side of the door opening and the only way I could think of achieving this is by butting a tall unit up against the fridge and freezer running the other way, which unfortunately leaves a void in that gap.

Yes it’s a DIY kitchen planner but due to the terrible graphics on my laptop it doesn’t look that great. I have however just loaded it on a higher spec tablet and the detail is much clearer so will post some better pictures soon. I didn’t even realise I could open and close all the units etc until I brought it up on the tablet!
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Daisy England
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I wouldn’t leave the void. Could you just work from the corner outwards forgetting a return to the door?

With the DIY planner try and use the most up to date device as that offers better images.
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
I would box the top of the void in so you couldn’t actually see a void, the plan would be to box down from the ceiling to all of the tall units to create a flush bespoke fitted look if that makes sense. I could work from the corner out (that was my original design) but every time I pointed the image towards the door opening my need for symmetry kept drawing my eye, I may well have to admit defeat unless I can come up with a viable option for it though.

Thanks for the advice!
Gloria GR
2 years ago
Hoy many people do you wish to be able to seat in your dining table? My feeling is that your plan will fit a small-smallish dining table
CWD
2 years ago
i think i'd switch the ovens and fridge/freezers positions so the fridge was in the middle of the room rather than beside the door - you'll need access to it while cooking, while at the island and from the dining table i'd think. the entrance to the room seems a bit of a bottleneck and could get quite busy, even if people are moved around the back of the island. i know you want symmetry when looking back at the entrance door, but i think it would feel much nicer to open the door and it's more open on the left side (am assuming it's a hinged door that opens to the right onto the side of the broom/laundry cupboard). with the tall units on both sides of the door the doorway becomes a bit of a tunnel and too enclosed for my liking. maybe you could turn the laundry cupboard around 90 degrees (so it's facing the other wall of units) and then just have a 300mm broom cupboard beside it - would that be enough? then there would be symmetry around the door, but also more space when you first come in??
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Alice Clare Studio
2 years ago
I wouldn't design a void unless a client really really wanted it. I think its better to have the space in the room, or have a corner cupboard. Quite recently I took 2 voids out of a 20 year old kitchen and the difference it made to the room left my client almost speechless! I also personally don't think symmetry is everything - the kitchen after all is not symmetrical anywhere else along that axis. So I would turn that unit on the left as you go into the room through 90deg and just have a space next to the door. Having the cupboards so close to the door might risks things feeling a little corridor-y.

I would also think about turning the stacked washing machine/drier and broom cupboard through 90 deg. You will need about 65cm for the washing machine cupboard (assuming you are putting freestanding appliances in it) and would be fine with a 50cm or maybe 40cm broom cupboard. I think 30cm would be too small. You might have to make your island a little smaller but I think it may well be worth is as there will be lots more space as you immediately entering the kitchen. I'm not sure how many people will be using the room on a regular basis, or if you have another way into the garden, but I always like to leave a little bit of an open area on entering a room if possible to make things feel spacious. I'm with colourwisedesign in that regard!

I'd also think about the position of your dining table - you might find it easier to get out into the garden if it is in the location I have suggested.
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Well firstly thank you all for your suggestions, I am very open to suggestions and there’s lots of good ideas there that I can play with on the planner!

You’re right, I also felt that the space around the doorway may feel restricted due to having units closely surrounding it but also wanted the symmetry…..however, Alice you’re right, it’s not as if there is complete symmetry along that line anyway.

In terms of dining, we are a family of 4 (one nearly teen and one youngen) but we do plan on it being an entertaining space so along with the island seating I would hope to incorporate a 6 seater dining table also. I have thought about banquet seating along the units side wall to the left so I could leave space to the right of the room to walk through (like your revised drawing, Alice but with the table flipped 90 degrees), however I then run the risk of not having the space for the table size I need.

Please keep the suggestions coming as it’s great to have a different perspective, and again thank you!!
rinked
2 years ago
I'm not keen on the design. An island that narrow with traffic lines and all..
jessa61
2 years ago
Not quite what you have asked but could you add corner bifolds to trick the eye into thinking the room is less long and narrow? We have a similar kitchen (a bit wider with the door in a difference place) and are due to start work on an extension to add a dining table and that is what we are planning on doing. Our room will be a similar shape to yours once done. We went for an l shape with an island as our door is, on your drawing, roughly behind the start of your island
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Rinked,

Yep I realise it’s not going to be looked upon as a great design to all, I suppose I will only find out how lovable it is if/when I go through with it…..eeek!

Jessa61

Love the idea of corner bifolds, would obviously mean supporting the right hand wall also. Will have a look at the cost of doing this as it does sound like it would be a nice feature but have no idea on the cost!
jessa61
2 years ago
We found if you have a slim supporting beam (so not completely cornerless) that massively reduced the cost. Good luck :)
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Alice Clare Studio
2 years ago
You could reduce the 'corridor' effect of the island by making it shorter and increasing cupboards on the right wall in my drawings. You could also try using 500mm wide cupboards in places - you still get a good sized cupboard but the door takes up less space when you open it and therefore it is easier to open and close in a more confined space. The other cunning trick that you can use (which I think you already are using) is to put 2 300mm doors on your 600mm wide cupboards. I did this for my parents in their unusual kitchen and while it is not to everyone's taste, it works a treat for their specific circumstances.

Rinked certainly has a point and this layout will not be to everyone taste, but what is important is whether it will work for you and your family. So take people comments on board and think about whether you can live with what they don't like! Design is always about compromise and a good designer should make you aware about what compromises you are making and whether they are the right compromises for you.

I've done a quick sketch for you of my idea above - you end up with 5m of cupboards on the left, 2.2m on the right and 1.8m x 0.9m island. The table is 1.8m extending to 2.2m, by 0.9m. Rounding the corners on the island means you make it easier to walk around it.
CWD
2 years ago
i feel like if you're going to have such a small island (as directly above) you should make it a peninsula and attach to the run of units on the left (shorten that run a little to allow double units on peninsula for access from both sides).
rinked
2 years ago
Either do a peninsula, a galley kitchen (my fav as it provides more space to move around), or an island (and 2x110cm aisles) with some tall units next to the door (but door should be moved so at least 2x60cm+4cm can go on one side). In the last layout there'd be no space to keep coffee/kettle, while there is plenty of room in both other layouts. Reconsider the island please, it most likely won't be what you hoped for.
PRO
Alice Clare Studio
2 years ago
Personally I would go for the galley too. I don't think I would ever go for a peninsular unless there is loads of clearance. I lived with a kitchen with a peninsular for a while and it drove me up the wall, you always seemed to crash into the person coming in the other direction and people seemed to find it a really lovely place to stand right in the way for some reason. It means I am now a big fan of an island and the two routes round, even if it means there isn't quite as much space as the 'rules' say you need...
Wumi
2 years ago
Another vote for the galley kitchen kitchen, most spacious option. Like @Gloria GR suggested, tall units on one side.
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
Ahhh thank you all, and an overwhelming vote for a galley layout! I must admit the galley does suit the room layout and I do like the Tall units in one side and base on the opposing wall, something I will definitely consider along with my other “mayby’s”.

I know peninsulars have their place but I really can’t take to them, I’d prefer just two clean runs if I can’t go for the island.

Jessa61 I will keep that in mind, thank you.

Gloria I love that first image, really my kind of style in terms of colours and deco.

Rinked and Alice I appreciate the extra mile with drawings also, thank you, and Colourwisedesign thank you for your suggestions also, lots to think about.
Anna G
2 years ago
I think your island is a brilliant way to avoid people walking through the cooking space. Might be worth considering why people may need to access things in the cook's way and designing that out. For me that meant a small "drink sink" on my island (v different space but main sink in the back of it).
minnie101
2 years ago
There seems to be pros and cons of each. I’m not keen on a galley with tall units one side both due to safety of people walking through when taking things out of the oven and your set down area on a worktop is too far at 6ft or so.

Am i right in thinking there is a deep window behind the island? could you compromise and just have 2 stools at the end of the island as the walkway is only 70cm? I’m not keen on the cupboards on the door wall either, could you compromise on some of the requirements like all the ovens? i’d try and keep plumbed items together too
Isabel Goodwin
2 years ago
I’m having a similar dilemma (though my kitchen is shorter in length than yours). An original Victorian window prevents a run of units on the RH wall. I’m going for an island as I think it will provide more storage - and some sociable seating. Also, I’ve found that the (current) galley layout in a 3.2m wide room doesn’t work as well as having the work surfaces a bit closer together especially if you’re doing a lot of cooking - I feel like I’m constantly going to and fro across the room, whereas my previous kitchen (with an island) was much more comfortable to cook in, and was more sociable due to the island seating. So, as others have said, best thing is to go with ideas that fit with the way you, personally, live/use your kitchen.
tommytomster
2 years ago
You could try looking at banquette seating for the dining table to push the dining table against a wall to give you more walk through. Plus it would give you extra storage under the banquette.
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi all,

Sorry for the late reply.

Anna G, Thank you, I realise it would create a natural traffic lane depending which way people decided to walk around it but hopefully while cooking they’d chose the other route behind the island and it wouldn’t be so “cramped”.

minnie101, There is a window behind the island which I may or may not block up as it looks out onto the side of next doors house and a narrow section of our rear garden so doesn’t really provide any view and prob not a huge lot of light, hence why I think wall space may be better so I could use the wall for design purposes. Plumbed items together are certainly a plus but the room is going to go through some major changes so it’s not essential in terms of laying infrastructure for it. Also, I have thought about leave one end of the island open with no units under, so the stools could live under there when not in use and I could maybe reduce the width of the island as I wouldn’t need the overhang, although 900mm isn’t hugely wide the begin with but it would allow more space behind it for the walkway.

Isabel, I also feel the width of the room is quite awkward for a galley, as this is my current setup (an L at the end of the current layout) and the units are a few footsteps away from each other which means you can’t turn and lay something down, it takes a few steps and it’s very ‘back and fore’ as you say! That’s great to know that it suited you, I do value other peoples opinions and the galley has been mentioned a lot but I suppose not one size fits all. I’m still undecided on the layout though.

Tommy, Yeah I’ve saved lots of banquet seating pictures so that’s definitely in my thought process along with a stand-alone table and chairs, banquet would certainly create more room and so hadn’t thought about the storage benefits, cheers
ls1068
2 years ago
Hi Nikki. Just read your post with interest as we have a similar dilemma in our 3.3m wide kitchen diner. Our door is to the side, so I can have a full run of floor to ceiling cupboards including ovens and FF along the top end.
The dilemma is exactly as discussed here though, relatively narrow island space vs peninsula vs galley.
I am with you in that galley feels like a waste of space in the middle in our current configuration. I also really want somewhere to stand that isn’t facing a wall and prefer island. My only hesitation is space behind it especially when people are seated. I would say you have to decide what is important for you in the config.
Would love to see what you decide and how it works out. I haven’t committed my thoughts to paper yet, but happy to share when I do.
Good luck
CWD
2 years ago
Just saw this pic and thought of you. Looks fab and probably works great too. I currently have a narrow galley kitchen that is 3.25m wide and it's far too wide to work as a galley - especially if it's also the main walkway through to the back of the room. We have minimal worktop space so added a standalone island (ikea, one on wheels so we can move it) which provides crucial worktop space but it leaves only 75cm walkway space either side - not great either! I think your plan of the island will work much better though, even though it's probably not quite as big as the room in the photo. I'd also try to keep the window - a view can always be improved by placing something on fence or planting a tree in a pot or something - and it will provide some light even if you don't realise how much and it'll give a longer view to visually widen the space - both looking straight out and at an angle as you enter the room. Stops it from being too much of a tunnel.

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CWD
2 years ago

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Wumi
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I think a consult with @OnePlan would be a good start.

Ultimately, it needs to be suited to needs of you and your family. We can but offer suggestions but you’ll be living with it!
PRO
OnePlan
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thanks Wumi !
Yes having looked quickly at this I would have to agree that 3.2m is a bit on the small width for an island - maybe a chopping block or two might work better - and would be moveable ! Also deeper worktops or small ledge shelves behind each side could help a galley work better ! Lots of options !
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi all,

As usual I’m very grateful for all your input and suggestions and it’s nice to hear some more positive thoughts around an island (although @OnePlan I’d have loved you to say an island would be the perfect solution and we could have ran the idea off into the sunset, haha only joking, kind of).

If I do commit to the island I may have to increase the walkway space to the right wall and have an open ended island towards the end, kind of like what’s in the picture below, so I don’t require so much of an overhang which could free up an extra 100-200mm but obviously make my island narrower. I’m not 100% sold on the island idea but it is my preferred choice, but your comments do open my eyes more to the fact it may not work and gets me thinking about other layouts.

Is1068 I certainly will let you know, hoping to get the ball rolling come the new year all being well.

CWD thank you, I forever search for images my planned layout but it’s hard to find that narrow room with island (that should set alarm bells off already as there’s a reason for that!).
jessa61
2 years ago
Could you tape it out so you can actually test it and see what you think? Sorry I can't remember if the room is built or not yet so you could always tape it out in the garden
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
jessa61 unfortunately it’s currently two rooms although I will try and mock it up in one of those two rooms before I commit to see how narrow it feels with an island
ls1068
2 years ago
Interesting interesting as that 2nd grey photo from CWD looks like it is about 3.2m (looking at count of 60cm cupboards). Would that not work for you Nikki?
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
That could well work for me, my doorway is central so it would wrap around at the back but in terms of space behind the island, yes it looks kind of narrow and could be an issue if I had a houseful but day to day so don’t think it would be an issue (could be convincing myself but hey ho)
rinked
2 years ago
When doing a mockup also add a low box as an open dishwasher door. I know they aren't open all the time, but with a family going about in a kitchen, accidents happen.

And a galley kitchen won't be 'strange' when one side is for cooking (and a bit deeper, like 65 or 70cm, no upper units) and the other with tall units and perhaps a 'coffee&toast station'.
Nikki Stevenson
Original Author
2 years ago
Good idea Rinked, thanks