U-Shaped Kitchen Layout Ideas

bob_cntrctr

Gentlemen,

So I'm looking at a kitchen remodel and would appreciate help on one particular issue - layout.

Typical u-shaped kitchen with the sink under the window. The sink is the only thing that can't be moved. Other than that, clean slate. Kitchen area's about 12' (east wall to pillar) x 14' (north wall to south wall).

The thing I get stuck on is the fridge. I hate the way this big appliance creates hidden space behind it. That is, if you stick the fridge at the south end of the counters on either the north or south walls, then it encloses that section of the room behind it, creates a blind area.

But the east wall seems unsuitable for a fridge, and destroys the triangle. Corners are terrible.

Are there any greatnew layout ideas for this traditional kitchen that solves the "big fat sight-line blocker" problem?

Thanks.


UPDATE: Added a second sketch. First one was a gif and some people couldn't see it. New one's a jpg - crossin' my fingers.

ScipioAfricanus

Can't you post a plan or sketch or something?
A word description just doesn't cut it.

Andy.

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bob_cntrctr

I posted a sketch. I see it when I visit this page. Do others not?

Tech Dawg

Nothing shows up.

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CCCo.

Nothing here either, just your "text"

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Kent Whitten

Just so you don't feel crazy, it is there on my screen.

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TimelessQuality

Here it is...


U

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ScipioAfricanus

I tried FF IE and Chrome and can see nothing.

Maybe you can re-post it Kent?

Andy.

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Tinstaafl

I see the problem. Bob, you uploaded the images to your profile photo album here on CT and linked to them in your post. However, the album is marked Private.

Mods have access, but no one else does.

I just changed the status. Everyone should be able to see the images now.

KennMacMoragh

I don't follow, can you explain? How is the refrigerator creating a hidden space? It belongs on either the north or south wall.

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bob_cntrctr

Thanks muchly.

bob_cntrctr

Yes, that would be my first thought too and the standard layout.

But - by "hidden space", I mean, imagine you're sitting in the dining room looking into the kitchen - the fridge blocks the view into the kitchen along the wall it's on. It's this big monolith sticking out from the wall, making the room seem smaller by blocking the sight-line along the counters.

Miss Brown

I'd build a wall next to the door on the north side next to the door and tuck the fridge into that. Dishwasher to right of the sink, stove on the south side, thin rolling island in the middle, (mobile cutting board!) The fridge, if you put it on the south end will just make that post impossible to get around. Depending on aesthetics and these folks, I might try to add a bar between the post and the S. end counter top, but that may not be correct...haveta see it. Which way does the door swing?

Hey, speaking of, how do you charge for layout advice? I spend a lot of time drawing floor plans for jobs, 1. because I like doing it, and 2. because H.O. doesn't know how and I want to get the work done....and I ahem, never charge them. But it's getting ridiculous, if I screw up my measurements, and the cabinets don't fit, guess who gets to pay for it? Haven't done that yet. Yet.

ScipioAfricanus

Here, maybe start with this. Print it out and show some measurements, then scan it and post.

Andy.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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bob_cntrctr

I've used fridge panels before for just that purpose in other units. it hides the fridge, but still creates this big wall-like surface that blocks sight-lines to the counter.

There's no door. Just a doorway.

Well, I have the great luxury of sort of being the client. I manage a host of rental units in mostly older buildings. There's almost always one or another unit getting this reno or that. This is one of those units, and the design is just part of my job.

KAP

bob_cntrctr,

The first thing is as you can see from the re-draw below, your drawing is way off scale...

There is really not enough info to help you here with a layout...

If you could provide the following measurements...


1. Width and Depth of Frig (make and model would be best)
2. Distance from East Wall to Door to family Room
3. Distance from South Wall to Pillar
4. Sink base size
5. Window Size
6. Distance from South Wall to right of Window
7. Distance from North Wall to left of Window
8. Size of Pillar (circumference)

Without this info, the obvious design choice to me would be the north wall in a Refrigerator Cab (better to look at the side of a cab, than the side of a frig or behind it). The reason is when you walk into a room, your eyes track to the farthest distance. If you place the Frig on the South wall, you now have two vertical dimensions to visually absorb when you walk into the room and considering the window location, which will not be moved, you would also be cutting off the natural light into the room. Coming into the room from the Door to the Family Room your eyes will track to the light coming from the window, which is closer to the south wall, thereby bringing the light across the room and de-emphasizing the Frig Cab and the Pillar as you walk in.

More info the better to be able to help you...

Attached Thumbnails

 

bob_cntrctr

Wow - you've got way better layout software than me. Apparently there are better things than MS Word.

But I don't want to drag anyone into actually designing this layout for me - as much as I appreciate the offer.

Really I'm trying to focus on the specific aspect of it dealing with fridge placement. That is - a fridge is just a big honkin' obelisk that blocks the view if it's anywhere except a back wall.

If it goes on either the north or south walls, then it blocks the sight-line from the dining room, creating these "dead" spaces behind them - long sections of counter space blocked from view - and it makes the space seems smaller. If you're trying to create an impression of spaciousness - which we're always trying to do with rental units - you want to leave things as opened up as possible.

But with the sink already on the back wall of the U, the fridge does pretty much have to go on the north or south walls. So I'm looking for design tricks that make it "seem" like the fridge isn't actually blocking the view of anything.

Really I'm grasping for the magic bullet that allows me to avoid doing the inevitable. Or ways to circumvent the laws of physics.

Miss Brown

Well in that case, that will be 1,200.

Can you scoot the doorway over? No, thought not.

bob_cntrctr

Barring the physical law circumventing magic bullet I was grasping for, this kind of layout theory is extremely helpful. Thanks. If it has to be on one of those wall, beter to choose the best position based on this kind of design theory.

KAP

bob_contractor,

The other aspect to remember is based on your drawing, when walking towards the North Wall from the South, the Door Opening to the Family Room also takes a bite out of the monolithic feel of the fridge because your eyes continue into the family room. Not to mention it is offset.

The opposite is not true.. Because of where the Door to the Family Room is, when you enter the room from that door, you will be looking at not only a Pillar but a fridge directly in your line of sight.

P.S. - whenever considering placement of a Frig, you should also always try and make sure there is a counter surface next to it for loading and unloading...