I hate our kitchen layout, but I think I'm stuck with it

[Anonymous]

Does anyone like figuring out floor plans? This is a puzzle I've been trying to solve for six years and I've got nothing.

The kitchen is 13 x 9 and the layout is such that you have to do breathing exercises to avoid losing your sh*t if more than one person is in there. The counters next to the kitchen entrance are about 2.5 feet apart, so only one regular-sized person can enter or exit at a time. Between the appliance layout and my husband's preference for keeping appliances and a dish drying rack out on the counter, there is no great counter space for food prep. I'm usually shuttling between two 24-inch spaces. Actually, no, I'm usually doing uber eats.

It's a closed floor plan so I could theoretically knock out the wall between the kitchen and the dining room (not load-bearing). There are two problems with this: 1) The freestanding range and the fridge are on that wall and due to window and exterior door placement I don't think there is another place to move them, so removing that wall wouldn't actually give us more cabinet or counter space and 2) I suck at keeping the kitchen clean and it's nice to not have to look at it when we are hanging out in our cute dining room.

I suppose I could just move the wall a few feet into the dining room but it seems like we'd be paying a lot of money for maybe three more feet of floor space, especially since that's the wall where the oven vent is. Expanding the footprint of the house isn't possible. Two of the walls of the kitchen are exterior and the last is load-bearing and contains HVAC stuff.

It is definitely due for an upgrade. I think it was last renovated in the late 90s? Golden oak cabinets that are kind of falling apart, laminate countertops (the material has definitely grown on me but they're old and the style leaves much to be desired), a weird vinyl floor that matches the gold oak cabinets ( ) etc. I am leaning toward just doing a budget renovation leaving the fixtures where they are, but it seems weird to spend a bunch of money without improving the worst thing about the kitchen: the layout.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids? Maybe you can just count down the days until moving.

I've done a big kitchen renovation before. It was expensive, stressful, and long. The result was great, but sometimes the journey isn't worth it.

The cheapest option would be to find a new dish drying rack solution and possibly a new home for some kitchen appliances. Maybe an over the sink dish drainer would help with countertop issues.

Can you get different models of your kitchen appliances that fit the space better? Something like a narrow but tall air fryer instead of a wide squat one? It's cheaper than renovating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids? Maybe you can just count down the days until moving.

I've done a big kitchen renovation before. It was expensive, stressful, and long. The result was great, but sometimes the journey isn't worth it.

The cheapest option would be to find a new dish drying rack solution and possibly a new home for some kitchen appliances. Maybe an over the sink dish drainer would help with countertop issues.

Can you get different models of your kitchen appliances that fit the space better? Something like a narrow but tall air fryer instead of a wide squat one? It's cheaper than renovating.

OP here. I'm so grateful for this comment and perspective! Youngest is a rising 8th grader.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster above's perspective. Another option is to look at some of the workarounds that NYC people with really tiny apartment kitchens use.

Some of them are:
Using a cutting board over the sink:
https://www.wayfair.com/Classic-Cuisine--Cutting-Board-with-Strainer-2-in-1-Adjustable-Bamboo-Chopping-Board-with-Removable-Stainless-Steel-Colander-for-Over-the-Sink-by-Classic-Cuisine-833708VNW-L187-K~AASS1164.html?channel=GooglePLA&ireid=292349836&fdid=1817&refid=GX712252803592-AASS1164&device=c&ptid=2387173201570&network=g&targetid=pla-2387173201570&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10254227640&gbraid=0AAAAAD9ISC6Xva6JUu-BzskoB3MicUxXF&gclid=CjwKCAjwhuHEBhBHEiwAZrvdckFXEJwgdVZY_RC-K4gBCpygc1_FNlstB2OvR9I1CUv5IB1JqjxuiRoCkmkQAvD_BwE

A cutting board on the range.

https://www.wayfair.com/YaoTown--Wood-Stove-Top-Cover-Noodle-Board-For-Electric-Stove-And-Gas-Stove-With-Handles-tz1587-L187-K~YOTO3359.html?channel=GooglePLA&ireid=297425058&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=102619535&refid=GX712252803592-YOTO3359_102619535&device=c&ptid=2387173201570&network=g&targetid=pla-2387173201570&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10254227640&gbraid=0AAAAAD9ISC6Xva6JUu-BzskoB3MicUxXF&gclid=CjwKCAjwhuHEBhBHEiwAZrvdclICWKKd9ZnbWwcgi2Qr0p5M4ZTAGzZflNZxOS0QmPAF0P8tWeXVrBoCOQkQAvD_BwE

But honestly, if you're being so driven crazy by your kitchen that you order out instead of eating at home, then it does seem like some major changes could make sense.

[Anonymous]

Also, PP here but 13x9 feet is not actually, objectively, that small for a kitchen. I wonder if you could have a designer come in and help you with thinking things through as part of a kitchen reno. But, yes, your kitchen will be out of commission for at least a month if you have a re-do, and that's if you have all materials on hand when you start.

[Anonymous]

Just move we went from a 2000sf house to a 8000sd and it helped

[Anonymous]

"Does anyone like figuring out floor plans? This is a puzzle I've been trying to solve for six years and I've got nothing."

Yes. You need to hire an architect.

[Anonymous]

Knock the wall down! 13 x9 in an open concept space is plenty of space. Do a large double island with seating on the other side. In your dining room, add some cabinetry that matches your kitchen cabinets ( not up to the ceiling).

You will have more natural light in the space. More storage. Better flow.

People won’t hang out in the kitchen to be part if whatever is going on if they can just sit at the other side of the island. When our kitchen was closed it drove me nuts. Everyone including the dogs came into the kitchen.

It really increases your seating and serving options if you entertain. I use the island to place foods out for appetizers or if it’s buffet style or extra seating for kids.

[Anonymous]

Also google the dimensions of your kitchen and you can see images of examples on line

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
"Does anyone like figuring out floor plans? This is a puzzle I've been trying to solve for six years and I've got nothing."

Yes. You need to hire an architect.

Would an architect take on a small job like this? Would it be worth it? I honestly haven't hired one before so I don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
"Does anyone like figuring out floor plans? This is a puzzle I've been trying to solve for six years and I've got nothing."

Yes. You need to hire an architect.

Would an architect take on a small job like this? Would it be worth it? I honestly haven't hired one before so I don't know.

Yes. Many Residential architects will do small jobs.

Another option would be to measure and sketch your existing kitchen, then make an appointment with a kitchen designer at either HD or Lowes to see what they come up with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
"Does anyone like figuring out floor plans? This is a puzzle I've been trying to solve for six years and I've got nothing."

Yes. You need to hire an architect.

Would an architect take on a small job like this? Would it be worth it? I honestly haven't hired one before so I don't know.

Yes. Many Residential architects will do small jobs.

Another option would be to measure and sketch your existing kitchen, then make an appointment with a kitchen designer at either HD or Lowes to see what they come up with.

I agree with this poster that you should get a kitchen designer. Also look at kitchen & bath shops as well as cabinet suppliers. They might be a step up from big box store and they specialize in kitchens.

[Anonymous]

I watch this lady on FB Reels and she deals with these exact types of problems.

https://www.juliejonesdesigns.com/interior-services

[Anonymous]

I had a 'one-butt' kitchen and we just moved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
"Does anyone like figuring out floor plans? This is a puzzle I've been trying to solve for six years and I've got nothing."

Yes. You need to hire an architect.

Would an architect take on a small job like this? Would it be worth it? I honestly haven't hired one before so I don't know.

Yes. These are bread-and-butter type jobs for small architecture firms.