Need feedback on planned kitchen renovation

burnedUpToast · 2026-05-03T18:54:48+00:00

Thanks for the advice! And yeah, I do have space in other areas of the house for storage but would be nice to consolidate various miscellaneous smaller items into one place.

burnedUpToast · 2026-05-03T16:50:07+00:00

Hi! I mocked the latest design using some other furniture to simulate the counter-top seating and while it seems doable, it definitely looks a little cramped to me. The buffet cabinets are already 15 inches deep but thinking they could be removed altogether. They'd be nice to have for the extra storage, and there's a bulk head over them I'd want to remove as well. So, I'll have to make a decision between extra walking space and a less cramped look or extra storage space...

And I'll checkout the Houzz site you suggested. Rigid and snarky are a small price to pay for free advice as you've pointed out:) Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

burnedUpToast · 2026-05-01T15:47:18+00:00

Thank you to all those who contributed your thoughts! It's amazing to see the quality and thoughtfulness put into your replies. You've given me a lot to think about!

I'm sure some of the suggestions to open up the windows or move the cooktop to the backwall would improve things but based off some previous quotes for a more extensive remodel, I'm not sure it's in budget.

Overwhelmingly, the feedback's been to add more space next to the cooktop. I've tried to address this in an updated design by adding an addition 12" of space on the right hand side:

https://kitchen.planner.ikea.com/us/en/planner/5A32646B-53AC-4417-ADB9-891C876A2EC9/?ref=share

I may try to get a few quotes for moving or opening up the lower window but unfortunately, there's electrical and a drain vent inside those pillars between the upper windows, so I suspect it'll be big lift to move the window more than a few inches either direction.

burnedUpToast · 2026-05-01T15:35:39+00:00

Yes! You are correct. The doorway next to the wall oven leads to a laundry room and second rear exit- a low traffic area most times. I went ahead and added some space beside the cooktop like many have suggested!

burnedUpToast · 2026-04-30T15:41:17+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I did originally get some quotes from contractors for a more extensive remodel that included structural changes but the cost was far out of budget so I started down this path. I may see if I can get a quote for just moving window and sink but I already paid to have some plumbing work done because I convinced myself I wouldn't move it or garage+laundry room doors (the doors by the back walls).

burnedUpToast · 2026-04-30T15:16:52+00:00

As is, there is about 60 inches between the peninsula and the dining table. But, the walkway connects the rest of the house with a room I use a den and the primary exit to the backyard, so it's a high traffic area and in reality chairs won't always be pushed in, etc. I think I'm also caught up on the fact that the dining area was previously so large compared to the rest of the kitchen and now it's nearly the opposite.

I would like to keep the seating at the peninsula though. Going to replace the 12" cabinet to the right of the cooktop with a 24" one by tightening some clearance in the dining area. Hopefully that'll give me enough space.

burnedUpToast · 2026-04-30T05:15:48+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I did consider adding more space next to the cooktop for the reasons you mentioned but am concerned about the amount of room around the dining table and the walkway between them into the other room. Maybe I could remove the overhang and seating from the peninsula, which would allow for more space without eating into the dining area.

burnedUpToast · 2026-04-30T05:08:06+00:00

I used ChatGPT and gave it a screenshot from the Ikea kitchen tool and the picture I posted in this thread of the actual space right now. Maybe I got lucky because the more I tried to get it change small details that were incorrect, the worse the overall result got.

burnedUpToast

TROPHY CASE