apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

My kitchen in Boston is similar and can be a nightmare to work in but it's a rental, and there's not much we can do. I agree that an undercounter fridge would do wonders to prevent it from feeling cluttered and create a bit more air above the countertop and appliances.
I don't know too much in the way of kitchen remodeling what with pipes and the like, but could you fit appliances along the short wall with the sink in front of the window and the low fridge to the left of it with a butcher block counter on top?
I'm not sure where that leaves you but think that long and lean spaces are best dealt with by putting the "stuff" at the short end.

I TOTALLY, FERVENTLY disagree with the idea of trying to squeeze a table an chairs into that kitchen. I have a small galley kitchen like this (mine is about a foot thinner) and it's impossible to have 2 people standing in the kitchen at the same time, let alone a place for a table and people sitting at it. You might be able to fit them in, but it would be uncomfortable and cramped to add human beings. This is clearly not a kitchen designed for 'hanging out' in, just one for cooking in.

Here is what I would do: build or buy a corner unit that can give you more workspace and storage in the corner opposite the sink. Then I'd put a series of 10" shelves on the wall facing all the appliances, where you can store things. Under the shelves put your trash bin, recycling bin etc.

Also, I don't agree with the suggestion of an undercounter fridge.

Since kitchens are so hard to move, wouldn't it be easier to just move walls and make that bottom bedroom be your living room, and open up the kitchen with a pass through or a peninsula?

Make your current living a bedroom.

Knock down the walls and remove the bedroom entirely! Make the Living Room and Kitchen part of a "Great Room". Open layout?.... Yes! Typical modern NY loft configuration.

In place of a second bedroom, just use a daybed or if you have the budget... place a murphy bed unit on the living room wall that separates the bathroom. Use a wall unit to hide the murphy... something that blends with the wall.

I second the undercounter fridge, but if you need more space than that provides, you could (depending on the actual dimensions) get a narrow-width fridge and put it between the wall and the window on the short wall, and extend the counter top so that it wraps around under the window. This could then give you the option of either doing a corner sink or a sink under the window, giving you more counterspace overall.

If you're up for replacing everything, you may also consider small/narrow appliances overall. I have the smallest "seperate" kitchen in history and managed to fit a stove, dishwasher, sink and narrow fridge in a space that had previously been overwhelmed by a giant basin sink by buying a narrow diswhasher, small sink and narrow fridge.

The other thing to do is to try to work with color to make the space feel more open. I put in recessed lighting, hung my cabinets particularly high (to give the illusion of more "space" between the counter and the cabinets, and did everything in a fairly light palette.

Before: http://www.very-simple.com/iblog/C1855485962/E1644974290/index.html

After: http://www.very-simple.com/iblog/C1855485962/E20060219234007/index.html

If there's room in the budget, how about repositioning the sink underneath the window (plumbing permitting) and intalling a single dishdrawer (click on my name) below the sink. It would create more above and below counter space. Of course, breaking through into the closet area would create a bunch of new wonderful possibilities. Good luck!

>3. attempt to put two slim chairs and a small cafe table agains the opposite wall so that you can sit, eat and hang out somewhat in the kitchen.

You're kidding, right??? The kitchen walk-space is only 3'7" right now!

IF you own the space, I'd start by pulling off the drywall on the kitchen side. You can use the stud space with custom cabs to gain 4-4.5" more depth to add to the 7" you already have to play with. I'd take down the wall entirely (there are probably wires back there, but plumbing is VERY unlikely) and either 1) create a floor-to-ceiling pantry or 2) (preferred) do base cabs and upper cabs and wrap the stud space in an acrylic (glass-look) or glass backsplash (http://www.wkarch.com/SummerReiff/summerreiff.htm, scroll down to Kitchen Details, or http://www.aegrasso.com/img-hopkins/100.htm) so that you have 10" of counter to work with between the studs. Extreme solution, but it's make the counter space a comfortable size even for rather large meals! For a 12-dish meal for 16 people, I find that I need 16 square feet of counter. And that would make it awfully close. :-)

Altenatively, you could remove the wall entirely and have a custom free-standing built-in unit constructed in its place. It's back plywood would double as the wall for the bedroom and could be an elegant statement if finished int he right color.

If at all possible, I would move the sink under the window to gain use of the corner for storage and countertop. (Looks like a 36" sink, so there would be good access for infrequently used items in the back and more frequently osed ones in the front.) If not...oh, well!

I'd also open up the stud space of the side of the closet that faces the kitchen and put doors on it to use as a 4" deep pantry. Shallow pantries are fabulous for most dry food storage--you can see EVERYTHING and can get to it very easily.

Don't add a table and chairs!

If you are going to realistically re-do the space, you may want to go vertical and add open shelving with mirrors in the back to open it up.

Also, putting the sink in the corner and trying to utilize the space on the far wall would work really well.

Depending on how much food you eat and how often you shop, you can go for the undercounter fridge, as suggested above.

I have a 5'6x7'0 kitchen with an L-shaped configuration. Wall racks/rods for hanging pots on are a great space saver, since these items take up the most space in cabinets. Plus it looks like you have about zero undercab space. I cook too much for an undercab fridge. I'd try for a smaller range (24") and a smaller dishwasher (18") and a narrower refrigerator (24"). That will gain you at least 15" which is a lot considering how little you have.

I'm guessing you don't want to lose that 2nd bedroom, and scooting the room up to make the living part of the kitchen means the big window would be split. Perhaps carve a bit of space out of the small bedroom to make a hall closet, and knock down the original entry closet so the kitchen can get longer.

I like Curtis' idea, too, if you're open to it. I still wouldn't try to makre the kitchen for eating in or hanging out. Just a pass through to the livingroom...

The bath is also giving me a headache... Sometimes, I wonder what architects were ever thinking!

Unrelated, but I'd recommend moving the opening from the living room into the bedroom to be adjacent to the bathroom door.

This would free up the section of wall facing the bathroom door to be used as a (relatively large!) closet space.

This may be especially helpful since the bedroom closet space is limited.

I'd annex the closet near the front entry into the footprint of the kitchen.

If you are indeed moving plumbing, slide everything down so you can wrap counters along the far wall (turning your one-sided galley into an "el"), which may give you counter-height space for one stool, nicely positioned in front of the window.

I did a quick little floor plan change to show my evil plan for it. Click on my name to see. Except I didn't make it clear that I think the kitchen wall should be a short pony wall bar thing.

I would also consider a corner sink--I think they make good use of what is often a waste corner, and it would give you an ell counter. I find even the hint of a work triangle comforting in a kitchen. If you wanted to, you could make a "breakfast bar" out of the counter extension if the window has a view and/or you would actually use it.

I was going to suggest the swing-out table from one of the "coolest, smallest" entries, until I tried and failed to imagine why I would ever choose to eat in a kitchen that small. Still, I like the idea of a swing out or pull out workspace for those times when you just need more counter space.

Love the idea of a pantry wall. I had a book on Small Kitchens (lent and lost, alas) which has a stunning galley kitchen with one long wall of open shelving on the wall without appliances and plumbing. Whether you leave it open, or close it off, I think this could work well.

I like Curtis' redo, but I would put closets opposite the bath and give more space to the main living room area.

Totally second Ptoo's suggestion to lose closet outside kitchen to add to kitchen space.

NO table in that little kitchen -- TOO narrow!

Is this a rental? I like the layout. According to an easy to read feng shui book I got, your kitchen is in a perfect place and there are windows in the bathroom and the kitchen. Ventilation is so necesary. If this were my rental, I would be thrilled that I could shut off the actual cooking part of life away in as small a space as that. So the food odors are just there. Then I could have a huge wall of storage cubes with an ice cream machine in one cube, food processer in another, rice cooker, bin of flours, bin of sugars, et al. It would be awesome. Everytime I cooked, I would be shopping off my own shelves. Or I would use one of the rooms as MTV Cribs indulgent storage space as a pantry. I like that layout!

Assuming no architectural changes...but assuming removal/relocation of the coat closet (I'd steal 3' from the 2nd bedroom along the hall-side and build in a longer coat/utility storage element there).

Buy a narrow (sub-30W) refrigerator, put it left of the window facing into the kitchen (it'll need to be bumped out from the wall to accommodate the column/chase, but not a big deal). Right of that, small cabinet below the window at c-top height. On the main wall, left to right: 18" DW, 24" sink cabinet, 24" cabinet, 30" range, 24" cabinet, end panel. Overhead cabinets the length of the main wall, none on the window wall except over the ref. if you want that more integrated feel.

Will function better, countertop at entry will serve as a good landing for groceries when you come in, will feel *much* more open, more countertop, etc. And if your friends are like mine, they'll just sit on the countertop next to the fridge when you're cooking etc - who needs chairs?

Good luck.

I'd swap the living room with the bedroom and then tear down the wall to the kitchen and install a lower cabinet/bar combo.

If you live ina prewar building, knock down one of the walls and replace it with sheetrock. I did it and it gained me a foot, which made all the difference.

If you own and are going to stay there for a while then make the large bedroom your living room and, because the plumbing stack is already in the right place (from the bathroom), stick a new kitchen in the new LR with its back against the bathroom.

Close off the existing 17'X12.5' LR to make it into a bedroom and then make the bathroom ensuite to the new bedroom by closing off its door and opening a new one into the bedroom. The space is there right next to the tub.

Finally, cut the old kitchen in half it into (IMO) a much needed 2nd bathroom (again the plumbing is already there) with the space from the entrance to the new bathroom made into a closet, storage, and landing strip area.

With all this you get much more useful space and a 2nd bathroom. I think this will greatly increase the utility and value of the place.

Well, you don't give enough information. It's the two of you, and you talk of altering the kitchen, therefore I will assume you own.

Beyond that, you don't state the nature of your relationship, so I will assume that you are married, i.e. that only one bedroom is needed for you sleeping needs.

What that doesn't tell me is- Who uses the second bedroom? Is it a guest bedroom? Might you have children- hence, it a child's bedroom? Is that second bedroom used as a home office?

You also don't tell us anything about your lifestyle, how you want to use the home. Do you like to entertain? These kind of things. It is difficult to give you a good answer when you reveal almost nothing about how you use the space.

I'm going to make some big assumptions:
A.) That you're a married couple that shares one bedroom
B.) That the second bedroom is a combination home office/den
C.) That you like to entertain

If any of these assumptions are wrong, I would alter this recommendation based on new information.

I've decided that you want to entertain a lot, that you would like to be able to open the space up to entertain, or close it off as needed. Also, while I did include a closet in the new bedroom, I'd be just as inclined to get rin of it, especially if it is to be used more as a home office. I would use furniture storage solutions instead, but some insist on closets, so I included one to cover that base.

I chose to keep costs low by not moving any plumbing lines. It looks like a lot of work, but this is all just straight forward carpentry work- moving partition walls, and adding doors... a lot of doors, a lot of french doors. Then, you can do other projects like upgrading the kitchen, or remodeling the bathroom at some later date, if you wish to.

BEFORE & AFTER:

http://www.awardshow.name/temp/apt_redo.gif

Also, I have an option B (not shown), if you wanted a dining room, and could live with a smaller office nook rather than a full size second bedroom.

I know you can order a 20" wide gas range from Home Depot, because I have one. It still has four burners and an oven and comes with it's own baking sheets. I would guess standard size baking sheets are too big. Works great. Add to that an 18" dishwasher, and slim fridge (though they seem ultra expensive to me) and you'll gain all kind of space.

I have also hung rods (standard towel bars will work, or check out Ikea for prettier options) and suspended spice racks, dish towels, and utensils. No pots yet, but I don't see why you coulding.

I'd have to agree with the rearrange the walls crowd. If you're going to do it, don't hold back, and be sure to consult a structural engineer. Good Luck!

These are some seriously great ideas. Little bit more info: My wife and I are married but like the idea of the second bedroom/office. Moving walls might not exactly be cost effective for us at this point.

It is an old pre-war building so all the walls are plaster. We are having the bathroom converted to a full bath/powder room if we can get board approval. The closet by the front door is going to house a stackable washer/dryer at it is right next to the kitchen wet wall. We're also thinking of adding a walk-in closet to the master bedroom. What do you think?

Notwithstanding what you just posted Gary, I prefer curtis' and chris' ideas over mine.

Without removing walls then w/d where you suggested and a walk in closet are excellent ideas. W/d adds significantly to quality of life imo and your bedroom is large enough to accomodated a walk in closet.

Gary--

If that second bedroom (closest to entry) is to be used as an office, perhaps consider a high "transom"/clerestory window between the two spaces... high enough to avoid privacy issues, and/or opaque/frosted glass.

Would give both spaces a sense of openness with a modern vibe, while sharing any precious light between the two spaces.

I'd personally still annex the entry closet into the kitchen, and incorporate the W/D into the master bedroom walk-in closet project. Would rather have a W/D where the clothes are, and would be doable given proximity to bathroom plumbing.

Gary wrote:
> ...My wife and I are married...

Doh! I guess you did call her wife, in the first post. So it is a home-office, not used as a bedroom right now.

> ...if we can get board approval.

Ouch.

Seriously, moving walls in not as expensive as doing plumbing. You would need an electrician to remove wiring inside the walls, and to run the new wiring for outlets into the new walls. The rest is very basic carpentry work. Tearing down/moving a few walls is actually a smaller and less expensive project that renovating a bathroom. A bathroom involves plumbing, electrical, carpentry, tile work. Kitchen and Bath remodels are big projects. Moving a few walls around *looks* like a big change, but is a much much smaller project. Putting in all the french doors I recommended would be a bit of carpentry work... Since this isn't to be used as a child's bedroom, I'd make a different suggestion- removing all the walls all the way back to the bathroom. Just make it one big open loft-like space and be done with it.

DON'T lose the second office/bedroom if you EVER plan on selling.

Anyone know a good place to buy supplies like tile, and toilettes on the cheap around NYC?

not sure if this would work but what the hey.
if you need the 2nd br and kitchen stays same size.

think "L" shape counter
move the stove to the short wall..
move the sink 1/2 down the long wall w/ a dishwasher below it.
you would gain some counter space and utilize the short wall.

>Seriously, moving walls in not as expensive as doing plumbing. You would need an electrician to remove wiring inside the walls, and to run the new wiring for outlets into the new walls.

Yes!!!

OK! I have the EXACT SAME dimensions in my kitchen.
Here is what you do:
Along the wall opposite your sink/stove/fridge buy "Slat Wall" from a Store Fixtures store. Slat Wall has a lot of awesome accessories. I use the clothes bars as pot/pan hooks. All my spoons, knives, pans, pots, measuring cups etc are hanging on that wall. All you have to do is turn around and get them. You could also use peg board but there aren't as many options as far as accessories. You can also get a FOLD OUT table that you can use as additional counter space. Thing VERTICALLY and not horizontally.

I also have slat board shoe shelves that I use for spices and things that need to sit out.

The other tip is: OPEN SHELVES. I removed my cabinet doors and painted the interior of my cabinets the same color as my walls. This make sthe spice look deeper. The cabinet faces are a darker color this gives depth.

Email me for pictures. An under counter fridge is great if you can give up the storage space. You may be able to get a freezer drawer as well.

Use your dish washer and don't bother with a dish rack. You can't waist the counter space.