ᐅ Kitchen Island and Dining Table – Which Layout Should You Choose?

Created on: 13 Oct 2016 11:47
D
DragonyxXL
After extensive discussions, we have ultimately decided against an L-shaped kitchen layout. This now leaves us with two different options for the kitchen island. What are your thoughts on these two variants? What advantages and disadvantages do you see for each?

Details:
- No door between the hallway and the room, only a 2m (6.5 ft) wide passage with a lintel
- Dining table size: small variant 2m (6.5 ft), medium variant 3m (10 ft), long variant 4.5-5m (15-16.5 ft)
- Distance between the kitchen run and the island: 0.95m (3 ft)
- The window on the right side of the plan should not be moved; patio doors could be shifted if absolutely necessary
- Kitchen run layout from top to bottom: oven, stove, dishwasher, sink, freezer, refrigerator

Why choose a kitchen island at all?
1. More countertop workspace
2. Additional storage is needed
3. At least a partial separation between the kitchen and the rest of the room

Variant 1 – island at the top of the plan:
- The dining table is closer to the windows, which might be more pleasant
- The main workspace is far from the refrigerator, sink, and trash bin, so it might not be used as intended
- The first thing you see from the hallway is the kitchen island (which doesn’t feel very welcoming to me)
- Good amount of open space when entering the room
- Table and chairs partially block the patio doors, making opening and passing through inconvenient

Variant 3 – island at the bottom of the plan:
- The dining table seems more accessible, also due to the permanent opening to the hallway
- The dining table is about 2.5m (8 ft) away from the patio doors
- Opportunity to set up a very long table for celebrations

Floor plan of an open living and dining area: sofa arrangement, dining table for six, kitchen on the right.


Open living and dining area: sofa on the left, oval rug, dining table with six chairs, kitchen on the right.


Open living area with dining table, six chairs, two gray sofas, oval rug, kitchen on the right.


Open living and dining area: dining table for eight, sofa, coffee table, and kitchen run.


Large conference room: long table with chairs, lounge corner, kitchen area on the right, wooden floor.


Open living and dining room: long wooden table with 8 chairs, two sofas, kitchen on the right.


Open living and dining room layout: long wooden table with chairs, sofas, and kitchen on the right.


Sketch-style kitchen with dining table, chairs, kitchen run, and island.
D
DragonyxXL
13 Oct 2016 13:27
ypg schrieb:
The versions with the longer tables are just meant to illustrate for when guests come?

Exactly. And you have to distinguish between 4-5 people coming (1-2 times per month) and 10-15 people coming (2-3 times per year).
ypg schrieb:
Your question is where the island should go?

Yes, or more precisely, where should the island and the table be placed?
ypg schrieb:
Is this a new single-family house? Are there any extra rooms next door?

Yes, it’s a new build. Extra rooms for what?
K
kbt09
13 Oct 2016 13:48
Yes, just as last drawn, that’s what I mean... and NO carousel, but a dead CORNER.

By the way, the table should be moved slightly to the left, but you still wouldn’t be sitting directly in the line of sight from the hallway/front door.

You can also see the difference compared to your two island variants:




Logically, the living area on the left is planned with at least 350 cm (140 inches), and there should be a passageway to the patio door below, so a total of at least 450 cm (177 inches), leaving about 400 cm (157 inches) on the right. And honestly, a peninsula that is integrated into the kitchen workflow as inconveniently as in your variants tends to become more of a storage surface and restricts space and movement options.

Regarding the sink... you don’t wash everything by hand, but only a few items occasionally, so you can get used to the draining board being oriented differently.
Y
ypg
13 Oct 2016 13:55
42 sqm (450 sq ft) is not small, but with this layout including two large sofas, a dining table, AND a kitchen island—which takes up more space than a standard kitchen counter—it’s quite a challenge.

That’s why I’m asking if there are any options we might not be aware of without having the floor plan.

Regards
B
Bamue89
13 Oct 2016 14:25
To be honest, I don’t really like any of the solutions because the room’s layout is not suitable for this option. Also, the position as a passageway doesn’t allow for a comfortable dining table arrangement. Is this a city villa? Regards
K
kbt09
13 Oct 2016 15:02
Good thing I don’t change my mind all the time … I had already mentioned that a width of 850cm (28 feet) is rather impractical.