ᐅ Is it possible to design an open-plan kitchen with special custom features in only 29 square meters?
Created on: 20 Dec 2020 18:58
K
knalltüte
Hello,
I would like to reconsider my current plans for the open-plan kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, and use the collective intelligence of this forum for inspiration.
Over the past few months/during the construction, my priorities have shifted slightly (preferably furnishing with higher-quality items right away, not taking existing furniture with me), so I now require professional help especially with the kitchen/dining corner layout (this was planned from the start). On-site appointments at kitchen studios will likely follow as soon as possible. But perhaps I can already find suitable ideas here.
My desired kitchen features (designed for myself, maximum for two people):
Sink + dishwasher (preferably the dishwasher installed at “mid-height”). The sink location is roughly fixed due to the existing wastewater pipe options.
An oven with pyrolytic self-cleaning, nothing special otherwise. The oven can be installed “low” (as there is probably only one built-in spot at “mid-height”). I don’t need a microwave (not even one integrated into the oven).
The cooktop can be induction, possibly with a downdraft vent (preferably from Berbel, as I like their cleaning and technology best). It should not be too wide; do models around 60cm (24 inches) wide exist?
Alternatively, I am considering a two-burner gas cooktop combined with a teppanyaki grill. I would even prefer if this combination could be paired with a recirculation hood or downdraft vent—is that possible? The gas supply would come from a bottled source in the technical room.
My wishes for the cooktop include front-facing knobs (instead of touch control), and easy cleaning (with gas, probably only “Pitt Cooking” works).
I want a refrigerator with one or two freezer drawers or an integrated small freezer compartment. I would prefer the fridge and dishwasher to be integrated into a wall-mounted cabinet.
I need about 60-80cm (24–31 inches) of free countertop space for food preparation, plus about 40cm (16 inches) for appliances (only a small portafilter espresso machine + grinder). All other appliances should be stored in cabinets or drawers. The kitchen overall should not take up too much space and should appear clean, elegant, and floating. (I really like the design of many Bulthaup B3 wall-mounted kitchens.)
Directly adjacent to the kitchen, I want a comfortable counter/dining area mostly for myself, but it should fit up to four people (even if that is a bit tight), preferably with a view towards the terrace/pool/south-facing windows.
It would be nice to have the option to expand the dining area significantly for larger groups when “social gatherings” become possible again.
I am aware that the actual living area (entire apartment excluding the terrace) is only 59m² (635 square feet). Are my wishes even remotely feasible?
I certainly don’t expect space for gatherings with 20 people. My idea would be to compress the living area and add another table to the existing dining corner to significantly enlarge it.
What doesn’t exist in suitable space-saving dining furniture can of course be custom-built ;-)
I am very open to “wow effect” suggestions. I just don’t have the creative knack for this myself.
There is no fixed budget planned for this. Everything so far has always changed spontaneously, so why not here?
Since this is an open-plan kitchen, here is my (unfinalized) wish list for the TV/living area as well.
A comfortable but small corner sofa for 1–2 people. It should also serve as a possible sleeping space.
A small coffee table (height-adjustable) with multiple functions (dining, mini workspace).
Possibly a small side table of about 35cm (14 inches) diameter.
The TV will be integrated into the wall (I left a suitably sized recess for this). Therefore, I don’t need a lowboard or similar. All equipment including cables (except for the TV) will be hidden.
If there is still some space on the sofa side (unlikely), I could imagine a small (mini) wall-mounted sideboard. I like the design of the Interlübke Cube models.
Comments like “that’s something you do before floorplanning and construction” are a bit late by now :p
I would like to reconsider my current plans for the open-plan kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, and use the collective intelligence of this forum for inspiration.
Over the past few months/during the construction, my priorities have shifted slightly (preferably furnishing with higher-quality items right away, not taking existing furniture with me), so I now require professional help especially with the kitchen/dining corner layout (this was planned from the start). On-site appointments at kitchen studios will likely follow as soon as possible. But perhaps I can already find suitable ideas here.
My desired kitchen features (designed for myself, maximum for two people):
Sink + dishwasher (preferably the dishwasher installed at “mid-height”). The sink location is roughly fixed due to the existing wastewater pipe options.
An oven with pyrolytic self-cleaning, nothing special otherwise. The oven can be installed “low” (as there is probably only one built-in spot at “mid-height”). I don’t need a microwave (not even one integrated into the oven).
The cooktop can be induction, possibly with a downdraft vent (preferably from Berbel, as I like their cleaning and technology best). It should not be too wide; do models around 60cm (24 inches) wide exist?
Alternatively, I am considering a two-burner gas cooktop combined with a teppanyaki grill. I would even prefer if this combination could be paired with a recirculation hood or downdraft vent—is that possible? The gas supply would come from a bottled source in the technical room.
My wishes for the cooktop include front-facing knobs (instead of touch control), and easy cleaning (with gas, probably only “Pitt Cooking” works).
I want a refrigerator with one or two freezer drawers or an integrated small freezer compartment. I would prefer the fridge and dishwasher to be integrated into a wall-mounted cabinet.
I need about 60-80cm (24–31 inches) of free countertop space for food preparation, plus about 40cm (16 inches) for appliances (only a small portafilter espresso machine + grinder). All other appliances should be stored in cabinets or drawers. The kitchen overall should not take up too much space and should appear clean, elegant, and floating. (I really like the design of many Bulthaup B3 wall-mounted kitchens.)
Directly adjacent to the kitchen, I want a comfortable counter/dining area mostly for myself, but it should fit up to four people (even if that is a bit tight), preferably with a view towards the terrace/pool/south-facing windows.
It would be nice to have the option to expand the dining area significantly for larger groups when “social gatherings” become possible again.
I am aware that the actual living area (entire apartment excluding the terrace) is only 59m² (635 square feet). Are my wishes even remotely feasible?
I certainly don’t expect space for gatherings with 20 people. My idea would be to compress the living area and add another table to the existing dining corner to significantly enlarge it.
What doesn’t exist in suitable space-saving dining furniture can of course be custom-built ;-)
I am very open to “wow effect” suggestions. I just don’t have the creative knack for this myself.
There is no fixed budget planned for this. Everything so far has always changed spontaneously, so why not here?
Since this is an open-plan kitchen, here is my (unfinalized) wish list for the TV/living area as well.
A comfortable but small corner sofa for 1–2 people. It should also serve as a possible sleeping space.
A small coffee table (height-adjustable) with multiple functions (dining, mini workspace).
Possibly a small side table of about 35cm (14 inches) diameter.
The TV will be integrated into the wall (I left a suitably sized recess for this). Therefore, I don’t need a lowboard or similar. All equipment including cables (except for the TV) will be hidden.
If there is still some space on the sofa side (unlikely), I could imagine a small (mini) wall-mounted sideboard. I like the design of the Interlübke Cube models.
Comments like “that’s something you do before floorplanning and construction” are a bit late by now :p
Well, I actually had to laugh because taste comes with building :p
I also find your requests quite space-consuming. In a small area, every corner and gap has to be used efficiently. Even if you think that a single person or a couple doesn’t need seven pots and pans, you still need a small and a large pot, as well as a small and a large pan if you actually want to use the kitchen. And whether you have 2 or 4 plates, they require the same amount of shelf space in diameter (height excluded). I don’t want to be pessimistic, but a gas cylinder, this downdraft extractor, and the desire for floating elements, preferably in the Bulthaup style, simply take up disproportionate amounts of space that then is missing for storage.
But I’m happy to help you... I was just about to open a 3D program when I noticed that there isn’t 59cm (23 inches) of space next to the window in the bottom left corner??? Is that correct?
Anyway: could you please also clarify whether those are patio doors or low-level windows? And also what exactly you plan to use the storage room for?
I also find your requests quite space-consuming. In a small area, every corner and gap has to be used efficiently. Even if you think that a single person or a couple doesn’t need seven pots and pans, you still need a small and a large pot, as well as a small and a large pan if you actually want to use the kitchen. And whether you have 2 or 4 plates, they require the same amount of shelf space in diameter (height excluded). I don’t want to be pessimistic, but a gas cylinder, this downdraft extractor, and the desire for floating elements, preferably in the Bulthaup style, simply take up disproportionate amounts of space that then is missing for storage.
But I’m happy to help you... I was just about to open a 3D program when I noticed that there isn’t 59cm (23 inches) of space next to the window in the bottom left corner??? Is that correct?
Anyway: could you please also clarify whether those are patio doors or low-level windows? And also what exactly you plan to use the storage room for?
K
knalltüte21 Dec 2020 18:51Well, this is actually my first time building a new house. I have been involved in renovations, extensions, repairs, and maintenance on the old house since I was a child.
I increasingly like the idea of spending more time here on the beautiful and important things in life (my daughter with her husband and three grandchildren live only 150m (490 feet) away). In recent weeks, I have also been working towards needing to work less in the future.
And I have gotten rid of the bad habit of worrying about money 😉
So I understand that compromises will have to be made here and there.
In the utility room, there will definitely be space for a floor-to-ceiling shelf unit at least 40cm (16 inches) deep and 1.5m (5 feet) wide.
However, I could also imagine (to enlarge the kitchen space) for example partially recessing the oven into the utility room wall, something like this:
Otherwise, in the utility room: washer-dryer. On the right side of the utility room, a boxed-in area about 70cm (28 inches) wide, 15cm (6 inches) deep, and 150cm (5 feet) high for electrical systems, residual current device, and smart home technology.
At the moment, I do not see any other necessities...
Unfortunately, it seems that a few centimeters have been lost during the planning process between the terrace element and the wall. I will measure tomorrow to see what the actual situation is after the window installation. Originally, 65cm (26 inches) was planned...
Here is a very early site plan to better illustrate the purpose of the south-facing view (though some minor changes have already been made after consultation with the neighbor to the right). The location and orientation of the pool will probably still be adjusted slightly. The wooden deck shown will be the sliding cover and upper insulation (lockable) for the pool, and will usually be over the pool. So the picture shows the pool "open".
I increasingly like the idea of spending more time here on the beautiful and important things in life (my daughter with her husband and three grandchildren live only 150m (490 feet) away). In recent weeks, I have also been working towards needing to work less in the future.
And I have gotten rid of the bad habit of worrying about money 😉
So I understand that compromises will have to be made here and there.
In the utility room, there will definitely be space for a floor-to-ceiling shelf unit at least 40cm (16 inches) deep and 1.5m (5 feet) wide.
However, I could also imagine (to enlarge the kitchen space) for example partially recessing the oven into the utility room wall, something like this:
Otherwise, in the utility room: washer-dryer. On the right side of the utility room, a boxed-in area about 70cm (28 inches) wide, 15cm (6 inches) deep, and 150cm (5 feet) high for electrical systems, residual current device, and smart home technology.
At the moment, I do not see any other necessities...
Unfortunately, it seems that a few centimeters have been lost during the planning process between the terrace element and the wall. I will measure tomorrow to see what the actual situation is after the window installation. Originally, 65cm (26 inches) was planned...
Here is a very early site plan to better illustrate the purpose of the south-facing view (though some minor changes have already been made after consultation with the neighbor to the right). The location and orientation of the pool will probably still be adjusted slightly. The wooden deck shown will be the sliding cover and upper insulation (lockable) for the pool, and will usually be over the pool. So the picture shows the pool "open".
K
knalltüte21 Dec 2020 19:06Here are some recent pictures of the open-plan kitchen and living area... Although the first photo is from the upper floor, the window element is the same on the ground floor (the door is the left element).
Ok... now realistically look at your kitchen corner and what you actually need:
A 45cm (18 inch) dishwasher, a 60cm (24 inch) sink cabinet, a 60cm (24 inch) unit for small appliances and chopping tools (then you have 105cm (41 inch) of workspace), a 60cm (24 inch) unit for a coffee machine and other items to place on (with storage underneath for Tupperware, bowls, containers), a 60cm (24 inch) stove (with spices, oils, and food stored underneath), a 60cm (24 inch) oven (whether wall-mounted or not, but at eye level), and a 60cm (24 inch) refrigerator with freezer. Above the fridge, a compartment for your decorations, candles, and odds and ends.
You still haven’t accounted for glasses, sets and napkins, cups, and dishes. Ideally, these could go above the oven. Below the oven, a drawer for sweets. There’s still a shortage of storage for bread, bowls, cutlery, knives, cutting boards... and things I haven’t thought of on the spot.
Now think about whether you can really "afford" your built-in layout. I assume not. Essentially, you’ll need some kind of small "island" for cooking. Your utility room can’t handle everything either.
Make your highlight the cabinetry and fittings, add a nice slim countertop... The dining table can also be foldable and placed in front of the intended extended hallway when guests are over... but you should definitely use the full depth of the planned space. There’s nothing more frustrating than cooking where you constantly have to move things around or place items on the floor. That’s a no-go!
A 45cm (18 inch) dishwasher, a 60cm (24 inch) sink cabinet, a 60cm (24 inch) unit for small appliances and chopping tools (then you have 105cm (41 inch) of workspace), a 60cm (24 inch) unit for a coffee machine and other items to place on (with storage underneath for Tupperware, bowls, containers), a 60cm (24 inch) stove (with spices, oils, and food stored underneath), a 60cm (24 inch) oven (whether wall-mounted or not, but at eye level), and a 60cm (24 inch) refrigerator with freezer. Above the fridge, a compartment for your decorations, candles, and odds and ends.
You still haven’t accounted for glasses, sets and napkins, cups, and dishes. Ideally, these could go above the oven. Below the oven, a drawer for sweets. There’s still a shortage of storage for bread, bowls, cutlery, knives, cutting boards... and things I haven’t thought of on the spot.
Now think about whether you can really "afford" your built-in layout. I assume not. Essentially, you’ll need some kind of small "island" for cooking. Your utility room can’t handle everything either.
Make your highlight the cabinetry and fittings, add a nice slim countertop... The dining table can also be foldable and placed in front of the intended extended hallway when guests are over... but you should definitely use the full depth of the planned space. There’s nothing more frustrating than cooking where you constantly have to move things around or place items on the floor. That’s a no-go!
K
knalltüte21 Dec 2020 19:50ypg schrieb:
Ok... now realistically take a look at your kitchen corner and what you need:
45cm (18 inches) dishwasher, 60cm (24 inches) sink cabinet, 60cm (24 inches) small appliances and prep area (which then leaves 105cm (42 inches) of workspace), 60cm (24 inches) for coffee machine and additional storage (below that, Tupperware, bowls, containers), 60cm (24 inches) stove (with spices, oils, food underneath), 60cm (24 inches) oven (whether wall-mounted or not, but at eye level), 60cm (24 inches) fridge with freezer. Above the fridge a compartment for your decorations, candles, and miscellaneous stuff.
Now you haven’t yet allocated space for glasses, sets, napkins, cups, and dishes. Ideally, that could be above the oven. Under the oven a sweets drawer. There is still a shortage of space for bread, bowls, cutlery, knives, boards, and things I might not have thought of right away.
And now consider whether you can actually "afford" your built-in setup. I guess probably not. Basically, you’re dependent on some kind of small island — a small unit for cooking. Your utility room can’t cover everything either.
Make your highlight the fronts and fittings, put on a nice thin countertop... The dining table can also be foldable and positioned in front of the imagined extended hallway for guests... but you should definitely make full use of the planned space in terms of depth. Nothing is more frustrating than cooking where you constantly have to rearrange or put things on the floor. That’s a no-go! Okay. It sounds quite different from what I was thinking before, but definitely not something I dislike.
I said it from the start: I’m open to “wow factor” suggestions. Often I only appreciate things once they are explained to me. I can decide if I like something, but I don’t come up with it on my own. That’s just how it is.
Would you like to make me a nice proposal with an island?
I can’t find it anymore. On Pinterest, I came across a relatively long, narrow table (beer table dimensions) that was placed right next to the sofa and used like a counter. It could be moved away when guests arrived and used as a table. That way, the multi-purpose table in front of the sofa could be smaller. It needs to have a place somewhere when guests are there.
The kitchen will probably be arranged as a single line plus a peninsula or a mobile kitchen island.
The kitchen will probably be arranged as a single line plus a peninsula or a mobile kitchen island.
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