HOW TO RE-DESIGN A KITCHEN LAYOUT

Renovating a kitchen can increase the value of a home significantly. Kitchens and baths are the areas in the home where you can tell if money has been well spent or not. They're the most expensive areas of the home in terms of construction and they're where people spend most of their time.  According to the 2016 Cost vs. Value Remodeling Report, for a major kitchen remodel you will recoup 64.9% of the cost nationwide,  and 63.6% for east north central (including Indiana).

Elz Design just completed a Kitchen renovation for a wonderful client.  My client loves to cook and bake and is in the Kitchen quite often, so the space needed to flow functionally, be able to entertain guests comfortably, and contain tons of storage, and counter prepping space.

Here's a little helpful hint: If you are re-designing your space, it is always easiest to look at the plans on paper first and sketching ideas to start recreating the space.

Here is the original layout of the kitchen and my client's wishlist.

ORIGINAL FLOOR PLAN:

Client's Wishlist:

1. Open Layout
2. Large Island with bar seating
3. Tons of cabinet storage
3. Double Oven
4. Incorporate Backstairs
5. Area for a large kitchen table
6. Display framed recipes
7. Timeless and clean design

Leaving the windows, doors, and doorways as is, this is the best possible layout I could come up with incorporating my client's wants.

1. Remove wall separating Kitchen and Dining Room to open the Kitchen up and create more space
2. Push back dining room wall to make even with kitchen wall
3. Arrange all appliances against one wall to maximize cabinet storage, flow of kitchen, and functionality of cooking
4. 11 Foot Large Island with tons of cabinet/counter space + bar seating for 4-5 people
5. Centrally located large kitchen sink
6. Location of Refrigerator is centrally located in all areas (i.e. cooking area, seating area, backdoor area, ease of access coming from Family Room)
7. Large kitchen table that allows seating for 8 people
8. Bay window seat to allow more seating, plus more storage (i.e. pull-out drawers, or lift-up top)
9. Buffet cabinet for food gatherings with open shelving above to display framed recipes and hold glass stemware

FINAL FLOOR PLAN:

Here are a few elevations of the cabinetry work...

And finally here are the AFTER pictures of this beautiful classic kitchen.

*Photos by Chris Berneking

Here are a few BEFORE pictures of the Dining Room and Kitchen:

Hope you enjoyed seeing this Kitchen renovation come to life!