Sunday, May 12, 2013

Where oh where to put the cooktop?

Hope your Mother's Day was super special for and your families!
Anyway, on my continuing "Kitchen Renovation Saga', let's talk about positioning our cooktop.

As you can see in our current kitchen the cooktop is on the island...



My husband suggested moving the island on the opposite wall behind like this...

Looks pretty nice!



This looks nice right?!

And initially I thought it good too. 
However, being the cook in the family, I wanted to mingle and watch things as I cook. 
Also, I did not want to face a wall as I cook - that's just me.  
So we went back to the original lay-out....



Cook-top stays on the island. The big change of course other than a new island, would also be the overhead vent instead of a drop-down one. That way, I can watch movies or videos as I cook and also see what my son's browsing at on the computer (remember this cooktop will be facing the kitchen office)!

The big disadvantage though of having your cooktop on the island? Having splatters or spills going towards whoever's unfortunate enough to sit there!
But, there is a solution, and you'll see it once I show the final Kitchen Island design.

How about you? Are you happy at where you cook now?
Would love to hear your thoughts! Please share away...

Have a Wonderful Mother's Day!

Linking back to these fabulous parties...
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10 comments:

  1. Cristina GarayMay 12, 2013 at 10:14 PM

    I kind of like how it looks on that back wall, but you have more experience having it there on the island, which also looks good too. Either way, it looks really good, I love love love the cabinets going all the way to the ceiling!
    I hope you've had a wonderful Mother's day!

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  2. UnknownMay 13, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    Vel, Happy Mothers Day to you, and thank you for your sweet birthday wishes, I had the best weekend I've ever had. I love the island idea, since I've never had one. I cook with my back to the room. This is so exciting, can't wait for you!
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrower.com

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  3. Krista AasenMay 13, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Wow I think it will turn out to be fabulous whatever you do. I like the way it breaks up the back wall too, and perhaps you could put a prep sink on the island and do all your prep there while you visit? But I can see that "cooking" and visiting would be a pretty appealing option. Can't wait to see it!
    Krista

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  4. sheerserendipityMay 13, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! Either way you go with your kitchen design, it is going to look beautiful. You know the way you use the space and what works best for you. Good luck with your design plan. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  5. Jane@Bluebird1959May 14, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    I think either way would be beautiful! I agree with Sherry's comment about what works best for you. With that being said, I like it on the back wall. Looking forward to seeing what you decide! Jane

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  6. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMay 14, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    I love it on the backwall, looks like there is plenty of counter space around it. Gorgeous views of different designs. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  7. KimMay 14, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    Ohh...I love kitchen remodels! There is always so much possibility! I think that it will be fabulous either way. My cooktop is on the back wall and I love it. I have a gorgeous hood over it and it's a real focal point, but I am not a big cook, so I am more about form than function. I say go with your gut! Can't wait to see the finished product! Good luck.

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  8. An Oasis in the DesertMay 16, 2013 at 7:48 AM

    My cooktop does face the wall, but the actual amount of time that I spend hovering over something cooking on the stove is generally pretty short. I much prefer to have my rather large island devoid of sinks or stovetops. I do a lot of prep-work at the island and can enjoy the camaraderie with others while I do that (or others can assist with some of that), but I also love being able to use my island as a buffet for serving food when we have large family gatherings. It's really all about deciding how you cook and what is the best layout for your particular needs.

    *Just a thought -- I have seen mirrors hung behind a stovetop, allowing the cook to see what is going on behind her. I think this is a feng shui technique, and I'm seriously thinking about doing that.

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  9. AnonymousMay 16, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    Just like Carol in the comment above, my cooktop faces the wall, and I also ditto what she says about the amount of time spent there {very brief in comparison to my prep activities}. If you are rather tall you may actually find the ceiling vented exhaust hood obstructing your view from the island as those hoods typically call for the bottom of the hood to be approx 33" from the cooktop, so be sure to check the specs for the specific hood you're interested in.

    In both of the floor plans I noticed the dishwasher seems to be immediately to the right of the sink; I'd be concerned that you won't be able to load dishes while standing at the sink, you'll have to scrape / rinse then stack, step aside, then load the dishwasher. There's a double-door base cab to the right of the dishwasher ... if they were swapped you should be able to load the dishes while at the sink. Have a panel made for the dishwasher that looks like two doors and you'll be able to maintain the look of the symmetry in your plan even with that change. Something to consider.

    I'm in the midst of a kitchen facelift myself so I feel both your excitement and anxiety! Good luck :)
    Robin
    happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

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  10. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMay 19, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    I can't wait to see your plan! We are in the planning process of our kitchen remodel, what program are you using to draw this? Looks great, can't wait to see more...
    Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday! Hope you'll hop over to join this weeks party...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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