My Building Contractors Urged Me Not to Do This in My Kitchen Reno — But It Made The Biggest Difference
It may have been a struggle to convince my contractors to hollow out a wall, but creating more floor space made my kitchen design so much more successful
Kitchen renovations are a series of compromises. They tend to start with a vision — let's call it a dream — and end up somewhere that is hopefully close to the original hope, but quite possibly pretty different. There will have been practical difficulties, budgetary climb-downs, and new ideas that emerged along the way.
One issue I had was that the contractors were always looking for an easier way (I'm happy with the end result, but it's telling that we didn't use them again). They knew exactly what they were doing and had a fine eye for detail, working with the unusual curves of the doorway and the uneven surface of the 200-year-old flagstone floor — but even though they were being paid by the day rather than for the job, they always seemed reluctant to do anything that might delay them in any way.
Well, this almost caused a full-blown fight when it came to the positioning of the pantry. A fight I was very near to letting them win until I got the tape measure out and realized I was right. Ultimately, I'm so glad I pushed back — it not only made all the difference in the space but also meant that I followed one of the cardinal rules when it comes to the best kitchen layouts; something I'd never forgive myself for forgoing.
The problem
My dream kitchen remodel had a full-sized island bench and a double-fronted pantry — one side to conceal the refrigerator, and one for ingredients, produce, and drawers for baking sheets and trays. Technically, we could have fit all that in with the pantry flush to the wall, leaving just enough floor space to open the doors and walk between the island and the pantry.
But, not only would that have made the entire space tight, but the pantry would have jutted into the room, taking over the space; a monolith that would have undoubtedly stolen focus. While I was planning to paint it terracotta, I still wanted the main focus to be on the granite countertop in the middle of the room.
The solution
So, my solution? To hollow out the thick stone wall in the kitchen to have the pantry set back a foot into the recess. Simple, right?
Well, the contractors scratched their heads. "I mean, it could be done, but it's going to cause you problems," they told me. "Such as?" I asked, my resolve to excavate slowly waning. "Well...the dust. It'll take a bit of time. It'll be noisy. We'll have to fill in the wall we've cut to make it smooth again," they listed, adding "It probably won't make all that much difference."
I began to capitulate. They were telling me it would be tough, and they were the professionals. We were only a few days in, and already I wanted the whole project to be over. Surely anything that might extend it wasn't worth doing? "Ok, fine, let's not bother," I replied, thinking anything to get out of this conversation would be welcome right now. But then I paused, took a deep breath, and told them to go for it. They grimaced. They scratched their chins. They sighed. They rolled their eyes. And then they did it — and I'm so glad.
As you can see from the picture above, the pantry still protrudes, but nowhere near as much as you'd expect for kitchen storage that houses a full-height refrigerator.
How wide should a walkway in the kitchen be?
The result of this 'stand off' (which likely felt worse to my conflict-averse self than it may have actually been) was that we had 38 inches of floor space to walk through between the pantry and island, instead of just 33 inches. The whole room is so much airier, and more importantly, easier to navigate thanks to those crucial five inches.
"The standard approach to spacing for cabinet units as well as appliances (since they are usually built to the same dimensional specifications anyway) is to plan for a 36-inch space between openings," says Brandon Walker, company construction manager at ASAP Restoration in Scottsdale, Arizona. "This way when you have an island cabinet, you can open the door to access it, and open the door to the cabinet on the wall side, without the doors hitting each other."
He goes on to add that this rule also applies elsewhere in the kitchen. "This is the same spacing for appliances as well," he says. "This way you can pull the door to your dishwasher down without it hitting the island countertop, or smashing into one of the drawers."
But when I say 'rule', it's not actually a rule. In fact Brandon says there aren't many regulations in most municipalities regulating this. "If you want to design your kitchen so that the cabinet doors hit each other, that's your right," he says.
In smaller homes, or for those with particularly big kitchen dreams, there may be some ways to swing this in your favor. If you're working with a small kitchen remodel, "the best way to get the most value out of the real estate is to plan for the tightness being a feature rather than a bug," says Brandon. "This means you won't be able to cram everything in together, but it will make for a more functional space."
To do this Brandon stresses the importance of not only knowing your dimensions, but also knowing how you will use the space, and how this will impact that. "Let's say you need a lot of countertop space, but you only have so much room," he theorizes. "You have to determine if an island or a peninsula is the better use of your space. Then you have to think of your habits. Would you be inconvenienced by a peninsula because you need to regularly access that area, and so only an island will do? Do you have space enough for either one?"
For studio apartment kitchen ideas, you may need to look to places other than Pinterest for your inspiration. "If your space is truly small, then you need to start thinking in terms of how boats and RVs are built," says Brandon. "These tight space restrictions force creativity when it comes to design. This might mean that your tiny kitchen will need to have a pull-out bread board-style countertop extension in order to get the space you need."
The best small kitchen storage ideas also incorporate increased access, adds Brandon. "This might mean splurging on cabinets that have pull-out drawers, or whole units so that you don't have any lost cabinet real estate at the back where no one can reach."
So, the most important takeaway from all this? Storage can make or break a kitchen design. No matter how big the space is, you'd be surprised what a difference a few inches can make. So if that means having to push through a short and uncomfortable conversation or two in the short-term, that can be the difference between having a comfortable space to live in for years to come, or one you'll feel awkward in every day.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
The editor of Livingetc, Pip Rich (formerly Pip McCormac) is a lifestyle journalist of almost 20 years experience working for some of the UK's biggest titles. As well as holding staff positions at Sunday Times Style, Red and Grazia he has written for the Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times and ES Magazine. The host of Livingetc's podcast Home Truths, Pip has also published three books - his most recent, A New Leaf, was released in December 2021 and is about the homes of architects who have filled their spaces with houseplants. He has recently moved out of London - and a home that ELLE Decoration called one of the ten best small spaces in the world - to start a new renovation project in Somerset.
-
This NYC Brownstone's Serene Aesthetic Is a Homage to Dutch Still Lifes That Brings Lived-In Charm
Drawing inspiration from contemporary Belgian design, this historic home has been infused with warmth and character
By Karine Monié Published
-
10 Living Rooms With Dark Gray Sofas That Show This Couch Color Is a Real Style Chameleon
Charcoal-colored couches offer the best of both worlds when it comes to style and practicality, and these real rooms prove it
By Luke Arthur Wells Published
-
We Know You Want One, But Do You Really *Need* a Kitchen Island? Chances Are You Don't — Here's How to Make the Call
It's a popular design decision (and for good reason), but if you're trying to squeeze an island in where there's no space, it may be time to rethink your choices
By Natasha Brinsmead Published
-
Kitchen Produce Drawers Are the Clever Way to Keep Your Veggies Crisp and Countertops Clear These Holidays — Here's Why
Whether it's custom fit or simply repurposing a standard drawer, it's time to neatly tuck away your harvest ahead of the holiday season
By Olivia Wolfe Published
-
The Japanese Concept of Mottainai is the One Thing Your Fridge Needs for Maximum Organization — Here’s How it Works
If you find yourself throwing food out having forgotten containers in the corners of your fridge, then mottainai will be your new BFF
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
9 Durable Kitchen Flooring Finishes That Interior Designers Swear Will Look Good for Longer
From polished concrete to peel-and-stick vinyl, these durable kitchen flooring options are as easy to look after as they are on the eye
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari Published
-
What Color Countertop is Best for a Small Kitchen? Experts Recommend These 5 Space-Busting Tones
Your countertop color and material palette is an important decision in any kitchen, but particularly in a small one — here's what the experts say
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari Published
-
5 Kitchen Surfaces That Look Good, But Won't Last Long — Experts Share the Countertop Materials to Avoid
It's a big investment that's not easy to replace if you end up regretting your choice. Here, experts discuss the kitchen countertop materials to keep clear of
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari Published
-
9 Things You Should Get Rid of in Your Kitchen Cabinets Right Now — An Expert Explains Why
From vases to lidless containers, if you spot these items in your cabinets, it's probably the right time to pencil in a decluttering session
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
5 Kitchen Lighting Design Rules Interior Designers Warn You Should Never Ignore for a Well-Lit Space
These pitfalls of kitchen lighting can cause practical and aesthetic problems for your cooking space
By Sarah Lyon Published