A client requested several options for a kitchen renovation to their Fairfax, VA home. The existing layout provided limited storage and a curious gap between base cabinets and the peninsula.
NSA prepared and presented five. Many of the ideas in these options may be mixed and matched.
Option 1 adds a base cabinet in a preexisting gap between the peninsula and existing base cabinetry. Wall cabinets are added above the infilled gap, and a suspended cabinet is added above the existing peninsula. Both sides of the suspended cabinet would have glass doors for a more open feel between the working area and the dining area of the kitchen. A detail that may be used in any option as a unifying element is a trim board set at the height of the top of the wall cabinets that runs around the entire kitchen. The existing raised wall cabinet above the stove/microwave is replaced with a wall cabinet matching the height of the adjacent wall cabinets to maintain the wall trim datum.
Option 2 shows suspended cabinetry above the peninsula with open shelves – no glass doors. The refrigerator is moved to the right end of the dining room wall. The existing pantry in the corner next to the garage door is removed. On the dining room wall and flanking the opening to the dining room are pantry cabinets and the refrigerator.
Option 3 added open shelving over base cabinets in the dining area of the kitchen. The opening to the dining room is moved to the opposite end of the dining room wall. Pantry cabinets are added to the dining room wall from the relocated opening to the garage wall.
Option 4 adds shelving over base cabinets and a center desk on the dining area wall. The peninsula is widened and given a curved on one side. The existing pantry is removed and replaced with a pantry cabinet and base and wall cabinets. The opening into the dining room is moved to the opposite end of the wall.
Option 5 adds pantry cabinets along the dining area wall. Each pantry cabinet has a small door over a tall door. Wall panels, divided similarly to the pantry cabinets with a small panel over a tall panel, will be applied to the wall opposite the sliding doors, and round the corner to the pantry cabinets along the dining room wall.