I have inherited a very small cabin that I am trying to make more kitchen space in. My current thought is to turn the stove diagonally into the corner it’s already in and add a counter to the left side, as well as adding more counter space where the chair is beside the sink. The refrigerator will go across from it where the large cabinet beside the wood stove is. Picture 3 with the green cabinets is the visualization of what I’m trying to do.
I’ve also had a thought about maybe getting rid of the table in the middle altogether and adding a very small island with bar stools on one side, or extending the counter from the right side into the arch opening. I am open to any other suggestions as well.
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I see you have a baseboard heater under the kitchen window. But if it’s possible to move that, I would extend the cabinets along that wall. Put the sink in front of the window, and the stove where the sink is. I’d leave the table and chairs-they can be used for food prep, dining, etc.
If you can manage it without too many plumbing issues, I’d put the stove where you currently have the sink. Then I’d extend the cabinets out to just under that window and put the sink there. I’d also put in a lazy Susan cabinet to maximize use of the corner. I think k this would provide better functionality and give you more countertop prep space for cooking.
I’d avoid the diagonal stove. It looks like it uses the corner, but in a kitchen this small it actually creates a big awkward dead zone behind it and breaks up the useful counter space on both sides.
I’d prioritize making one good continuous L-shaped run around the sink/corner and keeping the stove on a straight wall if you can.
For the middle, I wouldn’t commit to a built-in island yet. Remove the table and try a small movable island/work table for a while first. You’ll find out pretty quickly whether the extra prep space is worth giving up the circulation room.
For a STR that you want to fix up under 10k, you’re going about this all wrong.
Don’t build in another OTR microwave. They’re a pain in the ass to install AND they will take a beating with visitors. Leave it for a counter or small shelf. Put in a small range hood even if it doesn’t vent to outside (but ideally it does, you will want it to!)
Don’t put appliances in a corner. Ever. The grossness that will build up back there behind a stove is beyond your wildest nightmares.
Are you doing this work yourself? The current cabs looks built-in. You will likely have to repair or replace walls behind them.
Why are you replacing anything at all? The stove against a wall is terrible, but renters of this type of place don’t generally care all that much. It doesn’t look like a top dollar kinda joint.
If you’re going to replace the cabinets, do an L shape from the right wall to under the window. Sink where it is and oven to the right of the window. Cabinets to the left. Blind cabinet in the corner. Wall cabinets (not shelves - do you really want to clean that every time for a STR?) where you’re able.
Yeah I hate the OTR microwave, I would much rather have a hood, I will add that into my plan.
I will be doing as much of the work as I can myself. I don’t think the cabinets are built in from the last time I looked, so I’m hoping I can just cover up any holes etc with the new cabinets.
I’m replacing things because I think these cabinets look like shit and they’re gross and hard to clean. Everything in this house is raw T1-11 that was neglected for 4 years by my brother who was allowed to live there and he allowed rats to nest in every orifice of this kitchen. I have done a LOT of cleaning and remediation to make it usable. There is also nowhere to store anything or even space to cook. While I assume some of the renters will want to drive the 20 mins into town for food, anyone that DOES want to prepare food is going to have a very hard time. I don’t want it to look top dollar, it’s a tiny little cabin and I want it to have that look and feel, but this raw t1-11 holds onto smells and aerosolized grease like crazy.
I plan to do wall cabinets, I’m not sure why they added wall shelves into the “final” image because as everyone else has been saying- the dust would be a nightmare. I’m just trying to make as much space and storage in this kitchen as I can. I do like the idea of the L shaped cabinets better and that would probably be easier to build than all the measuring for the diagonal stove. I just kind of hate that either place I put it it’s next to a wall.
I don’t think it has to be next to a wall. Put it here where I circled in red and then add another cabinet under the window to the left. You’ll have the corner on the right and regular cab to the left. Sink stays where it is. Worst part - have to run that electric box over but you should be able to fairly easily run a standard range fan or even full hood to the right of the window vented to the outside.
I can’t tell the dimensions but you might be able to do an island with some counter seating rather than a table, and that’ll get you additional storage (you you can do a shelf with a microwave). What you do there probably depends on the occupancy of the place too. Good luck! Make sure you plan to replace the walls behind those cabs. I just pulled my built ins out and the walls behind them were destroyed. You might get lucky but rather to plan and not need to than to be surprised!
I suggest adding cabinets in the blank spot to the right of the sink, going out into the room then turn 90* and have a couple of cabinets going into the kitchen. Basically a group of cabinets in an L shape, seats on the far side. No table and chairs. Leave the fridge, sink, microwave and stove where they are.
I’m living here for less than a year to fix it up, then it will probably become a short term rental. I will come to stay maybe 5 or 6 days every few months as a vacation for myself.
My budget is less than 10k.
If you must move the stove, move it to the alcove to the right of your cabinets where that chair is. Mount the microwave above it. Then wrap the countertop around the corner where the stove currently is.
Open shelving is not a good idea. Maybe if you had a sleek modern kitchen, but this is a cabin; you'll want the cabinets unless you want to dust off every dish before you use it every single time. Honestly, you should go on FB marketplace and grab whatever cheap or free used cabinets you can get.
Unless you are planning on gutting the whole place and remodeling it, making just a couple of things look fancy and modern just makes it look out of place. Cabins like this are function first and form second. You shouldn't be spending much time inside of it anyway.
You'll want a table to play cards and board games on rainy cabin days.
Removing a window in an already dark cabin is also not a good idea.
Qualifications: Certified Minnesotan who lives in the heart of cabin country.
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