Could you possibly post a floorplan drawing with dimensions, showing window locations and door swings?

Our kitchen, before renovation, was a galley kitchen from 1931 with 5 doorways, so I feel your pain.

Had we not been able to add on, then the best alternative would have been to NOT have the sink in the middle of the run of counter. It was there by default as it was under the window. But this led to not having enough counterspace to plate up 4 dinner plates and a cooking pan.

If closing the door to the bedroom off the kitchen gives you better layout in the kitchen, that would be the recommended choice of the 2.

As to an overall layout, I would suggest if possible to have the sink at one end of the counter run, then dishwasher, then refrigerator. On opposite side have the range across the aisle from the sink. This will give a secondary space next to the range to prep. If you have space somewhere, a counter height table with stools that tuck underneath would be good for eat in. This could go on the run next to the range and be built in if you cannot fit in a eating area anywhere else.

We once had a small kitchen and a mistake was made on new counter top, resulting in an extra piece about 6 feet long. I removed the small table we used and installed that lovely piece of Formica counter top as an eating bar. It was the greatest kitchen dining area ever!

I think JulieKCMO may be right, but it would be better if we could see the floorplan with walls/doors/windows/etc. marked and measured (widths of each and distances b/w each).

Have you had a chance to read the "Read Me" thread? It has a "Layout Help" topic that discusses what we need to help with layouts. I've linked it below.

Welcome and good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!

I managed to use an online Kitchen room planner to get the dimensions down.

I was unable to write text on them, however, the left hand top opening leads to the mudroom/bathroom, the only window is the opening below it.

On the right top is the door to the basement, below is the door to the hallway

On the bottom is the door to the bedroom aka dining room. The fridge is sitting beside it.

On the top side is the range with a bank of cabinets and a sink mostly in the middle.

Ceiling height is about 8'4".

Goals: eat in kitchen for 1 -2 people. No separate dining room. Don't need a dishwasher.

Pantry: Could be outside the Kitchen in hall.

Plumbing could be moved.

See my first post for more info about this rental kitchen.

Many thanks! Photos to follow:

More dimensions

Another wall of dimensions

Last wall of dimensions.

I should add that all the doors open out from the kitchen, so that is helpful, and we would consider blocking off the doorway to the dining room (opening on the bottom right of plan).

I would love to get new units if we could find something usable at the Restore. The bottom of the sink unit is pretty rotten from water damage.

The ones shown on this plan are just me playing around with the design program and do not reflect reality (other than current placement of appliances and sink).

Thanks for any helpful ideas!

I was thinking that maybe access to the basement is not too critical - except for the landlord/storage. We are considering putting in a main floor laundry. Maybe something could be done in that top right corner with a small table?

Also, the plumbing and electrical can be moved around. Maybe the sink should go over by the window?

bump

That's a tough space! If basement access really isn't needed often, you could add cabinets between the refrigerator and the window, and move the stove there. This would open up more room for the eating area by the basement door, plus giving you more cabinets and counter space.

I wouldn't bother to move the door to the dining room. Because the hall door opens into this area, you wouldn't gain much additional wall space for cabinets --only a foot or so.

A laundry would be nice, but trying to squeeze it in would make the whole room much more cramped.

I think the best place to try for an eat-in space is between the fridge and window...two options are for a counter along the wall, with stools underneath--the other is for an L-shaped banquette under the window and along the wall, with a narrow table in front of it, nothing round or square, but long and narrow.

Thank you for the suggestions. A couple of things have arisen.

#1 Possible Main floor laundry has been eliminated.

#2 Sink plumbing is not vented. It has a "instavent" cap on top. However, over by the window is where the bathroom above is vented (but a floor higher)

#3 We have been told we don't have to worry about making the window into an exterior door (see my thread in the Bathrooms forum to make sense of this issue).

So, if we move the sink to the window, there goes that awesome banquette possibility. Hmmm, choices, choices!

Here's that pesky vent!

How high off the floor is the window?

Does this apartment have another bedroom? Would you ever want to re-purpose the bedroom back to a DR?

If it's the only bedroom and/or you never plan to make the bedroom a DR, then I would close up the door in the kitchen. Personally, I would not want my bedroom to open into the kitchen, the LR is far preferable!