Get rid of the slider to the outside and put in a door next to the fireplace instead of a window. That would let you expand the kitchen into the breakfast area. But, everything else isn't going to come cheap. You're not going to change the layout easily on a slab. Plus, you're talking about doing every single thing in the kitchen. That's easily 30-40K even if you don't try to move stuff to create a better layout. Painting what's there and just replacing the appliances would let you spend under 10K.

You'd have to get this house darn cheap and have lots of money left over if you want to do the same amount of makeovers to the other rooms.

Holly: thanks for responding. I agree that moving the slider would be best in terms of a better layout, but I don't think I want to do that much. Short of moving the slider (or any windows/walls/doors) do you think anything can be done to improve the layout?

What if I moved the range to the corner next to the window, as the inspiration photo? Then moved the sink, and in its place would be counter to be used as prep space? The sink would then go on an angle similar to the inspiration photo and on the remaining section of penninsula could be seating.

On the other wall I would then have room for a larger refrigerator, wall over and maybe even a baking center.

Would it work? Or would the stove be too close to the doorway, even if I went smaller than a 36" if necessary?

I agree that moving the slider would be best in terms of a better layout, but I don't think I want to do that much.

Removing the slider & replacing a window with a door is pretty darned small when you're talking about replacing cabinets, getting a SubZero, wall oven & 36'' BlueStar. I'd make do with less expensive appliances, used ones, even, (that can always be replaced down the road) in order to get a space with a whole lot more potential.

ci_lantro: mooring doors and windows seems like a huge undertaking to me. Granted, I have no remodeling experience, but it seems like a lot of work. We'd have to find the matching windows and doors, patch up the holes,and match the paint and wall texture. Plus the existing sink window might not be in the right spot afterwards, so yet another window to move. Exterior wise the siding would need to be patched. Which isn't a huge deal because we were probably going to replace the weathered wood siding with hardi plank, but I was hoping to wait a few years before doing so.

I wasn't planning on going with expensive cabinets, probably the pure style line by Martha Stewart (laminate). If I kept the existing layout, or even tweaked it just a bit then we are not looking at a lot of cabinets, especially since I would remove the uppers on the sink wall.

Also, the fireplace wall is symmetrical now. I'm not sure how I'd like it with a window on one side and a door on the other.

There's a lot to think about, and even just considering removing the slider seems to make it so much more complex.

It might seem like a big undertaking, but I'm here to tell you it's 1/2 as hard as your mind is making it. I've done it myself, alone. I'm a 5'3" (on a tall day) woman.

If you're going to dump so much money into this kitchen, do it right and make it perfect. Why the heck not? You're going t live there. I settled for "good enough for now" for 18 years of marriage, and "later" never came. Ever. Do it once and do it right.

Keep in mind since these cabinets are new, you could buy doors in most cases and use the boxes, saving yourself $1000s.

I'd rather have "later" on the outside of the house (believe it or not) than having to look at it every day, all day long in my kitchen.

But that's just me.

I don't think you habe enough width to move the sink to an angle peninsula, and keep an eating area there, too.

Can you get some measurements on the space?

Nancy

I'd want to find out what it would cost to move that door as far right as possible.

If it can't be done w/in reason then I'd consider putting a corner china type cabinet there (like often seen built in corners of older DRs).

you could maybe put the stove to the right of the 'now' sink and the 'future' sink to the left of the 'now' sink. It doesn't have to be over a window. That area could be prep space.

If you can move that door maybe do a short stove run there.

Moving things around would hinge on the measurements in the room and of the appliances.

I think the window someone mentioned changing to a door is the window on the wall that joins the sliding door wall. If there's a window to the left of the FP it would still have one on either side of it.

The cab boxes could be painted and doors painted or replaced. Same with the drawer fronts.