A Built-in Kitchen Hutch

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Q.
I have a small area in the kitchen I want to use for storage. I need to get my china, extra wine glasses, and some knickknacks out of the boxes in my basement. Should I buy a stand alone hutch or have one built to match the cabinetry? I don't plan to change our current cabinets so they probably won't match exactly. Will that look ok?
- Mary

A.
If you have the space, a hutch in the kitchen or dining room is perfect for extra storage and display. It provides organization for extra dishes and glasses, linens and trays, or even baking ingredients and utensils. Typically, there are doors and/or drawers on the lower half and doors with glass or open shelving on the upper half. The upper half can either sit directly on the countertop or have no bottom rail so that it leaves the countertop open.

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Whether it's built-in or a freestanding piece is really up to you. With a custom built-in you can make it whatever size and have whatever features you wish. You can choose to either have open shelving, glass doors, closed doors, or a combination. It can even be built to look like it's freestanding. If you go with a freestanding furniture piece, you can always stain or paint it to make it your own or adorn the drawers and doors with different pulls and knobs to update the look. A new countertop material can be added, if possible. If you choose a freestanding that doesn't come in two pieces, just remember to measure your doorways to make sure it will fit through.

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You can try to match it to the existing cabinetry although it may be challenging to find the exact same finish and door style. Different can look great if it's done well. You can either blend it with other accents in the room or have it stand out as the new focal point of your space. By blending it, the finish or color you choose can be balanced in other accessories. For example, a black hutch is balanced by black counter stools with window treatments that have a black pattern. By making it the focal point, it should stand out with color or decoration. Put those knickknacks to good use. Whatever you choose, the hutch will look great and the extra storage will be even better!

Thanks! - Danielle

Island Seating Clearances

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Q.
I want to seat three at my new island. It is at the same height as the rest of the countertops. It will be a plain rectangular island without a sink or cooktop. I'd like a few cabinets underneath for storage. How large should the island be in our medium sized kitchen?
- Kathy

A.
The size and layout of your kitchen will determine the size and shape of your island based on the minimum requirements for clearances. There are a few different ways you can configure seating for three but you must pay attention to the clearances for the work aisle, walkway, and traffic in addition to the seating clearance. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has established guidelines to provide planning access standards. These guidelines reflect current kitchen and bath industry practices as well as building codes and future trends. They are suggestions to help create a safe, effective environment.

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The NKBA recommends the following for seating clearances:

• 30" high counters - allow at least a 24" wide by 18" deep knee space per diner
• 36" high counters - allow at least a 24" wide by 15" deep knee space per diner
• 42" high counters - allow at least a 24" wide by 12" deep knee space per diner

The NKBA also suggests the following clearance for walkways, work aisles, and traffic:

• the width of a walkway should be at least 36"
• the width of a work aisle should be at least 42" for one cook and at least 48" for multiple cooks
• the width of a clearance behind a seated diner varies on the amount of traffic that passes behind
• If there is none, allow 32" from the counter to the wall or other obstruction
• If there is traffic, allow 36" from the counter to the wall or other obstruction to edge past
• If there is traffic, allow 44" from the counter to the wall or other obstruction to walk past

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This means that if you would like to seat everyone along the same edge, your island should be 72" wide (or 6') by at least 40" deep (assuming the base cabinets are a standard 24" deep). If your kitchen is smaller and does not allow for proper walkway or traffic clearances, you could group two diners along one edge and one diner on an adjacent edge. The minimum width should then be approximately 63" wide (24"+ 24"+ 15" for leg clearance). You can also modify the depth of the base cabinets to 21" deep for a 36" deep island. Again, these are merely recommendations. The measurements are slightly flexible so adjust them to your own level of comfort.

Good luck! - Danielle

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Laundry in the Kitchen

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Q.
I am renovating my kitchen and want to put the W/D in there. Not in the next room or in the hallway but in. the. kitchen. I want to get them out of our unfinished and downright scary basement. Don't have a mudroom and don't want to put them upstairs. Most of my time is spent in the kitchen anyway so is there any reason not to?
- Julie

A.
Having a washer and dryer in the kitchen makes so much sense. I wish mine were in that convenient of a location! You don't need a large kitchen either. It can be done in any size space. In fact, many condominiums do this out of necessity. You can either keep those appliances exposed, hide them in cabinetry, or tuck them away in a closet (or perhaps in the space that was meant to be a pantry).

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The size of a washer and dryer is important when fitting them into cabinetry or under a countertop so be sure to check the dimensions. In a closet or tall cabinet, they must be stacked. If they will be exposed, consider how the finish will coordinate with the other appliances in the space. If you are using an existing washer and dryer that are not front loaders or stackable, you will be more limited in placement. There must be a water hookup and electrical outlet so you will need to factor in the cost of having those added if they aren't already existing or in the correct place.

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There are other issues to consider. Think about the amount of laundry that will need to be done. Is it just yourself or the entire family? Where will you be sorting the laundry before it goes into the wash? Will you have enough counterspace for folding? Do you want to be folding on your prep area? Is there a place to store baskets, detergents, and hangers if needed?  If these aren't issues for you, I say why not?

Best of luck! - Danielle

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