Raised Ranch Kitchen Redesign

This raised ranch kitchen project was completed & presented months ago, but never featured, so here we go! My client’s biggest complaint was the lack of counterspace - something that is not a surprise to anyone that’s cooked or baked in a similar kitchen. A secondary request was for double ovens.

I tackled the double ovens first. This raised ranch kitchen was a typical L-shaped layout with the refrigerator located on your right as you entered. I opted to place the double oven stack at the other end of the “L” balancing out the cabinet run with two tall units. The rest of the appliance and cabinet layout remained basically the same. We did a cooktop where the range was and underneath the cooktop did pull out drawers for pot and pan storage.

Now for more counter space.

Unfortunately, this kitchen did not have space for an island, so we needed to come up with a creative solution to work this in.

The other side of this kitchen featured a bar-height countertop with openings through to the living and dining room. While it was great to have the function of an eat in kitchen, the bar height made it so that you couldn’t use this area for prep or serving and when you were sitting in the kitchen, your back was to anyone cooking. I chose to remove the countertop at the openings altogether, and instead placed an L-shaped banquette that mirrored the L-shape of the cabinets. Rather than having this seating be at dining height, it is at counter height. The table in front, is then a counter height table, and the top is stone. This serves two purposes. It can function as a second countertop for food preparation. Then, while entertaining, it is also at the correct height for buffet serving if they are serving food here in the kitchen. Also, having the banquette in the corner allows for people to sit in the kitchen and interact with the person doing the food prep - a big selling point for these clients.

Is there a kitchen layout problem that you’re struggling with? Abode Virtual Design can help! We’d love to hear from you in the comments or via email - or head the shop page on our website for more information on our design services.