Our mid-60's split foyer suffers from the to "many walls" syndrone like most similar abandoned styles. The ground level originally included a 12 X 22 living room and a 15 X 13 den and 15 x 9 kitchen with the foyer, stairs, half bath and laundry room sandwiched between. All 4 bedrooms and 2 baths are upstairs. I have not found a similar split foyer/split entry plan after extensive searching. Everyone who sees the house is "suprised" to find the kitchen behind the back wall of the old den. Even we asked, is this a 2nd kitchen when first viewing since most splits have kitchens upstairs. We added a 16 X 32 sun/familiy/ room across the back and it large enough to serve as both living room and dining room. This of course leaves the old den and living room underutilzed. Living room is serving a 5th bedroom due to some family health problems but long term plans would make it a media room. I'm looking for ways to tie the kitchen and den together. There is currently a 7 foot opening on one side, but the 8 foot solid wall hides the cook. The frig is against that 8 foot wall on the kitchen side, so that makes for a very cozy kitchen triangle. Because of a front window location, the only other space available for the frig is against the opposite wall, resulting in a 10 foot leg on the kitchen triangle, Moving it would allow me to cut a 2nd opening between the old den and really help traffic flow and hopefully do away with the feeling of entering a cave. The opening would have to be put in a bearing wall, so I am getting professional help. Does that sound like a good tradeoff, i.e. violating the not over 9 foot on one leg of the kitchen triangle to get a more open and airy "greatromm feel"?

 

The National Kitchen & Bath Association's recommended work triangle and dimensions are "guidelines." They are not etched in stone. And, they are not the reality many homeowners have.

Take your new kitchen measurements to 3 or 4 different kitchen dealers for their recommendations for a design. Go with the dealer with whom you feel the most comfortable and that is the most competent.