L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

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L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

March 29, 2015, 03:45:35 pm

A lot of our Foretravels were designed with an L-shaped kitchen counter. I assume the intention was to provide more counter space. Unfortunately, my wife is short (5') and cannot reach the kitchen cabinets that are directly behind the L-shaped peninsula. What do all you other short ladies keep in that cabinet?

The peninsula is not really very deep and we are thinking of cutting it off so the counter is straight across. Then she could reach the upper cabinet. She does not feel that she would be losing much *usable* counter space (the peninsula is less than one foot deep). The modification would not be giving up much (if any) cabinet storage. For her, it would make it much more useful, and a gain in usable cabinet space. It looks like it would be a straightforward modification, just moving that bank of drawers in to match the sink cabinet front.

Has anyone done that modification?

Any other thoughts or feedback on doing that?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #1 – March 29, 2015, 04:55:11 pm

That removes almost 12" and would cut down quite a bit of drawer space. In my coach the upper two shelves in the cabinet are approx 2500 cubic inches. By cutting off the "L" and shortening the drawers you lose approx 3000 cu in. My 5'2" wife uses a short stool if I am not around. You could move items she uses to the drawers and less used items to the upper shelves. That mod could affect resale in that someone might see a shortfall in lower drawer space. Just another way to look at it.
Good luck,

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #2 – March 29, 2015, 04:59:23 pm

Trent, I just measured the top and the drawer. It looks like you ought to be able to do that modification without running into any problems. There are wires back by the wall, but the drawer is about 10" less than the depth of the cabinet. The "L" is about 9", so you should be good. If you can do the work yourself it shouldn't cost you more than a couple hundred dollars. If you have to have Foretravel do it it will be a lot more.

Would a nice step stool help more? That would make it easier for her to see into the other cabinets, too, would be cheaper and far less mess.

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #3 – March 29, 2015, 05:04:18 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – March 29, 2015, 04:59:23 pm

The "L" is about 9",

96" wide coach

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #4 – March 29, 2015, 05:26:53 pm

Quote from: TulsaTrent – March 29, 2015, 03:45:35 pm

What do all you other short ladies keep in that cabinet?

I keep a small folding step stool under the kitchen sink and pop it up to get a lot of things out of the top of the pantry, the tops of cabinets, etc. I would not give up kitchen counter space for the world -- it is much too valuable. Plus, there's always some other place us short people can't reach. That's why I keep the step stool and, I have to kid him, why I married a tall man!

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #5 – March 29, 2015, 05:33:27 pm

Hi Trent, the drawers in the L may not be full depth, you need to measure them. If they are like mine theybare about 10" short of full depth. The full depth is not entirly usable because of wiring. If you have a Bose Lifestyle system then the woofer is under there too and it is pretty deep.

We keep plates, bowls, coffee cups, silverware and all of that sort of stuff that gets used everyday in the drawers. The cabinet above is cereal, baking stuff and salt, pepper, spices in the door. We have rearranged thing many times to try out different arrangements to see what works best for us.

Before I would start doing a major cabinet remod (including the floor) I would try other arrangements of stuff that works better.

Roger

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #6 – March 29, 2015, 05:52:29 pm

My DW just tells me I need that.

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #7 – March 29, 2015, 06:17:54 pm

Kathleen has a movable step that enables her to reach the higher storage areas.

best, paul

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #8 – March 29, 2015, 06:53:25 pm

To echo the advice that others have already given, think "outside the box" when deciding where to put items. Heavy things go low, light stuff high (so that if it falls out on your head because of shifting, you are not bleeding) and don't use your storage system in the stick& brick house as a guideline for storage on the road. Things that are used often go in easy to reach spots, seldom used but necessary items can go just about anywhere ... including a tote in the bay. or behind your shoes in the closet or over the bed. All bets are off ... just get a list ready so you can find things after you stow them in a strange spot!!

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #9 – March 29, 2015, 07:05:19 pm

I was thinking about bar coding everthing and keeping a data base of where stuff is😉. We must found four rolls of TP that we forgot about.

Hi Carol, hope you and Jeff are well. Roger and Susan

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #10 – March 29, 2015, 08:55:24 pm

Trent,

I keep a 1 step stool that works for us in that same over head cabinet. I value the counter space too much to give any up.

@ Roger,
We don't have a bar code but we do have a 3 page with 3 columns each list of consumables. When an item is removed from stores it is taken off. Have done this for years. Mike claims that I can tell you with in a dozen sheets of kobbs as to what is on board. When you stay at the jumping off place for 6 months at a time it comes in handy.

Pamela

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #11 – March 29, 2015, 09:06:04 pm

We have lists too. Last fall we rearranged just about everything, again. We put in a residential refrig which meant rearranging things. We added three large drawers under our J shaped dinette. More storage. Closets got rearranged too. And new bins and a rearranged basement. It is amazing how much more space we have now after losing space where the new refrigerator went.

Amazing how few things we can't find. Probably because we didn't bring it.

Four months on the road this pass. Lots of practice.

Roger

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #12 – March 30, 2015, 09:23:11 am

A couple of years ago I finally got fed up with shoes all over the place. Our bed platform has a skirt around three sides. I strung a shock cord around the three sides about 5" up from the floor, with eyelets every two pairs of shoes spacing. We now stand the extra shoes on their heels and the shock cord holds them up against the platform and under the skirt. Out of sight and out of the way.

SEE!! I'm not quite as dumb as I look!!

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #13 – March 30, 2015, 10:25:59 am

nighthawk, CW sells a shoe bag that will attach to the sides of the bed. I have had one on each of my Foretravels, holds my two pairs and all of my DW's.

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #14 – March 30, 2015, 10:37:17 am

No CW up here and mine was cheaper and I was able to custom fit it to our various footwear.

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #15 – March 30, 2015, 12:03:05 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – March 30, 2015, 09:23:11 am

I strung a shock cord around the three sides about 5" up from the floor, with eyelets every two pairs of shoes spacing.

Nitehawk,

I think I understand what you are describing, except for the "eyelet." Could you describe that a little more, please?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #16 – March 30, 2015, 12:18:52 pm

I don't find them at CW any longer. I'd like another.

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #17 – March 30, 2015, 12:27:58 pm

Sorry, too early when I posted.

By eyelet I meant a screw-in (duh, another brain f***) something like a cup hanger hook but a closed "eye" on the end that the shock cord is threaded thru.

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #18 – March 30, 2015, 01:41:04 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – March 30, 2015, 09:23:11 am

Quote from: nitehawk – March 30, 2015, 12:27:58 pm
Sorry, too early when I posted.

By eyelet I meant a screw-in (duh, another brain f***) something like a cup hanger hook but a closed "eye" on the end that the shock cord is threaded thru.
SEE!! I'm not quite as dumb as I look!!

Really? You had me fooled

Re: L-Shaped Kitchen Counter Cabinet

Reply #19 – March 30, 2015, 01:55:59 pm

I'm 4'10 3/4" and I have to admit that the upper shelves of that cabinet are underutilized. We currently have spices in the door, more herbs and spices on the first shelf, baking ingredients on the second shelf, some bottles of wine for cooking, vinegars, etc. on the third shelf lying down. Could be better set up, but I wouldn't go to the trouble of reconfiguring (says the one reconfiguring EVERYTHING).

How about a stool and a pair of tongs?

Susan

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