Hi everyone! Thanks so much for sharing generously!
We are wondering about the pros and cons of these two types of kitchen counter designs. Would appreciate some feedback on your experience with them, your preferences and why?
Thanks in advance!
01zeosix said
10:49 PM Oct 26, 2013
I prefer the island myself. Much less "walking around" that way. Also gives the impression of more room in the RV.
My opinion mind you. There are ++++ to each.
Hope this helps.
Lucky Mike said
11:02 PM Oct 26, 2013
Wrap around if I was going to use it as an eating area....Island if it was just for preparing foods.......but I agree on more floor traffic space and the ability for 2 to move about the kitchen area without being closed in
IMHO
Terry and Jo said
05:34 AM Oct 27, 2013
I would say that it also depends on how the rest of the trailer is laid out. On our 2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3, there is a desk area that butts up right against the peninsula (wrap around) counter. With this arrangement, I even have room on the kitchen counter for a small lamp near my desk and laptop computer. That is really beneficial because if the area is dark, I have a problem seeing the keys on the computer keyboard.
T4TR, I don't remember if you were the one that asked about seeing what our floorplan looked like, so I'll just throw this comment in, just in case you did. If it wasn't you, then hopefully, whomever it was will also see this comment. Go to my signature area and click on the link for our Photobucket account. Then, go the "Library" and look for a "folder" heading of "Our New Home." That "folder" has a bunch of photos of different parts of our trailer. The early pictures show the original furniture, but much of that has already been replaced. Many of our upgrades will also be visible in that "folder."
Terry
Jo And Craig said
05:52 AM Oct 27, 2013
We are not FTing, yet, but I have done EXTENSIVE research... and this is purely my personal opinion... but I prefer the island. Have you tried opening the cabinet doors in the wrap-around? Can you see inside? It is still a little difficult to see in when it's an island, but that is why we want to have doors installed on the outside of the island, as well. A wrap-around gives me a claustrophobic feeling and there is barely enough room for one person to turn around, much less two! Have you looked at the Luxury Lifestyle 36FW fifth wheel? AWESOME kitchen!!!!! Probably the most counter space I have seen. I also like the window over the counter. Let's in more light. Happy hunting!
-- Edited by Mary Sunshine on Sunday 27th of October 2013 05:53:46 AM
soos said
06:00 AM Oct 27, 2013
My opinion:
when we ordered our MS, we deleted the L shaped counter and had an island put in instead. Many people have commented that it allows for better "flow". When in an L kitchen, I tried to open the oven door and discovered it was very difficult. L kitchens feel much more crowded to me. I dont feel like I lost much by putting in the island- just one small corner cabinet, so it was worth it.
Sue
NWescapee said
07:02 AM Oct 27, 2013
OK, hard question to answer and I know you will not like this but "it depends". We have the same floor plan as Terry & Jo, I love my desk, spend more time at my desk working my full time job than I spend in the kitchen so I wouldn't trade having a real desk vs. a pull out desk drawer as some RVs have. I know you asked for pics of my desk before that I posted, so you understand the layout.
We're learning we can't both be in the kitchen at the same time which has been a HUGE adjustment for us, we both cook, we both like to cook, etc. so we've learned to compromise, adjust and shift around each other and it's working for us most of the time. I'm not really sure that an island kitchen would be any easier for 2 to work in vs. 1 person. There's just not that much floor space in the kitchen to accomodate 2 people at the same time. We sometimes make it work based on using different counter space but invariably one of us needs a utensil, cutting board, pot, etc. out of the cupboard above where the other one is working.
I know you don't want to hear this based on the many different questions you've asked, but it really is a personal preference decision and how important is one aspect of the design vs. another, yet another area where each RV'er has to make a decision for themselves. We needed a permanent desk, we wanted the extra counter space we got with a wrap kitchen vs. island. Hubby is a "clutter bug" so if I didn't have a little extra counter space I'd be going crazy and constantly moving his clutter around vs. being able to work around it.
laurly said
01:29 PM Oct 27, 2013
Putting my two cents in for the 'L' shape. I had liked the island, but I prefer the L shaped counter better. I feel there is more counterspace. We don't have any problems cooking together. George stands on the 'outside' of the counter prepping, while I'm on the 'inside' cooking. Works just fine. Don't have any problems getting into cabinets either. Doors on either side of peninsula, and drawers on one side. It's all under sink storage anyway. You learn to deal with what you end up with anyway :)
two 4 the road said
05:11 PM Oct 27, 2013
Thanks, everyone! It gives us both sides to consider as we continue our shopping. We should try to open the cabinets while between the island and the stove and move about as though we are prepping and cooking.
RVKevi said
11:20 PM Oct 27, 2013
I agree with laurly. We have the peninsula kitchen. We've been in our fifth wheel for just over a year, and I still prefer it to the island. I especially love two big, deep drawers in the extra cabinet that are perfect for my pots and pans. Kev and I don't seem to have too much trouble working in the kitchen together, although we don't do that a lot, but I have to admit that we are both small people so that probably makes it easier for us. We especially like the extra counter space we get in the particular arrangement we have.
Jack Mayer said
02:10 PM Oct 28, 2013
What you have seen from the answers is that you can adapt to either. And that it ends up being personal preference. Given a choice, I would go with the island with the sink NOT in the island. This gives you maximum storage and workspace, and makes it easy for two people to work in the kitchen. We have a custom coach so could have had it built any way we wanted, and we chose the island,with the sink int he opposing "L". Personal preference, but it does make it easy for two in the kitchen.
two 4 the road said
03:00 PM Oct 28, 2013
Jack...I agree with you. That is my favorite plan, too. The Alpine 3640 has that plan and so does the big country. However, we are considering the MS due to it being a great deal and everyone saying how much better it is for full-timing.
Jack Mayer said
04:27 PM Oct 29, 2013
The MS will be a far better coach than the Alpine or Big Country. But that does not make it the RIGHT coach for YOU. You have to decide what is important to you. And then choose based on that and your budget.
You DO usually "get what you pay for". A higher quality coach will cost more than a lower end coach. EVEN THOUGH the lower end coach might look as flashy/good and have similar "amenities" to the higher priced one. There is no magic here. You can not produce a quality coach with superior infrastructure at the same price that you produce a cheaper priced coach.
Hi everyone! Thanks so much for sharing generously!
We are wondering about the pros and cons of these two types of kitchen counter designs. Would appreciate some feedback on your experience with them, your preferences and why?
Thanks in advance!
I prefer the island myself. Much less "walking around" that way. Also gives the impression of more room in the RV.
My opinion mind you. There are ++++ to each.
Hope this helps.
IMHO
I would say that it also depends on how the rest of the trailer is laid out. On our 2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3, there is a desk area that butts up right against the peninsula (wrap around) counter. With this arrangement, I even have room on the kitchen counter for a small lamp near my desk and laptop computer. That is really beneficial because if the area is dark, I have a problem seeing the keys on the computer keyboard.
T4TR, I don't remember if you were the one that asked about seeing what our floorplan looked like, so I'll just throw this comment in, just in case you did. If it wasn't you, then hopefully, whomever it was will also see this comment. Go to my signature area and click on the link for our Photobucket account. Then, go the "Library" and look for a "folder" heading of "Our New Home." That "folder" has a bunch of photos of different parts of our trailer. The early pictures show the original furniture, but much of that has already been replaced. Many of our upgrades will also be visible in that "folder."
Terry
We are not FTing, yet, but I have done EXTENSIVE research... and this is purely my personal opinion... but I prefer the island. Have you tried opening the cabinet doors in the wrap-around? Can you see inside? It is still a little difficult to see in when it's an island, but that is why we want to have doors installed on the outside of the island, as well. A wrap-around gives me a claustrophobic feeling and there is barely enough room for one person to turn around, much less two! Have you looked at the Luxury Lifestyle 36FW fifth wheel? AWESOME kitchen!!!!! Probably the most counter space I have seen. I also like the window over the counter. Let's in more light. Happy hunting!
-- Edited by Mary Sunshine on Sunday 27th of October 2013 05:53:46 AM
when we ordered our MS, we deleted the L shaped counter and had an island put in instead. Many people have commented that it allows for better "flow". When in an L kitchen, I tried to open the oven door and discovered it was very difficult. L kitchens feel much more crowded to me. I dont feel like I lost much by putting in the island- just one small corner cabinet, so it was worth it.
Sue
We're learning we can't both be in the kitchen at the same time which has been a HUGE adjustment for us, we both cook, we both like to cook, etc. so we've learned to compromise, adjust and shift around each other and it's working for us most of the time. I'm not really sure that an island kitchen would be any easier for 2 to work in vs. 1 person. There's just not that much floor space in the kitchen to accomodate 2 people at the same time. We sometimes make it work based on using different counter space but invariably one of us needs a utensil, cutting board, pot, etc. out of the cupboard above where the other one is working.
I know you don't want to hear this based on the many different questions you've asked, but it really is a personal preference decision and how important is one aspect of the design vs. another, yet another area where each RV'er has to make a decision for themselves. We needed a permanent desk, we wanted the extra counter space we got with a wrap kitchen vs. island. Hubby is a "clutter bug" so if I didn't have a little extra counter space I'd be going crazy and constantly moving his clutter around vs. being able to work around it.
You DO usually "get what you pay for". A higher quality coach will cost more than a lower end coach. EVEN THOUGH the lower end coach might look as flashy/good and have similar "amenities" to the higher priced one. There is no magic here. You can not produce a quality coach with superior infrastructure at the same price that you produce a cheaper priced coach.