Why don't any house layouts have the kitchen in the front of the home?

Question

We're getting ready to build our home and we want a house layout where the kitchen is in the front of our home. I have looked at dozens of floor layouts and all of them have the kitchen in the back corner of the house.
Any ideas, anyone have the kitchen in the front?
I'm sure our home builder can help with this... but I'm starting to wonder if this is a stupid idea.
The reason we want this is because the way our house will face, the sun rises on the front right corner, and that is where I want the kitchen. We can't turn the face of the house for other reasons...

Answer 1

Windows are one reason. From the street, the front of the house usually has the largest windows, into the living areas.

Kitchens, as they maximize counter space, usually only have smaller windows above counter height -- which aren't as visually pleasing from the outside. Working around upper cabinets, plumbing, ventilation, wires, etc. also limits the size, number and placement of windows.

Also, as the kitchen tends to be a work area, it is not as welcoming from the front door -- imagine greeting guests at the door, and the first thing they see is an overflowing trash can, dirty dishes, the dog-bowl, and the rumpled dishtowels hanging over the oven door.

So, builders, in designing gracious entry areas, will put the kitchen in the back.

Answer 2

I built a home in which the kitchen was in the front - entering from the center front door into large foyer - doorway to the right entered into the kitchen with a window over the sink & separated from the dining room (also in the front, at far end of kitchen) by an island. The dining room was an octogan shaped room with large windows on each outside wall section of the octogan. That portion of the house also had a large wrap-around front porch, which followed the octogan shape at the far end. It was a great set-up, since we had a deck entrance off to the side & back of the dining area to use when we grilled outside. Look a bit harder for house plans and I'm sure you'll find something you like. Good luck!

Answer 3

I think the reason people put the kitchen in the back of the house is so that when guests come over, they don't have to walk through the prep area [and see dirty dishes] before they get to the dining or living room where they will be entertained. I say build the home that you want, but be sure to not make it so personalized that you cannot sell it if you want to. Good luck!

Answer 4

I am guessing that the reason is keeping costs down. Most water and drainage fixtures (washer, baths etc) are located in the rear of the majority of homes. This keeps all the piping in a central area. The cost to add this amount of piping is not prohibitive though. I have a front located kitchen. Get what you want now, as the cost later would be very high. When building a new home, spend the extra to get what you want.

Answer 5

The number one reason is that historically the kitchen is considered a work space and wasn't to be on display for guests.
Today with the open floor plan the reasons for the kitchen to be in the back of the house are for practical reasons such as: access from garage for unloading of groceries and access to backyard entertaining areas.
Any good home builder should be able to modify the floor plan to fit your needs. It will cost more I am sure. Moving plumbing can be costly.

Answer 6

I built my house with the kitchen in the front. I have large casement windows over my sink and a big window box on the outside. I love that I can see out into the cup-de-sac. My house is an open floor plan and because my kitchen is horseshoe shaped, when you come in the front door there is a larger foyer. The foyer wall is the kitchen wall where the fridge and cabinets are located as well as pantry. You don't see inside my kitchen until you come into the great room. It is a beautiful floor plan!

Answer 7

It's your house - build it how you want to.
In my cookie cutter neighborhood, my kitchen was in the rear(now middle cuase the addtion) and accross the stree it's in the front.
Turn the plans around?