Knife Rack Position

[Sims]

Hi everyone,
I am new here so I hope this thread is allowed here and in the right category.
If not I would like to apologize.

We soon move into our new home and today my first ever knives arrived in the mail and along with it a 520mm magnetic knife rack.
I ask myself where and how high I should mount it and thought the experienced people here could maybe help me.
I thought about 3 different spots as seen in the drawings. (purple are possible spots for the rack)
Floor Plan:

The main working area will be on the cooking island (I hope this is the right english term for it)
There is no space for the rack on the island but on the opposing side is a window and on the left or right side next to the window would be a possible position (Position 2 and 3 in the drawing)
I front of the window there will be kind of a secondary working space and the espresso machine.

A little bit more off will be another lets say "side working space" and there would also be space for the Rack (my idea was right above the tiles) this would be Position 1 in the drawing. There is more space so i could at least mount another 520mm Rack there if more space is needed where at the window only one rack per side is possible.

From the optic side in front of the window would be nice because the wooden panels are made out of oak wood which fits perfectly to the rack wich is also made out of oak wood. One issue could be that the window opens towards position 3 so here we would need to take care when opening the window fully (will not be the case that often)
On position 2 the espresso machine could be in the way (maybe need to mount the rack higher up, I don`t have a machine yet)
On position 1 we need to consider that the door of the drawer is opening towards the wall so the rack would need to be more on the left side as shown in the drawing.

For a better understanding here are some pictures:
Position 1:

Position 2:

Position 3: (you also see the knife rack laying there)

Thank your for your help!

 

[Moooza]

Nice view, don't clutter it I reckon and go for position 1. Also can put a secondary or even very large chopping board under it without consuming the whole island space.

 

[ryans_knives]

I think position 3 would work really well! Complemented by the beautiful timber cladding and practicality being closer to your main work station.

 

[Tatze]

The deep window spot looks awesome, as Moooza said - I would probably keep that as is and chose the left side of position 1.
Might add some character to the otherwise empty wall? Also, no need to worry about opening the window, no need to worry about the espresso machine (not sure how steam or moisture could become an issue?)
Sounds more hustle free to me and as you said could fit two racks, which you probably need...since you joined this forum...

 

[Jovidah]

Some considerations that came to mind:
-Height I would go at least for a position where you have the ability to put even large knives both handle-up and handle-down (so you keep your options open).
-At the same time I would try to keep the option open to later add shelves at rack position 1 - so keep that in mind when you put the bar there.
-I would lean heavily towards installing it in a manner so that you can extend your magnet bar if you so desire in the future.
-Personally I like having storage not too far from the sink so that it's easy to store stuff after washing. Similarly you want it close to the prep area.
-I would avoid any area where you 'have to be careful because of X'. That's just a potentially expensive accident waiting to happen.

With those choices I'd lean towards option 1.

 

[VincenteFox]

When we bought our house a few years ago, a nice kitchen was a priority.

Best-laid plans and all that, so my too-small kitchen is my least favorite thing about our house.

As such, I've thought a lot about how it could be better.

Most of my knife racks are in workable but kind of ridiculous places mounted above my head (and in one case above a doorway) but near where i do most of my work.

I wouldn't recommend the former, but the latter is crucial, imo. I will *always* reach for the more convenient knives over the ones that i have to walk a few more steps to grab.

All this to say, there are a lot of good tips here vis-a-vis spacing and height, but if youre like me, you'll either find yourself working primarily at whichever side area is nearest the knife rack or not using a lot of the knives you wish you were using. I understand the desire to think through where the rack "looks" right or seems like it fits best, but I would think about where I want to cook and then where I can put my knives that will be most conveniently accessible to that spot.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

Are you, by any chance, an engineer?

 

[OkayMode]

Some considerations that came to mind:
-Height I would go at least for a position where you have the ability to put even large knives both handle-up and handle-down (so you keep your options open).
-At the same time I would try to keep the option open to later add shelves at rack position 1 - so keep that in mind when you put the bar there.
-I would lean heavily towards installing it in a manner so that you can extend your magnet bar if you so desire in the future.
-Personally I like having storage not too far from the sink so that it's easy to store stuff after washing. Similarly you want it close to the prep area.
-I would avoid any area where you 'have to be careful because of X'. That's just a potentially expensive accident waiting to happen.

With those choices I'd lean towards option 1.

Position 2 and 3 to me also look like there’s a much bigger risk of you turning around with the knife and walking into some unsuspecting guest/partner/dog/child etc.

Be warned that for some reason, having a magnetic knife rack also seems to magnetically attract everyone who comes into your kitchen. The number of times I have silently died inside when someone has clumsily yanked one of my knives off the rack without asking and rolled the edge etc has had me keep my nicest stuff elsewhere these days.

 

[VincenteFox]

Are you, by any chance, an engineer?

I assume this is directed at me, the guy who hangs knives above a doorway

 

[PeterL]

Position 2 and 3 to me also look like there’s a much bigger risk of you turning around with the knife and walking into some unsuspecting guest/partner/dog/child etc.

Be warned that for some reason, having a magnetic knife rack also seems to magnetically attract everyone who comes into your kitchen. The number of times I have silently died inside when someone has clumsily yanked one of my knives off the rack without asking and rolled the edge etc has had me keep my nicest stuff elsewhere these days.

This is why a nondescript drawer no one knows to look is the way to go in my experience. Much safer with anyone who’s come over.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

I assume this is directed at me, the guy who hangs knives above a doorway

No, no. I was meaning the OP. Making a floor plan diagram with knife rack options is a very engineer thing to do.

Also, I'm an engineer.

 

[Johnsmyname]

Looks like a gorgeous space, congrats! I’d go position 1. It will be the least cluttered and could be a nice presentation feature if you have nice knives. Position 2 seems too cluttered and in the way with espresso. Position 3 is nice that it’s closer to your working area, but if you’re like me you’ll grab a few knives and put in front of you for whatever task before starting. If you have a drawer under your work space you might want to keep some utility knives there or even daily drivers. I find that handy in my own kitchen with similar layout.

 

[Sims]

Thank you all for the answers, just to show it the sink and cooktop are on the island. (Cyan cross sink, red cross cooktop)

I see that there is no 100% clear answer which one is better. Position 1 seems better but I just saw that there is an issue as the tiles are ~1cm thick the handle would be touching the tiles if the knives hang handle down.
So if I use Position 1 I would need to mount the rack on the tiles. But I dont want to drill in the tiles (they are extremly hard) so I would need to stick with some type of glue.

 

[Sims]

No, no. I was meaning the OP. Making a floor plan diagram with knife rack options is a very engineer thing to do.

Also, I'm an engineer.

I actually am yes, I just find it easier to understand with a decent plan

 

[Johnsmyname]

How about a spacer behind the rack to bump it off the wall enough to clear tiles? If you do glue to tiles, use something that is secure, but will peel off if you move it, silicone maybe.

 

[Justinv]

I like option 1, you can get a thicker rack or put a board/spacers behind it. Its helpful to have space to grip a handle.

Mine is on an open wall at shoulder height. The top is 24”/60cm above the counter. With handles down I can put things under it like a coffee grinder or a container holding cooking spoons/spatulas.

 

[Sims]

Looks like a gorgeous space, congrats! I’d go position 1. It will be the least cluttered and could be a nice presentation feature if you have nice knives. Position 2 seems too cluttered and in the way with espresso. Position 3 is nice that it’s closer to your working area, but if you’re like me you’ll grab a few knives and put in front of you for whatever task before starting. If you have a drawer under your work space you might want to keep some utility knives there or even daily drivers. I find that handy in my own kitchen with similar layout.

Thank you! Yeah we have plenty of drawers everywhere so I can (and probably will) put some knives in there too.

The thing is I find the rack "cleaner" cause they dont fly around in a drawer and of course it looks cool. I like beautiful things so I like to see them and not hide them. But yes practically speaking the most used knives will be better stored in the drawer under the main working space.

 

[Sims]

I like option 1, you can get a thicker rack or put a board/spacers behind it. Its helpful to have space to grip a handle.

Mine is on an open wall at shoulder height. The top is 24”/60cm above the counter. With handles down I can put things under it like a coffee grinder or a container holding cooking spoons/spatulas.

The tiles on Position 1 are 50cm high. My counter is 94cm.

If I mount it above the tiles I would need a spacer that looks good as you see this instantly when you enter the room and you also see it from the side.

 

[Johnsmyname]

Your spacers could be little squares just where the mounting screws go. It would give a floating effect and could look really clean from the sides.

 

[Justinv]

I agree with John above. Tiny spacers slightly thicker than the tile for a floating effect.

 

[Sims]

Spacers are a good idea but I just measured it again and I would need nearly 15mm of extra space.

I tried this on the wall and I think that this is just too much and it doesnt look floating anymore and kind of just awkward.

Tried to capture the side view as good as possible.

 

[Johnsmyname]

Yeah, 15mm is a lot. Depending on how large your rack is, maybe cylinders would look appropriate. You could drill the center out of dowel rods.

Alternatively, could you extend the tile higher just where the rack is to make it look like a purposefully done feature? If you decided to remove it down the road, repairing the wall area wouldn’t be a big deal.

 

[Sims]

I mean I can still return the rack, that should be possible. Maybe there are thicker ones.

Or I buy a plate of oak wood, maybe a little bit bigger like 3-5cm bigger on each side, mount the rack on the panel and the panel on the wall.

 

[Johnsmyname]

On a side note. You will definitely need to update us with a finished kitchen picture at this point.

 

[Sims]

Oh and while we are writing here- I need to get all this "approved" by my boss so I have to talk about this with her as for now she knows only the rack and the three positions but nothing with mounting it on a plate or something like that. And she is definitely the more asthetic person of us two

I can post pictures but atm everything is a HUGE mess
Here is one from a few weeks ago

 

[Sims]

I had some more thoughts and I think maybe on the tiles is the way to go, the tiles are about 50cm so there should be enough space even for large Knives and as far as I have tried it I will put them handle down anyways.
I forgot that the mounting plate of the rack has already "3M" adhesive tape pre-applied and that should be enough. (the tape with this length holds about 10kg according to the data sheet)
Position wise I would put it as far to the right as possible considering the drawer door so I have the most space for additional racks which might (or will ) come.

I will have a look at it tomorrow.....

Thank you all so far, If anyone has other suggestions let me know!

 

[WildBoar]

No, no. I was meaning the OP. Making a floor plan diagram with knife rack options is a very engineer thing to do.

Also, I'm an engineer.

An engineer would put a knife block or two on the island, by/ behind the sink. That way it would be very close to the main working area and there would be easy access from the other 2 working areas.

And then he/ she would put another knife block or rack in each of the other two work areas.

And then a bunch of knives in drawers below each work area. And the overflow would probably be at his/ her office, with several still in shipping boxes, waiting to be transported home.

...Also, I'm an engineer.

 

[Sims]

An engineer would put a knife block or two on the island, by/ behind the sink. That way it would be very close to the main working area and there would be easy access from the other 2 working areas.

And then he/ she would put another knife block or rack in each of the other two work areas.

And then a bunch of knives in drawers below each work area. And the overflow would probably be at his/ her office, with several still in shipping boxes, waiting to be transported home.

...Also, I'm an engineer.

Try to sell that idea to my Girlfriend

 

[curreel]

Position 4 looks good to me!

 

[Jovidah]

An engineer would put a knife block or two on the island, by/ behind the sink. That way it would be very close to the main working area and there would be easy access from the other 2 working areas.

And then he/ she would put another knife block or rack in each of the other two work areas.

And then a bunch of knives in drawers below each work area. And the overflow would probably be at his/ her office, with several still in shipping boxes, waiting to be transported home.

...Also, I'm an engineer.

Behind the sink is a no go, since there's only countertop space on 1 side of the sink (honestly a design flaw the kitchen company should have caught)... so if you're dishwashing with a clean and a dirty side you'll invariably have to put things behind the sink.
It would also put the knives in the splash zone. Am also not a fan of putting things too close near stoves for the same reason.