Hi, Sayde. It eally seems you've pretty much made your own argument for not having one. We're on a septic system and don't have one. The only reason I could think of for wanting it was to grind the little stuff that didn't go in the composter, but that's more theory than anything else. We just don't miss it. Plus, more importantly, that's very valuable, close-in space under the sink that should be rescued from its back-alley/chemical dump status and outfitted for more valuable storage--the way the rest of the kitchen is. My assemblage of noxious chemicals goes on shelves in the cleaning/broom closet. Do you really want to give up space that could be used for drawers or other pull-outs to store your big stock pots/salad spinner/plastic storage containers/colanders/flower vases/??? for a noisy contraption you don't want and seldom use?

We went custom, and I'm glad every day. It ended up costing us just a little more (about $1000, which was about 7% of our total cabinet cost). That extra money was well worth it to us to be able to get just exactly what we wanted. With custom, you don't have to have any "filler" pieces. You feel like you have more control with the big companies, but, in reality, with a good custom cabinet maker, you'd have way more control. We were able to get deeper uppers to accommodate our dishes, dividers for pans and cutlery, and unique sizes--all for no extra charge. If we had added those to one of the big manufacturer's quotes, the cost would have quickly exceeded our custom price. (Not every custom maker will include all of that at no extra charge.) If we'd gone with a big manufacturer, a lot of the features that make out kitchen work for us wouldn't even have been possibilities, or would have incurred massive extra charges. If you really feel like you don't have much control with your GC's custom cabinet maker, I'd urge you to look at other custom shops. If you're seeing inconsistencies in quality, get some other quotes from other shops.

Hello there, I'm building a new home and I'm in the process of picking cabinets. What are your recommended must haves in a kitchen? I want my kitchen to be practical and organized, with a designated space for everything. I do have a pantry as well. Thanks for your help! I'm getting serious about cabinet planning right now, so this is timely. My thoughts: - Yes to drawers, but not "let's stick drawers everywhere without any thought" ... rather, I'm going with mostly drawers, but cabinets just make more sense for a couple things -- and cabinets are cheaper than drawers. Some people swear by wide drawers, and that does maximize storage space. I cast my vote for wide drawers. My thought process: You can always add dollar-store dividers and maximize use of wide drawers, but a smaller drawer can't hold that larger item ... and two smaller drawers require more space for drawer edges /hardware. BUT -- if you go with large drawers -- go with heavy duty hardware; yes, the initial price will be higher, but they will last, and it's cheaper /easier than calling in someone to fix a drawer that's broken. On the impractical side, I opted for extra tall cabinets with crown molding to reach my 9 foot ceiling (Impractical because I will rarely climb up there to get anything, and I stand at exactly 5 feet tall). I highly disliked the dust that would collect on top of my old cabinets. The top portion of my uppers are separate and have glass inserts so they will be more of a way to display antiques and heirloom dishes, etc. Did I write this? No, I couldn't have because I'm only 4'11" (big difference, right?) ... yet this is one of the choices with which I'm still fighting. I definitely want to-the-ceiling cabinets (that's non-negotiable) ... but I'm afraid of going with a tall-tall door, which may be more prone to warping. Yet the cost of stacking a smaller cabinet up top is ridiculous. I am also leaning towards the option of "glass inserts" up top, but I am kicking around the idea of mirrored doors instead of glass. This means I could store things that aren't "display worthy", and it'd be cheaper (because the insides of the cabinets wouldn't need to be finished). A wrinkle in this plan: I want 1-2 of my upper cabinets (not tip-tops) to be glass ... and doing two different things seems wrong. Maybe I'll go with mirrors on those too? I haven't decided what to do in this regard yet. The #1 thing you need is a good Kitchen Designer. architects and builders usually design unworkable dreck. The KD will get you what you need it, where you need it. Or will take your money and give you a lackluster design. Hard to know ahead of time. Function 1st. I'm all about it. When I'm unsure, I try to ask myself, "Which option is more functional, more practical?" Determine what daily use is needed in kitchen to narrow down functional areas in kitchen. find out what type of area needed example prep area, baking area, cooking area, cleaning area Yes, thinking through HOW you'll use the area is sure to help you get what you actually need ... it has to be better than assuming, "This is what nice kitchens have, so I'll do it too." I dislike microwaves above waist-level I've fought with where to put the microwave ... and I've finally made what will probably be an unpopular choice here: I'm going with a countertop model in the corner. I found a countertop model that's MADE to squish back in the corner. Corners are too deep for me to reach anyway. Only as much cabinetry as you NEED for the things you have to store. (Excess cabinets to fill space just add expense, invite clutter, and increase the workload of your scullery maid.) I'm of a similar mindset. I agree that excessive cabinets just require more square footage and invite clutter ... but I say go with FEWER cabinets than you need for storage ... and instead plan a large adjacent pantry for storage. Pantries make so much sense: You can see everything at a glance, nothing falling to the back of cabinets, and pantries are so much cheaper than cabinets. I removed a desk from the kitchen Hate the desk smack-dab in the middle of my kitchen. We have tray storage as well as rack space over the ovens for baking sheets and the like. I have a wonderful, wonderful set of spice containers on small lazy susans ... they'll reside in a 30" wide cabinet between the range and my main prep area. I think this'll be just right because I'll be able to reach for them with my left hand if I'm at the prep area /my right hand if I'm at the stovetop. This requires a sacrifice though: I'd like to have had glass fronts on this cabinet, but the spice jars -- while functional -- are something I want behind a solid door. Why? 1) they aren't something so pretty you'd want to showcase them behind glass. 2) I want to hang measuring spoons on the inside of the door. I'm going with an 18" wide chef's drawer for my everyday baking sheets + cutting boards. A mixer-lift cabinet if you have a heavy kitchen-aid type mixer. The shelf lifts and locks in place. Make sure to put an outlet inside to plug in the mixer. Yes, I use my Kitchen Aid mixer multiple times each week. I am very much looking forward to it living in its own lift-up cabinet. My mom has one, though hers is a pull-out-straight, not a pop-up model; it's custom, and I've never seen another one like it. Although it comes with its own set of issues, it's more functional than keeping it on the counter top. Something I'd like to know: How wide are your mixer-lift cabinets /the pull-outs themselves? I think my mom's is only something like 15" -- I need to ask her -- I think I want a little wider, and I can afford the space. Last thought on this topic ... I want a pull-out drawer underneath. I have a second mixer bowl and lots of accessories, and I'm sure this'll be a great place to store them. Something like this: I also really appreciate the point that too many wide drawers in a kitchen will block more traffic when open. Ideally traffic shouldn't funnel though your kitchen. The question here is, How do you use your kitchen? My husband and I both cook, but we both dislike the other being anywhere in the way while we're working. We'll have a small table in the kitchen for the other to sit at ... but we both agree: One butt kitchen. Ron Natalie mentioned tray storage above wall ovens (lots of people do this above the fridge too). I'm going with a pull-out tray above the refrigerator ... but it's going to be for paper products, which I tend to buy in bulk. pantry with pull-outs -- has transformed our storage of everything from cereal to snacks to oddball baking ingredients, all of which used to pour out of wall cabinets. add some baskets and dividers for the win! Keep in mind that pantry pull-outs are just as expensive as cabinets (well, except that you don't have to add counter tops), whereas a traditional pantry is extremely inexpensive. If large enough they can also house a second fridge or freezer. They also can be designed so that the doors to them look like they are part of your cabinets If you plan on a refrigerator or freezer IN your pantry, you need ventilation. A transom? Vented door? For me, along with lots of drawers and limited uppers is a dish pantry. I wanted all my dishes, glassware, serving pieces in one location. I realize this isn't everyone's cup of tea but baby-o-baby I love it. this has been tweaked a bit with the addition /subtraction of a few things but you get the general idea. I'm into it. I own seven sets of dishes. I adore setting a lovely table for everyday meals -- more so for holidays and celebrations. Separate drawer for lid's Or a plan of some sort for lids. When I put away the dishes, I put the lids on pots/pans and stack them neatly -- the rest of the family, not so much! USB outlet (s) If you're thinking of cell phones, a better option exists -- a cordless charger -- just set your phone on the little "electric coaster". Works GREAT.A counter with my foot pedal trash can underneath it (not a fan of pull out trash, especially if my hands are grimy) Any hints on what type of "trash door" is best? Same question for no-hands openers? Deep sink Being short, I'm not into the deep sink thing. I hate the super-deep sink in the staff room at work. I have to "lean in" too far, and I get water on my stomach. If the layout allows, I like a wall of cabinetry, so that a countertop space housing toaster, microwave, etc can be easily accessed, but also easily hidden. I do NOT like built-in/drawer microwaves or coffee makers Regardless of whether you like the idea of a wall of cabinetry, or an appliance garage, or a narrow pantry cabinet with pull outs -- you need to plan WHERE you'll keep all those things. If you don't choose, the answer will become, RIght in the middle of my main prep space. My personal plan: We'll have a small cabinet (base cabinet + uppers) SET APART from the main kitchen area. The coffee maker will stay out all the time, and there will be space for a cake or a bowl of fruit to sit out ... the drawer underneath will be the bread drawer ... and the space underneath will be for our most often used small appliances. Totally agree about built-in small appliances. If they die or become outdated, it's an expensive fix. I prefer toe-kicks only at spots where most of the work happens, like the sink and island. Otherwise, no toe-kicks. I prefer the look, and hate the dust-bunnies that gather in the toe-kick. I'd love this under the kitchen sink. I do not care about undercabinet lighting, but this is a huge passion on the kitchen board. I decided it doesn't make sense for my particular layout. My kitchen won't be large, and it's essentially three portions: Cabinet run with the sink (which will have a large florescent light hidden by a wooden cornice) ... a second cabinet run with the range (which will have a range hood with light) ... and a peninsula (topped by pendant lighting). These lights will easily "reach" the spaces in between. Something I've been wondering: The cabinet runs will all be well lit -- do I absolutely need a central overhead light? I will NEVER decant a spice into a cuter container, that's a guaranteed recipe for disaster. I'll never keep up with it. I LOVE having all my spices in the same containers. For knife drawers there are essentially 3 choices. Two more options -- a knife slot right in the counter -- similar to a knife block, but doesn't take up your counterspace ... and a magnetic knife holder, which can be placed UNDER your countertop so your knives are handy yet invisible: If you are not going inset (for the look), then I prefer full overlay FRAMELESS cabinets, to maximize storage and accessibility Yep, I'm going with full overlay -- seems to be the "sweet spot" in terms of storage space and price. Okay ... what hasn't been mentioned yet? - I'm considering skipping handles on fake drawers under the sink /going with a towel bar. Something like this: - Similarly, are doors above the range hood necessary? Even if I could reach them, the range hood duct takes up all the room. I'm thinking I'd like a smooth piece of wood, which could hold some decorative plates or a piece of artwork. - When you're ordering drawers, be SURE yours will be full-depth drawers with full extension hardware. Sounds silly --and it is -- but I have a 30" deep peninsula, and the drawers in it only reach about 20". So, yeah, I have about 10" of empty space behind those drawers. What a waste! - While we're talking about drawer details ... personally, I care about my drawers being the same size, so I'm going with three drawers in each stack ... but some of them will have a drawer-within-a-drawer.- I'm planning a hidden spot for my rolling stool:

As others have posted, that is most probably a custom job. I had a local place do all the cabinets as well as other wood built ins for my recent remodel and they did my medicine cabinets. They also did a wall unit/desk which has those kinds of sliding doors for part of the uppers for hidden storage. Mine obviously aren't mirrored but just pointing out that a good carpenter/woodworker can build anything you want.