Hi! I'm new around here...I've been lurking on the site and have spent many hours combing the archives, learning a lot. My husband and I are planning to move our kitchen to a different room in our house. The new kitchen will be small, but not significantly smaller than the current one. I have learned so much from the members of this forum, I thought I'd share our project and see if anyone has advice. We're planning an almost complete DIY (with the exception of plumbing, hubby has already doubled the size of our original 900 sf. house, so weve got lots of DIY experience) and we're hoping to keep the budget around $20,000 for everything by finding a lot of our appliances, etc. on craigslist, because thatÂs about what weÂve saved for the kitchen so far. If it costs more, itÂll just take longer as weÂll do things as we have $$.
My biggest goal for this kitchen has been to have more counter space, more efficiency and more storage than my current kitchen. ItÂs not hard to get more counters since my old kitchen has three 14" sections (one of which holds the microwave) and only one "long one" thatÂs 39", but the storage and efficiency seem to be quite a challenge as IÂm trying to balance those needs with the desire for the kitchen to not feel like a cave.
WeÂve added the maximum square footage for our lot to the house, and canÂt really change the footprint of this room, but there are a few other options for gaining space. We plan to put a beverage center in our living room, with a sink, tea and coffee station, wine fridge and possibly a mini-fridge. There is also a closet in that room, which could be used as a pantry for dry goods/less-frequently used small appliances. There is a closest in the hallway adjacent to the new kitchen in which we are considering putting a wall oven and/or cabinets. Right now itÂs just my husband and I who live in the house and use the kitchen. However, we do have fairly large gatherings and every months or so end up cooking for 20-50 people. WeÂre also thinking about having children and the kitchen would see a lot more use if we do.
We have a large dining room, so we donÂt need eating space in the kitchen. The room currently has oak flooring which we are hoping to refinish and keep. I want a double sinkÂhavenÂt decided what material, but probably stainless or enameled cast iron. I donÂt like granite, though I know itÂs extremely popular, durable, and easy to maintain, but itÂs not me. WeÂre considering doing concrete counters, but IÂd love to do stainless or copper or even butcher block. I think weÂll probably go with a basic shaker style cabinet in a light-colored woodÂbirch or maple. IÂd love to have most of the lowers be drawers, but with 2 corners, I think those will have to have doorsÂmaybe a lazy susan. IÂd like a pop-up appliance shelf for my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. IÂm not sure if that will fit, and if there would be space for drawers. IÂd prefer to have fewer uppers because I feel like it makes the kitchen look more open, but the plan now is to have a combination of upper cabinets (probably with glass doors) and shelves.
The window along the wall with cabinets looks out to our driveway and our neighborÂs houseÂnot a pretty view, but I feel like we need the light. ThatÂs been one of our big debates. The window could probably move; weÂre going to have to switch it out anyways because the one thatÂs in would be lower than counter-height. We could take it out all together if we can come up with sufficient light. Both doorways are 36" wide, and we are planning to remove the door from the one near the fridge, but not the one by the sink. It swings toward wall where the stove is.
I currently have a 30" Frigidaire Gallery "Professional series" gas stove. IÂd love to get a convection oven after all IÂve read about them, but for now weÂll work with what weÂve got. I also have an LG side-by-side fridge which, I think, is around 36" wide. My preference for the look of the appliances is to have white with stainless accents (the all-stainless or black look isnÂt really my thing). However, on that IÂm fairly flexible because my priority for appliances is function. My MIL has requested a powerful vent hood as she often cooks stir-fry and other Chinese food for us. WeÂll probably replace our dishwasher (leaning towards Bosch or Miele) and microwave (which IÂd love to get off the counter).
Ok sorry for the information overload. I've been thinking about this remodel since we started the addition on our house 5 yrs. ago. The pictures show the layout of our first floor (ignore the original labels, it's an old blueprint) and I've done a rough model in sketch-up (which I don't really know how to use yet, so bear with me) of what I'm thinking of for the kitchen now, but I'd welcome any and all suggestions!
Jon1270
ci_lantro
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