Could you please post a layout?

I think a well thought out placement is critical, but I am with you on the notion : the more windows, the better.

I have a small kitchen and a low ceiling and it would feel like a prison if it weren't for the wall of windows (the wall is about 14 feet, and I only have enough room for two 18" wide cabinets on that side). Both the Architect and GC tried to talk us out of it (not enough upper cabinets was the main concern), but we were 100% right--it looks and makes the kitchen feel twice the size.

See:

Here is a link that might be useful: rubyfig's remodel in progress

I disagree with your cabinet guy. I don't think 7 feet is too big for the space you describe. If you can sacrifice the storage and the larger window is more in keeping with your vision for your space, I think you should do it.

My windows are 10 feet long and my GC also thought it was too much window. But we have an open floor plan and I wanted to see the beautiful view to my woods when we sit in the family room, not wall cabinets. I also wanted to maximize the amount of sunlight ... my old kitchen was dark. Having such a long window meant making a few compromises in my layout and losing some storage space, but in my case I strongly felt that the trade-off was worth it.

One thing that helped a lot was to meticulously plan exactly what would be stored in every single drawer and cabinet. Knowing that I had plenty of room to store everything reinforced my window decision.

And I agree that your cabinet guy is very likely unaware of the current trend to minimize upper cabinets.

Those kitchens in the pictures just look bigger because of the windows!

OK, they probably are bigger but still, I don't agree that you need a big kitchen to pull off a wall o' windows. Do be sure you have a place for everything, and then go for it!

current wall of window (same location as window in reno, just taking out this one, replacing with different size):

my initial proposed layout with 7' window (broom closet will not be there anymore, it would be small drawer bank b/w fridge and DW):
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Cab guy's plan with 5' window and uppers:
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It would be nice to see your room. In and of itself, a notably large glass expanse should be wonderful. I put up glass practically everywhere I could, so I'm biased but I love it. An issue might arise in relation to the rest of the house, if the windows were of a size, shape, number, configuration, or style that just didn't go. Otherwise...

One thing, though. Curtains won't always be out of style. When the wheel turns they'll be extremely popular and desirable again, so you may want to leave some hanging room on each side. I crowded too-large windows into our attic bedroom's gable wall, and drapes have to hang partially over the side panes when open.

Oh, since you don't like the idea of cabinets wrapping around your corners, do something else.

Will you be putting a panel on the side of the fridge to box it in? I think that's all the "easing the transition" you need there. Anyway, if he thinks it's too wide for the room, why is he wanting to replace it with something that is visually kinda a window? Seems like it's sort of the same effect.

I like your plan better. So do you. It'll be really nice to have the extra few feet of window. It's also nice to have open work areas (although you have an island for that).

I think windows can be too small for the scale of a room. But I've never run across any that were too big. They don't follow the same rules of scale that refrigerators and china hutches do.

Here is a pic of our kitchen and attached fam room:

Here are 3 options - 7' window, then 6', then 5' respectively. We may put in a Solatube if we go 5 or 6 feet.

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I love huge windows but I wonder where you'll store your dishes and glasses? Option #2 might be a good compromise ... still a big window giving an open feeling. The glass doors on those uppers keeps them nice and light.

I like the looks of #1 or #3 best. The one angled cabinet doesn't look as good to me. But there's always a "but".

The main problem with #3, aside from not being as much window as you wanted, is the sink location. A 5' window is a big window, but it's still a window and the sink might look better centered. A 7' window, on the other hand, is a wall that happens to be glass and it seems the sink should be able to be anywhere on that wall. I'm just assuming you're getting a copper apron-front sink and white cabinets--if the sink is less bold than in the mockups, like an undermount, then it probably wouldn't bug me at all. (I'm not that into centering stuff for the sake of centering.)

Do you need the storage of those two extra cabinets? Answer that to yourself first.

I understand your situation. I love the look of lots of windows too. I have basically one wall for cabinets in my long, narrow kitchen. It's 18 feet long. I am planning on doing a 6'bank of windows, then the range with range hood, then another 6' bank of windows. I really struggled on what to do about storage space, so I elected to put open shelving in front of the windows. I know this sounds a little weird, but it actually works. I tested it in my current kitchen by putting up cheap shelves and brakets. I like the extra storage, love the convienence of just being able to grab my plates, bowls etc. AND I get to have the extra light from the windows.

Do what you love. You are the one who is going to live with the kitchen..not your KD or contractor.

Why did you switch from your first layout? That broom closet gave you (the necessary) room to open your fridge. Centering the sink under the window creates balance between the cabinets on the left and the fridge. It's nice but not necessary to have a cabinet right above the dishwasher. I no longer have one and I really don't miss it. The cabinets that are being suggested for the left of the sink won't give you that much more space: you will lose space into the corner. On your original drawing you had what might have been a hutch?? on the wall next to the ovens. If you really feel you need more storage, you could revive it. Finally, no way is your 7' window out of scale. At all.

I like option 2 the best. It gives a better proportion, keeps your sink centered and gives you cabinet space.

tzmaryg, the cab guy put a 12" broom closet in the pantry, which still leaves 33" of floor to ceiling pantry space, plus wall ovens there. Which reminds me that I need to thoroughly go over the ability to open the fridge with him. He said it's no problem and said why, but I am not recalling his fix now. Thanks for reminding me.

The hutch will be added in, we just can't afford to do it right now. So the hutch and the armoire in the dining room will be another project after the kitchen reno is complete.

I think I vote for #2. It centers your sink, and it allows for glass storage to the right and in the angled corner. But I like #1 too (possibly bring that corner cab down to meet the counter--that would get a few more glasses in there).

Vote for #3.

I am normally a big window person, but the cabinets frame the window nicely, and you can display showy, nice things in them for display if you wish (vases, plates, jars, shells, etc).

When I cannot decide these things, I always look at it from a Fung-shui principle: You want to invite the "che" or energy in from the outside, and placing attractive objects near the source (window) might bring in more outside energy and keep/retain it inside.

Another thing to consider on #3 is some undercabinet lighting. In the evening, you can turn off the overheads and use the undercabinet lights to give a tranquil feeling all around, and still have enough light for most tasks.

#2 might be a good compromise if you have a great view (I assume the cabinet on the left is meant to be straight).

-DH of gracesantacruz

I prefer option 1 with your dish storage in the island as shown on your plan. I think my only question would be where you plan to store your glasses?

We have a similar situation. We have one wall that is 22'. We have gone about the changes in probably the worst way possible...we replaced the windows without having a firm plan in place. In fact, the plan is morphing still. We ended up though with 1 6" window and 1 5" window. BUT - when the discussion of windows was on the table, quite a few people suggested taking them down in size -- or even eliminating one. The main proponants of that were a cab guy, another guy I know who has done kitchens and DH. I do think their approach is the more cabs the better -- but the look felt like a cave!

I ended up doing exactly as eks6426 suggested -- I did what I love and kept 2 big windows. I'm still working on a plan but I know I can make it work with the windows we installed. I think her advice was good - "Do what you love. You are the one who is going to live with the kitchen..not your KD or contractor."

It almost cracks me up - if it wasn't such a pita to deal with - that cabinet guys just have to have it their way, and they are SO darned opinionated!

I want to ask them, "OK, fine, are you up for the job of handling my emotional distress for the rest of the life of this kitchen every time I call you feeling sad or caved in because I did it YOUR way. Because if you aren't up to taking on that job, then let me do it MY way since I am PAYING you and am the one who has to live with the kitchen!"

Or, "how about I make you a deal. I will let you design my kitchen as long you will let me design your kitchen and then have to live with it!" Somehow I think all of a sudden, that wouldn't be such a great plan.

Cabinets guys probably would walk away from a job where they built a cave of uppers and think it's just top notch design ::rolling eyes:: :-)

You're cracking ME up needsometips! I completely agree with every word you've said!

There's nothing *wrong* with uppers, I just find that the kitchens I see with fewer uppers and more windows I'm MUCH more drawn to than the others upper-laden ones.

DH and I were talking tonight about conversations with the guy who may be doing our kitchen. He's done other work for us and he does great work. But he has his own ideas of what looks good.

I'm learning to ask the right questions. The guy will occasionally tell me "You don't want to do XX that way." After questioning, it turns out it will work fine structurally, he just thinks it will look funny.

It really sounds like your cab guy is very similar. The more cabinets he can attach to the wall, the better it's lookin!

#1 or #3 for the same reasons Fori stated. But, any would "work" and look fine...which do you like? #1, right?

Regarding the refrigerator...I would get your cabinet guy to put it in writing how he thinks you will be able to open the refrigerator doors completely....to me, you might not even have enough clearance to be able to open the right door 90o for everyday access b/c of the door trim...depending on the width of the FD & the depth of the handles.

He's probably going to tell you that the door will open into the doorway...but there isn't enough room for the whole door...I very strongly suggest you find a way to verify whatever he tells you... Do you have a KD to talk this over with?

Ok, I would use the smaller window, but push it towards the left - a two foot cabinet is MUCH MORE useful than two one foot cabinets. I would not select an angled corner upper - they have small doors, little usable space (over a flat cabinet) without a susan and spoil the elevation of the look you wanted.

AND no, the ref isn't going to work out in that position. The ref door will hit the door molding.

Do tell the CABINET guy about the emotional distress. Then ask for a steep discount.

these guys need to back off! tho, the more cabs the more they make, right?

i'd go with #1 if you have enough storage in other cabs, base and island. glasses can be stored in drawers also.

i think trying to squeeze in another cab or 2 on either side of the window looks exactly like that's what you did - you squeezed them in! and squished the poor window.
it breaks up the nice clean line of the window. they'd irritate me every time i looked at them. i'd keep it free of cabs and let the window have it's space!

and tell that dude it's YOUR kitchen and you promise not to tell him how to do HIS!

LOL. Better yet, ask the cab guy if HE cooks? And then quiz him on what kind of cooking. My guess is these cab people rarely (if ever) spend time in a kitchen and the caves are not so bad if you are just passing through them.

The other issue about uppers for me is accessibility. I'm 5'5" and can reach the bottom shelf and front of 2nd shelf easily. Anything beyond that requires tippy toes or a step ladder. Upper cabinets in a corner are even worse since I'm reaching over the counter to get to the shelf.

If you compromise your window to get more uppers, how many people in your house are going to be able to reach the items they need on the shelf?

Couple more thoughts....

You mentioned that one of his arguments was that a cab next to the window helps transition the window area to the fridge. You can do that just as easily with the molding you put around the window. When I look at Option 1, I don't see any glaring transition sins.

Re: the fridge - I'll echo everyone here in that it looks like opening that door will be tricky. Maybe try finding a showroom where they have the fridge positioned right next to a wall and test drive how it works?