If it is for pot storage, I recommend the 30" drawers, with utensil drawer hidden in upper drawer of each. So much storage available in drawers, love them!

Thank you! That is what I've been reading overwhelmingly here, but the cabinet guys seem bewildered by my saying so! They say things like, "But what about a big stock pot?" And I'm thinking I can put that in the pantry or the lazy susan or under the sink. I think to them it is pretty out of the box and not being done a lot yet, out there.
On top of which, if I don't put drawers in there I will have only 2 drawers in my entire kitchen:the top shallow ones. That seems really inadequate to me!

Most people on GW highly recommend drawers for all base cabs except a trash pullout. I have cabs with ROTS but my kitchen is 18 years old and I can't wait to switch to drawers for most storage needs (I do have a few small appliances that store conveniently on ROTS so I'm not sure what I'll do with those).

I suggest figuring out what you want to store in your base storage and decide if it's better to use drawers or cabs for that stuff.

Debbi,

I'd love to see some sketches and pictures of your kitchen and plans! I love to play with small kitchens... A lot of us do!

Good point! I forgot about small appliances, but I think the only one I store now is the hand mixer and I guess the mixer, the stock pot, and the crock pot can go in the pantry. I keep my toaster and Keurig on the counter. I don't even have an electric can opener. They freak me out a little. They get so grimy, plus they are pretty ugly! I went to a hand can opener years ago and love it. And I can rinse it immediately after and also avoid the danger of the magnet release/can falling down and hitting me on the foot drama!LOL!

I would probably choose the two 30" drawer bases, but it really depends on what you want to store in those drawers. I would choose drawers over pullouts hands-down, and the reason I would choose the two 30" over a 24" and two 18 inches is because you loose more usable space with three cabinets, because of the extra cabinet sides, drawer slides, etc.

Also, because you have a smaller kitchen (like mine!), I would consider frameless cabinets to maximize usable space. If you've got your heart set on inset cabinets, though, it's best to follow your heart.

One last comment: there are cabinet lines that make 60" base drawers. DeWils is one, but you might not be able to switch lines at this point. They are HUGE - so much space inside! They might be too big, though. I have one 48" drawer and two 42" and I love them.

I don't think you should finalize tomorrow!

Post a plan here first.

Debbie, I have a couple more inches than you do in my kitchen U, though 12 of those inches are in a half depth cabinet. I would definitely go with the 2 30" drawer units setup like yakkinyetti suggested. I use the top shelves of my pantry and the 33" super susan for small appliances and larger pots that I don't use frequently and it works well.

Post your plans here and let the experts have at it.

Thank you all for your input! If I can get my renderings onto photobucket, I will happily post the plan!

I keep my food processor, hand mixer, blender pieces, and even my bread mixer in drawers. So much handier than reaching into a shelf, and I actually hate ROTS. Drawers do the same but so much better...without things falling off the sides and no doors to mess with. I have 36" for my pots and pans, but I have a lot and large sizes. I have 30" drawers for small appliances and baking pans... and it's a very useful size and fits A LOT.

If you plan your minimal and precious storage around a large stock pot (as your contractor suggests), you'll lose a lot of efficiency and the best use of your storage. I would keep the stock pot in my closet, if necessary, to get the most of what you have. :-)

I also say two 30" drawers. I will also second the idea to post your plans here before you finalize your cab order!

Go with the two drawers!

I wasn't totally overwhelmed by my drawers when I first got them because not everything fit but now with a very pregnant belly, bad back, sciatica and varicose veins....loving those drawers!! Plus, if I just *stash* something in them....like a can or box of pasta or birthday candles...whatever...because I am lazy or don't have room elsewhere, the stuff doesn't get lost! I see it because when you open a drawer you see everything. No more stuff lost in cabinets!

I admire the simplicity of your tiny kitchen. Must keep you very clutter free! I am sure your remodel will make it great. Good luck!

I love the encouragement you all provide. Thank you. It helped me to sleep last night! You folks are up late- or in a different time zone, I think!
My one last option that I am having my guy draw up is this order- fridge, panel, 2- 24" drawers bases, 2-18" single door pantries. I would flip the door so that they opened out from one another.
That would allow me to keep one pantry for food storage, appliances, the ever important stock and crock pots, etc, and utilize the other for the things that drive me nuts currently: the bags of cat and dog food that lean against the peninsula, the "Big Pack" of paper towels that I shove under the sink (poorly, I might add), the cleaning goods which would then be out of reach of the 3 year old who sincerely wants to help mommy with cleaning, and the 10 month old who doesn't understand who Mr.Yuck is! I'm dating myself, I know, but the 40 year olds out there probably remember the stickers that our parents put on hazmat materials to stop us from eating/drinking them. :) Simpler times then, right?
I'll see how that looks and am happy to hear your feedback on this option as well. I'll also ask the planner to send the whole plan as close to the way I'm leaning so that I can post it!

Last spring we had a thread going that included some very small kitchens. Welcome to Modest and Quirky! Even if there's nothing here that is entirely similar to your situation, it's good to see how others approach the small kitchen condition.

The software here says it is gagging on my URL reference for some reason so I'll put it here also and hope you can cut and paste it or Google it if necessary:
Seeking images of modest or quirky kitchens...
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0311565729707.html

Also, look at Kitchn section on Apartment Therapy. They have real world small kitchens.

Here is a link that might be useful: Old thread/Seeking images of modest or quirky kitchens...

Debbie1031,

Can you post a simple floor plan?
Just a quick drawing with measurements? Add outlets,
windows, lighting... that way GW can jump into to
help you utilize every spec of storage to make a
really functional space.

Small kitchens are magical. They utilized every inch of
space while creating an graceful fluid place to cook.
Here are a few others who made these fantastic kitchens
that were small on space but huge beauty with function.
I love them all.
~boxerpups

Small kitchen - Big success by Arbodomas
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg012014495340.html

Finished Tiny NYC Galley Kitchen!! from Charlikin
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0519365630978.html

Katie's tiny kitchen reno
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/kitchen/katies-tiny-kitchen-remodel--080293

and a few images.

French Fantasy

HB mag tiny kitchen

Extraordinary kitchens

Stephanie Stokes

Vintage Yellow

Small White kitchen

Toe Kick

What adorable space-users. I love the sinks under the stairs. In fact, I love that under-stairs space (what was Harry Potter thinking: it was perfect in there!) My favorite bathroom in the world is an old seacaptain's house in Maine with under-the-stairs privvy -- you get to look up through the cracks -- fun!

You are all incredible. T haven't had an oppotunity yet to look through the links, but can't wait to browse tomorrow! The cabinet guy and the installer were just here for 2 1/2 hours and my brain is so tired! Because we have talked about so many configurations and edited the plans so often over the last week, I asked him to put together everything we have discussed into one e-mail for me and then I will post.

Other challenges: He brought the sample door and it really leans strongly toward an orange tint, so I may go back to Antique white with glaze. I have white now and am finding myself intimidated by stain,
If anyone has taken their cabinets to the ceiling and have glass fronts that store actual everyday items, would you mind sharing a picture? I'm thinking I don't need to see in to my stuff. My original intention was to utilize the glass to break up the heaviness of the cherry stain, but I think it may be a little too much stimulating and messy and could drive me over the edge.

Thanks!

aliris19, so lovely to hear about the seacaptain's home in
maine.

Debbie,
Dear me, I do not like orange either. So I do understand
your worries. Here are a few more images of cabinets that
go to the ceiling. Using all the space available. One idea
white or light tends to make things look cleaner or larger
or more open. I am a white kitchen girl so I am biased.
Sorry. Hope these help you.

And visit this link too.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to make cabinets up to the ceiling look good - 10 ft ceiling

Boxerpups- Thanks for the pics! I love a white kitchen, too. So Nick brought me 4 doors that I am walking around with seeing what happens to their finishes in different light. I have the cherry stained and glazed, the cherry stained shaker, the antique white glazed, and a mocha glaze. While I have always loved very dark or very light, we are actually leaning toward the mocha glaze. They are light, but the glazing really gives them dimension, so we'll just have to see!
Does anyone have pics of mocha glazed raised panel cabinets for me to see?
Also, does anyone have a kitchen with- or a picture of- 2 30" drawer bases installed side by side? It would be so helpful to see! I'm pretty convinced on the storage argument for the drawers, but a little concerned it might look like a very boxy dresser!
Thanks!

I have 2 banks of 30" drawers with 3 drawers in each bank located on either side of my stove and I love them. On the left side of my stove the top drawer has my cooking utensils (except knives which are in a 12" drawer in a in-drawer knife block next to this bank) the next drawer pots/pans and the bottom drawer frying pans. On the right side of the stove the top drawer has my cutlery, the middle drawer my white casserole dishes (my pyrex is over the fridge in wire racks) and the bottom drawer all my small appliances and some bowls.
I also have a bank of 12" drawers and a bank of 18" drawers and 1 24" drawer under the under-counter microwave and a 24" pantry. I only have one lower cupboard (except the ones under the sinks) and that is with our small desk area.
I have found a use, regardless of the size, of everyone of my drawers and I love everyone of them. I would never go back to lower cabinets.
I find that the 24" pantry which has fixed shelves in the top half and roll-out shelves in the bottom half to be a good size for our family of 4 and 2 cats. BUT - I don't do any canning or major baking. I still, after 3 months have space left in it for stuff.
I think what you need to do is itemize what you need to store, then look at the confirmed storage that you have and what will go in that, and then look at what is left and the best sizing of drawers for that stuff.

Boxerpups.....oh my goodness, the white kitchen above is so beautiful! I have never seen such gorgeous blue subway tile. I want to dive into that picture and stay there. You have a fabulous library of photographs. Thank you for sharing the Kitchen candy!

blfenton- That is just what I am doing now; trying to decide what should be in each of the cabinets and drawers. I'm trying to re-imagine the space rather than just plop everything into the same areas. Several things work very well already, others have proven to be a hassle as is, so we'll have to think out of the box (tee hee- get it? Box? Cabinet?) Oh my Heavens, I'm sorry about that, I'm a little tired and getting silly! Kitchen planning plus the impending Holiday, plus being in retail management at the holidays equals one tired girl.
PS- to those who have asked, my drawings should be coming down soon. My designer works on my plans after his kids go to bed!

debbie1030... Another thing, so that you don't over think this or get too stressed out, is that I, and many others, wound up reorganizing all, or bits and pieces of our kitchens a couple of times before we find the system that worked best for our own habits. The only thing that my DH asked of me if I did this was that if I moved the breakfast stuff I had to tell him.