Filler (soffits) and molding looks fine. Check out the various kitchen reveals here and also look at kitchens on Houzz. This should give you ideas on what kind of moldings you would like. You might also want to share with us a diagram of your layout to see if you can get some good advise here to make your kitchen function great and look good. There are a lot of talented people here.

Are your current cabinets in decent shape? Could you re-use some of them and only buy new where you need more cabinets? If budget is super-tight, would you be willing to shop for used cabinets at places like Habitat for Humanity stores?

My remodel is going to cost about $5000. This is re-using our current cabinets and adding some others purchased at Habitat stores and includes all new appliances, two sinks/faucets, and counters. It is all DIY so that does save a lot. Just sharing to let you know that if cost is a concern, there are usually ways to get something you'd like at a cost you feel comfortable with.

What height are your ceilings? Would custom allow for fewer fillers or a better fit in some other way or do the ikea sizes in terms of widths available work well for your layout?

Does custom offer finishes or anything else you want that you can't get from ikea? Is custom a local cabinet maker or a big manufacturer? Any differences in terms of the hardware quality (a drawer glides, etc)?

Do you have existing standard size appliances that work okay? Can you reuse those and save money for new appliances in a year or two?

thanks funkycamper, my kitchen is gutted cabinets were shot, we (contractor) knocked out load bearing wall & its a mess & we are trying to do what we can to stay on budget, I am overwhelmed with all the decisions & this site is a life saver, i still have to make decision on the ikea cabinets for $6500 or local cabinet maker $9800, my carpenter told me to be prepared for imperfections with hanging ikea & perfect fit, i have cooktop & double ovens that i got on craigslist beautiful, i lucked out with rich guy just upgrading, cooktop is 6 burner ss pro series for $600 & ss double ovens $500, i am overwhelmed with trying to find range hood, built in microwave & farmhouse sink, i would love zephyr range hood but can't afford so wondering about cavalire, extreme air, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, also what is the deal on built in microwaves that do nothing but microwave , i can't find one under $800 !!! the same with fireclay farmhouse sinks, wow, also my cooktop will be off center to the right in island should i have pendant next to it ? i have to order online because hd & lowes have few options in showroom to see in person, & i hate ordering something as important as appliances online without seeing them first, please help me with these decisions i thought it would be fun and i am so grateful to even own a home, but help..its been 9 months thanks guys barbcamp12

thanks crl, local cabinet maker said he can put 36" which will go all the way up with just couple inches to ceiling where he would put trim, & he would build size i want , ikea cabinets will leave 6" to ceiling but would have trim, then filler like a flat panel behind trim, then trim at top of that, hope i said that right, i would choose local guy in heartbeat, but i need to decide if the $3000 i would save with ikea & buy range hood, sink, & microwave, or look at it like whats another $3000 & figure it out down the road, i know this remodel won't last forever, but my house is fixer upper so its not just kitchen i am working on, i also do not want to blow the only chance i have to get kitchen right & look down the road & say why didn't i do this or that,i don't think i would be so nervous about ikea if my carpenter had not told me to be ready for not a perfect fit, but i have read so many good reviews on ikea, yikes, thanks guys

Was a load bearing wall taken out without proper support being put in place? If so, has that been fixed? I would not continue to work with the same contractor who made that kind of mistake, if that's what happened.

I think you should post your layout. People will be able to help you decide whether ikea sizes work well in your space or whether custom offers a big advantage. To get the best help, people will need exact measurements of your space, including doors, windows, ceiling height, etc.

On a tight budget, I would not get a built in microwave. I would be looking for a layout that includes a microwave shelf such that you can easily and inexpensively replace the microwave as needed down the road.

reconsider the built in microwave and fireclay farmhouse sink for some degree of savings and DO probably get custom cabinets-sounds like you are opening up the space, and is not so small a kitchen.....custom might be worth it. There are places to save. Can you show a graph of what you have planned or a general sketch.

I would cut costs by foregoing a built-in microwave before I would skimp on a venting hood. A hood becomes just another decorative feature if it's loud or ineffective so you don't end up using it.

Are your plans to stay in this house long term or is this a starter home that you might sell in a few years? Are custom cabs & fireclay sinks in line with other homes in your neighborhood? That would drive some of my choices if I were remodeling a first home on a tight budget.

As said, back up and post your layout. Once you have the best layout considering your needs and budget, then you can decide on the cabinets. There are other options other than IKEA or custom.

You've got a lot of cart before the horse here. A ''find'' that ends up costing you more in the long run isn't a suitable choice, no matter how nice it is. The most expensive dog I ever had was a ''free'' puppy that had all kinds of allergies and hip dysplasia. Your high end ''scores'' are gonna cost you high end money in the ancilliary choices that go along with them. Like running a bigger gas line to support that higher BTU cooktop, a bigger CFM vent, and the MUA that is now required. Most people don't understand that in the design phase unless they have someone explain those ancillary needs to them. And labor is the most expensive component for any of it, especially if DIY skills are limited.

You haven't spent enough time designing here. Stop. Post your layout. Tell us the budget. Tell us your skill level. There are ways to stay on budget, but we need a realistic assessment of your budget and skills, as well as the actual suitability of these higher end choices to your home's neighborhood.

Wow, plants4. This is a kitchen site, not grammar.

Barbcamp, you have been given great advice. Please let us help you plan your space. Read this first for some helpful tips.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2843508/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first?n=308

funky, once more I agree with you. ;)

barbcamp, do you keep appliances out on the counter, or do you like your counters clear? I ask because I have a 10' run of cabinets with the uppers only 14" from the counter. 40" is only 4" more than 36--if you can function with the shorter area between counter and cabinet bottom, you might consider that option. If using a light rail, that might not be feasible, but If you are 'vertically challenged' lower cabinets would be an advantage. ;)

In our kitchen, we did (white) custom uppers and (black) ikea lowers. Ikea drawers are great, but I thought their uppers really left some room for improvement, and the uppers are at eye level and therefore so much more noticeable. Mixing the two rather than doing all custom saved us a bunch of money, and our cabinet maker matched the design of the uppers to the Ikea drawers, so that worked well.

I posted the other day about our Ikea dilemma with Ikea's lack of 36 inch uppers. We have 8 ft ceilings as well. After looking at pictures of Ikea kitchens online, I've decided that 40" uppers with only the thin deco strip as a crown will look fine. I liked the way it looked way better than the pics I saw of 30 inch uppers with a soffit. Do a search for yourself and then decide if its such a big deal. Or I like what Jillius suggested about getting the uppers custom made but using Ikea bottoms.

I would also like to see your layout. Our kitchen is about 13 x 14 and my IKEA cabinets priced out at 5K, including glass fronts, a corner susan, and 2 tall cabinets, and mostly drawer bases.

I think the folks here can be very helpful and having your layout may bring suggestions that could save you from making some costly mistakes. There are a few who come as dictatorial, but the advice is almost always sound. I agree BTW, that your farmhouse sink and appliance choices are leading you out of budegt territory, but only you can decide if that's the right choice for you.

FWIW, Rebunky, I thought your comment was just fine. You were not being a grammar police. My chastisement about that issue was not directed at you. Of course, no idea how OP feels. Hope she returns to let us know how things are going.

Oh, so it is, Rebunky. I didn't notice that. I guess I should have reported it but I never think of doing that unless it's obvious spam.

Yes it was deleted. Well, I just deleted my comments too because I felt bad anyways. Barb, please do post your layout in a NEW thread. Let's let this one go into cyberspace and start fresh. Best wishes to you.