Are you just replacing cabinets and leaving fixtures (cooktop, fridge, ovens, sink) in the same places? I think there's room for improvement with your layout--particularly getting your cooktop off the island. Are you open to suggestions regarding floor plan?

2) should I add more drawers? You can't have too many drawers, so I say all base cabinets should be all drawers.

3) Do I have too many cabinets? I think you're the only one who can really answer question since you know what you need to store. I think it looks like a good amount.

4) would silverware left of the sink be odd? Generally speaking, I think putting the silverware in the corner is less than ideal. In addition, in this layout the area to the left of the sink is prime prep space and anyone prepping there will have to move to let someone else grab a utensil.

5) how do people feel about the built in microwaves? Are they convenient or no? After buying our Ikea Sektion cabinets, I put our microwave on a low shelf in our temporary kitchen setup and learned that I hated it. Too late. The biggest issue is having to squat down to keep an eye on my kids' quick oatmeal. If it begins to really annoy me I'll probably get an undercabinet microwave or a small countertop. If you're going with a microwave drawer, that makes more sense in a base cab, but I've never used one.

6) Am I crazy for going with Ikea cabinets? Nope. They're a great option.

I'm totally up to other suggestions. The right side of the kitchen (to the right of the window) is open to the dining room. I placed the cooktop on the island because I like to not have my back to the rooms (including the living room south of the dining/kitchen.) What would you do instead?

Thanks for the feedback! I think you're probably right about the microwave too. We'd have to get used to not using it or bending over. That could get frustrating.

Also, the kitchen has been totally gutted. It's a blank canvas. We can easily move plumbing and electrical. The main wall with the fridge can't be adjusted though. And I should note it's all open to the main living area and dining room aside from the window wall and fridge wall.

How is the kitchen presently arranged?

Is sink under window and range on that back wall?

Dining room is to the right of the sink. What's to the left of the fridge?

The kitchen is completely gutted. The dining room is right of the sink. The sink is under the window facing the backyard. I've drawn something up so it's a bit easier. Not to scale, but hopefully it helps!

Kitchen Help Needed · More Info

whats the distance from the edge of the kitchen window to the edge of the dining room doors?

The end of the window to the door is about 4 ft.