Please review layout, thank you in advance!!

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Coming closer to finalizing kitchen layout in small 12x12 ish 1980s split level kitchen remodel. Ditch shelves and do cabs all across stove wall? If so, do them in glass front? Ditch cabs and do shelves for much needed feeling of openness? Ditch microwave cab and do Pantry next to fridge instead? Or do narrow floor to ceiling pantry to the right of the stove?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author
5 years ago
Esther Lorenzo
Original Author
5 years ago
I'm also considering whether to do Fabuwood chesnut on lower and blanc upper, or all Blanc. It's an almost white/not too creamy color. We have a toddler and are not the cleanest cooks/housekeepers. Concerned about the white holding up, but also aware that everyone loves a light bright kitchen.
Related Discussions
Please review my kitchen layout...
Q
Comments (19)
lascatx - if you're frustrated imagine how I feel. The outer walls have been framed for about a month. I just got the kitchen plan from the contractor about 9:00 p.m. last night, 01/22. I told the contractor I wanted a corner pantry before we began the build. Earlier this week, the pantry was framed in without having a kitchen floor plan approved. ugh! I can't change the pantry walls or the three kitchen perimeter walls, but I can move everything else around. I can put the sink, frig, range, etc. where ever I decide. I just need to decide so the plumber and electrician can do their job. Believe me the last two days have been very frustrating. Before this week, I thought everything was smooth sailing and this building stuff was a breeze. If this helps, we did go with one of the most respected contractors in the area. Never heard one bad word about him, except that he could be slow. Okay - I totally agree with everyone about the frig. It definitely should be moved. I also do not like the sink at the end of the cabinet. Totally impractical. When you come in from the garage there is no counter space to place groceries, etc. because the sink is on one end and the frig on the other. How about a corner sink and put the dishwasher in the middle of the peninsula? Anyone ever done that? How about moving the frig next to the corner pantry? But then where should I put the range? If this helps--I'm planning on ceiling height cabinets, and a cabinet niche for the microwave(no over the range microwave), and a standard size range (no double ovens).
...See More
Please review screened porch layout and advise
Q
Comments (22)
You've gotten good advice here. One fan will be plenty for your room. You might even consider adding a light to the fan to provide overhead lighting when needed instead of recessed lights. You could install switched outlets for lamps or wall sconces for your ambient lighting, which is nicer to relax with than recessed lights, unless you put them on dimmers. There would be money saved if you skip the recessed lights and dimmer switch. We rarely use our recessed lights to have accent lighting at night, or to watch television. The spaces between the furniture are too tight to walk through the room with a platter of food or to pull out a chair at the table. You already figured out that the French doors and step are inoperable against the back of the loveseat. How much are you able to extend the length of your room? With a fixed width the 1'4" behind the sofa(loveseat) is too small to walk through. Could you push it back against the wall? Your table area is too tight to pull out a chair with 2' and 2'4" on some sides. Is it possible to use a smaller table for four instead of six? Using a smaller round table with chairs at 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 8 o'clock may work instead of pushing them back against the walls. One or two club chairs angled close to the corners of the French doors might work instead of the loveseat at the entrance. You have done a great job drawing the room and measurements. I don't have a program to help you try out different furniture, but hope some sweet soul will come along to assist you. As it looks the room is not large enough to carry out two rooms of furniture, unless you can expand your length. It will be fun watching your progress. This will be a lovely addition to your home.
...See More
Please review my layout
Q
Comments (9)
Thank you all for your comments. annkh-we are replacing the cooktop/wall oven with a gas range and putting on the outside wall--opening up the space with the idea the island will replace the storage I will lose. Truth be told (hate to admit on this forum), I rarely use a vent (but do plan to start)--but one of the biggest reasons I plan to go with a larger hood is I did not want a cabinet with two doors opening into the hood. By increasing the hood, I have only one door opening away from the hood. I tried to come up with alternatives (bifold, lift ups) but no one seemed to think they would work. I have lived with this kitchen for 35 years--raised two kids and while I did not love it, particularly around the holidays, it was not a big concern until both my spouse and I retired and ended up in the kitchen at the same time. srdesq--I did not know there was a different hood size recommendation for outside walls. We do not use a microwave. We do use a toaster oven and plan to keep in a drawer (left of range)--not sure if it will end up living on the counter but my hope is I will put it away after each use. blfenton--the 9 3/8" space is a wall. There is the same amount of space on the other side of the bay window and I thought it would look better (symmetrical) like it was centered. We did consider taking the cabinets all the way to the window but KD says it could be problematic with frameless cabinets in an older home--no flexibility to make them fit, so went back with my original symmetry. My cabinets are semi custom and I am told "they will do anything"--the 13 1/2" upper cabinet doors are my way of taking into account the filler needed at the corner--not sure what I will end up with there.
...See More
Please help review our proposed layout
Q
Comments (59)
I have had a MW drawer since early 2008 and use it several time a day every day. I have had no problems with it. In fact, with one exception, it has outlasted all my "cheaper" countertop MWs by 4 years or more...so factor that in when you do a cost benefit analysis. The one that lasted the longest was a big Montgomery Ward's MW Convection Oven I bought in the mid-80s -- it lasted around 10 years. The one that lasted the least amount of time was a Panasonic (about 2 years). Sharp and Amana lasted about 4 or 5 years each. Note that I did not buy cheap countertop MWs b/c I happen to like the bells & whistles -- I use them all the time. My countertop models cost $250 to $300, I think. (It's been over 10 years now since I bought the last one, so they might have cost less...I just don't know for certain.) My 30" MW Drawer cost $800. So if the MW Drawer lasts another 4 years or so, I will have "broken even" with 3 countertop models at $300 lasting approx 5 years each. After that, I'm ahead of the game! The 24" MW drawers cost less than 30" and are the same size, so don't get a 30" model. . If the MW drawer is a budget-buster, then I suggest a countertop model installed above the counter (hanging from the upper cabinet) b/w the range and Laundry Room wall. However, you will probably have to move the range toward the sink another 6 to 9 inches to accommodate it. With the exception of, I think Bosch, all countertop MWs open with the hinge on the left, so this is the best location. [There is one that opens like an oven, but I don't know for certain that it's a Bosch nor am I certain it's a countertop model -- it might be designed to be installed as a built-in, which will then make it more expensive. The brand name may also make it more expensive...] Make sure the interior of the alcove for the MW is finished to match the exterior of the cabinets. That will add to the cost, but it will probably still be less than a MW drawer.
...See More
Esther Lorenzo
Original Author
5 years ago
salex
5 years ago
Open shelves vs. cabinets is a lot of personal preference - how tidy you are, how much stuff you have. From a form-based perspective (which should follow function), I would prefer to have solid cabinets in the corners and open shelves flanking the stove for a more "open" feel overall. That said, I would not (and did not) do open shelves because of the dust/grime factor, plus I think open shelves are less versatile (i.e., they're best left for items that can be arranged decoratively).
Esther Lorenzo
Original Author
5 years ago
Well I'm split on the form function debate regarding open shelves. My mother has them in her cabin kitchen and absolutely loves them. She's actually trying to talk me into more open shelves. I took cabinet doors off two of our current kitchen shelves and I do actually like it. But I'm not the neatest person, and I'm not sure it's the right decision...however, I love not opening the door to put my dishes away. It seems like a simple thing but I'm a working full-time mama with a toddler and it's actually great to just be able to reach up and grab your dishes well juggling other things Etc
cpartist
5 years ago
Don't do the pantry next to the fridge because where will you load/unload groceries without a shelf to put bags and stuff on? I think your first layout looks good.

As to open or closed, I think you answered your own question when you mentioned you're not the neatest. ;)

One other thing. Make sure all your lowers are drawers, not roll outs or cabinets. You won't regret drawers.
Esther Lorenzo
Original Author
5 years ago
I really appreciated the drawers feedback, I think almost everything is a drawer. I do have a large pressure cooker that I use often that would not fit in a drawer so I think one of the cabinets has to be doors to fit that. What's your opinion on two tone kitchens with a darker lower cabinet in lighter upper cabinet? I'm just about on the verge of saying let's go all light bc I'm worried about how it will look with the fridge and microwave station all in a lighter color, and the rest of the kitchen with darker lowers and white uppers
K R
5 years ago
I would do all white and ditch the shelves for cabinets personally. I don’t think you can go wrong with more useable cabinet space.
Esther Lorenzo
Original Author
5 years ago
I think that's probably the best choice, despite the fact that i.know I'll spend more time wiping them down. It'll make the small space so much larger. Oi was going to go with a lovely 1x2 foot rectangle floor tile in an almost washed out light color to contrast with dark cabs. Will probably have to revisit that flooring choice if going with white cabs.....

Please review layout, thank you in advance!!

Comments (9)

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Related Discussions

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

salex

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

cpartist

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

K R

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Please review layout, thank you in advance!!

Comments (9)

Esther LorenzoOriginal Author

Esther LorenzoOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Esther LorenzoOriginal Author

salex

Esther LorenzoOriginal Author

cpartist

Esther LorenzoOriginal Author

K R

Esther LorenzoOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author

Esther Lorenzo
Original Author