I would go to the store for appliances. When I went to get my stove online it said there was 2 in the store. When we got to the store, ya they had two.. two damaged ones. The stores are taking your money and telling you one delivery date and keep on pushing and pushing the date back by months. Go to the store to find out if they are truly in stock.

Covid-19 issues are more likely to have more to do with availability (or not) and timely delivery (or not.) No matter where you shop, look for delays and lack of product, plus outrageous prices for building supplies. This is not the time to do it, IMO.

Being covid cautious myself, I would do all my planning online and wait until post plague to confirm things and certainly wait to start, unless this is a DIY project to keep you busy during lockdown. :)

You CAN get many samples online--countertops (like quartz, Corian, laminates, etc.), tile, flooring, hardware, etc. although you'd still want to see big pieces of some of these in person. Real stone for countertops, you'd have to wait of course.

For online purchases, go with the best deal that goes with a good reputation. And I do encourage using local guys as much as possible--even if they don't do online sales, they might do curbside service.

if you're that afraid to venture out, either wait a year or book yourself a kitchen designer and completely hand the reins to them. This way you'll never have to leave your house.

you have to visit stone yards if you want a granite, or even a quartz. trying to pick from online pics is ridiculous. Are you replacing cabs or painting what you have?

what kind of budget are you talking about?

appliances are 3-5 months on backorder.

I would go in store to choose all of it, including appliances. But yea - you're still in the planning stages, don't jump the gun. I would recommend an appliance store over a big box, but that's just me and based on my experiences. For higher-end appliances (e.g. BlueStar, Wolf, etc) you're going to need to find a dealer in your area, forget the big boxes.

Can you wait 6 months? At that point, the world will probably start working again. In the mean time, you can look online and make some choices.

I've been using a local cabinet retail shop to pick out cabinetry and countertop. They were good about allowing me to pick up samples curbside. I've order several countertop samples online, spending more on samples than I would have in normal times. Decisions were frustrating without being able to shop as one normally would. Electrical components and the sink were chosen online and delivered. Plywood and drywall was delivered. I'm going to keep my current range and fridge until Covid is over and I can shop for those items in stores. I could order a DW. because I pretty much know what I want, but I'm anticipating delays in availability, so I will just wait until I order the other appliances. I'm not sure how I'm going to choose a faucet, because I'd like to shop for that in person, but other plumbing items can easily be ordered online. Hardware might have to wait, but I could order samples online. My husband and I are installing the kitchen ourselves, except for countertops and new windows. When the trades are in the house we all wear masks, social distance and open all the windows. I'd much rather get this kitchen done with now, so that when Covid is over I am not stuck at home working on a kitchen.

@Beth H. :Thanks for the input! We're replacing cabinets and are thinking stoneyards (outdoors) are probably ok. Budget is about $40k, so I think hiring a KD is out of the budget :(

I haven't seen the issue with appliances on back order; I guess that would make the decision for me...

maybe it's delivery, but everyone is complaining about their appliances.

if you don't want to spring for the KD, it's going to be difficult to choose items without leaving the house. (unless you just want white on white on white!)

@JuneKnow We will move to my parents during the kitchen remodel to stay away from workers and we have a baby so we definitely need a working kitchen. We have a contractor who is ready to go in a few weeks, just waiting for our green light. It sounds like we should be pushing things back a few months though. We've been working with a cabinet designer to help with out layout, and I was going to go in to check on the quality. But now, when I'm thinking about tile, floor, fixtures, hardware, lighting, I'm realizing that I really need to go in person, so I may wait a bit until cases go down a little.

@Ig222 I think we can probably wait until Spring when things at least improve a bit (probably not normal) but better

I'm realizing that I really need to go in person, so I may wait a bit until cases go down a little

How come flu illnesses have completely disappeared this year? it's actually quite amazing that nothing is getting counted as regular flu, yet, this covid is on the rise (but deaths have stayed steady since april. )

a year ago we had 80K seasonal flu cases. this year, none? could it be that everything is counted as covid???

such a joke, these numbers. (and yes, I've asked 6 diff doctors out here about it. don't even get me started)

Why can I only “like“ Beth’s comment once? To answer the OPs question if you are seriously that scared you’d be better off waiting.

No, we dont have none, but it is clearly not the important question these days when 3000 people a day die due to COVID-19. BTW, at least where I live, people have been vaccinated against the FLU, including kids, so that may explain why there are less cases, though I doubt there are none.

This said, may be you need to change doctors if they lie to you.

I wished people would stop whining about supposed flaws on this forum. We do not come here to read rants about illness. We're here for advice about design.

When we did our remodel in 2018, and since, we have found that many of the ordinary items at Home Depot or Lowes are not even carried in the stores. We would find what we want online, and then go to the store. Turns out the item had to be ordered. Everything from a ladder to a toilet to a pedestal lavatory to a air switch for the disposal to a trash can.

We also found that sometimes we could get the item faster from Amazon than from either Lowes of HD.

lg222, I mentioned it because they aren't reporting any deaths from the seasonal flu. everything is covid. the flu vaccine is barely at 60% effective. Hence the 80K deaths from 2018-2019 If we had that many deaths then, then what happened this year? It suddenly got so much better? No. it didn't. They're grouping it all w/covid and making you think covid is out of control.

The daily death toll from seasonal flu, using preliminary maximum estimates from the 2019-2020 influenza season, stood at an average of almost 332 people. (USA only)

3000 people a day die due to covid? world wide? 150K die every day, regardless. there's 7.7 billion people. do the math and figure the percentage on that one. (more people die of TB each day than covid. Did you know that??)

And who says it's strictly from covid and nothing else? that's the prob. If you test positive, and die, it's automatically from covid. even the CDC admitted this happened.

stop believing everything your politicians (ie state governors) tell you.

I'm a little nervous that you have your cabinet guy coming up with your layout. Unless you are 100% happy with what he has come up with you may just want to post it here and see if he is on the right track for a great layout for your space.

@Ig222 Thanks for your reply and for pointing out that we're not here to judge people for being cautious about going to stores or COVD, but here to help with design and remodeling. I appreciate you.

@sushipup1 Duly noted! Thanks for sharing that information.

@tedbixby Well, our kitchen is pretty straight forward and unfortunately, I don't think there's much we can do to change the layout - but would absolutely open to suggestions if you see any. We're not really making any changes to the layout, just updating cabinets and adding a door out to the backyard. Current layout is pencil sketch. Cabinet layout is pictured. We toyed with the idea of putting the stove on the same side as the refrigerator (along the right wall) but it didn't seem to work well there. Would love fresh eyes and ideas!

Go to the store before you commit to buying and look at what you are considering before making a final decision; however, the big box building supply stores have an on line presence and may even be willing to do an online chat and you should see if you can call in advance for appointments with specific staff (Lowes or Home Depot, etc.,) to minimize the time you need to be in the building discussing cabinets, countertops appliances, flooring -- whatever you will need for the planning of your project and / or the stage your project is in.

Have all your measurements and all your questions written out or accessible via your phone when you chat to expedite information flow both ways and before you actually go in.

You might invest in some graph paper and draw, to scale, your space with doors and windows and fixed features (fireplace, plumbing you're not moving) noted so you can avoid additional trips -- or use an online app to draw your floor plan.

@suezbell All really helpful and practical! Thank you. I'm planning to do an online layout later this week and be prepped for the appts. Thanks again!

Katie, I'm not judging. pointing out the obvious was all.I never said anything against you being cautious, only that 'what happened to all the flu cases?"

lg222 made a comment and I replied to it.

we did give you design choices. hire a KD so that you won't have to venture out, wait a year or so, or wear your mask a face shield and gloves, and venture. (you don't think that's enough to protect you?) (or, pick white on white on white so you wont have to really see any options in person)

At some point you have to go out and shop and look, or you take your chances and do everything online. or hire someone to do it for you.

40K may be enough to hire someone.

@Beth H. : CDC is still tracking the flu cases, just like they do every year: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

Deaths from COVID have been going up

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailytrendsdeaths

@juneknow Are you a KD? Can you share the obvious layout issues with me? It’s pretty much the layout that already exists.

@Katie Thompson

Not a KD, but here is my feedback to your design.

- Is there any possibilities to put the DW on the other side of the sink so that it is not between your sink and cooktop. This way you could have storage for your pans and pots next to the cooktop.

Do you need (or already have this range? It seems really large for a small kitche.

I am sure some pro will give you other feedback, but those are the ones that jump to my eyes. This said, it also depends how you cook.. If you are the only person in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning, the DW location is not that a big deal, but if you cook while somebody else cleans/empties the DW, this may be a problem.

If you cook a lot and need such a large range, you will find that your prep space (24"on one side, 21" on the other) may be too small for prepping.

A lart point, you may want to add another cabinet next to the fridge in order to use as a landing surface,

Good luck.

@wdccruise This is exactly the response I was hoping for and very helpful! Those are the areas I anticipated having to go in store for. Thanks!

I think many manufacturers/suppliers are being a bit more generous with providing samples to homeowners and mailing them out, free or for a small shipping fee. I am doing some research for a future project and was interested in a tile that no one seemed to carry in the US. I found someone able to order it and I asked for a small sample to confirm the color. The store sent me 2 whole 12x24 tiles. Now that is service and they will get my business when I am ready to buy.

@Ig222 Thank You for the feedback! You’re on the money with everything. The hand drawn sketch shows our current layout. We have a gigantic vintage Okeefe and Merrit stove. I plan to purchase a new standard 30” width stove and you are correct that the current counters are way too small for prep! The new plan has a 48” counter between sink and stove and will have a wide cabinet base for pots and pans. Unfortunately, DW on other side of sink would block the doorway. I like the idea of another counter next to fridge. I appreciate your help and feedback. thanks!

@Beth H. : Yes, I think if I take precautions, I’ll go to the store but I was hoping to try and limit the number of stores that I needed to go to and was trying to prioritize which aspects of the kitchen would best been seen in person. Thank you!

Hi Katie,

As a volunteer contact tracer for my State and with a hubby who works in the ICU, commend you for taking the right precautions as we all pray for an end to this soon.

Another thought as I read through your thread, but it would also be worrisome to bring contractors in your house. I have several friends who had started renovations before the pandemic, and about 75% of their tradesmen have gotten covid and their projects have gotten delayed weeks on out. One of my friends got infected from one of his contractors also. Just some thoughts and hope you all stay safe and your loved ones are healthy.

@Fsal Thank you for your volunteer work in helping us through this! I appreciate your thought and I felt the same about being in contact with people in our house! As such, we will be sealing off the kitchen from the rest of the house and will not be living there during the remodel. My contractor is going to use FaceTime to communicate with me. However, it did not occur to me that there could be delays if the tradesmen got COVID! Thank you for bringing that to my attention and thanks again for what you’re doing for your community.

Katie, we went through a full house reno and addition during the pandemic...still not all the way done. I've had a ridiculous amount of people in my home! Yes, some delays due to people getting covid...and then they fall behind on other jobs...so you get pushed back. But all in all, pretty normal stuff, kind & hard working people like always...not a bad experience at all. I lived in my house with 4 kids out of school through the whole thing...and I'm married to the contractor. I wish you luck, hope it goes as smoothly as mine did. Cheers ;)

Whether you are right handed or left handed matters, too. My left handed mom and I always preferred different sides for our refrigerator hinges.

If you often wash dishes by hand or always use the dishwasher matters as well because if you're leaving a dish drain on your countertop you want it to not block your using the countertop next to it -- make sure you have elbow room.

Ditto that with your other small appliances such as a countertop microwave or a coffee maker or toaster or toaster oven or crock pot. What do you keep out and what do you need to plan a place to store such things -- you want things handy but not in the way.

If you can find what you want on line, Home Depot will certainly order if for you and exchange if if there is a problem and you've not altered it in any way (check what you order as you pick it up to avoid a second trip back). Lowes likely will as well.

If you don't need to keep that pantry in the corner, don't keep it -- put countertop all along that wall on both sides of sink and stove. If you want a back door, consider a French door where you have a window -- or if it is a double window, perhaps even a sliding glass patio door by your table and chairs.

While I realize you don't really want to spend much time in stores, consider a trip to whichever one is most close -- perhaps mid-morning on a Tuesday (slower day usually) and glance through them and pick up a few a few magazines that show kitchen remodels and get some ideas from them as to what you do and do not want. Alternately, order a few on line since you are not rushed to begin before spring.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Magazines+focusing+on+kitchen+remodels&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiY-aH7_87tAhVCjlkKHRwjAT8Q_AUoAXoECBwQAw&biw=1323&bih=647