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Kitchens Design Dilemma

Counter-depth cabinet use

last year

Hello! We are having our new cabinets installed this week and, without going into details, we unexpectedly ended up with a counter-depth cabinet that is 2” shallower then the lower. Our microwave won’t really go anywhere else so I think we are stuck with it (we would have tried for a different cabinet layout had we realized this but too late for that. It’s not one’s fault.).

So, being that this is our situation, we are trying to find the silver lining and how we can best utilize the countertop. Food prep seems like it wouldn’t work. Any thoughts?

Comments (6)

Fori
last year
Pretty sure that's where the coffeemaker goes. :)
kandrewspa
last year
I looks like it isn't going to be a problem where it is. You have the niche next to it, I assume for the range, and is that a wall on the other side? Pretend you did it on purpose. :-)
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We have very similar dimensions for our vanity in our main bath. I think I am going to go with an 18" wide tower, which should leave room for at least a 54" long vanity, which is a good size with a single sink. I would determine what you plan to store in the tower and mock up and measure if they will fit. Are you planning to have drawers or roll-outs? That will take up more space too. I have an 18" pantry in my kitchen next to a 44" beverage counter, it doesn't look too large. I think you will be much happier with the extra 3" in your tower than on the counter.
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The NKBA recommends at least a 9" safety zone behind a cooktop that is on a peninsula or island. I recommend more, because it's SUCH a safety hazard issue. I'd prefer to see at least 12", and that is if no one is seated there. If you have seating, then you need the zone of safety, and then the seating overhang can start. So, if you have 15" overhang for seating, add that to the 12" zone of safety, plus the standard cabinet countertop depth (25") equaling a 52" countertop. I feel VERY strongly about this, as I still carry the scars from a childhood burn accident. I would NEVER put new counters in your kitchen until this major safety hazard was addressed!
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We just installed our kitchen aid counter depth frige. It does not have counters next to it but rather pantry style cabinetry (which are standard depth). It looks like it sticks out about an inch or slightly less than I want it too (not the doors or the handles but the body of the frige). Once the doors of the cabinets are installed it shouldn't be as noticeable. My cabinet guy did recomend to notch out some of the sheetrock in the back of the frige where the plug is (because the stiff cords are preventing the fridge from going all the way back) and it should fit even better. The kitchen aid frige we have is model KFCS22EVMSO.
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You need to decide on the exact model and check the user manual or installation instructions for that model as it will tell you how deep the machine is and how much space has to be left behind it for the hoses and plugs and how far forward the countertop can come over the top of the machine without interfering with your ability to use the machine. Most of the newer washing machines are much taller than the normal counter height. I think that all of the duets exceed standard kitchen countertop height and depth.
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Ali
Original Author
last year
Haha my husband would be a huge fun but seeing his coffee pot on the counter is a pet peeve of mine!

We have an appliance “garage” for that, thankfully!
Ali
Original Author
last year
@kandrewspa - yep! The range will go in the niche between the two 18” lowers, and the fridge will be on the other side of the deep upper cab. Definitely can pretend it was intentional!
Kendrah
last year
last modified: last year
I would reserve it as a place for cakes, cookies, and pies to cool when I'm baking. Or things that I have prepped in complex recipes that you then don't use until step 7.

I'm not big on having appliances or many other things on a counter as well. What do you not mind seeing on a countertop? Decorative sugar, flour, tea canisters? It seems like a fantastic place for junk to pile up but I sense that you probably don't allow that to happen!

Love your hidden microwave.
Ali
Original Author
last year
Thank you for the ideas, Kendrah! I wanted to introduce some blue accents into the kitchen so I like the idea of a few decorative canisters and then using it for cooling/prepped items!

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