Here is the challenge. The kitchen is a small (10’ x 10’) U-shaped workspace. The photos show some of my challenges (Hint: the counters are usually a lot more cluttered!). My wish list:
- efficient use of cabinet space (entire under counter area lost between the dishwasher and stove top),
- microwave/hood combo over the stovetop, pull out drawers for pots/pans,
- possibly back-to-back cabinets on long counter side with glass-fronted doors for china storage facing dining room,
- floor-to-ceiling cabinet on dining room side at wall by phone with drop down desk (get rid of that clutter!),
- new flooring, and last of all . . .
- replace the Harvest Gold sink, stovetop, and hood.
What do you think? Any suggestions?
Renovating is certainly very challenging. I know speaking for myself, I constantly worry on how it's going to look and if my choices are the best ones. My only suggestions would be for the cabinets down low, make sure the shelves are retractable (very convenient to reach the contents in the back) and granite counter-tops, they are the best! They don't stain and is very durable. We have had ours for 15 years and they still look new.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever looked at Ikea? We have one about two hours from here and they have great kitchen designs! They also have a website so you should check it out for ideas!
ReplyDeleteCristina,the price of granite seems more manageable than in the past and does give a high end appearance. I appreciate your recommendation as a owner. Durable? Does that include scratches and how hard is it to damage?
ReplyDeleteAmy, as a matter of fact I have been looking at IKEA. Las Vegas does not have a store, but there is a store in Phoenix, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT, and in Covina, CA . . . and they are offering free shipping to L.V. I would love to be 2 hours away from one. I wish it did not take me so long to make decisions and I really do need to see and touch the product before I commit. Do you know anyone who has purchased and assembled their cabinets. I see they have a 25-year guarantee.
ReplyDeleteKitchen remodeling is a big job! I would make sure my cabinets had shelves that were on glides, so you can reach things in the back. Also the corner cabinets need revolving shelves. I didn't put the extra money into mine and I wished many times over that I had. I have a lot of space that is not easily accessible. I also didn't opt for the granite tops and wish I had. Mine already need replacing.
ReplyDeleteI have a very dusty Real Estate license and have heard that double ovens are a plus to have. Do you entertain a lot? If so, I would keep it. Good luck on your project! Your will have a great excuse to eat our when it is under way!
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen layout is very similar to mine. Both my husband and I have been complaining about our small kitchen, and now matter how we view it, we're just trying to deal with it since we bought our townhouse brand new 2 years ago. The only thing that's different for me though is we our microwave is built into the wall and sits above the stove. The vent is right underneath the microwave.
ReplyDeleteThat could be one way to get slightly more counter space if you can hook up a microwave to the wall above the stove.
It drives me crazy that there is a lower cabinet area in the corner that has over two square feet of unaccessible space and i have thought about shifting the dishwasher slightly toward the sink (maybe a smaller sink) and putting in the corner cabinet with the turntable shelves.
ReplyDeleteAs for cooking a lot . . . embarrassing to say, but with my granddaughter and me, I use the microwave more than anything else.
I am seriously considering the microwave/hood vent combination for exactly the reasons you cited. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Definately go with the microwave/hood above the oven. This saves a lot of space. I use my microwave to store my breads when it's not in use.
ReplyDeleteI have a galley kitchen which is probably smaller than yours. It really helped me to go to a few stores and talk to people in the cabinet dept. Home Depot was very good to help with design and even drew up plans. I have a tall pantry cabinet which is great. The pull out drawers are what I have my pans in and also have a 3 drawer cabinet on one side for plastic lids (narrower drawer), tupperware/plastic containers, and then my rectangular baking dishes and misc. in the third. This was a suggestion made to be and it does work out well. I also have pull out drawers in a cabinet by my dishwasher for larger appliances. I love the pull out drawers. They are will worth the money. In design, we moved the stove from one side to the other. And as I mentioned in an earlier comment, we added a trash compactor which I don't ever want to be without. So, it might pay off to speak to several designers. Home Depot did not charge...
ReplyDeleteI liked the animoto, it was a nice visual of what you want to accomplish and why. Great use of the text and the pictures!Looks like you have a big project in mind, we just remodeled the whole house that we moved into. It was a foreclosure and we spent about 8 weeks painting, replacing flooring, ect. My husband and a buddy of his did all of the work!!
ReplyDelete