Kitchen

[ScrapHappy]

We moved in our home 5 years ago.  One reason we picked this house was the size of the kitchen, it's very large, and unlike many of the other homes we looked out, it has been remodeled.  the previous owners made a large investment in the kitchen.  I have 3 sinks, two are Shaw farmhouse white sinks.  I like them but if I would of put in one larger sink, definietely stainless.  Make sure you put in garbage disposals, we have 3, one for each sink.  I now have double ovens...I love, love, love having double ovens.  They are electric which I didn't think I'd like but it doesn't bother me.  I have a six burner stove top (gas) and it really makes a big difference having 6 instead of 4.  Under the stove top is 4 very large drawers, that's where I keep my pots and pans.  I have two islands.  One island is strictly for storage, then other has seating, the 3rd sink and it's deep enough that it fits a two can garage system which I really like.  I also have a pantry and the previous owners had California closet system installed.  Great for organization.  I like to keep my toaster, crockpot, instant pot and coffee maker in there.  I don't like them out on my countertop. Our countertops are granite, I would of definitely have choosen a quartz.  The drawers are not self close, but I would of definitely have put that in.  There's lots of cabinetry in my kitchen, which I appreciate, and I also like that there's different sizes especially to fit the larger plates and serving pieces.  My baking trays, cutting boards, griddle,  stove top grill, cake pans, etc. is above the double ovens where they just slide in and out which is convenient.  

[Lilysmom1]

@Nightowlz , an exciting project!  

here are my three pieces of advice...

1.  Gas stove, go for it!

2.  Soft close drawers, go for it.  

3.  Large drawers for pots and pans, same!  So much easier to manage pots and pans.

Keep us posted as you go.  One of 5e best remodel jobs in the house.  Good luck.  S

[77yangya]

Woweee Zowee!  You got my respect!!!!   Hope all goes PERFECT!   XO

[Janey2]

I am not sure from your post if you are working with a kitchen designer or just a contractor? Sometimes a company will do both. I would not let just a contractor decide on all the choices when gutting a kitchen, that's a designer's job. There so many ways to go in a kitchen. 

[fthunt]

Time..........May is just around the corner and you still have many decisions to make - too many.

I would work with a design expert instead of asking us - for help.  And I"d aim for a starting date of July - August instead of May.

[Mary Bailey]

We have a "1 butt" kitchen. More than one person in it & we're bumping into each other.

To have room for a dishwasher I opted for a very deep stainless steel single sink. I saw now reason for a double sink. They would have to been small to fit in the sink area.  I've never regretted the choice.

I have a floor to ceiling pantry. Love it.  I wish there was no soffit where the wall cabinets are and the cabinets were taller.

My kitchen remodel is about 20 years ago. Countertops are laminate.  I'd like to replace with a quartz composite. We used to have stools around the pennisula. It has  an overhang that I would eliminate if I get new countertops.

[Eileen in Virginia]

@Nightowlz  We renovated our galley kitchen about 30 years ago and installed a base cabinet with dividers for cookie sheets, cutting boards, etc. Ours didn't pull out, though. After a few years, the dividers came apart and, when I took them out, I realized the cabinet was much more functional without them, as I could nest more baking sheets and other items together. We also got a pull-out spice shelf that's very handy. The only change I'd make there is to swap 2 of the shorter shelves for 1 taller one to accommodate some of my larger BJ's-sized spice jars. We love our pull-out trash/recycling bins.

About 10 years ago we had to re-do all of the tracks on our drawers. At that time, we also had them install pull-out shelves in the cabinets above the wall oven and refrigerator, as well as under the sink. This makes it so much easier to get items from those cabinets (even though I still need a step stool for the uppers). 

I wish I had them install one of those shelves that raise and lower large appliances in a base cabinet to the counter height, such as for my KA stand mixer. Now that I'm not as agile as I used to be, it's a lot harder to hoist that mixer up to the counter. 

You're smart to solicit suggestions at this point, as scope creep can really jack costs up. Good luck with your renovation!

[depglass]

Did you mention slide out shelves for pantry and bottom cupboards?  

[Sooner]

What I miss most about my last kitchen:

Slide out shelves behind doors under the counter for pots and pans.

I kept the mixer on the counter because there is always flour and spilled stuff around a mixer.  So I had a pull out shelf built for the toaster and food processor--and it was big enough and sturdy enough to use both on the pull out.

I put a cooktop in an archway along the wall rather than the center island because I wanted ALL that work and walk-around space to be free!  I was so glad to have that! 

I had deep pull-out drawers to store tall containers of flour, sugar, and other pantry items so I didin't have them on the counter.  

[skatting44]

 a contractor showed us  how a microwave can be  hidden inside a counter island  where you  don't see it till you press a button to  have it  pop up .  I  forget what he exactly called  it. I think I saw the same device on  web site Touch of Modern.com