- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Kitchen: If you had it to do all over...
Posted on 1/5/20 at 10:07 am
Posted on 1/5/20 at 10:07 am
Had a supply line for the fridge leaking beneath the kitchen tile and the water essentially migrated across the entire subfloor of the kitchen, wicked up into most of the base cabinets, baseboards, etc. I’m going to use this as an opportunity to essentially gut reno the kitchen. I planned on re-doing it in 2-3 years anyway, but have had too many other projects going on.
I already have the basic layout, materials, aesthetic, etc, and my cousin owns a cabinet shop and will help me out on that end. What I’m asking you good people is, what are some of the things— large or small— you’d wished you added when you did your kitchen, but just didn’t think about/budget for? Conversely, what did you add that you wish you hadn’t, or just don’t use like you thought you would?
So far for us, the must adds:
-High capacity hood with blower in the attic to reduce the noise
-Hot/Cold water dispenser at sink
-Large, undivided sink
-Ceiling height (9’) cabinets
-Appliance garage to hide toaster and blender
-Mostly drawer base cabinets
-Spice drawer(s) near range
-Over range shelf
-Hardware for easier access to blind corner(s)
-Under counter microwave drawer (wife)
Wife wants toe kick drawers for extra storage, but I feel like we will have plenty cabinet space, especially with the addition of the ceiling height cabinets. All that extra drawer hardware adds up. Any thoughts on that, specifically? I’ve got no problem adding them if it’s worth the additional effort and expense.
TIA!
I already have the basic layout, materials, aesthetic, etc, and my cousin owns a cabinet shop and will help me out on that end. What I’m asking you good people is, what are some of the things— large or small— you’d wished you added when you did your kitchen, but just didn’t think about/budget for? Conversely, what did you add that you wish you hadn’t, or just don’t use like you thought you would?
So far for us, the must adds:
-High capacity hood with blower in the attic to reduce the noise
-Hot/Cold water dispenser at sink
-Large, undivided sink
-Ceiling height (9’) cabinets
-Appliance garage to hide toaster and blender
-Mostly drawer base cabinets
-Spice drawer(s) near range
-Over range shelf
-Hardware for easier access to blind corner(s)
-Under counter microwave drawer (wife)
Wife wants toe kick drawers for extra storage, but I feel like we will have plenty cabinet space, especially with the addition of the ceiling height cabinets. All that extra drawer hardware adds up. Any thoughts on that, specifically? I’ve got no problem adding them if it’s worth the additional effort and expense.
TIA!
13
Posted on 1/5/20 at 11:06 am to GeauxldMember
quote:
-Large, undivided sink
Don't know why people imagine this is a good feature.
quote:
Spice drawer(s) near range
Build that into the pantry, cooler is better.
quote:
-Appliance garage to hide toaster and blender
Or just plan space to put them away when not in use and not eat up counter space with something that just winds up breaking and catching crumbs.
Posted on 1/5/20 at 11:17 am to GeauxldMember
anything above eye level is unusable without carrying a ladder around the kitchen to reach shite, its a shite tone of wasted money to raise ceilings and have full height cabinets you can only use the lower half of any way 
Posted on 1/5/20 at 11:31 am to Clames
quote:
Don't know why people imagine this is a good feature.
I asked for and appreciate the feedback. It would be more helpful to state the reasons you feel that way versus just saying it’s a bad idea.
We have a divided sink now and we both hate it. We cook large recipes frequently, which means cleaning large (sometimes very large) pots. It’s simply not practical to wash these in the divided sink.
quote:
Build that into the pantry, cooler is better.
Great point! I didn’t even consider the heat.
quote:
Or just plan space to put them away when not in use and not eat up counter space with something that just winds up breaking and catching crumbs.
I generally agree with that, but due to the layout of the kitchen (I’ll post a pic of the rough layout when I’m home) there’s a deep corner that would otherwise be awkward that would be well utilized for the appliance garage.
Posted on 1/5/20 at 11:37 am to keakar
I don’t disagree with your point. There are certainly things that we use infrequently enough that can be stored overhead and accessed with a step ladder, though. And even if the overhead cabinets are empty, not having the tops of the cabinets open to collect dust (neither of us are open to the idea of soffits) is well worth the expense to me. 
Posted on 1/5/20 at 11:48 am to GeauxldMember
I cook all the time, large and small meals and hate undivided sinks. Having two effective areas means I have a place for soiled cookware and a clean side for rinsing stuff or draining cooked foods. You are also always draining through the disposal unit and reduced to a single point of failure if it gets clogged. Unless you have a plumbed island and a second sink then there is no real upside. Put a bigger, deeper two sided sink for washing pots. The next kitchen I remodel for myself will have a three section sink.
Posted on 1/5/20 at 12:20 pm to GeauxldMember
Things we added that I love:
Huge pantry (places for pots, all mixers, small devices, serving dishes, etc as well as food and normal pantry stuff)
Coffee/tea area in pantry (shelf with outlets, Keurig and water boiler, mugs, coffee and tea)
Pot filler
Warming drawer
Second oven
Those strip light under cabinet lights-no bulbs-all led)
In-island microwave and wine fridge
And I love our huge one section sink. Switched to an undivided sink 2 Renovations ago and won’t ever go back.
What I wish we had room for:
Beverage cooler
Huge pantry (places for pots, all mixers, small devices, serving dishes, etc as well as food and normal pantry stuff)
Coffee/tea area in pantry (shelf with outlets, Keurig and water boiler, mugs, coffee and tea)
Pot filler
Warming drawer
Second oven
Those strip light under cabinet lights-no bulbs-all led)
In-island microwave and wine fridge
And I love our huge one section sink. Switched to an undivided sink 2 Renovations ago and won’t ever go back.
What I wish we had room for:
Beverage cooler
This post was edited on 1/5/20 at 12:25 pm
Posted on 1/5/20 at 2:50 pm to Clames
quote:Interesting. I just finished a remodel and disagree with all of your points.
-Large, undivided sink
Don't know why people imagine this is a good feature.
quote:
Spice drawer(s) near range
Build that into the pantry, cooler is better.
quote:
-Appliance garage to hide toaster and blender
Or just plan space to put them away when not in use and not eat up counter space with something that just winds up breaking and catching crumbs.
We researched and decided on an undivided sink and love it. Much more room and don’t have any issues with using the drain and disposal while also staging on the other side. Ours is approx 4 ft wide though and in an island. We don’t really soak dishes either.
Love the spice drawer next to the stove. Way easier to organize and select vs digging in a cabinet.
We have our microwave, toaster and vitamix all behind double cabinet doors. The toaster and vitamix slide out. It’s next to the refrigerator so easy to access but provides a much cleaner look behind doors. We also use these way too much to put away after every use.
This post was edited on 1/5/20 at 2:52 pm
Posted on 1/5/20 at 3:44 pm to dsides
quote:
Interesting. I just finished a remodel and disagree with all of your points.
Good for you, I'm in the middle of one and will probably be starting another by the end of this year.
quote:
We don’t really soak dishes either.
You also probably don't do nearly the level of cooking and prep work that I do.
quote:
Love the spice drawer next to the stove. Way easier to organize and select vs digging in a cabinet.
Certainly, but heat damages spices and I have a few jars of saffron that are probably worth more than everything you have in those little drawers. I custom built the shelving and spice racks in my pantry, no digging at all.
quote:
We have our microwave, toaster and vitamix all behind double cabinet doors.
I installed appliance lifts in a lower cabinet for my Blendtec and toaster oven with a dedicated outlet.
Posted on 1/5/20 at 4:50 pm to GeauxldMember
quote:
Large, undivided sink
Definitely worth it. We had one put in when we got new counter tops. I have several large cutting boards and a couple large pots and pans it makes life easier.
quote:
Ceiling height (9’) cabinets
This I wish we had. Not a fan of the gap between our cabinets and ceiling.
Posted on 1/5/20 at 5:06 pm to Clames
quote:
You also probably don't do nearly the level of cooking and prep work that I do.
quote:
Certainly, but heat damages spices and I have a few jars of saffron that are probably worth more than everything you have in those little drawers
Ok. You sound like a great guy.
Posted on 1/5/20 at 5:11 pm to GeauxldMember
Serious cook here (as in run a small food business out of my home kitchen ):
-keep spices away from stove. Heat is bad. I have mine in drawers in the island: maybe 3’ from the stove, but way way cooler than right beside it, especially considering the high volume baking going on in my kitchen.
-ceiling height cabinets are a waste for this short person. I’m not climbing on a stepladder every time I want a platter, soup tureen, huge Cambro, etc. I put in deep pantry closets in an adjacent hallway with shelving. I can reach everything I use without resorting to a stool or ladder.
-I have a 70/30 divided sink. This gives me a small prep/hand washing basin, and the large compartment is big enough to soak a half sheet baking pan. About 8’ away, in a laundry room that opens onto the kitchen, I have a huge, single basin 30”x22” Koehler plasterers’ scrub sink. I routinely wash 22 quart Cambro containers and 5 gallon beverage dispensers in this sink with no worries. I think the sink is a Gilford model. If you do large volume cooking, you need large basin sinks.
-high CFM hood is important. But be smart and get it at least 6”-12” wider than the stove. It will draw the cooking fumes much better than a hood the same width as the stove. Broan makes several with removable baffles like commercial units that can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
-over range shelves are gross. You have to endlessly clean them, and whatever is placed or stored there is fouled by cooking grease/spatter.
I wish I had planned my trash can location more carefully. It is a two can pull out unit set into a base cabinet. I wish I had put it into the island opposite the sink.
-keep spices away from stove. Heat is bad. I have mine in drawers in the island: maybe 3’ from the stove, but way way cooler than right beside it, especially considering the high volume baking going on in my kitchen.
-ceiling height cabinets are a waste for this short person. I’m not climbing on a stepladder every time I want a platter, soup tureen, huge Cambro, etc. I put in deep pantry closets in an adjacent hallway with shelving. I can reach everything I use without resorting to a stool or ladder.
-I have a 70/30 divided sink. This gives me a small prep/hand washing basin, and the large compartment is big enough to soak a half sheet baking pan. About 8’ away, in a laundry room that opens onto the kitchen, I have a huge, single basin 30”x22” Koehler plasterers’ scrub sink. I routinely wash 22 quart Cambro containers and 5 gallon beverage dispensers in this sink with no worries. I think the sink is a Gilford model. If you do large volume cooking, you need large basin sinks.
-high CFM hood is important. But be smart and get it at least 6”-12” wider than the stove. It will draw the cooking fumes much better than a hood the same width as the stove. Broan makes several with removable baffles like commercial units that can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
-over range shelves are gross. You have to endlessly clean them, and whatever is placed or stored there is fouled by cooking grease/spatter.
I wish I had planned my trash can location more carefully. It is a two can pull out unit set into a base cabinet. I wish I had put it into the island opposite the sink.
Posted on 1/6/20 at 12:29 am to Clames
Would not put a stove in a corner. Waste a lot of counter space.
Posted on 1/6/20 at 5:02 am to GeauxldMember
Built-in ice maker, free standing, or none ?
Though the top soap dispenser or not?
Electric or Gas?
Walk-in pantry, free standing, or none?
Backsplashes or not?
Crown molding cabinet to ceiling or not?
Island or none?
Though the top soap dispenser or not?
Electric or Gas?
Walk-in pantry, free standing, or none?
Backsplashes or not?
Crown molding cabinet to ceiling or not?
Island or none?
This post was edited on 1/6/20 at 5:04 am
Posted on 1/6/20 at 5:40 am to GeauxldMember
I love my undivided sink. If I had a differently arranged kitchen, maybe I'd like an additional prep sink, not sure.
We have cabinets that go to the ceiling. While it's true that some of the things are too high for me to reach, I don't regret having them, either aesthetically or practically. My husband can reach them! (And I have a ladder I could pull out if necessary.)
ETA: But we only have 8 foot ceilings, not nine.
We don't have an appliance garage. We put things away and take them out for use, but maybe you use your toaster and blender more frequently than we do.
No regrets on having all drawer base cabinets, except for under the sink.
We love the microwave drawer in the island.
I've only seen toe kick drawers on Houzz. They look very clever.
We have two trash pull-outs. One for regular trash and one for recyclables. Initially, the plan was to have both cans in one pull-out, but that would have meant smaller trash cans, so we opted for two on the island. The regular trash is directly across from the sink, which is handy. The recyclables trash is on the island, too, but on the other end.
We have cabinets that go to the ceiling. While it's true that some of the things are too high for me to reach, I don't regret having them, either aesthetically or practically. My husband can reach them! (And I have a ladder I could pull out if necessary.)
ETA: But we only have 8 foot ceilings, not nine.
We don't have an appliance garage. We put things away and take them out for use, but maybe you use your toaster and blender more frequently than we do.
No regrets on having all drawer base cabinets, except for under the sink.
We love the microwave drawer in the island.
I've only seen toe kick drawers on Houzz. They look very clever.
We have two trash pull-outs. One for regular trash and one for recyclables. Initially, the plan was to have both cans in one pull-out, but that would have meant smaller trash cans, so we opted for two on the island. The regular trash is directly across from the sink, which is handy. The recyclables trash is on the island, too, but on the other end.
This post was edited on 1/6/20 at 2:54 pm
Posted on 1/6/20 at 8:32 am to GeauxldMember
We went with a 60/40 low divider sink, this is the best option if you want a divider. I still think no divider is a better option.
Posted on 1/6/20 at 10:09 am to GeauxldMember
We have now had a large undivided sink for about 2 years. Wife loves it, said she would never go back.
Also if you dont have gas stove/oven I would make the change. It's far superior to electric.
Also if you dont have gas stove/oven I would make the change. It's far superior to electric.
Posted on 1/6/20 at 10:24 am to AtticusOSullivan
Gas stovetop / electric oven.
Posted on 1/6/20 at 10:36 am to GeauxldMember
Disagree with others about the ceiling height cabinets. The top shelves are used for additional storage of items we don't use regularly.
Agree with others about spice rack away from heat, but would also add another spice rack for aluminum foil, saran wrap, ziplock bags...
Under cabinet lighting is a must for me. We use them all the time. Had them prewired based on cabinet layout. Then all we had to do was hook them up once uppers were installed. Have dedicated light switch so they are always on, and controlled from switch by sink.
Large double oven is a must for me.
Make sure to use the proper sheetrock with kitchen gutted. I think it's called Greenrock (lowe's is purple)?
Wish I had dedicated ice maker
Wish I had more storage for pots. Right now they are all stacked inside of each other, but that's not ideal. Have to use saran wrap to separate all my cast irons
Agree with others about spice rack away from heat, but would also add another spice rack for aluminum foil, saran wrap, ziplock bags...
Under cabinet lighting is a must for me. We use them all the time. Had them prewired based on cabinet layout. Then all we had to do was hook them up once uppers were installed. Have dedicated light switch so they are always on, and controlled from switch by sink.
Large double oven is a must for me.
Make sure to use the proper sheetrock with kitchen gutted. I think it's called Greenrock (lowe's is purple)?
Wish I had dedicated ice maker
Wish I had more storage for pots. Right now they are all stacked inside of each other, but that's not ideal. Have to use saran wrap to separate all my cast irons
Posted on 1/6/20 at 12:11 pm to Clames
quote:quote:
-Large, undivided sink
Don't know why people imagine this is a good feature.
Personal preference. I haven't had a double sink in over 10 years and I don't see myself ever going back unless it's a camp or some small place that doesn't have a dishwasher. We cook in large pots so I like the single, large sink. Dirty dishes go in the dishwasher pretty quick. A double (or triple) sink is really made for hand washing dishes. I know some people like to have a separate place for food prep, but that isn't an issue for me. I clean the sink out if I need to do prep in it.
Page 1 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News