Help!! I am overwhelmed.

Tonya Kadaj
by Tonya Kadaj
I have to pick the full cabinet layout without ever using the space. Does anyone have any great tips they used or regrets they didn't use??? I need to pick what goes on the wall plus what goes in the island facing the wall.
  7 answers
  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Jul 04, 2018

    Looks like a good move you've already made by shortening the fridge-stove-sink triangle. I'd suggest having a second sink on the back wall and place the dishwasher there. Our large sink is next to the dishwasher and a small round sink is close to our cooktop, and is in my prep area. Both sinks have disposals. Add liquid hand soap dispensers next to each sink - we also have them in the bathrooms. We raised our dishwasher, which eliminated some counter space, but is much kinder to your back. I would never again have lower cabinets, just banks of drawers. No digging items from the backs of cabinets ever again. No more microwave over the cooktop either. Soft close features would be great. Be sure you have space when your fridge door is open the people can get past when someone I bent over searching in the bottom produce drawer...that is a crazy problem too.


    • B. Enne B. Enne on Jul 28, 2018

      I too would only use lower drawers if I were to start over. I actually like putting dishes in large drawers, just like pots/pans, and storage containers. It is so much easier than reaching low and back or over your head.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Jul 04, 2018

    Also looks like you can put a drawer under your ovens. Plan for cookie sheet storage, as well as appliance storage. We have a toaster oven on a roll out shelf that is mounted high so I can slip jelly roll pans, cookie sheets, and large plastic cutting sheets underneath. That leads to electrical outlets inside of cabinets for toaster oven, large mixer, recharging items. We have this in our bathrooms so toothbrushes can be charged out of sight too.

  • Dfm Dfm on Jul 04, 2018

    there Is a blue drawing to the left of the island. If that’s your stove top, you need to move it. You want to have a space to pull off an over heating pan On both sides of the stove top. A classic kithchen has a work triangle ..sink stove fridge ...those are what you use most when cooking. As is it looks a bit stretched out. For the lower cabinets, I like the pull out shelves. I also prefer doors on both sides of the island.

    • See 2 previous
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Jul 28, 2018

      Lots of good advice!

      I agree.

      Here to respect code, you have to have space around the stove top. Also, a designer had wanted us to put our stove near a door, and I refused. Kids running by, or people slipping on a floor, could end up putting a hand right on a burner.

      The people I know who had stovetops in islands, ended up taking them out. They liked the interaction with guests, but didn't like the mess, the safety issue, and one said she felt the rest of the island was wasted because of the heat.

      Although this is just my opinion, I would move the stove near the ovens where the sink is now (with enough room on all sides), away from the main traffic flow. Even if that means putting the fridge by the corner door. That leaves a larger prep area near your traffic flow, the sink (where the current stove is located) is now close to the stove, oven and fridge, but easily accessible in case of emergencies. You could use the prep area as a breakfast nook/homework area without the stove being in the way.

      It is tough making decisions like these, but you are the only on who knows how your family functions. Don't let anyone talk you into something that doesn't feel right.


      Please let us know what worked for you. We all learn from each other.

  • Ginny Ginny on Jul 04, 2018

    Like the freezer in the bottom of the refrigerator. My kitchen is only 81 sq. ft. so I don't have too much of a choice about what goes where. Only keep what you REALLY want and/or need. Get rid of extra "stuff."

    I like the layout. Make a place for your good tablecloths and napkins and serving pieces. Would make the sink a farmhouse sink if it isn't already planned as such.

    Hope you will be happy with it.

  • Oliva Oliva on Jul 04, 2018

    Larger and taller frameless cabinets provide more space. If you are taller, and ceiling height permits, give yourself 19.5" from countertop to bottom of upper cabinets, if you have tall mixer or coffeemaker. I prefer high velocity exhaust vent over my cooktop (no downdrafts!). Wide, deep drawers are the way to go, for base cabinets (store pots, pans, heavy cookware on slide out shelves with ball bearing, heavy duty supports mounted under the shelf (provides greater width).

    Insure cabinets can support at least 75 pounds per shelf. Go with wood/plywood vs. Thermofoil and particleboard for longevity. Simpler designs (Shaker) facilitate cleaning. Second sink behind or near stove facilitates dumping hot water and filling pots. Dishwasher near cabinets where dishes will be kept. Sufficient insulation in the area of wall ovens so items in pantry don't get warm. Sufficient drop space to place items coming out of ovens. Large doors with interior shelves may cost less than multiple drawers. Space to hide multiple larger kitchen trash cans, cleaning supplies, tea towels, hot pads, etc. Full extension drawers, with soft closures. Glass front cabinets (not near the stove), somewhere to avoid feeling enclosed by wood. Coffemaker near refrigerator for cold water. Walkspace 42" for 1 cook, 48" or more for 2 people to pass each other. Multiple lighting styles, ceiling fan. Insure cabinets when open will not strike adjacent cabinet. Soft closures on all cabinets. No acids on granite. Quartz is not heatproof. Laminate, for children. Corian can gouge and scratch. Microwave at lower height is easier. In sink soap dispenser is invaluable. Good quality faucets with one hand use capability and built in sprayer. One 2 bowl sink with one side large enough for long handled pans. Second sink large enough for colander, cutting board, prep work. Good grade disposal in main sink. Many electrical outlets. Charging station for phones, and pull down shelf for cookbooks or notebook. Good grade stainless steel sinks with mats to reduce scratching. All sinks need "landing zones" to either side. Comfortable flooring, if you spend hours in the kitchen. Happy cooking!

  • Tonya Kadaj Tonya Kadaj on Jul 09, 2018

    How's this rough draft?

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Jul 28, 2018

    Tonya, I'm struggling to see your working triangle. As others have mentioned, you need to have the stove, sink, fridge in a comfortable triangle. Make sure that when the dishwasher is open, you aren't going to trip over it accessing the cabinets. I would put the stove on the wall with a vent hood above. Put sink in the island and I would make the narrow cabinet next to the fridge a pull-out pantry.

    Just my 2¢!