What is the one thing in a kitchen that you couldn't live without.

Question

We are remodeling and looking for ideas. so tell me, what is the one thing you can't live without, will definitely do in your next kitchen, or something clever you saw.

Carroll A · Answer

I don't like 'stuff' on the counters. So I love the idea of an appliance cabinet. Everything has a place and it is at reach but not on the counters.

Miriam Illions · Answer

I like Carrol's answer. :) I think ample countertop space with a good flow and proper distance between the sink, stove, and everything else.

Miriam Illions · Answer

I'm about to post more about this kitchen, I visited some relatives this weekend, and their kitchen was awesome for entertaining, because of the ample space around the island for guests to gather and snack casually. I guess that's something I would love to do in my 'someday' kitchen.

Z · Answer

Wow what a gorgeous kitchen @Miriam. 
 There are so many things we put into our kitchen that it's hard to pick which I couldn't live with out. Both Carroll's and Miriam's answers fit our kitchen though our island is not as large as her family members. I've been reworking my photos and I can't find a good one to share, but will try and take a new one tomorrow. The designers at HoDe jokingly called our kitchen 'the weird one'.

Jeanette S · Answer

What I could not do without is a trash compactor! I absolutely adore having one. I would go back to a 1 bath house before I would give it up! I have had one since the early 70s! We take out anything that would stink (meat wrappers) every day and do not put any foodstuffs in it. I love Carroll A's suggestion. Were I given the opportunity to reconfigure my kitchen, I would have less traditional cabinet space...some near the sink and stove and a great work island...and the rest would be pantry type storage for appliances, pots, pans, large serving pieces and those infrequently used things...and one would have pull out shelves for storing foods. Those deep 22' cabinets make storing and finding your 'stuff' difficult! I would do something different with those corner cabinets! My sister actually opened up a door for the corner on the other side of her bar! You could actually build in a glass front, lighted cabinet in the dining room to store your fancy dishes in.

Z · Answer

Jeanette reminded me about food storage. Never again would I have a kitchen without a walk in pantry. It's not only easier to store and find what you need, but a stick built pantry saves hundreds if not thousands of dollars in cabinetry. I think storing food in cabinets was invented by cabinet makers.

Becky P · Answer

I would love to have large drawers in an island for pots and pans. Someone else I know had a microwave in a drawer. Not sure I would like that, having to bend down for the microwave. Also neat would be a 2 drawer dishwasher, so if you just want to wash a small load you could, without the guilt.

Kel C · Answer

Thanks to all for those ideas. Appliance cabinet, trash compactor, 2 drawer dishwasher would be perfect additions that I didn't think of. And I have one of those pesky corner cabinets that would be sweet with an extra door. I'm working on adding the walk in pantry to the budget too. Keep them coming!!!

LandlightS · Answer

Just a few.....a Wolfe gas cooktop with a gas oven and an electric convection oven, a microwave over mounted below the counter-top with a pull out drawer opening for easy excess (http://blog.mrsgs.com/index.php/2012/the-best-microwave-drawers-from-mrs-g-tv-appliances/), a surface mount air switch button for the disposer operation (no wall switch) and most important.....an over abundance of recessed and under - cabinet LED lighting. in my humble opinion.....please let us see the progress and final results,,,, Have fun, Gary

Designs by BSB · Answer

love my Wolf gas Rangetop w/griddle in the middle!!
deep drawers...pullout trays in tall pantry only
if u have long nails.. avoid air switch :-)
microwaves drawers? concept and location are wickedly awesome.. but ive been getting really mixed reviews from clients! along with dw drawers.. not favored by most
walk in pantry with a working counter for my appliances is on my list too
full extension drawer tracks
island with butcherblock... cutting boards drive me crazy

Z · Answer

Oh good point about full extension drawers @Designs by BSB have them and would never want a kitchen without them again.

Trixie63 · Answer

Pantry. Even the little one I built from an old broom closet helps with staying organized

Christina Cole · Answer

I want a coffee/cocoa/tea bar somewhere close to the kitchen. You should have one too! :0) Good Luck!

Suellen Hintz · Answer

A second sink is crucial even tho our kitchen is small. Would never again have the microwave above the cooktop. We raised our dishwasher to eliminate bending and reaching. Lazy Susan. Would love to have more drawers rather than bottom cabinets. Pull-out shelving. The older you get, the less bending, squatting, and crawling is better. If you entertain, a butler's pantry and second dishwasher. I would never put a cooktop on an island with seating. Noiseless exhaust fan.

What is the one thing in a kitchen that you couldn't live without.

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What is the one thing in a kitchen that you couldn't live without.

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