Kitchen Design Tips

[Douglas]

Lots of folks on here seem to have an interest in cooking, or at least a healthy appreciation thereof, and some pretty cool houses and design preferences. I'm in the midst of a major re-hab that is going to allow me to put in pretty much the kitchen of my "dreams," though of course cost is always a concern.

The house is arts & crafts/Spanish mission in general style, so it's likely that I'll be going with wood cabinet finishes. I'm also an avid cook, so I'd like a few luxuries like double ovens, a large 6-burner gas cooktop, 2 sinks, and maybe even double refrigerators and double dishwashers. But aside from that, I don't think I need silly luxuries like swiss-army cabinets and such, as I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

Likely to be a U-shaped kitchen with a center island, with the kitchen in the middle of a large area with a den on one side and informal dining area on the other.

Anyone got any suggestions/recommendations? Anything at all is a plus - I've never done this before so imagine I'm starting from scratch and know nothing. Brands, tips, tricks, considerations, suggestions, websites, photos all welcome.

 

[why]

Undermounted sink! Saves so much time cleaning up.

 

[Piobaire]

I think Miele d/w's are about universally liked here. We settled on GE Monogram double convection electric ovens, as the entire interior, including the racks, are ceramic coated. This is important, as the silver looking racks and rack fixture supports, will get their finish fried with the self-cleaning cycle, if they're not ceramic coated.

 

[Douglas]

****-all these are expensive:

Why are they so pricey? What do they do that's so special? Do I need one?

 

[RedScarf7]

Refrigerated drawers are a great alternative to two fridges. If you have children you can store a lot of their things in the drawers like juice boxes and snacks. Using refrigerated drawers will also allow you to maximize your countertop space. Speaking of countertop, napolina limestone is an absolutely gorgeous alternative to the standard granite countertop. The orange is much more vibrant in person, fwiw.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by Douglas

****-all these are expensive:

Why are they so pricey? What do they do that's so special? Do I need one?
Some of them are cost $1500, no idea why. I'm going to go to a restaurant surplus place and get one for $100. I'm designing my new kitchen right now as well. Are you re-arranging things? You know about the work triangle and all that? I'd love a zinc or stainless countertop but am going to go with marble (maybe even 18" white tiles if my budget goes over

)

 

[Rambo]

Don't get black marble for your countertop. I have it in the place I'm renting and it's impossible to tell if the counter's dirty. Also, get pull out shelves for the cabinets where you are going to store your pots and pans.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Don't get black marble for your countertop. I have it in the place I'm renting and it's impossible to tell if the counter's dirty. Also, get pull out shelves for the cabinets where you are going to store your pots and pans.

+1 on the pull out shelves.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by Douglas

****-all these are expensive:

Why are they so pricey? What do they do that's so special? Do I need one?

yes, everyone needs one.

 

[JetBlast]

I know one of the things we did when renovating was leave a bit of space between the top of the refrigerator and the wall-mounted cabinets above it (if you're doing this). It's a great place to store baking stones, cutting boards, etc.

I can also +1 the pull-out cabinet shelves.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by why

Undermounted sink! Saves so much time cleaning up.

Definitely. Not only is it faster, but overmounts seem like they would collect some disgusting form of sink cheese in the joint over the years.

Originally Posted by Douglas

****-all these are expensive:

Why are they so pricey? What do they do that's so special? Do I need one?

We have one, and I guess it is fine. Ours is KWC "Systema" and it seems pretty durable, though I don't actually clean anything, so I wouldn't know. I'm not sure I would get one in the future, but they were kind of a new thing for the home when we got ours, so we were excited.

Originally Posted by Rambo

Don't get black marble for your countertop. I have it in the place I'm renting and it's impossible to tell if the counter's dirty. Also, get pull out shelves for the cabinets where you are going to store your pots and pans.

We only have cabinets for dishwear. For pots, pans, cooking utensils etc we have drawers. I like it that way. Pull out shelves annoy me when I use them at other peoples houses.

 

[Reggs]

Cut down on the appliances you use. It's all too easy to clutter up counter tops.

 

[esquire.]

Originally Posted by Douglas

The house is arts & crafts/Spanish mission in general style, so it's likely that I'll be going with wood cabinet finishes.

I'd try to keep the kitchen style stay true to the general style of the house. This way, when kitchen trends change as they always do, the kitchen won't look as dated. So, if its more of a spanish misson style, you might go with darker wood cabinet finishes.

Also, lighting is important. Don't overdo can lighting- try to get a mixture of lighting.

 

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by Reggs

Cut down on the appliances you use. It's all too easy to clutter up counter tops.

I agree. Our counter is extremely cluttered with an espresso machine, drying rack, knife block, paper towel roll ......... It looks a lot smaller than it is.

 

[BrettChaotix]

Originally Posted by CityConnection

I agree. Our counter is extremely cluttered with an espresso machine, drying rack, knife block, paper towel roll ......... It looks a lot smaller than it is.

Yeah but there are alternatives to what you are cluttering up your counters with. Buy a wall-mount paper towel holder and a wall-mount magnetic strip to replace your knife block, for example.