what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Since we're starting to look, now I need to think about the "little things" I will want to have when we redo our kitchen. Right now, it's stuck in 1969 so anything we do will be an improvement

For example, I can't WAIT to put our garbage can and a recycling bin under the sink! Right now we have to move it every time we want to open the oven

What are the little extras that you love or are a waste of money?

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

our must have turned out to be the biggest waste of money. Our counter depth french door fridge. does not hold anything.

Pantry pullouts and cherry cabinets.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

We've done 3 kitchens in previous houses - but we're staying here forever.....so I am firm that I want:
1. A pot filler
2. Stand alone ice maker
3. 6-burner stove
4. Double oven
5. large and deep sink
6. Garbage disposal

I actually don't really care for super-expensive custom cabinets!

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

under the sink garbage pail
pantry closet with pullout drawers
pot drawer

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

These are some images I have "pinned" for when DH and I get a house (and I can design my own kitchen).

Message edited 11/5/2011 10:52:33 PM.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Drawer Bases! Get those over pullout shelves if the design allows for it. I got all drawer bases everywhere except in places where it looks odd aesthetically (ie. 3 drawer next to 4 drawer bases look awkward).

Under cabinet lighting is nice as are garbage bins under the sink.

Also, get lotsa lighting in the room, ie make a window bigger or turn a window into a doorway if it's allowed or works with the budget.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Pantry! I can fit all of our food in it.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

I love having a in cabinet garbage. we did not do it under the sink. I also love having a full cabinet for spices, under cabinet lighting, when we redesigned we put outlets on top of each upper cabinet this has been great for lighting purposes. and we have a double sink where one side is huge and the other is little. love this

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Pot filler, pantry with slide out drawers and one big enough to hold my KitchenAid mixer,, drawer microwave, big deep pot drawer, double oven(I regret not doing this).

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Deep drawers.
Pantry
2 dishwashers ( one is actually a drawer dishwasher)
Hood for stove. Im not a fan of he microwave over the stove look.


We skipped on the pot fillerand second sink. We put our micowave in the island. Its a oddler nightmare but i didnt want it anywhere else.

I think y ou can never have enough drawers for utensil and tools etc.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Ugh I cant stand typingon the ipad. Sorry or typos!

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

I could not live without my garbage disposal. If a house I bought didn't have one, that would be first on my list. I also love my garbage compactor. Between the disposal and the compactor we make one bag of garbage a week as a family of four.

ETA - under cabinet lighting

Message edited 11/6/2011 8:39:30 AM.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

walk in pantry is a must for me. I like to have everything in plain sight. On that note, a huge refrigerator and the space for it.

plenty of cabinet space for those hardly used appliances and tools that I have and don't want to get rid of - I'm looking at you crepe maker!

Double wall ovens

And plenty of outlets and counter space

My "wants" are a coffee bar (preferably with water run right to an espresso machine) and morning light in a breakfast nook.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Another thing, make sure you have 5-6 drawers for utensils and other cooking instruments! You can't have enough of those. A good kitchen designer should help you plan those essentials out...

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

the little sponge drawer in front of the sink.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Got and love:

-Garbage disposal
-Pantry
-Slide out garbage (not under the sink though)
-Cushion close drawers
-Large drawers for pots



Got and could live without:

-sponge pull-out drawer in front of sink
-lazy susan
-double sink (would rather one big deep sink)

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

roll out pantry shelves
roll out Pots and Pans racks
undercabinet wine cooler
double wall oven
double drawer dishwasher

We had the first three in my co-op kitchen when we redid it and I miss them all DESPERATELY! The other two are absolute musts whenever we redo our house kitchen (a looooooong time from now )

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

plenty of counter space!!!!

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

The design is your best investment to maximize the functionality of the space. Sometimes working with a professional designer is much more cost effective than you think. Here's a helpful post from our blog:

A Real Kitchen Remodeling Budget

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

For us:

Pot filler
Roll out cabinet drawers (are very convenient for us)
Under cabinet garbage pails that also roll out w/ cabinet
Double wall oven (works out GREAT for holidays)

Message edited 11/8/2011 10:03:11 AM.

Re: what was your MUST HAVE when you redid your kitchen?

We just did ours

Big single sink - Franke Orca
Potfiller
Radient heat in the floor
pot and pan drawers