Kitchen reno warnings for a newbie

[Anonymous]

How do you want to store spices? This might impact cabinet accessories and choices.

Where will trash can go? In a pull-out or stand alone or maybe some other choice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, and omg, this is exactly, exactly, what I was hoping for. You all are FANTASTIC. I'm going to read this like 20 more times so it really sinks in. In the meantime, I just added two outlets.

THANK YOU!!! You're all lovely, and I am grateful.

If you are getting an electrical permit, adding two outlets means that circuit will need to be up to current code. At least that is how it is in Ffx co. Not necessarily a big deal but good to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For lighting, think carefully about which color temperature you want where. The light color chosen is your personal preference. Different people make different choices.

We chose to put 5000k white light in the recessed ceiling fixtures, but we put 3000 K yellowish light under the cabinets to light the countertops. Choose whatever setup you like.

You can buy LED ceiling fixtures that have adjustable color temperatures. Also, our under cabinet LED lights came with remote that also allowed brightness and color temperature change.

[Anonymous]

Really think about cooking and baking pot and pan storage. I hate squatting to drag something out from the back of a low shelf. Drawers would be better but think about the weight.
Refrigerators are huge so don't get cabinets over the top. They will limit future choices and and not very useful, because you need a step stool to get stuff out.,

[Anonymous]

Make sure pendant lights don’t impede the opening/closing of cabinets!

[Anonymous]

Speaking of plate dimensions: if you plan on keeping them long-term, take your dishes to the appliance store and test them in the actual dishwasher you think you want.

We moved into our house this winter and when we ran the first dishwasher load, we realized that we could only fit 3-4 dinner plates in the rack because they had way too much play and would slap around and hit each other.

DH felt silly taking a bubble-wrapped stack of dinner, salad and side plates to the appliance place to try them in different dishwashers, but the salesperson reassured him that people did it all the time. I was surprised people knew to check that.

Also check your electrical panel now before you renovate. If you’re in an older house, you may be at the limits of your panel, or even worse, your service line. Our house was doubled in size in the 1980s but they didn’t upgrade the service line, so until we had extensive electrical work done there was just 20 free amps and we couldn’t add a single outlet or switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure pendant lights don’t impede the opening/closing of cabinets!

Check exhaust hood height against the forehead of the tallest person in the house who will be cooking. Whoops.

DH prefers to dishes now. Sorry, DH!

[Anonymous]

Instead of a corner cabinet, see if you can put a cabinet door or drawers on the other side of a peninsula. Life-changing detail.

[Anonymous]

If you like the look of Shaker-style, think about how much cleaning you are willing to do. I loved the look of it and have those cabinet doors but crumbs and dirt collect on the doors. If you like the look of the smooth European style cabinets, go with those for less maintenance.

[Anonymous]

If you go in knowing there will be several things that aren't right, it will cost more than you planned, and take longer than they say you'll be alright.

[Anonymous]

My wife bought her larger plates to cabinet store before we bought to see if they fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think ahead about outlet placement and where you will want to be able to plug in appliances.

This! My only regret on our kitchen is not adding more outlets. You will need more than you originally plan for!

And make sure they are on separate circuits. We added 2 new circuits.

Counter-depth refrigerator, if possible.

Love my under-cabinet lighting.

Deep single sink.

Soft-close doors.

Walk-in pantry.

Countertops that don't need to be sealed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Think ahead about outlet placement and where you will want to be able to plug in appliances.

This! My only regret on our kitchen is not adding more outlets. You will need more than you originally plan for!

And more important than the Riley’s is the number of circuits. Minimum two is code but additional outlets don’t help you if the are all on the same circuit and overload it.