Essentials for a new kitchen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Order your appliances NOW, stuff is taking forever (and has crappy parts when it does come).

- Currently waiting on a replacement for our brand new microwave, which died after 2 months. Replacement due to arrive in May.

This. We ordered appliances in early Sept for a new build. Not expecting them to arrive until May.

[Anonymous]

Drawers, drawers, & more drawers- put your dishes in them. You do not need fancy dividers for the dishes- grip liner works just fine
Pull out spice/ oil cabinet next to your range/range top
Under cabinet lighting- use mine daily
One sink
One lever/handle faucet/ sprayer- bridge faucets with separate sprayer may look nice but are very impractical.
Wide aisles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think undercabinet lighting is a necessity. I often think it looks cheesy.

You must not appreciate a well-illuminated work surface in the kitchen. Maybe you don't cook a lot? Under cabinet lighting is a matter of function, not aesthetics, so "cheesy" isn't really a criterium.

Or maybe I have enough over head lighting? I have pot lights, pendants and an open space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think undercabinet lighting is a necessity. I often think it looks cheesy.

You must not appreciate a well-illuminated work surface in the kitchen. Maybe you don't cook a lot? Under cabinet lighting is a matter of function, not aesthetics, so "cheesy" isn't really a criterium.

Eh. I don't have a lot of upper cabinets and don't use the space underneath as a work surface.

Not everyone's kitchen layout requires a lot of uppers.

Well, so under cabinet lights are not really an option or a need in your kitchen. The point is that if you do have uppers over your counters, under cabinet lights serve an important function, no matter how “cheesy” you think they look. Any time I use my counters for anything, even if it’s just making coffee, I want the counter well lit.

Is your home dark? Does it not have natural lighting in the kitchen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think undercabinet lighting is a necessity. I often think it looks cheesy.

You must not appreciate a well-illuminated work surface in the kitchen. Maybe you don't cook a lot? Under cabinet lighting is a matter of function, not aesthetics, so "cheesy" isn't really a criterium.

Eh. I don't have a lot of upper cabinets and don't use the space underneath as a work surface.

Not everyone's kitchen layout requires a lot of uppers.

Well, so under cabinet lights are not really an option or a need in your kitchen. The point is that if you do have uppers over your counters, under cabinet lights serve an important function, no matter how “cheesy” you think they look. Any time I use my counters for anything, even if it’s just making coffee, I want the counter well lit.

Is your home dark? Does it not have natural lighting in the kitchen?

Yes, it does. Do you never cook after sunset? Or make breakfast before sunrise? Even with our plentiful halogen recessed lighting plus pendants, the area under the 15" deep upper cabinets isn't bright enough for my taste, especially in the early morning or evening. And even during daylight hours, as there are obviously no windows over the counters where the upper cabinets are, the counter underneath them doesn't get brightly lit enough for my taste. Sure, it's possible to live without the under cabinet lights - we didn't have any for years before we remodeled our kitchen - but I really enjoy having very good lighting on my white counters.

Obviously you are free to feel differently, but this whole discussion started because someone said under-cabinet lights "looked cheesy", which prompted me to point out that aesthetics really isn't their primary function and how they look didn't figure into our decision to install them.

[Anonymous]

Dimmable lights everywhere. LEDs will need a dimmable transformer. 4" recessed lights (cans) instead of 6"

Decent CFM hood (300-600) that vents to the outside if at all possible

Don't build in your microwave. We stashed ours on a shelf in an upper cabinet behind a lift-up door (Blum Aventos HL style). When the microwave breaks, we only have to buy another $100 one from amazon vs refitting an entire facefront system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think undercabinet lighting is a necessity. I often think it looks cheesy.

You must not appreciate a well-illuminated work surface in the kitchen. Maybe you don't cook a lot? Under cabinet lighting is a matter of function, not aesthetics, so "cheesy" isn't really a criterium.

Eh. I don't have a lot of upper cabinets and don't use the space underneath as a work surface.

Not everyone's kitchen layout requires a lot of uppers.

Well, so under cabinet lights are not really an option or a need in your kitchen. The point is that if you do have uppers over your counters, under cabinet lights serve an important function, no matter how “cheesy” you think they look. Any time I use my counters for anything, even if it’s just making coffee, I want the counter well lit.

Ok you have poor lighting in your home.
Got it.

OP if you’re doing an entire new kitchen install some potlights

Is your home dark? Does it not have natural lighting in the kitchen?

Yes, it does. Do you never cook after sunset? Or make breakfast before sunrise? Even with our plentiful halogen recessed lighting plus pendants, the area under the 15" deep upper cabinets isn't bright enough for my taste, especially in the early morning or evening. And even during daylight hours, as there are obviously no windows over the counters where the upper cabinets are, the counter underneath them doesn't get brightly lit enough for my taste. Sure, it's possible to live without the under cabinet lights - we didn't have any for years before we remodeled our kitchen - but I really enjoy having very good lighting on my white counters.

Obviously you are free to feel differently, but this whole discussion started because someone said under-cabinet lights "looked cheesy", which prompted me to point out that aesthetics really isn't their primary function and how they look didn't figure into our decision to install them.

[Anonymous]

Things I love about my kitchen:

- cabinets to the ceiling. I'm 5'2 and bought a nice wooden step ladder to keep in the kitchen to reach the highest parts but it is great for storage in a small space.
- all drawers under the counter and drawers within drawers. Have a knife drawer, utensil drawer, the flatware drawer has a drawer within for our "fancy" flatware. A narrow drawer just for foil, sandwich bags, etc within another drawer.
- a 24 inch trash cabinet - holds 2 full size 13 gallon trash cans - 1 for trash and another for glass/metal recycling, plus a narrow bin for paper recycling - absolutely love this!

I don't think under cabinet lighting is necessary. We have plenty of recessed lighting and good light from windows. We do cook a lot and are able to see perfectly.

[Anonymous]

I have led undercounter lighting on a dimmer and it is my favorite aspect of the kitchen renovation. Gives a soft glow in the morning, so cozy. If you haven’t had it, don’t knock it. We have a zillion other light but these are the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things I love about my kitchen:

- cabinets to the ceiling. I'm 5'2 and bought a nice wooden step ladder to keep in the kitchen to reach the highest parts but it is great for storage in a small space.
- all drawers under the counter and drawers within drawers. Have a knife drawer, utensil drawer, the flatware drawer has a drawer within for our "fancy" flatware. A narrow drawer just for foil, sandwich bags, etc within another drawer.
- a 24 inch trash cabinet - holds 2 full size 13 gallon trash cans - 1 for trash and another for glass/metal recycling, plus a narrow bin for paper recycling - absolutely love this!

I don't think under cabinet lighting is necessary. We have plenty of recessed lighting and good light from windows. We do cook a lot and are able to see perfectly.

I'm the PP who argued that under cabinet lights serve a function and aren't just decorative. I don't think they are necessary either. We have plenty of recessed lighting and (during daylight hours) light from the windows as well, but when you have upper cabinets, especially 15" deep ones (which I realize not everybody does), then the cabinets will shade out the counters underneath to a certain degree, no matter how bright your kitchen is overall. Of course you can still see, but I like my work area extra bright and directly lit.

I also agree with the PPs who said it's nice to have them on dimmed in the evening without having the overhead lights on. Even though my halogen cans also are on a dimmer, it's still nice to be able to just light the counters. To each their own, but I wouldn't discount them just because your kitchen is overall bright when planning a renovation.

[Anonymous]

A couple of years ago we redid our kitchen -- down to the studs! The kitchen designer was great -- she was right about everything she said was important (but I was not that interested in).

The best -- a toe kick plate heater that's under the cabinet that's under the sink. So on cold mornings when you are at the sink -- there is this lovely warmth on your toes!! It's also a great space saver.

[Anonymous]

Great suggestions. If you can swing it, I do love my vacpan in my kitchen island.

[Anonymous]

NP who is also getting a new kitchen. These suggestions are very helpful.
I want an induction cooktop but my friends all say gas is better. However they all have housecleaners and I am sick of scrubbing my stove every day. Any thoughts?
I love the look of walnut butcher block but I have heard this is a nightmare to maintain?
So excited as I have been saving for this kitchen for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP who is also getting a new kitchen. These suggestions are very helpful.
I want an induction cooktop but my friends all say gas is better. However they all have housecleaners and I am sick of scrubbing my stove every day. Any thoughts?
I love the look of walnut butcher block but I have heard this is a nightmare to maintain?
So excited as I have been saving for this kitchen for years.

your friends have probably never cooked with induction. Most people haven't.

Induction is way better than gas. Ability to keep consistent low temperatures much more precisely, can heat to high temp very quickly, much more predictable overall, and dreamy to clean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP who is also getting a new kitchen. These suggestions are very helpful.
I want an induction cooktop but my friends all say gas is better. However they all have housecleaners and I am sick of scrubbing my stove every day. Any thoughts?
I love the look of walnut butcher block but I have heard this is a nightmare to maintain?
So excited as I have been saving for this kitchen for years.

your friends have probably never cooked with induction. Most people haven't.

Induction is way better than gas. Ability to keep consistent low temperatures much more precisely, can heat to high temp very quickly, much more predictable overall, and dreamy to clean.

NP. We're going induction when we replace our gas stove. Do you have recommendations?