Kitchen must haves? Must not haves?

[Anonymous]

I recommend hiring a kitchen designer. I had NOOOO idea how important it was. He/She can show you all the options and gadgets. And do a proper layout. I would have made so many mistakes. I had no idea there were some many choices and decisions to make. If you go to Ferguson, their showroom in Rockville has layouts that have all the gadgets/options to show you. Nothing compares to seeing it in person.

Love my

-- two dishwashers. this was a total surprise how much I use and love them.
-- Cold filtered water inside the refrigerator. I am so glad I didn't do the filtered water and ice option on the outside. We use this feature numerous times a day.
-- I thought hard about no sink in the island. Opted to do it because I would be facing the windows. And I do prepare meals and of dishes while my kids are eating or working at the island. Otherwise, I would have had my back to them.
-- Cabinet windows and undermount lighting is a must.
-- Paneling my refrig/freezer (same as cabinets)
-- Microwave drawer. It is so much to be able to check temperature of good at waist level. And looks so nice under my counters.
-- Wooden counters.
-- USB ports under island
-- Outlets on both ends of island

[Anonymous]

Debating a sink in the island. Did you put your primary sink in the island, or just a prep sink? And is it in the center? Or at the end?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An appliance caddy is great for hiding the coffee pot, toaster, and stand mixer, while still keeping them at the ready.

We have an appliance cabinet, but I never thought to put the coffee maker in it because when it brews, steam rises out the top and thus wouldn’t it get the inside of the cabinet wet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Debating a sink in the island. Did you put your primary sink in the island, or just a prep sink? And is it in the center? Or at the end?

Primary sink. In the middle. My island is 13 feet long though. I would have gone a bit wider due to sink if I could do over. I also have a very simple faucet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend hiring a kitchen designer. I had NOOOO idea how important it was. He/She can show you all the options and gadgets. And do a proper layout. I would have made so many mistakes. I had no idea there were some many choices and decisions to make.

Agree 100%. Hiring a good kitchen designer was the best decision we made, primarily for the layout. I knew most of the features I wanted and had a high-level concept of the the desired layout. But the designer’s knowledge and expertise—especially in terms of symmetry and sight lines, maximizing storage space (and ensuring it’s useful)—made the difference between an OK outcome and a great one. I relied on her least for finish recommendations, but she did help us avoid some aesthetic mistakes, too.

Anyway...use a designer, if you can!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Debating a sink in the island. Did you put your primary sink in the island, or just a prep sink? And is it in the center? Or at the end?

We put a prep sink on the end of our 11' island. The main sink is under window and range/hood is centered on island as visual center point.

We definitely wanted a second sink in the kitchen and it's a good location for guests to grab a glass of water or wash hands without interrupting the main work area. Plus, for everyday use we both cook frequently and gives us two nice work areas. It's easy to look out over kitchen/family room while prepping on the island. We don't do dishes there so no big worry about splashes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trash and recycling hidden in cabinetry
Instant hot tap
Prep sink
Clear island (i.e., no sink or cooktop - just a big marble slab!)
Larder unit to hide coffee pot, toaster, mixer, etc.
Lots of drawers
Really considered interiors to cabinets and drawers

My kitchen is by Plain English. Lots of eye candy available here: https://www.instagram.com/plainenglishkitchens/?hl=en

I used to live a few blocks from the Blandford Street storefront. *swoon*

[Anonymous]

I thought I’d have no use for an instant hot (almost boiling) faucet, but I have come to rely on that sucker.

Also, thoughtful lighting. Overhead, over island, over sink, and countertop.

[Anonymous]

Drawers. Get lower cabinet drawers.
Under cabinet lighting is a must. You don’t realize how dark it is until you don’t have it.
A place for spices.
Closed pendant lights for an island. The glare from pendants on a granite counter is unreal. Not to mention the extra heat pointed down at you. Better option is can lighting.

[Anonymous]

I do have a question for PP regarding drawer microwaves: do you worry that it is level to reproductive organs? I’m thinking specifically infertility. Or near kids brains? I know the are suppose to be sealed & all but I still worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do have a question for PP regarding drawer microwaves: do you worry that it is level to reproductive organs? I’m thinking specifically infertility. Or near kids brains? I know the are suppose to be sealed & all but I still worry.

We don't usually stand next to the microwave while it's running so not a problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of things already mentioned but only saw induction cook top mentioned once. Life. Changing. Don't understand why more people don't do it.

Also think pot filler is kind of a waste of time and generally ugly. Had one in an old house.

My guess is because they look goofy. Induction is faster and perhaps cleaner, but they look 80s compared with the nice gas range options out there.

Faster. Cleaner. More energy efficient. Far better control over your temps, which equals better cooking. They're very flat and streamlined and not even terribly noticeable, as compared to the large and clunky gas ranges with the iron grates. Is anyone really counting on a gas range to make their kitchen look good??

Just got an induction stove top. Love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of things already mentioned but only saw induction cook top mentioned once. Life. Changing. Don't understand why more people don't do it.

Also think pot filler is kind of a waste of time and generally ugly. Had one in an old house.

My guess is because they look goofy. Induction is faster and perhaps cleaner, but they look 80s compared with the nice gas range options out there.

Faster. Cleaner. More energy efficient. Far better control over your temps, which equals better cooking. They're very flat and streamlined and not even terribly noticeable, as compared to the large and clunky gas ranges with the iron grates. Is anyone really counting on a gas range to make their kitchen look good??

Just got an induction stove top. Love it.

I rented a house with a high end European one and I hated it. The controls were not intuitive at all and I found it hard to control the temperature. Give me gas every time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of things already mentioned but only saw induction cook top mentioned once. Life. Changing. Don't understand why more people don't do it.

Also think pot filler is kind of a waste of time and generally ugly. Had one in an old house.

My guess is because they look goofy. Induction is faster and perhaps cleaner, but they look 80s compared with the nice gas range options out there.

Faster. Cleaner. More energy efficient. Far better control over your temps, which equals better cooking. They're very flat and streamlined and not even terribly noticeable, as compared to the large and clunky gas ranges with the iron grates. Is anyone really counting on a gas range to make their kitchen look good??

Just got an induction stove top. Love it.

I rented a house with a high end European one and I hated it. The controls were not intuitive at all and I found it hard to control the temperature. Give me gas every time.

You have to learn how to cook on it, especially if you're used to gas. But once you figure it out, the temps are so much more predictable, consistent, easy to control.

But yes, there is a learning curve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Debating a sink in the island. Did you put your primary sink in the island, or just a prep sink? And is it in the center? Or at the end?

My primary sink is in the island. We only have one sink. It's a sort of a galley kitchen with a wall and an island. Fridge and stove are on the wall. Sink on the island. Sink is directly across from stove. Sink is a bit off center on the island. I find this layout hugely efficient.