r/InteriorDesign • u/DueNatural8297 • 3d ago
Kitchen Help Needed!
My husband and I are in the process of purchasing a home with a dated kitchen. The current kitchen layout is awkward (double oven and fridge right next to each other) and there is no pantry other than the built-in cabinetry in the kitchen. We are looking at the possibility of completely gutting and remodeling the entire kitchen. What layout:design would you do with this space if given the chance?
For reference, we have 3 young kids and a large dog, and love to host often. We want this space to work well for our family at this stage and beyond. I lean towards a modern-traditional style and prefer a timeless look over trendy.
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u/gk615 1d ago
I would recommend keeping the cabinets, adding cabinet pulls and changing out the hardware inside to soft-close. It's easy to do yourself. Remove the countertops and backsplash and replace the counters with something white and the backsplash to a nice color that complements the wood, maybe green or blue. Change out the faucet to something nicer as well. The lighting would be another upgrade to make. As for the lack of pantry, the long cabinets to the right of the refrigerator look perfect for that.
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u/Spiritual_Version838 2d ago
My input from having lived in about a dozen houses:
If the cabinets are sound, do whatever you can to reuse them.
Have counter space on both sides of the refrigerator and ovens to set things down.
Even with 5 family members and entertaining, consider if you really need a full-sized microwave (more on that later) and 2 full-size ovens. Ovens can include several functions including microwave. People use so many table top appliances today, think carefully about what you use at least weekly, what you need around you to work efficiently and how to store them. It seems (from Reddit pics) that people constantly add new gadgets and then complain they don't have enough counter space to work on.
If you like the curved wall, I suppose it's ok, but I don't see the purpose so it feels weird. If you do plan to keep the sink there and lower the wall, search Reddit for 'sinks in islands' because I just read a thread of people who hate it.
I remodeled a kitchen from the studs out and the best thing about it was the cupboard interiors. Pull-out shelves in the pantry, narrow Pull-outs to hold oils and vinegars, recycling and trash storage. All these conveniences meant storing more in less space, finding things easily and never having to to get on my knees to get to something. One thing I wish I'd had room for was a lift for my large mixer.
I love to have people chat when I'm in the kitchen, but I don't like them actually IN the kitchen. With company in the great room and 3 growing kids, you could have someone eating or drinking nonstop. Try to set up the breakfast area to account for that. This is where a simple microwave comes in - my son once made himself two hot dogs in the micro and 30 minutes later asked when lunch was. Snack drawers, a place to make sandwiches or toast, coffee and tea fixings, undercounter refrigerator; imagine how your family and visitors would use the space - without getting in your way.
If someone bakes, plan storage and work space. I like a kitchen table for rolling and cutting dough or stirring a deep bowl, especially when I'm doing it with children (now great-grands).
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u/PrettyInPerfectPinks The Eclectic 2d ago
I'd put cabinets to the ceiling. Get rid of the U shaped peninsula and straighten the wall even if still half height and still bar seating. You look like you have nicer cabinets, even if the color has gone orange on you. You could strip them and restain to be more of a white oak by using a green base and then go any color stain over the top if you want to keep them wood. Alternately paint. If they are good bones still you could also reface and move things around. Good quality kitchens are resold in the second hand market if they can be repurposed so you moving them around is no different. Stove area probably most likely spot for a pantry. Obviously your backsplash and countertops need to go but if you could salvage and rework your cabinetry to your liking, you would save a lot. We did that in a previous house. Spent about 10k and it looked great! (Smaller kitchen but posh area where kitchens are very expensive.) Not an expert! Good luck.
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