Area to the right of the stove would not end up being prep area. I think you will naturally prep between the sink and stove.

The graph does not match the photo rendering at some points. The area between the dw and the wall I would put a 36" drawer bank. Cabinet on left of stove I would do a 9" with just a door, no drawer for flat pans, cutting board, etc. Drawers between the stove and the refrigerator.

I see two choices for the mw. In the lower part of the upper cabinet between the wall and the sink. Personally that is where I have it and like it as it creates a separate cooking area. You could also put it in the lower part of the upper cabinet between the refrigerator and the stove. While being close the the refrigerator it would seem crowded there to me.

Thanks debrak for your comments. In the graph I was trying to tweak the stove wall. The photo renderings had been done earlier.

I had considered putting the mw on the counter in the upper corner/sink area or using an upper microwave cabinet as you suggested. See attached picture. That seems to be the best location even though it is a long way from the fridge. I was concerned that it might be harder to use up high, especially as I get older since I have always had the mw at counter height. It is good to hear that you like your mw there. Also good to know that you don't think a 36" drawer base is too big.

If I don't consider the area between stove and fridge prep space, will 24" be okay for breathing room? I could then make it a 15" cabinet between stove and corner, either a 15" trash pullout which would get it away from the sink allowing me room for a 30" Drawer base there if I wanted. Or I could do a 15" drawer base by the stove or a 15" door cabinet for my baking pans as you suggested. I really appreciate your suggestions.

So many options - most of them hinging on how far down the wall to move my doorway and what spacing I use between the stove and fridge. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Disclaimer. My mw is not in place yet. We are doing open shelving instead of a cabinet. DH is building the shelves this week. We have a ge spacemaker and only need a 12 deep shelf/cabinet. I did read about mw placement and that height was a good height for most people. If you/we ever needed to the mw could put it back on the counter. Right now ours in on the counter so I have experienced the separate cooking area. Our refrigerator is across the room and it has not been an issue.

I love my 36" base. I have it in top drawer - flatware and utensils, middle drawer- dishes, bowls. Lower drawer - casseroles, cake pans. My 30" drawer base holds utensils, pots and pans.

Thanks again debrak. It helps to know what fits in your 30 and 36 inch drawer bases. I will be interested to see your mw shelf after it is built. I think I have seen that done by others on here and was wondering how we could do that ourselves without getting a special cabinet! Will yours be even with the other cabinets or are you lowering the mw and shelf? I was thinking of lowering ours 6" if we go with a shelf instead, but DH thinks with only 12" underneath that it would just be a junk collector. He could be right!

Oh, I so don't miss those days, now that we finally placed our cabinet order I feel like a weight has been lifted!

Have you thought about where you will store things? That really helped me out and is often recommended at this stage. I have a 27 inch drawer base between the sink and range for pots and pans. I wanted 30 or 33, but once I figured out they are now stored in 2 x 18 inch regular cabinet with 1/2 shelves in them, I realized they would fit fine. Some of the current space is taken up by sheet pans and such, and I will have a tray pull out for them, and there will also be more storage above that section if needed as I have a 12 inch spice pull out, and currently all the spices are in the 18 inch cabinet above that space.

I also wanted a dish drawer. I was going to have a 30 x 21 deep drawer, which worked fine when I mocked it up on cardboard with our dishes. I'm happy to now have a 30x24 drawer, but it would have worked the other way too.

You may be fine with what's pictured. Mock it up with markers if needed, just be sure to account for face frame (if applicable) and drawer sides when determining inside dimensions. The 36 inch drawers should be fine, you may want to make the 24 inch stack 27 or 30 if you can, depending on your needs.

I ended up giving up the thrash pull out to get other things I wanted. I will have a small recycling pull out under the sink though. Everything's a trade off. Once I figured out what I needed where, it was easier to make choices. Still not 100% there, but I know the important things have a home, and the rest will definitely fit, just not sure exactly which space will have which things yet so I haven't ordered dividers.

mtpam2, I will post photos when its done. I attached a link to Starcraft custom builders kitchen design rules. Much of the info there is from the NKBA. Starcraft has so much cool info on their site about the history of kitchens, homes styles, etc.

In there you will find that for an upper microwave the bottom of the microwave should be 3" below the shoulder of the primary user. For me its perfect and I'm the shortest in the house. The bottom shelf which will hold the mw will be about even with the bottom of the cabinets. We didn't put a cabinet there due to wanting our cabinets to not be over budget, plus I wanted space to display things and wanted a break from all the cabinets.

Here are photos showing the space where the two shelves will be.

Here is a link that might be useful: NBKA kitchen guidelines posted by Starcraft builders

Williamsem - Thanks for the info on your drawer sizes and what fits for you. I think you are right about time to decide what should go where. This layout is different than what I had so I need to re-think where to put stuff. Also, I have discovered after 2 years of having some stuff packed up that if I can't fit it in the main part of the kitchen it won't be that big a deal! Anyone else have too much stuff that just seemed to accumulate?

I think it makes sense to be sure that I have at least 27" between stove and fridge if possible for my pots and pans. A smaller 12" between stove and corner could then hold my cookie sheets and such. But the trash is a problem, isn't it? Some days I am tempted to forgo the trash pull out and use the freestanding step on can like I do now, but then where would that go? I may also end up with a small can under the sink and the step on can out on the perimeter. No recycling available around here!

Thanks for your input and congratulations on getting your cabinets ordered! I have been following your progress and you have really worked through a lot of issues.

Debrak - Thanks again for all your help! The pictures really help me visualize what you are doing - and I love your kitchen! The pencil line in your back splash is so cool and really looks great with your cabinets and granite! I'll be looking forward to the photos when your shelves are done.

It looks like your sink may be a little closer to that left corner than mine. What is the width of your cabinet in the corner - 24" or 30"? I had considered moving my sink to the left to give me more space for prep between sink and stove but wondered how much room to leave on the left of the dw between it and the wall. Also, moving my sink down would off center it from my window, but it might be a worthwhile trade off!

Thanks for the link to Starcraft. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do!

The drawer base on the left of the dw (not in place in photo) is 18" plus we have a filler against the wall. To the right of the sink I have a 30" drawer base, then 9" door only for flat stuff, then a 36" corner base. My 36" drawer base is in the island. To the right of the stove is a 15" drawer base.

As for your pots. I wish I could take a photo (batteries dead) of my pot drawer. My set of 4 different sized pots just fit in my 30". Not a big deal but it would have been nice to have a few more inches. You may wish to layout and measure your pots and pans to make sure they will fit where you plan to have them.

Debrak -
Thanks again for the measurements and clarifications. You have gone above & beyond. Tonight I will have to lay out my pots and see just how much space they take. Your patience and explanations are really appreciated!

Pamla