| Trash Pullout(s): If you're kitchen is large, you will probably need 2 sinks...prep and main/cleanup. One of my biggest regrets is that I put our only trash pullout at the main/cleanup sink, not the prep sink. It's across a 6' aisle from the prep area. If you have the room, be sure to put a trash pullout at both sinks; if you cannot fit 2 (and I couldn't), consider putting it at the prep sink. Yes, during cleanup the trash gets used...but I'm prepping more often & for longer periods than cleanup so it would have been better to have it in the prep area. Base Cabinets: Rather than pullout shelves (a.k.a., roll out trays (ROTS)) behind doors, consider mostly drawers. Drawers require one motion to open/close...pull the drawer open/push it closed. ROTS's OTOH, require you to open the door(s) and pullout the shelf, then push the shelf back in and close the door(s)...but the door(s) must be fully open to pull out the shelves and you cannot close the door(s) until the shelves are completely back inside. Full-extension, Soft-close Drawers: Full-extension drawers (pull out all the way) are a must. Soft-close is a luxury that is well worth the extra you pay in many cabinet lines. Soft close drawers (and doors) only need a gentle shove to close...a couple of inches before they close they are stopped and very gently pulled completely in. Probably the most well-know vendor of soft-close drawers/hinges is Blumotion (Blum hardware). Design: When designing your kitchen, think of and design around the various zones in your kitchen. The "work triangle" while it still has some validity, has been somewhat superseded by "zones". Storage zone, prep zone, cooking zone, serving zone, cleanup zone; then there are the "centers" beverage center, snack center, message center, baking center, etc. Gadgets/Neat Ideas: - Tapmaster
- NeverMT
- Foot Pedal for trash pullouts
- Airswitch
- Soft-close hinges & drawer glides
- piano hinges to utilize the filler space b/w the top of the refrigerator & cabinet above.
- 4" Broom closets
- Filler Pullouts to utilize the often necessary filler (3", 6", 9")--both base & wall
- Windows down to the counter--both traditional/straight and bays and bows
I recommend you read the "Read Me" thread linked below. Then check out these threads: Thread: Best advice from this forum http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0720293613004.html Thread: What do you wish you had done differently? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0722355328974.html?54 Thread: Now that I have [X], I think I could have lived without it (2007/2008 thread) http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0719430319398.html Thread: List of stuff in kitchens? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg072028398907.html Thread: Scrimp on this, Splurge on that.... http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg101324514831.html Thread: Cool cabinet 'insides' ideas... http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg091555068232.html Thread: Full-extension: on some or all drawers? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0815024311384.html Thread: another list - what are the must have kitchen features? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0914413226976.html Thread: Stone Information and Advice (& Checklists) http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0402564914989.html |