Would you consider a darker color glossy or wood panel for the base cabinets and the glossy white for the wall cabinets. The lower cabinets get more hand traffic.
Something like these kitchens:
http://nwhomeworks.com/2012/10/01/contemporary-ikea-kitchen/
And I would definitely not like horizontal “unmatched” wood veneer across a wall of cabinets. It looks cheap. So you should check first before ordering if you go the route of the IKEA wood veneer.
Yes, I love the two-tone look with dark lowers and light uppers. Since there will only be a few uppers, cleaning the glossy uppers would not be too bad. The big decision with the two tones… what to use for the tall oven cabinet and pull out pantry that will be on the West wall.
Like the looks in AttorneyMorher’s links!
If going with the two-tone look, I’d go with the dark for tall and pantry cabinets. We have a two-tone look in our kitchen and that’s what works best. Dark to anchor.
I am having an issue with the size of the refrigerator. If I want to get two 24" lower cabinets on the sides of the stove - for symmetry - the refrigerator will butt up against the left wall. Usually you need about 3" of filler to the left of a refrigerator that is against the wall so that the doors can open properly. I might need to find a refrigerator that is skinnier than the normal 36" wide (plus being counter depth).
Do you all feel that a retiring couple really need a full size wide refrigerator? I would like to install a slightly skinnier refrigerator - about 32 - 33" wide.
Like this one - but the issue is that this one does not have filtered water dispenser (maybe I can put one out by sink on island)
ooops
http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/store.jsp?SAN DIEGO&store=4328&md=ct_md&cid=8002
We are empty nesters and use only a fraction of the space in our full size refridgerator. But when the kids are home, we need all the space plus an additional fridge in the garage.
Can you do a smaller fridge but have a beverage fridge / wine cooler in the island?
Great suggestion of a separate beverage cooler. This is what I plan in doing in my kitchen soon. We NEVER use our water/ice dispenser - the filter costs $50 and is a pita to replace. My next fridge will be a no-nonsense solid door thing.
how deep is the wall next to the fridge? cant you position the fridge even with the left side?
The wall is deeper than the refrigerator door (so you don’t see it from front door when you come into house). It was an existing wall and we didn’t want to move it because we needed to put a header across that opening (see photos).
So, I think the wall extends out a couple of inches past the refrigerator door, which makes it very hard to open door fully. However, if I buy a thinner refrigerator it will solve the problem because I can put a filler panel to the left. Also, if I buy a single top door, and swing door out to right with pull-out bottom freezer it will solve the problem
Found my measurements… Wall is 33 1/2" deep left of the refrigerator. I suppose I could buy a full size refrigerator where door might open past the 33 1/2"
DH and I are empty nesters and we keep a full-size fridge full. But then, he likes having a lot of cold beverages (lemonade, ice tea, oj, others) and that takes up an entire shelf.
I absolutely hate in-door ice and water dispensers. I don’t like the way they look, and they always break. IMO, why bother?
I love not being able to attach magnets to my fridge. IMO, magnets are a quick and easy way to make a kitchen look cluttered.
I’ve been tied up all day and need to focus on cb’s written design.
Also, if I buy a single top door, and swing door out to right with pull-out bottom freezer it will solve the problem
thats what I’d recommend instead of getting a narrower fridge.
Never mind… just checked measurement of standard depth refrigerator. They are 29 1/4" to the door. Adding door makes it about 34-35" deep. But, the door will still not be able to swing so standard depth refrigerator is not the answer.
The other solution is to have 21" wide cabinet to left of stove (giving me 3" filler left of refrigerator) and 24" wide cabinet to right of stove so I can have a standard 36" size refrigerator. Might look stupid.
Well, in that case, you might have to do two 21-inch cabinets. Won’t look stupid but will be less cabinet space.
yeah, go for a slightly narrower fridge for balance.
what about this one?
I’ll just say that a refrigerator with a door swinging to the right would be a deal breaker to me. Refrigerator doors need to swing open so the opening is towards the work area. My pet peeve is doors that swing open the wrong way. Yes, you can change them, except in your instance, you can’t. Just wanted to share another perspective.
Oops, sorry CB. I thought you were the one suggesting a right swing door but it was another poster. My apologies.
I was the one trying to brainstorm a right swing door, but you are absolutely correct. The door opening would not be towards work area. It would be a total pain in the butt.
Back to drawing board… choices at this point
Reduce lower cabinet drawers to 21" wide on one or both sides of stove which means that there would only be 21" countertop workspace on either side of stove. This is probably the least expensive solution.
Buy special counter depth or full depth refrigerator that is only 30" to 32" wide (which could be costly compared to bargain shopping for regular frig). Not sure if I can afford a nice beverage center under counter in island or even have room for it. Buyers could install one downstairs in converted family room and/or outside on the deck if they want.
Coralbrook, If you are sure you will go with IKEA cabinets, you’ll want to make sure the carcass size is available before modifying your plans too much. One has to drive the other.
Edited: just a quick look says 21" is available.
Here’s the new IKEA kitchen guide:
http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/buying_guides_fy15/sektion/System-bg-SEKTION.pdf