I don't live in NY, so my perspective is not the same as yours, but I can't imagine that 18" dishwashers are uncommon there. NO dishwasher would be a turnoff.

It seems to me that you could lose the refrigerator panel and be done with all issues. If the black side of the refrigerator is so offensive, why not have a sheet of stainless fabricated to cover it? It wouldn't take up any space to speak of and shouldn't be terribly expensive.

It never occurred to me that the handles of my appliances should match. Oh well.

When you find yourself becoming too O, it's time to take a break from this forum and regain a real world perspective.

Best of luck to you.

Personally, in a 1 bedroom apartment in Queens, I wouldn't think an 18" DW would be "out of the ordinary". Maybe the future buyer would just be psyched that there IS a dishwasher. Sounds like everything else will fall into place nicely if you go for the 18". I'd do that in order to eliminate stress and start changing all other parts of the kitchen that you won't be happy with in the end. At the end of the day, you have to walk in there and be happy with how it functions and how it looks. I don't think it the function will be compromised with an 18" DW, but it sure sounds like the looks might be. Good luck!

I'm not up on what you have budgeted, but Liebherr makes gorgeous 24" and 30" refrigerator models that don't need any extra space to open the door. I know I sound like a walking commercial, but just got one a few months back for my own smallish kitchen and I'm still in fridge love. :) They are only made in all stainless (handles and sides) and because of the clever hinge you wouldn't have to design in any extra door-opening clearance. Good luck however you decide!

I just ran into this problem...the solution is a Miele dishwasher which is 23 1/2 inches verses 24 inches. I didn't have an 1/8 inch to spare myself. Sadly...they're expensive, but if that half inch is a big deal for you, look at the specs on Miele and you'll find one that fits (Mine is Excella....great DW but the price HURTS)

I live in Brooklyn, and have an 18" DW in a 2 BR and it is fine. An 18" in a 1 BR is perfectly acceptable. I am getting a 24" in my new place ONLY because it fits. If I couldn't I wouldn't and I wouldn't have a 2nd thought.

The higher end 18" DWs ARE more expensive than a comparable 24" though. Look at GE or Kenmore if cost is an issue, they are about $600 vs. $1,500 for the Bosch (you have to get a special panel etc). I know this because I have already done the research and work in the industry.

I am gettng the 24" Liebherr, on that wall I have little choice. Keep posting your progress, it is great to see someone else deal with their space deprived Kitchen!

OK, here's another perspective from TX. I live in a 4 BR house with 2 24" DWs. A 1 BR with an 18" DW has 50% more DW per BR than I have.

I'd be happy to have an 18" DW in a 1 or 2 BR apt. PERIOD, but especially in NY or CA. I thionk the point is that you have one. That might not be the only answer, but I sure wouldn't lose sleep over the DW.

My Thermador 6 cycle DW, which works wonderfully (made by Bosch, about $1250, 46 decibels), measures 23 1/8" wide. I don't know if you have a particular DW picked out already or are still shopping and assuming they're all 24." It might be a good idea to go over DW specs carefully with your KD.

If that's not an option, I vote for #1: dump the fridge panel. My KD insisted that I have one for the built in look, but if I'd had more backbone (or found GW earlier in the process) I might have told her that I don't care about the built in look and I'd rather save $700 or so. Plus I could have stuck fridge magnets all over the black side without cluttering up the front of the fridge :) I'm short and the area above the fridge is Siberia whether it's 24" deep or 15" deep. You might not be as short as me, and what works for me might not work for you...but that's my opinion.

Last idea: what are people in your building doing for DWs? If they're all going without, then ANY DW is an upgrade, but if they're all squeezing in the 24", then resale value should be considered.

Take care of yourself and don't get TOO obsessed!

LOL - I think 18" d/w's were *invented* for NY! As were 24" stoves and refrigerators! (I vaguely considered a 24" stove, but didn't see any with a self-cleaning oven...)

(Oh, and abjadulce, I only think the handles of my appliances should match because they'll be in such close proximity to each other... But it's just a personal preference.)

Not sure what size d/w would be considered normal in Queens (as opposed to Manhattan, where a high-end 18" like a Miele would be considered routine). I know some apartments in my building have squeezed in 24" by doing full-depth cabinetry on both sides of the kitchen, but I think those kitchens look *terrible* - much too cramped, the window gets partially blocked. The kitchens end up looking much smaller than mine.

I will look into alternative appliances - I had no idea d/w's came 23-1/2"! Not sure what that would mean for the cabinet above it - 21" with 2-1/2" filler? It's an idea. Will also look at the Liebherr refrigerators, but I suspect they're *way* out of my price range. (Then again, so is a Miele 18" d/w, so why not spend the money on the fridge instead? Hmmm....)

Lascatx, your message made me laugh and laugh!!! 50% more DW per BR indeed!!!

Thank you, everyone, for your responses! I can't believe you all *read* my entire message!!

If you're short on storage, I would NOT give up that space above the fridge. It's amazing how much stuff I can keep in there. My mom has an 18" DW in her 2-BR apartment, and it is plenty. I'd go with the 18" DW and keep the fridge panel.4