My kitchen remodel took several years from initial design to implementation so I became an empty nester with a kitchen designed for a family. Fortunately the initially planned kitchen expansion was scrapped so we renovated in the existing space. The only thing that I might change is the additional under counter fridge that I installed.

Kids return with their friends often enough that I wouldn't want a smaller kitchen. My mom and sister visit a few times a year and we use all the counter space available. I have a steam oven, a convection oven, and a microwave, and use all three at different times. Not sure that downsizing your kitchen in your current house is wise since the kitchen should be sized appropriately for the house, unless you really need the space for something else.

Thanks, scrappy. I am thinking that we may buy a smaller house, so smaller kitchen. Appreciate the insight.

It is generally just the 2 of us and we use the Breville oven a lot. Great little invention.

I guess I don't understand the question. As empty-nesters, we still cooked the same type of meals. And we entertain more. And the kids do visit. And they sometimes move home for awhile (which is why I said "cooked" instead of "cook" above, lol). And then there are holidays. And we still do canning. I still need the same space as I would if the kids were all still younger. Although I do think a small oven like a Breville makes sense but I can see that being convenient with kids as well.

You might find inspiration in nhbaskets' reveal post. She & her DH downsized & built a smaller home last year. She's posted about hosting a big Thanksgiving meal & other gatherings. Though her home isn't large, she still has a separate dining room in addition to a large island with seating where she can serve and/or use for prep. Lots of good storage ideas were incorporated. Her choice of materials - stone/backsplash/lighting, etc. - has more style than many much larger kitchens, IMHO.

I love nhbaskets' kitchen. However, it's bigger than any kitchen I've ever had so I'm having trouble considering it a down-sized kitchen. Heck, I think it's almost as big as my kitchen and dining room combined.

OK downsizing your house is a different scenario and is a much larger discussion than just a kitchen. I just visited some friends who are in a temporary apartment while their house was being built and while the kitchen was small it was perfectly functional for 2 cooks with the basic appliances, one of each. They love to entertain and had two parties the weekend I was there- they are lucky enough to have the shared rooftop terrace on the same level as their apartment so could use that for entertaining. The key in a small kitchen is prep space- enough uninterrupted counter and elbow space, and proximity to the sink.

Do something fun! Maybe vintage? Something exotic? Maybe a little higher maintenance counters?

If you don't have kids (at least not all the time) then it might be nice to try something more adult. Or maybe do something unexpected! I know this is more style than layout, but maybe a higher end appliance?

What about an AGA??? :)

I'm with funkycamper, even as empty nesters, the kids still visit, moved back in once or twice ( :)))l, grandkids are over a ton and visitors staying for 2 weeks once a year.

We didn't take into account that we're empty nesters when we remodeled this past winter except not having a spot for sippy cups and the like.

I also agree with funkycamper. Our youngest of 3 kids is leaving for college in a year, so I really thought long and hard about what my future needs will be for our new kitchen. My oldest son is married with a baby, but they visit quite often. When they are here we are always in the kitchen and I prepare all his favorite "mom" foods. Our middle son has moved back in with us for who knows how long, and our daughter will be home in the summer and for winter break. Then there are holidays, out of town guests, bread baking and jam making. I realized that our needs really won't change much at all. In fact, I am going from 2 ovens to 3 ovens, and I've finally stopped feeling guilty about it!

As someone pointed out to me recently, there are different stages even of "empty nest." Early empty nest when your kids are still single and/or childless; and later empty nest when they are ALL married AND have children AND come to visit!

I'm with funky too. For the most part, you still need a similar type of kitchen. The only things that might change drastically would be:

1) If your original kitchen was designed to keep a constant eye on small children in another room. You won't need that kind of openness to another room unless you are babysitting grandchildren. And even then, you probably won't babysit them as often as you watched your own children.

2) If you totally stop entertaining and your children never visit, so you only ever have two people at most in your kitchen. Then you wouldn't need the seating or extra counter space or aisle width or fridge space to accommodate extra people.

Mostly I think downsizing when you are social just means losing a few bedrooms and their associated bathrooms and maybe the yard if it was only really used by the kids for playing. But you still need kitchen/dining/living spaces that are the same or similar to what you have.

Lots of great input. Thank you all!

yes, those kids do come home - and often bring more kids w/them - your grandkids! you might find you need more space... thinking back to my mom's house, we had to set up another table thru the center of the LR at holidays! After a number of yrs doing that we all (4 of us) started doing holidays at our homes and mom 'rotated' to us.

I don't entertain and my kids/gkids are out of state, so my kitchen is just fine for me at 10x11 (or 2 maybe). It's plenty of kitchen but I'm glad that the stove, sink, fridge are all within a few steps of each other. I seldom cook anything now and don't need much 'prep' space to slice/chop an onion or celery stick or a few mushrooms. My table will be in it once I get some one to move it for me.

I'd be fine with an induction hob and a Breville oven cause that's all I really need.

First, I'd find the new house. Then live in it for a while and see how it feels. Then decide. I think it's totally a stage of life thing. When we bought our house we were using it for weekends and long vacations, not full time. If I had lived here full time I might have made so different decisions. It's really hard to judge. Even if you don't move, I would just gather things for the reno that I like and wait to see how it feels. Maybe not as convenient as doing it in advance but surer I believe.

We're empty-nesters, and built a BIGGER kitchen in our new house, even though the house is smaller. We've always wanted a bigger kitchen, as we both cook. We went with all drawers, since even though we are only in our 60's, we don't like getting on hands and knees to retrieve stuff from the dark recesses of the lower cabinets. With the increased storage density and efficiency of drawers (33 in all), we eliminated upper cabinets altogether. As you get older, you get shorter, your arms don't function as well overhead, and you don't want to be climbing a footstool or ladder. Once last concession to age and comfort is a prep area where you can sit at the counter and work- no cabinet underneath.

When we planned our new house, the priorities were:

1) Property

2) Kitchen

3) Everything else