Welcome to Kitchens, Julia. There is a current thread about everyone's favorite kitchen features: Got a favorite kitchen feature?

You can find a lot of similar threads if you do a search in Kitchens. If you can post a layout of your space, with measurements, and sizes of appliances you plan to use, that will make it easier for us to help you. Good luck!

New to Kitchens? Read me first.

Second Mama Goose, but have some quick, general thoughts on your question. There isn't just one thing that must fit in, there are 4: sink, stove, refrigerator, and work space. If you post your layout you can get ideas for the most efficient placement of these items - you'll be amazed how creative people can be with even the smallest spaces.

Here's something you can work on right away: Have a good hard look at what's in you kitchen now. How long has it been since you used that thing Aunt Gertie gave you when you moved into your first apartment? How many spatulas do you really need? Thinning down the excess and used-last--in-2005s will really help when you rebuild. (P.S. My last kitchen had a blind corner where I stored little used items. When we cleaned it out for reno, I found things back there I hadn't seen in 20 years. Yikes.)

suzanne_sl So true! When we packed to move out for our renovation, I found things I didn't know we owned and a few multiples, probably because the originals were at the bottom of the pile of tools.

The most important thing to fit in isn't things, but usability.

My DMIL recently remodeled her kitchen. It was tiny, literally a one-butt kitchen. In the main work area, only one person could fit, and if that person were emptying the dishwasher they had to step out! They couldn't rinse a dish, then put it in the DW, because the DW door opened right into the only spot they could stand. One other person could be on the other side of the tiny peninsula, but nothing they needed was at hand and it was cramped.

The remodel didn't increase square footage or even counterspace, but there's more room to move around and more usable counterspace and accessible storage. 3 people can easily work at a time, and another hanging out. She actually increased the number of appliances (added a microwave). And didn't lose her breakfast table.

It would help if you gave us measurements and a drawing of the space, with windows, doors etc. In fact, a drawing of the entire 1st flr is even better. There are some amazing ladies on this forum who really have an eye and know their stuff where layout is concerned.

Hi Julia!

In keeping with what the others have said, over on the "smaller homes" forum, there is a thread called "Let's start a thread about organizing/storage solutions for the smaller home." There is a post under that thread outlining, step by step, a way to thin out your kitchen stuff, using cooking utensils as an example. It will work for any size kitchen in any size home. Just apply it to every grouping of kitchen items: utensils, knives, small appliances, stemware, cookware, etc.

Second, I can speak from personal experience about reading the "New to kitchens? Read me first" thread. Not only does it help you know how to present your kitchen layout in such a way as to get the best advice possible from the amazing gurus on this forum, it also links to several other threads that I would strongly suggest you read. For me, it was like taking a master class in kitchen design! They explain WHY certain configurations work and others don't. Even though my kitchen remodel is several years off, it completely changed my ideas (for the better) about what I want/need and don't want/don't need in my little eat-in kitchen. If you have any interest whatsoever in kitchen design, and I'm guessing you do since you posted here, you'll find these threads both educational and fascinating!

Beuhl even has a checklist of items to consider as staples for your pantry! My own pantry checklist is much shorter, but there were items on beuhl's checklist that I needed but hadn't thought about. One question emphasized in each of these threads is, "How do you actually USE your kitchen?" That can make a significant difference in how you might want to lay yours out.

One final suggestion: As you go about your day, start making a list, be it on paper, your phone, whatever, of what works for you in your current kitchen and what doesn't. If you can gain a clear understanding of what YOUR needs (or whoever is the main cook) are in a kitchen, it will really help you get the most functional kitchen for you. If you can clearly articulate your needs here, it will also help the gurus give you the best layout advice possible.

Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing your layout! :-)

Sincerely,

Debbie

Thanks Debbie for good advice

It's not about the space, it's about your priorities. If you cook a lot, the stove is the most important thing. If you are into looks, then cabinets and counters really matter. If you are renovating for resale, then you put in a kitchen in line with local comps.

If you are clear about your priorities, the design follows naturally. If they aren't, and you try to have a little bit of everything, then the design can become confused and compromised.

So big choice to choose from, very impressed about replies here, thanks all! I have got a few ideas already.

Russ, as we used to say in consulting: Good, cheap, fast. Pick any two.

bpathome, would love to see before/after sketches of your MIL's kitchen. Sounds like it would be educational!

Yes I want cheap but good looking kitchen

For something inexpensive, but high style, two things have to happen. The timeline lengthens exponentially while you search for bargains. And the design factor has to increase. That means that you need to hire a kitchen designer if you yourself do not have a good eye. A good eye, and an intimate depth of product knowledge combine in a creative manner to produce results that don't look ''cheap''. Anyone can do cheap.

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That is good help, I will pick then slow keep dreaming