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andrew_row

Don't know where to start with kitchen

7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Recently purchased a new apartment and am starting to engage some contractors, but I just don't know where to begin. What should I do to this kitchen? I love to cook, make coffee, and don't think it's set up to make me happy!


The kitchen area is 2 meters deep by 3 meters wide, the walls can't be removed. I'd be happy to extend along the left wall a bit (next to where the ovens are), but I've stared at these real estate photos so long my brain has atrophied.

Also not a fan of the floor color, but don't think we'll be changing that (furniture etc. is from prior owner)




Comments (17)

  • 7 years ago

    Wait until you've moved in and lived in the space for a bit to see what works for you and what doesn't. You could add an interesting (moveable and temporary) work surface to have more countertop space for now - either against the wall by the ovens or in the open space with the table moved further down. Or do both areas - the countertop by the ovens can become a coffee bar and the island would provide extra prep space. Neither one would affect the current kitchen until you decide how you want to proceed.

  • 7 years ago

    Try to draw up a detailed floor plan that you can post here. The available space is quite limited. So, there isn't really a lot that you can in the way of reconfiguring your kitchen. But it might be possible install a small island. That would open up a lot more options

  • 7 years ago

    I think it's a great looking space but it is small. Are you willing to give up your dining area, or is that another area that will work for a dining area? I agree that working on some temporary setup might be best for awhile, until you get a feel for the place and what's important in the greater scheme of things.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I’d head to Ikea and buy this island cart. https://m2.ikea.com/us/en/p/foerhoeja-kitchen-cart-birch-80035920/

    Paint everything on the cart but the top and wheels black. Use mineral oil and oil the heck out of the top. It will give you storage, counter space, and will make a nice division between your kitchen/dr etc.


    It’s small but mighty!

  • 7 years ago

    Beautiful apartment.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Definitely get the island/cart. The ikea one is great. Boos makes some very nice ones as well, but they are a good bit pricier.

  • 7 years ago

    It looks very efficient. And beautiful. Definitely start by living there a while. You could easily add appropriate furniture in the dining area for extra storage if you have a lot of gadgets or like to store a lot of nonperishables.

  • 7 years ago

    I'd also add neutral (maybe grey) rugs/runners in front of the kitchen cabinetry. It'll help to visually separate the wooden floors from the cabinets.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Live a bit, get the cart. In the MEANTIME post a layout of the entire kitchen, dining, living area. With all dimensions, openings, window etc.

    We've seen LOTS worse than your lovely apartment. Post that floor plan.

  • 7 years ago

    It is a beautiful space. Perhaps add some additional cabinetry above the microwave (assuming the vent isn't on top) and add some personality with tile or glass backsplash. There is a lot of potential with a movable cart, but I also could see something like this - an island with seating along the back. It would give you a "buffet" counter of sorts and additional workspace without feeling like you are crowding a traditional table set-up.


    Attached to a small work island, the walnut dining table is 30" high · More Info

    .

    I think some additional cabinetry next to the microwave could serve as a drink station (add storage and supplies for morning coffee and evening cocktails). An island or accent cabinetry could be painted as suggested above to sort of tone down all the wood.

  • 7 years ago
    With a small kitchen, the efficient use of wall space is key. The 2 upper cabinets look like an after thought. If you love to cook the lack of proper (or creative) storage will drive you nuts. I'd avoid an island since it will make the kitchen seem even smaller. I'd put in proper upper cabinets and maybe add floor to ceiling storage/pantry next to the oven. As others have said, live in the space for a few months and what you really need will become obvious.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    IMo the kitchen looks very functional and I have no clue how a cart would make it better I would put a coffee/ drinks bar type storage to the DR side of the wall ovens and that is all I would do

  • 7 years ago

    I agree that it is quite functional given the available space. But that's exactly the problem: it's not particularly big. For some people, that might be perfectly fine, for others, that could pose a big challenge to cut down on their kitchen supplies and tools.


    It shouldn't take a long time of living in the space to figure out which one of the two it is. And if more space is needed, that a mobile or fixed island appears to be the best and possibly only option.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Wow, it looks very nice! The wood is beautiful. If you don't know where to start, then you don't even know what you don't like about it. Agree that you should move in, live in it, and then decide what if anything to do.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Are those bookshelves permanently built-in, or can they be moved? Seems to me the thing you're lacking is pantry space which could be solved by extending the cabinetry along the wall adjacent to the stacked ovens. (You could even build the pantry around those floor-to-ceiling pipes.) Also, I would add cabinets above the ovens to align with the top of the wall cabinet in the corner. Lastly, a tiled backsplash would be nice.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    One other thing: I think the chimney on the wall hood looks odd--too cut-off looking at the top. You've got such high ceilings you could probably add some crown moulding on top or extra storage so it looks like the chimney is tying into something. Like this, but perhaps in a more modern look:



    Kitchen · More Info