New to Kitchens? Read Me First! (2020 Interim)
Welcome!
If you are new to Houzz's Kitchens Forum (formerly, GardenWeb's Kitchens Forum), you may find the following information and links to various topics helpful as you begin your Kitchen journey. These topics will help you navigate the world of kitchen remodeling and, in the process, introduce you to ideas that you may not have thought of or seriously considered.
We begin by helping you come up with a "Mission Statement" or "Goal" for your future kitchen and continue through the planning, implementation, and, finally, the unveiling of your final kitchen and the enjoyment of working in a kitchen that YOU helped come to pass!
In addition, there are a set of threads that form the Kitchen Design FAQs that will be useful for understanding kitchen design as well as asking for help. Read these threads to get not only an idea of the best practice design principles/guidelines, but also to understand the comments you will receive when you post your layout for comments.
When you have a preliminary layout, post it here for critiquing. If you have no layout and don't know where to start, that's OK! We can help you start. Simply post a blank slate of the space. Whether a new build or a remodel, read the "Layout Help" FAQ thread (see below) - it discusses what information we need to help you get the best layout for you, your family, and your space.
One very important note before we begin…
When asking questions (e.g., asking for layout help), please keep in mind that everyone here is trying to help, not criticize maliciously. Some of us can be blunt, but no one is out to deliberately insult or hurt anyone. When your kitchen is done, we want you to have a kitchen that functions wonderfully well and looks nice overall -- but the process will take time and may entail comments that many times you won't want to hear (e.g., when a layout is dysfunctional). We strongly recommend you "keep listening" to what others have to say but, in the end, you don't have to take any advice given here. It's your kitchen and you are the one who will make the final decisions!
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Again, welcome and good luck! The journey is wild, sometimes bumpy, but fun and very rewarding in the end!
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FAQ TOPICS (select the topic URL to navigate to the FAQ)
1. Defining Your Goal for Your Remodel: http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/p/the-sweeby-test.html
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2. Asking for Layout Help…Please read this thread before posting your layout for help. This thread describes what we need to effectively help you with your layout. Without this information, people will only be able to give you general information and/or guesses as to what might work for you. Read the Layout Help thread and provide the requested information when asking for help (e.g., fully measured layout of the space, sketch of the entire floor, constraints, etc.): https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500789/faq-how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-what-information-should-i-include
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3. Humorous discussion of workflow and other layout topics (a.k.a., the "Ice.Water.Stone.Fire" thread): https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first
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4. Kitchen Design Guidelines/Best Practices…These threads discuss recommended guidelines and best practices for a functional Kitchen design:
- FAQ: Kitchen Work Zones, What Are They?: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500762/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they
- FAQ: Aisle Widths, Walkways, Seating Overhangs, Work/Landing Space etc.: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500771/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc
- FAQ: How Do I Plan For Storage?: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500787/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage
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5. Design Considerations…This thread discusses and illustrates several considerations needed when designing Kitchen components. E.g., why refrigerators need space between them and deep walls, why two seats cannot share the same leg/overhang space on an island with corner seating, etc.: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4306236/kitchen-design-layout-considerations
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6. IKEA Hacks: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4306128/ikea-hacks-compilation-of-ikea-hacks
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7. Stone Information…This thread discusses selecting a stone material, installing it, and maintaining it: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2558824/stone-information-and-advice-and-checklists
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8. Preparing for and Surviving Your Remodel, including a Temporary Kitchen:
- https://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2685147/tips-for-temporary-kitchen-set-up
- https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2704838/did-your-kitchen-installer-plumb-in-a-temporary-sink-for-you
- https://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2433816/makeshift-kitchen-what-did-you-do
- https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2662707/temporary-kitchen-set-up
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9. MiscellaneousOther Items: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500839/faq-other-items-of-interest
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10. Acronyms: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/faq-thread-acronyms-abbreviations-and-definitions-dsvw-vd~5364389
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As you review the above threads, please check to see if there are more than 50 comments/posts on the thread. If there are, you will need to repeatedly select the "See xxx more comments" link to see the entire thread. [To see the number of comments, look at the "Comments (xxx)" text below the sharing links. The "See xx more comments" link is below the comment #s and just above the responding comments.]
One final note: Please do not post questions on this or any of the FAQ threads listed in this thread. If you have questions, search the Forum. If you cannot find an answer to your question or you think the answers are outdated, then start a NEW thread of your own - do not hijack someone else's thread or post to an FAQ.
Comments (6)
Buehl
2 months agolast modified: 2 months agoRelated Discussions
First post on Houzz & my first house! Plotting a fabulous kitchen remodel, ideas/advice?
Comments (9)Thanks posh, but I'm not in the US so I doubt I could conceivably shop from your facet/sink shop. feeny, I've read that article awhile back and found it so useful! I live in a part of the world where there is not much natural light to speak of half the year, so I do need to focus on 'light and bright' and reflective materials to liven the space up, when the windows are not really providing any sunlight. I think I'll have to have a designer help me install lighting into the ceiling in such a way that really attempts to help shed light on kitchen work during the dim, dark autumn/winters we have. I'm pretty sure I want quartz worktops and maybe even quartz flooring. I've had quartz sink and countertops in my last home and they are so durable and easy and fabulous! But my last ones were totally white (superwhite) and ...that was boring. You couldn't tell by looking that they were anything special, only by touching. I'd like some mirrored or copper flecks to give a shimmer, but nothing too loud or granite-mimicky. My front-running backsplash idea is glass with controlled LED lights behind, so you can pick your color based on the time of day and mood! During a party you could even set it to rotate between the colors of the rainbow every half a minute! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrrK-LvKLA8 That way I can leave it as a white glow (extra lighting!) when I don't feel the need for color therapy, and in mornings if I want yellow or orange to invigorate and soothe the sadness of no sunshine, I can put those colors to help wake me up, and in evenings I could have blue or violet to give a feeling of calm after a hurried day. I do have to measure! I think there is definitely room for an island, just not sure how big of one! Where do I put the refrigerator/freezer? Should I move the cooktop to the island or leave it against the wall (is that a huge project to relocate the hood?) ? Should I keep the second sink or get rid of it in favor of using that wall for other things? I need the primary sink to be there where it is with the cupboard above it because it will house drying racks where clean wet items are placed and allowed to drip dry into the sink (why don't you guys have this in the US??). So many thoughts!...See MoreSave me from my Honey Oak Kitchen! Please review my new kitchen plans.
Comments (52)Three little kids on bar-height stools scares me...unless those stools are high chairs with secure belts. Do you NEED to have cabinet storage on the living room side of the island? If this is your only dining area, I would omit those cabinets and affix a full length table-height eating counter so you can use five regular chairs . The kids won't be little forever. And I, personally, hate sitting on a barstool. They are not very comfortable....See MoreKitchen Reno in small bungalow design change help!
Comments (14)Correct. So I have attached a quick sketch of the dimensions of the current kitchen. Sorry it's not quite to scale.. My thoughts are on the peninsula ( I think you are correct there) would be to use a wall oven in it and a conduction cook top. I was planning on making the peninsula 40-42 inches wide but I'm open to other layouts. And yes it is the wall with the nice little cutout that we are taking down. We want to try and save the crown if we can. Also there is another door way to the bedrooms that has the same archway we are going to be saving . So on the other side of the wall that the stairs are on is a small office. I was planning to borrow some space to do 2 24" floor to ceiling cabinet/pantry. The other thought is to knock that wall back 6 feet add a breakfast nook there. And then take the office out and leave it at 2 bedrooms instead of 3 and make the master bigger. But I'm not sure I want to lose a room for a seating area. The idea is white cabinets, butcher block counters light colour wood or lvp flooring carried throughout the upper floor. I have also attached a photo of my recent bathroom reno for styling ( there is glass there now)...See MoreNew kitchen layout help please!
Comments (48)well I think the design is close enough to complete for now, maybe some minor changes. Now I have a few questions, asking for opinions on finishes... I think we are going to do the axstad white doors from IKEA. I have considered a light grey but my walls are already grey in the living room so I am not sure if it will feel too grey. Floors- We want a light wood colour, right now there is a very dark laminate in the house, and we both hate it, shows so much pet hair and in a small space it collects quickly lol. But it also needs to go with the countertops which we would like to do butcher block. Counters: Butcher block, I would love to do something with a bit more character than just maple. Will a slightly darker counter work with a light coloured floor and white cabinets?...See More
just_janni
2 months agoeld6161
2 months ago
woodrose
last monthBuehl
7 hours agoTo keep this thread a manageable length, if you bump, please come back and delete the bump post once someone has bumped after you. Thank you!
BuehlOriginal Author