Kitchen remodeling idea

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

We are looking to buy a house that has cooktop on the island, island is small. The vent hood is quite large. Wondndering what are some of ideas to make this kitchen look and function better. we will change appliances and counter tops. does moving the cooktop to the wall make sense from cost and function perspective? if not, does it make sense to extend the island to make more space for serving and replace the cent hood with sleek one? A slim but long island may serve better? any suggestions and examples we can look?

Edit: thanks all for your valuable suggestions. Adding couple of more pictures. As you can see, the formal dining room just by kitchen side… behind/by the pantry side. ideally, we would like to remove that wall and make it an open floor concept. But that will be a huge project with $$$ cost.

we like the floor plan overall. house is not well maintained. If we buy, we will change flooring, repaint, remodel kitchen (a bit). We got inspection and structurally it is solid.

Featured Answer

BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA

4 years ago

First impressions?

Range+hood should be where the microwave is ... looks like there's something under there already, though I can't tell what it is ... if that's the oven, all the more reason to switch out for a range. That might mean that you can get away without replacing the cabinets right away depending on how big that whatever-it-is is. Microwave could be changed out for one that sits on the counter, or they make ones that go in an island, as well. I think think getting that mass of the hood out of the middle will help immensely in the feel of the kitchen, too.
Fridge should be counter depth (the doors need to protrude from the cabinet to open, but you don't need to see that much case ...). I'd go black or stainless over white, also ... the white really sticks out with the dark cabinets.
Lighting ... yeah, I don't know who thought that was a good idea. Looks like it should have floods of some sort that should sit flush ... not whatever those are ... someone will probably suggest under cabinet lighting, as well. I've never had any desire for it, but people seem to like it. You can get some nice pendants for over the island once the hood isn't there.
Island: I can't tell how big the walkways are around it, but the island isn't that bad if it weren't for the cooktop. Measurements would be helpful if you could get them for assessment on island shape and size. Replacing the island doesn't necessarily require changing out the perimeter cabinets (it can be different), but it will impact the floor if you change its footprint.

This kitchen could certainly use some improvements, but it's not a lost cause. I think you could make some improvements without totally ripping the house to shreds, though living in the house for a bit is always a good idea, when it's liveable, to get a sense of what works and doesn't work for you ... is the kitchen location working overall? Do you like the general placement of the appliances for work flow (worry about appearances after)? Is there another project that's more pressing (and/or can you do both at the same time?

Many appliances are on backorder, so you may want to make sure you can get new appliances you like before ripping out anything that currently functions or starting renovations. Something that works but you don't like is often better than nothing.

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Comments (12)

thinkdesignlive
4 years ago
It will all boil down to budget - what you buy the house for and what you wish to spend on improvements. If the kitchen is functional you will want to wait at least 6 months to test it out and to plan. That gives you time to see how you can move the cooktop to the perimeter which would make sense.
thinkdesignlive
4 years ago
And at a minimum, as part of the inspection process, have an electrician check to see if the proper power can go to the island to allow for an induction cooktop.
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bearbev
4 years ago
I agree that you should consider living there for some time to really see how the space functions and what needs or preferences arise. If there is a separate dining space other than the one that appears to flow from the kitchen, then perhaps an opportunity to expand kitchen into that space as well with an extended island. But you're right that vent hood could be improved. Those ceiling lights, haven't seen those before, lol. Looks like a lovely home though and wish you luck in making it your own.
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JAN MOYER
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You are "looking to buy s house"....................that has a bad kitchen. Dark as a tomb, cook function in the wrong place, and the entire kitchen appears as afterthought in an otherwise large house. Limited enlarging opportunity with doors, passages.

You have to love the rest enough to accept limitations, and the amount of money it will to get the kitchen you want. Which is what? Post an inspo of the dream kitchen. : ) My bet? This isn't it, unless you get the house for 75 - 100k less than whatever you planned on spending.

I'd have to see the entire house plan to get me to the love affair: )
Pam
4 years ago
I would absolutely move the stove/range to the cabinet run where the microwave is. The microwave i’d move to the lower cabinets. Just my preference I have never liked the stove in the middle of the kitchen and your range hood just cuts off all sight lines. Moving those will make your kitchen look much lighter and bigger.
mcarroll16
4 years ago
Moving the range to the microwave would make this a pretty great kitchen. That plus lighting are the only changes you need to make this a really functional kitchen. Well, maybe also swapping the sink out for a single-bowl model. As for appearances, you would get a huge improvement from changing the countertops and backsplash to something light, and putting in a stainless counter-depth fridge.

As others said, it's a good idea to move in and live in the space before making any of the changes. You will have to do some cabinet modifications to move the cooktop and hood. So it would be good to know first whether you want to work with the current cabinets, or whether you want more extensive changes.
Home Owner
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you, all!! I have added few more pics.
Home Owner
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
If it comes out to be high cost project to move cooktop to the wall, will adding a low profile and slim vent hood to replace current one be any good? examples here https://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-easy-pieces-kitchen-island-range-hoods-ceiling-mounted/amp/
Richard
4 years ago
No matter where you end up putting the cooktop, I think you should extend the island if you're going to be redoing the cabinets. I agree that it makes sense to put a range under the microwave.
mcarroll16
4 years ago
The island has great proportions as is for prep and serving space, and it fits nicely within the kitchen footprint. It would need to expand if they want a large amount of island seating. But putting a table in that space between the two doors would be more comfortable, more flexible, and cheaper.
marhop
4 years ago
live there for awhile. if stove top works for you in island, switch it out for induction and go with a less invasive island vent hood. one with concave glass canopy will work. otherwise switch out microwave area for a range n put microwave in island. new light colored countertops and backsplash will open up area immensely. I’m assuming the lighting is recessed lighting with incorrect bulbs. with correct bulbs lighting is fine. cabinetry hardware in form of
knobs will give it more definition