First is the cabinets and appliances after all of that then you choose counter . Wall color and backsplsh are at the end of the project. All drawers for base cabinets except for a lazy susan in a corner try to avoid blind corneres and since this is agalley probablt no corners. Nothing angled if at all possible . A counter depth fridge . Do you know what is in the soffitts ? I like cabinets to the ceiling when possible . I do not like fancy hoods but great functional ones for sure. Before a KD starts all the appliances need to be on hand not just ordered. I never do a kitchen design until the appliances or on hand and now with issues with delivery times this is a must.

Thank you so much for the recommendations! I'm not 100% sure what is in the soffits but I've had 2 contractors take a look and say they can be removed.

• All your material / color selections seem great to me! In my previous kitchen, I've had Silestone Et Calacatta Gold quartz countertop with suede finish, cabinets were painted Coconut Twist by Behr, and backsplash was a combo of my countertop material, large glossy white subway tiles and White Gatsby Ceramic 8"x8" Tin Look Tiles with white trims as accent element behind the stove (such accent is something that you may want to consider! can be even more impressive if you decide to remove the upper cabinets above your new stove altogether - depends on the type of vent hood you'll decide to go with - see photo below in which you can see how a vent hood without upper cabinet looks like).
• Think about whether you value storage or counter space more. For example, I would consider having the microwave built-in somewhere in the lower cabinets to gain some counterspace - and a cleaner look altogether (would recommend a drawer microwave in that case, although it's not a must).
• Is the fridge located in a convenient location for your household right now? I'd make sure it is placed in the more natural / more used entryway to your kitchen (so people can grab something from the fridge and go without crossing the entire kitchen). So it may make more sense for you to put it where your current oven is right now (though you may have the flooring issue you mentioned). If you cannot change the footprint of that corner - just pointing out that corner pantries are great! :) I have one right now and it's awesome (photo below).
• Re: dishwasher - I'd make sure to get something with a pocket/recessed handle - more convenient to work in that countertop area without the handle sticking out and poking at your hip. I'm going to replace mine with the Bosch 500 series with pocket door - can't speak to its performance (yet), but I've had Bosch dishwashers before and was very pleased with them.
• Re: sink - if you like the look of a farmhouse sink - I'd consider that. Had one in my previous house and I miss it! (photo below)

HTH - good luck with your project! Overhauling an entire kitchen is very exciting! :)

Do you have a fully-measured layout of the space? I have an idea to change things up a bit, but i need measurements to see what will/will not fit. Similar to this:

Thank you so much! That is extremely helpful. I did mention to my contractor that I wanted a designed place for the microwave (I do not like it on the countertop at all). I had not even thought about a drawer microwave but that is such a good idea!! Thank you again!

Go and see a microwave drawer in person before you install one. I'm not a fan, but that is me and you are you.

I guess I am not understanding why you are remodeling. You are replacing white with more white.

How about removing all those knobs and spray painting them stainless steel color (or buy new knobs)? Save yourself a lot of money.

@Buehl I don't currently have one but my contractor probably does and I'll see if I can get that from him!

@HU-227031627 My husband would probably agree with you lol. But I have REALLY disliked this kitchen since we bought the house, and the plan from the start was to make some major replacements. The cabinets are extremely old and not in good shape, the upper cabinets are too low (15.5in - can't even put my keurig in the kitchen), and the soffits make the room feel much smaller in person. The appliances are all going out except the fridge (which doesn't really fit the space), and there is a problem with the hookup for the stovetop so we haven't had a working stovetop in over a year. Also, I really prefer a large single basin sink and a faucet with a pull down sprayer.

But the thing that I HATE the most is the tile countertops. They are such a pain to clean (specifically the grout) - I've tried using a toothbrush, electric scrubber, etc. Can't even wipe off crumbs or debris without some of it getting stuck in the grout. Plus the countertops are probably at least 40 years old and are broken and loose and the grout is missing/crumbling/discolored/disgusting in a lot of places. Also, there is a moldy cutting board built into the countertop by the sink that I keep covered up at all times.

So the only thing that I don't hate about the kitchen is the whiteness of the cabinets/countertops lol.

Also, I didn't realize how expensive microwave drawers are and was a little shocked. I'll definitely go look in person as you suggested. What do you specifically not like about them? I don't really know anyone personally who has one which also makes me a little more hesitant.

Regarding a MW drawer...I have one and we love it. Yes, it's more expensive than a countertop model, but it's also lasted over twice as long as any countertop model I've had in the past -- 3 or 4 times as long as some. If you do the "math", over the years, it's no more expensive than having to purchase 3 or more countertop models in the same timeframe. (Assuming you don't buy the cheap models that don't do much more than "time" the cooking. I.e., no true sensor or other options. FYI...they don't last long either!)

It's so easy to use.

• touch of a button and it opens slowly/gently
• touch of a button (or slight nudge) and it closes slowly/gently
• you don't have to reach into or remove food to stir or check - just open, reach down with it right in front of you, stir, close
• to put in a dish, just lower it down
• to take out a dish, just lift it up to the counter
• controls are angled up so no leaning over to see/operate the controls

Our family is tall (ranging from 5'10" to 6'7") and none of us has a problem using the MW drawer. In fact, my DH (6'5") says he never wants any other type of MW!

Unless you are a very short family, don't put a countertop MW under the counter. They are difficult to use. You have to either lean far over of crouch down to see/operate the controls and reach blindly into the MW to stir (or take out, stir, put back) -- all while the food & dish are likely hot. To remove, you again need to reach blindly in, pull the dish out, and then lift to the counter.

Oh -- and all MW drawers are made by Sharp, so get a Sharp model. The other "brands" are simply re-branded Sharp with a few cosmetic changes and a different label to attempt to justify the increased price. Just stick with Sharp.

Get the 24" model, not the 30". Both are the same size, etc., inside. The only differences are the extra "trim" to make the 24" look 30" and a higher cost. The 24" will fit in a 24" wide cabinet.

Have you had a chance to get a fully-measured layout of the space from your Contractor yet?

@Buehl not yet but here is my amateur attempt

Unfortunately, these are not the measurements we need. We need walls, windows (including trim), and door/doorways (including trim) as well as the distances between each of them.

We can either wait for your Contractor or maybe you could measure them yourself?

Oh, and with the range/hood on the outside wall, it's a lot easier and cheaper to vent to the outside.

@Buehl wow thank you so so much! that is beyond helpful!

You're welcome!

Let me know if you have any questions or other thoughts.