Kitchen - worth it vs. overrated

[libbygrl109]

I really like the shelves in the corner cabinet. We have a lazy susan - works OK, but there is wasted space in the corners.

My biggest mistake was not clarifying the depth of the cabinets we were installing in our dining area. My plan was to house our dishes in the drawers in that area. The designer put in cabinets and drawers that are too shallow for that (and any other significant storage), so our dishes are in the cabinet above our dishwasher. It's OK, but would have liked to use that cabinet for other things.

I love the toekick drawer that I installed for the sheet pans I keep separate for my baking business. I can easily fit 7 pans, plus some accessories in there. Wish I could have put another drawer in somewhere in the kitchen, but with the layout of things, it wasn't possible. I also had dividers installed in the cabinet above the fridge (comes out the full depth of the fridge). Can fit lots of different baking pans up there, and they're easy to get to.

The trash can cabinet is also a favorite. I was worried about it's placement when we were planning it, but it is directly under my main work area, so I can just wipe things right off the counter into the can.

Definitely appreciate our single-bowl sink. It's not huge (28"), but can fit our bigger frying and baking pans in there easily.

[macmars45]

Growing up I was never allowed to call that corner cabinet a lazy Susan because that's my mom's name. We always called it the roundy round. That's what I still call it.

[mrsd2006]

My favorite kitchen feature is under cabinet LED lights.

[atarianna]

My kitchen design was my splurge when we built and I am SO HAPPY I did. It’s everything I wanted and we spend 90% of our family time in there.

Things we did that are more unique:
Vertical storage above double oven. Typical looking cabinet, but I instead of horizontal shelves, they are vertical and hold sheet pans, muffin tins and other skinny things. I am short and can reach everything.

Vertical 9” cabinet next to stove for cutting boards

Hidden key cabinet (looks like a fixed panel on side of cabinet but actually a very shallow 2” cabinet for hidden keys etc)

Island is comprised of 24” deep cabinets on both sides instead of slimmed wall cabinets. We still have a 12” overhang for bar stools but TONs of storage.

More typical things we did that I love:
Lots of drawers, especially for plates and bowls directly next to dishwasher

Pot filler. I use it at least twice a week

Pull out spice drawer