Great tips especially about the clearance issues and the plumbing and electrical issues. Those systems are the backbone of the space and if you treat them as an afterthought you're in for some surprises especially in an island. Also, don't forget about gas lines and moving them if you want a gas range or cooktop.
Very useful tips. I would add that when figuring out clearance issues don't forget about the lighting over your island. My husband is a tall guy, 6'7, and the standard pendant lighting height did not work. He kept hitting his head. In our new house we had our electrician shorten the height, which actually lit up the space better.
Kimberly, that is very true! Island lights and dining table lights do have typical standard heights. But as you say, do what works in your home for the actual people using the space.
With our kitchen reno (still in design phase), one thing we are looking at is clearance... we have cabinets on the bottom now, but want to put in drawers.. with our galley set up and limited space, we won't be able to open a drawer on each side that is opposite each other... so where we put things is a bit of a challenge. We also are trying to NOT do too much plumbing, but definitely need to update our electrical. Yes, we are in the planning phases... this is important to us, as all of us have some sort of disability, so we have to work around those as well as space limitations.
I spent a good bit of time watching your videos in preparation for a "complimentary design" session with a kitchen renovator. It took about 2 minutes for all my excitement to be crushed out of me by the chap who came along. He wasn't a good listener, didn't really want to bother with replacing my floor which has been down since 1998 and isn't level with the rest of the open plan, or listening to anything about me. When he suggested I should replace my pyrotic oven with a microwave convection oven, I knew he had no clue what he was doing and he wouldn't be getting my business. It was very discouraging. Do you have any tips to get back on the kitchen "horse," please?
First of all, thank you for watching our videos. My hope is whoever came wasn’t all that invested in your project because the meeting was complimentary. If you don’t plan to hire someone to do the design, you need to take the reigns and drive your wants and wishes home with your contractor. My biggest suggestion, send me an email, designstudio@thehomestud.com - I would love to discuss your project in greater detail.
I live in a very rural area in southern Alabama, there are no local kitchen designers here. The ones located 2 hours away in Mobile or further south in Gulf Shores won’t travel up here because it’s too far. Are there alternatives? Do general contractors help design??
I can help you design your space! I work with clients all over the world. Feel free to email me at contact@thehomestud.com I start every prospective with a free discovery call, so no pressure at all.
I presume that there are hardware choices appropriate for older adults that suffer from arthritis. I don't have it now, but I know that the day is not far off.
Based on my mom's experience, good solid pulls are the way to go. She has bad arthritis in her right hand (numb fingers at times) and finds the solid pull you can get fingers behind makes a big difference over knobs or low profile hardware.
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I hope people watch and listen to this advice, especially #2. So crucial! Really great tips Jeff!
Thanks Mark, see it too many times haha
Great tips especially about the clearance issues and the plumbing and electrical issues. Those systems are the backbone of the space and if you treat them as an afterthought you're in for some surprises especially in an island. Also, don't forget about gas lines and moving them if you want a gas range or cooktop.
Good point about gas lines! I should have included that as well, thank you 👍
This was the 6th kitchen video I've watched on You Tube AND the best. I made a solid to do's list from your video. Thanks 🙂
Great tips !!
Thanks Michael 👍
Very useful tips. I would add that when figuring out clearance issues don't forget about the lighting over your island. My husband is a tall guy, 6'7, and the standard pendant lighting height did not work. He kept hitting his head. In our new house we had our electrician shorten the height, which actually lit up the space better.
Kimberly, that is very true! Island lights and dining table lights do have typical standard heights. But as you say, do what works in your home for the actual people using the space.
With our kitchen reno (still in design phase), one thing we are looking at is clearance... we have cabinets on the bottom now, but want to put in drawers.. with our galley set up and limited space, we won't be able to open a drawer on each side that is opposite each other... so where we put things is a bit of a challenge. We also are trying to NOT do too much plumbing, but definitely need to update our electrical. Yes, we are in the planning phases... this is important to us, as all of us have some sort of disability, so we have to work around those as well as space limitations.
You nailed it, renovating for the actual people who will use the space is key
I spent a good bit of time watching your videos in preparation for a "complimentary design" session with a kitchen renovator. It took about 2 minutes for all my excitement to be crushed out of me by the chap who came along. He wasn't a good listener, didn't really want to bother with replacing my floor which has been down since 1998 and isn't level with the rest of the open plan, or listening to anything about me. When he suggested I should replace my pyrotic oven with a microwave convection oven, I knew he had no clue what he was doing and he wouldn't be getting my business. It was very discouraging. Do you have any tips to get back on the kitchen "horse," please?
First of all, thank you for watching our videos. My hope is whoever came wasn’t all that invested in your project because the meeting was complimentary. If you don’t plan to hire someone to do the design, you need to take the reigns and drive your wants and wishes home with your contractor. My biggest suggestion, send me an email, designstudio@thehomestud.com - I would love to discuss your project in greater detail.
I live in a very rural area in southern Alabama, there are no local kitchen designers here. The ones located 2 hours away in Mobile or further south in Gulf Shores won’t travel up here because it’s too far. Are there alternatives? Do general contractors help design??
I can help you design your space! I work with clients all over the world. Feel free to email me at contact@thehomestud.com
I start every prospective with a free discovery call, so no pressure at all.
I presume that there are hardware choices appropriate for older adults that suffer from arthritis. I don't have it now, but I know that the day is not far off.
Based on my mom's experience, good solid pulls are the way to go. She has bad arthritis in her right hand (numb fingers at times) and finds the solid pull you can get fingers behind makes a big difference over knobs or low profile hardware.
I always laugh when people are so focused on a pot filler and totally forget water near their coffee bar!
Very good point!
😀