Andrea sent us an email: My partner and I are hoping to add some much needed storage to the west side of our kitchen. (We own a small, mostly renovated semi in downtown Toronto.) We had been thinking of doing built-in cupboards...
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... and a pantry around the fridge with a small desk tucked in at the end on the right. Now we are considering the option of doing an unfitted kitchen (open shelving across the top, an armoire, some kind of desk) for a few reasons: cost, no off-gassing from new cupboards, and I think it might give the kitchen some personality. My partner is not so sure it will look good though.
What do you think we should do? Fitted or unfitted? Any ideas/suggestions for either approach?
By the way, some day we would like to update the other half of our kitchen (cupboard doors, counter surface, backsplash) but it won't be for some time so we need both halves to work together.
I hope the attached pictures give you an idea of the space. Yes! It is a disaster right now!!!
Please add your suggestions for Andrea's kitchen to the comments below...thanks!
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Comments (11)
Why not consider a combination - a freestanding unit on the floor and built-in cabinets up to the ceiling and some open shelving in between?
You might also consider shopping via Craigslist and/or your local Building Materials Reuse Center for pre-owned cabinets that will suit your space and will have already done their off-gassing:
http://ubma.org/
If you are going to do a build-in as shown, I would continue the crown moulding around the top perimeter of the cabinets to make them look more built-in and also disguise the jog in the back wall.
I love the look of a fitted cabinet below with open shelving above and would seriously consider it if I were in your place.
Instead of boxing in the fridge try having the upper square cabinets above the fridge run from wall to wall (with new moulding above). Then install typical base cabinets with counter top beside the fridge to the wall. In the opening between the upper and lower cabinets put shelving.
I think when deciding between open and closed shelving, you need to figure out how you live and be honest with yourself. When put up dishes or food, does it look nice and organized? If not, do you truly think you could start keeping it neat and organized on a daily basis? If not, you may not want the open shelving because your clutter will be showing as it is on your open shelving now. I understand price comes into it, but search for affordable alternatives (Ikea perhaps). If you're unhappy with your kitchen after spending money because you still see clutter, then the money wasn't well spent.
I would do all built in's....I would consider a pull out pantry in the left hand corner (assuming you have at least 24" depth). It would be nice to get the fridge away from the wall (so your doors don't hit wall). Go idea to get the french door fridage. Consider an 18" wide pull out pantry that is as tall as your fridge and then put a cabinet above it to give you storage for items you do not use too freqently. You will be AMAZED how much fits in those pull out pantries. Do cabinets over your fridge also. Then on the right of the fridge, I can't tell how much space you have...you could do two base cabinets possibly. Make pull out drawers! not doors! You will get soooooooooooo much more space...and then consider open shelving on cabinets w/ glass doors..will increase feeling of depth on that wall so you don't feel like it is a wall of cabinets. Consider glass tile for backsplash, or even better a mirror (will reflect light and again add depth). Have fun!!
I have a very small area and I just used IKEA glass door cabinets... you can use the 12 inch wall cabinets as floor cabinets and use the 6 inchrome legs to give any arie look. the key is the frosted glass doors. Or you might want to use the Billy Book Cases with the flowered glass white doors
see:http://mail.31islandview.com/cgi-bin/viewmail.exe?id=01de157a4a94f9f2b6302c14959421c17720&threadid=H624531069323710&download=5
The middle cabinets are 36 wide and 39 high.. stack 2 units on the wall for a very interesting look
Why not give yourself some more counter space while you're at it? I'd go with standard 24" base cabs with pullout drawer doors (to create a pantry), then a counter, then upper cabs to the ceiling in any configuration that makes sense. If you really want open shelving, could I suggest reserving a section along the right side? Would be a perfect place for cookbooks or wine storage. The counter would be a place to put down your grocery bags when you walk in the door.
I'm guessing you could do this for about $1,250-1,500 at Ikea, using a mid range cabinet and plenty of fittings. You could install it yourself or find an Ikea installer on Craigslist who would probably do it for $500 or so.
I'm biased against open shelves, mostly because we saute and pan fry a lot. too much grease in the air. though I admit they can look great if, and only if, you have exceptional pieces to display.
Shouldn't you be using metric? My Canadian cousins have no clue about Imperial measure's.
I'd put the fridge on the right (or towards the right), to get it in a deeper area to hide the jog and have it project less.
As was suggested above, I would look for cast-off cabinets. Who knows, you might find enough for the entire kitchen. I'm not sure if this limited diagram helps, but if you were facing the wall in question, my design would look like this:
ceiling
---------------------------------------------------------
Upper cabinets to ceiling or not
---------------------------------------------------------
Open Shelving
Refrig ------------------------------------------
Open Shelving
------------------------------------------
Refrig Long stretch of counter (also for desk top)
-------------------------------------------
Base cabinet(s) Under-Desk Area
Refrig
----------------------------------------------------------
floor
You could buy a comfy counter-height stool to use as a desk seat. It would also be a great a place to plop when you want to peruse cookbooks or chop veggies or even eat a quick snack. Good luck!
Ugh. That got really messed up when posted. I should make an effort to improve my (pathetic) computer skilz *lol*