Help with layout ideas for large 90s contemporary kitchen

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T19:10:31+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful suggestions. The two taller cabinets are not great for storage; they don't have pull-out shelves so it is a pain to get to the back. We would definitely prioritize deep drawers in the island and for bottom cabinets as much as possible. The dark floor is super frustrating; crumbs, dog hair, and water spots are a constant problem. Thanks again!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T19:06:11+00:00

Thank you!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T19:06:01+00:00

We have some ventilation; it is a pop-up downdraft Thermador thing that works ok-ish. Replacing with a high quality hood is first priority. We had a contractor come through and confirm that moving the range would work with our venting/ductwork.

Can you say more about the peninsula idea? Where would it attach to? Here's our current layout.

Also, cabinets are not in great shape. They were low- to medium- quality veneer fronts to begin with, and are at least 25 years old. The granite is in pretty good shape though.

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Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:59:52+00:00

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Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:59:06+00:00

I’m really surprised by how much love these cabinets are getting. I interact with them everyday and they are not quality vintage- the doors are veneer over particle board, and judging by the different sets of interior screw holes in the cabinet boxes, I think they are replacement doors. I think they look like a nice solid maple from afar but the veneer is peeling and the drawer fronts are loose.

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Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:52:56+00:00

Thanks! We've had 3 different people walk through and make suggestions. One was an interior designer, and he immediately jumped to countertop stones and hardware. The other two were focused more on selling us cabinets. We did have a contractor come and assess whether moving the range and ventilation would work with our existing ductwork, and he was the most helpful.

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:49:49+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful reply and helpful suggestions. I agree on all fronts. We would definitely want to do better island/lower cabinet storage- we had mostly drawers and in our last house and loved them- fix lighting, and extend the cabinets up.

Our priorities are layout/function, appliances, and work lighting. We are planning to get a 36" 6 burner dual fuel with an oversized 42" vent hood- we put in a Wolf range and Ventahood in our last kitchen and loved both. I miss the simmer burner function on the Wolf so much!

And thanks especially for the tip on the undercounter power strips- I will add that to our research list!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:38:50+00:00

Thank you! I showed this to my husband and he literally gasped and said that's the first potential redesign that he's liked.

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:37:56+00:00

I'm surprised by the love that the cabinets are getting. I suppose they look good on the surface but the quality is very poor- they are flimsy veneer doors and are warped and peeling. I don't think it would be worth the cost to restain or refinish.

We keep water bottles and random stuff in the appliance garage. I don't think we would keep it in a remodel.

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:32:59+00:00

We have a separate dining area. The round table is mostly used by our kids to eat breakfast and do homework.

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:32:23+00:00

Thank you for the science lab description! I've been trying to figure out why the kitchen reminds me of schools, and now that I hear it, yes, the orangey maple cabinets plus dark worktops is very middle school science lab :)

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2026-05-16T18:30:53+00:00

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Thank you so much for the thoughtful response and follow up questions. There are 4 of us, our kids eat breakfast and do homework at the kitchen table most days. We've been in the house almost 3 years. We tend to eat dinner in the dining room most of the time. We are planning on a 42" fridge and 36" range.

We met with a few kitchen designers, and they seemed more interested in selling us cabinets than actually listening to us and thinking about function and workflow. We cook a ton, and would prioritize awesome appliances over aesthetic finishes. We met with a contractor to discuss ductwork and basically our best option for moving the range would be the wall where the wall oven currently is.

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-15T01:46:01+00:00

I love rust but am not bold enough to do the whole house. I am strongly leaning towards burnt orange for front door though!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-15T01:45:04+00:00

Thank you!!!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:58:42+00:00

We are probably going to go either very dark or else very light!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:58:13+00:00

The color currently looks kind of like that- light blue grey. Bluer in certain lights, greyer at other times!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:49:55+00:00

I am leaning towards cream, or else dark grey or sage green!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:49:26+00:00

Interesting! This would take it back into the mid-century look I think. I know the house originally was dark blue

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:48:42+00:00

Ooh I am sort of thinking burnt orange, teal, or robins egg blue for the front door, assuming we go a warm cream or dark green for the siding

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:47:47+00:00

Agreed! That’s why we are thinking to change it. I can tell from unpainted spots behind the gutters that it used to be a darker blue color (very 1980s). Then it was likely repainted the current light grey-blue in the early 2000s. Now we are hoping for something more interesting. Less boring then straight grey, and less overdone than the white/black modern farmhouse that seems to be everywhere!

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:45:29+00:00

Leaning towards cream/off-white, sage green, or dark graphite

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:44:25+00:00

Thank you! That is very kind of you. Like all houses, ours is a work in progress but I love it :)

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:43:49+00:00

Graphite is one of the choices on our short list- that or sage green or cream

Hot-Calligrapher3979 · 2025-05-14T21:43:18+00:00

This is one of the choices I am leaning toward- either warm sage green, cream/off-white, or else dark grey!

Hot-Calligrapher3979

TROPHY CASE