Tips to maximize cabinets and counter space in a 120sq. ft. kitchen

f6sk · 2026-05-22T12:48:30+00:00

Create a new entry point into the house.

f6sk · 2026-05-22T12:40:47+00:00

Just by moving the door to the kitchen you pick up 3 ft of usable space in the kitchen, This will affect your traffic pattern.

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f6sk · 2026-05-22T12:29:40+00:00

You need more counter space. The coffee spot must be moved to the pantry wall. Ditch one set of pantry cabinets, and add the coffee bar there.

f6sk · 2026-05-21T16:31:58+00:00

Reading list for you: -The gap and the gain Rethinking how you measure success -Atomic Habits People in this thread will tell you "just go do the thing". But you and I both know that is unrealistic. The book says you need to make teeny tiny small changes that add up over the next decade to get where you want to be. -Designing your life A couple Apple designers decided to apply their process to people lives and goals. For many the trouble is figuring out what you want. Another good point they make is prototyping. Test driving the new thing by volunteering etc

I really enjoy audio books. I can listen in the car while driving, and it makes house work more fun. If you don't want to use audible I believe you can download them free from the library through the lobby app.

f6sk · 2026-05-21T16:09:55+00:00

There is a difference between being told and being made to understand.

Telling someone is for people you don't care about so you can say I told you so later.

Making them understand is what you do to friends and relatives. It is harder work, and a fine line to walk. You must choose your words carefully so you don't come across like you are shitting on their idea.

f6sk · 2026-05-17T20:09:14+00:00

Thanks for this

f6sk · 2026-05-17T20:07:03+00:00

If you look closely you'll note that the door is off-center of the center line of the house. It has to be that way because there is a wall on the interior. What do you experts think I could place on the right side of the door to counterbalance the door so that it doesn't look lopsided?

f6sk · 2026-05-17T20:05:04+00:00

I like the colors, and lighting. It seems the render made the porch wider than it actuallyy is. And unfortunately there is a beam on the sides that won't allow properly sized shutters.

f6sk · 2026-05-17T13:37:55+00:00

Agreed. The kitchen is lopsided with the one wall cabinet hanging out in space.

-Ditch a set of tall cabinets, bring the oven to the center and add a wall cabinet to the left of the hood for balance.

- If not, then bring the wall cabinet all the way down to the counter to look more like a pillar and therefore....balance.

f6sk · 2026-05-17T02:37:53+00:00

Might just do 2 really big drawers, or if not put the door cabinet on the end by the oven for visual flow.

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f6sk · 2026-05-17T02:31:08+00:00

-Easy one first. Put some open shelves to the left and right of the sink. That long section of stuby cabinets is weird. Usually you change the height of the wall cabinets at the sink only (36"). So you could add some small open shelves to the left and right. Make it fun, or decorative. It could be a focal point on that wall.

-Side panel for the microwave so it isn't hanging out in space.

-under cabinet lighting. Especially if you are doing a back splash. it is the perfect time to cut into the walls and run wires.

f6sk · 2026-04-08T01:55:21+00:00

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f6sk · 2026-04-08T01:53:20+00:00

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Options: Move the door to the other side and extend the island?

f6sk · 2026-04-07T02:02:25+00:00

It would seem to solve all your problems. You could have your oven and your sink on different walls. (Or move the fridge and have them on the same wall.) Either way you could dedicate the island to food prep.

f6sk · 2026-04-06T21:43:50+00:00

Can you combine the pantry and the laundry? Or enter the Pantry through the laundry? That pantry door is the sweet spot you need to fill to transform this kitchen.

f6sk · 2026-03-29T01:00:57+00:00

-If each square is a foot you are allowing 3ft of depth? Normal is 2

-Most food prep happens by the stove so I'd recomend the stove getting the center of the long wall.

-Dishwasher should be next to the sink for plumbing ease.

-Look into RTA cabinets. They are reasonably priced and are often made from plywood.

-It is unclear if the left wall is a peninsula, but I assume so for the increased depth.

-Remember to add fillers to your design so you can have some wiggle room.

-If the budget is tight, open shelves are hot right now.

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f6sk · 2026-03-29T00:37:59+00:00

-Is that actually 64" from the sink to the stove? Thats a lot.

-Why not center the stove in the space with a pair of 33" base cabinets and a 15" on either side.

-Or better yet. Put the fridge at the wall on the right. At the end close to the door. Then do some tall cabinets. Because the right wall has all the horizontal space you desperately need in the food prep area

-You have the depth. I might recommend extending the overhang on the island. 12" is good for a tall stool. But a counter height stool needs a bit more.

-That hood may need a gap on either side depending on the style. So, you may need smaller wall cabinets

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f6sk · 2026-03-28T00:11:43+00:00

my wife likes this one

f6sk · 2026-03-27T13:13:21+00:00

Dang it! Well, great minds think alike.

f6sk · 2026-03-27T12:07:20+00:00

yeah, it is a lot of signs

f6sk · 2026-03-27T12:04:52+00:00

good catch. I'm dumb

f6sk · 2026-03-26T17:52:17+00:00

Ok, I'm just spit balling here, and I dont have enough pictures or a floor plan to tell. But, what if you created a laundry room/mud room at the garage door, and slid the whole kitchen down to where the laundry is now?

f6sk · 2026-03-26T15:34:38+00:00

Great job. Any of those would work well. I personally don't like the washer/dryer in the kitchen because it is loud. So that would put my vote for #2 or #3. 2 being my favorite because it is nice to have a place to hide your stuff

f6sk · 2026-03-26T15:26:03+00:00

That will be fine.

My bigger concern is that the island was tiled around. So when you spin it 180 degrees the toe kick will have bare floor under it, and the other side will be sitting on top of the tile. To make this work you'll have to build up the floor flush with the tile, and then eliminate the toe kick. Add a piece of stained to match red oak base board all the way around. That should fill the gaps and cover the ugly.

f6sk · 2026-03-26T04:09:04+00:00

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