When deciding to renovate your kitchen, one major consideration you need to take before even starting to make a floor plan is your appliances. A large number of factors will be affected by the appliances you choose.
Range Combo or Separate Cooktop
Although most people have a stovetop/range unit in their kitchens, don’t forget about the possibility separating the two: of having an oven in one spot and a stovetop somewhere else. You may be able to make use of space a lot more efficiently with a separately placed oven and range.
Consider Different Appliance Remodel Possibilities
One setup is to have the oven placed raised up slightly in a cabinet unit. A raised oven means easier access to putting things into and out of the oven. Cabinets with storage can be placed above and below the oven. Handy access to pots and pans can be placed in a drawer style cabinet directly under the oven. A microwave can also be put into the cabinet unit which is great when cooking with both microwave and traditional oven.
The stove top can be placed in a separate cabinet area of the kitchen with cookware stored in cabinets directly underneath. With a separate cook top you have the option of installing one with the exhaust fan built in. These types of fans are often situated in the center of the top. They create a down draft by pulling the air into them from the surrounding cooking area. They are usually vented to the outside through the wall from underneath the cooktop. Some room is taken up underneath the range top for the fan apparatus, but it saves room above the range where a traditional exhaust fan would usually go. If you find hood fans an eyesore then downdraft venting will be a good option for you.
Several factors may affect where you place your appliances within your floorplan. Depending on the type of fuel you choose for your oven/range, you may need to run a natural gas line to the area. Outdoor factors may limit the number of places you can run the gas line and need to be taken into consideration. The venting/exhaust fan may also be limited in its situation because of placement of the vent outside.
Once you’ve decided on range unit or separates, you need to decide on what size you need. Ranges and cooktops vary considerably in size. Before you can work on cabinet sizes, you need to know the exact dimensions of the appliances you wish to put in. Fridges and dishwashers also come in differing sizes and need to be decided upon before going further.
These decisions need to be made before working on your floorplan and layout. Take the time to properly decide on the kinds of kitchen appliances that would work for you and your family.