I have cabinets where the openings are not wide enough to insert my cookware. My refrigerator does not fit in its cabinet sticks out into the entry from the family room. I don’t have enough counter space and my dishwasher is in a very inconvenient location. There is no kitchen seating and the “bar counter” has no ledge. I even have a top-load washer and dryer in my kitchen, which is competing for both my time and space.

All that is about the change. My husband and I are now embarking on a journey into home remodeling. I am a little nervous because we don’t really have the experience, but he assures me that it will all work out.

We have one other problem too — lack of serious funds to finance the remodel. We can spend on a few things, but we are going to have to make due with the existing cabinets. Luckily, we already have new or newer appliances, which include a gas stovetop. It is not ALL that bad. We are going to get a new sink, flooring and rely mainly on paint and reorganization for the rest.

The major changes are mainly going to be low cost ones that will improve the usabilty of the space:

(1) Open up and remove the single wall (tongue and groove) between the kitchen and family room
(2) Rearrange the cabinets/island to include seating, as well as work space
(3) Add a pot rack for more storage
(4) Remove doors and center stiles from several cabinets to create open shelving, so I can reach and store my cookware. Add extra shelves to some cabinets.
(5) Move dishwasher and refrigerator to create better use of space. Remove clothes washer and dryer from the kitchen, and reinstall into carport area.
(6) The last step in the process will be installation of some new lighting. This is bound to be a more pricey piece, between the rewiring and the fixtures themselved — but still very necessary.  Our lighting is terrible right now!  We will plan it now, but complete it later.
 
I apologize in advance for the likelihood of fewer than normal posts during this process. Stay tuned for progress… ~ Aloha