Help with kitchen config...

bubbs147

This is a picture of the kitchen in the house we are in contract for:

 

 The cabinets are solid wood, but have been poly'd very recently.  The countertops are laminate.  We will be buying new appliances and doing something about the countertops.  Any ideas?  I would really love a double oven, and perhaps a separate cooktop.  In this picture, the dining room is to the right, the family room to the left, and a breakfast nook behind the viewpoint.  Would you put the cook top on the counter surface facing the dining room?  Stack double ovens and microwave in the current oven space?  Any other suggestions? Thanks!

 

TarHeels&Rebels

We'd need to see the other side of the kitchen to really say.  What's on the wall by the photographer?

Unless this kitchen doesn't function correctly, I wouldn't be racing to rip out what's there.  Then again, I'm really risk averse and construction averse these days after spending thousands of extra dollars on projects gone wrong.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You can get a quasi-double oven if you get one of the ones that doesn't have the drawer at the bottom and uses that instead for another oven.  I also don't see a spot for a wall oven in the current layout unless you want to hire a carpenter and build new cabinetry, but maybe there is in the other view.  (It won't work in the current spot because, ya know, you need cabinets to put it into )  For countertops, it's totally personal choice.

 

Mrs Acorn Blue

I'm not sure how easy it would be to put in a cooktop in your current layout.  You need wiring and venting, neither of which it looks like you have.  You also need a place with wiring and venting and cabinetry to build in a double oven.  The most logical place would be where the fridge is currently but I don't know where that would go then.  I'd stick with an all-in-one type stove where your current one is and get a venting microwave hood to save space.  You can do whatever you want for countertops...laminate to granite.  I personaly like solid-surface in a darker finish with cabinets like you have.  

emjacobs13

Tarheels rec'd the oven I was going to.  The problem with adding a cooktop somewhere else is you have to make sure that it is vented properly to the outside which might not be easily done depending on the layout of the house.  You would also probably HAVE to replace the countertops then.

Personally since the kitchen looks 100% workable as is I would:

1) Buy appliances ONLY if the seller is taking them or there are appliances that don't work.  Only buy the ones that you have to for now. 

2) Paint.  You would be amazed at how much a coat of paint can change a room. 

3) Rustoleum Countertop Transformation kit for the laminate.  They look to be in good condition, I'm just not a fan of really light countertops. 

4) Either paint (shudder) or stain (  ) the cabinets. 

Mrs.G123

I agree with pps that there is no logical space for a double oven. Get a freestanding double oven instead. The cabinets appear in fine shape. Paint/stain them and put in a new counter. It is a great space. Congrats!