Including an area for baking preparation is a great addition for your kitchen

“What’s a working good height for an area where baking prep will take place?”

A baking center is a great idea, and it normally is set at a lower height than the usual counter height of 36″. Depending on your particular needs (that is, if the primary user is unusually tall or short), it’s common to have the height at 30″, with the width in the 36″-48″ range.

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This tall, Shaker-style cabinet is crafted in traditional inset construction

“Is there such a thing as frameless Shaker style cabinets?”

Well…while it is possible to build them, perhaps the real question is “How would they look?” Generally speaking, it’s a conflict of styles. Take the vintage, old world Shaker style, but manifest in a contemporary construction. Like putting mag wheels on a Model T.

Now, don’t misunderstand, we’re not saying you shouldn’t do it. After all, it’s your home, and if you like it, then that’s all that matters. Seriously.

Want to weigh in with your opinion, feel free to add a comment! We’d love to hear from you!

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A scooped-cut drawer can fit under a cooktop, but check with your appliance manufacturer regarding clearances!

“Can a drawer fit under a cooktop?”

Depending upon the appliance manufacturer, yes! It could even be possible to put a 3- or 4-drawer base under the cooktop. The top drawer will almost certainly be reduced in height, but still fully functional. Any drawers located beneath the top one may require a special treatment as well, but we have built them to fit!

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Consider the height of the user when determining the proper height of your vanity

“Shouldn’t the height of a bathroom vanity be 30″?

Well, excluding NBA centers and Triple Crown jockeys, the answer is “Maybe.” The 30″ height is standard, yes, but let’s think this through a bit. The sink is used from a standing position, and a comfortable working height (i.e., washing hands and face) would have the countertop height at 2-3″ below your elbow height. That means a six-foot man could comfortably use a vanity at 43″ tall! But, with multiple individuals using one vanity, a compromise would have to be reached!

So, some suggested vanity heights to consider:

• Men: 37″ – 43″
• Women: 32″ – 36″
• Children: 26″ – 32″

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Allowing for a proper width walkway is key to successful island placement

“What is the minimum suggested walkway next to a kitchen island?”

If you turn your body sideways, suck in your tummy, and can just squeeze through, you’re good. OK, completely kidding there…(Although, there might actually be a house out there with a layout like that!) Anyway, the recommended minimum is 36″. If you have 42″, you will find that to be more comfortable in the long run.

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A black painted island makes a strong visual statement in this Early American kitchen

“Having a hard deciding: Should the kitchen island match the cabinetry, or be in a different color?”

Though there is no truly wrong answer, some thoughts come to mind:

• With larger kitchens, having a contrasting/complementing island helps break up the area visually.
• If your cabinet runs tend to be straight and uniform (same depth, same height), an island in a different finish adds appeal.
• A kitchen that gets an above-average amount of light could benefit from an island in soft complementary color.
• Cabinetry in a dark stain or paint works well against a light colored island, especially in smaller kitchens.

The bottom line, of course, is go with what you like. Search the web (or, say, our section on custom kitchen islands!), flip through magazines, and soon you’ll feel more comfortable about the decision.

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The four drawer bank consists of all slab style drawer fronts in this Shaker-influenced kitchen

“Large Shaker style drawer fronts: Should they be slab style or resemble a door with stiles and rails?”

If you are interested in coming as close as you can to an authentic Shaker design, then stay with the slab style drawer fronts. However, the wonderful thing about design is that it is all about you! If you prefer the look (and many, many clients do) then by all means, have your drawer fronts made with stiles (those are the vertical pieces), rails (the horizontal) and panel. And speaking of panels: Depending upon the size of the drawer front, you might prefer a raised panel in the frame, instead of a flat panel.

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An old adage to think about as you pull your kitchen layout together:

“Build the cabinets to fit the cook, the shelves to fit the supplies and
the kitchen to fit the family.”

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Careful measuring will result in great fitting cabinetry!

“I’m measuring to see how much room I’ve got so I can design my layout. How close should I measure to the door and window casings?”

You  can measure tight up to the casings, but it doesn’t mean that you have to use every fraction of an inch. (Though you can if need be!) You will at least know how much space is available. However! Bear in mind that if you intend to change your casings, get the measurement of the new casing so that you can take that into account.

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Can't fit the microwave near the oven area? Look to the fridge!

“I’ve tried many different arrangements, but just not happy where my microwave ends up!”

While the most common arrangement involves placing your microwave near the oven area, sometimes things just don’t fit the way you’d like. Here’s an option to consider: Microwaves do extensive duty re-heating leftovers, thawing frozen food, etc., so explore the area near your refrigerator for placement.

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