Kitchen update - where to start?

[Mrs. Dinero]

I would like to start with a new counter-top and back splash. What if we have to replace an appliance or a new sink down the road and the new ones won't fit? Just upgrade those now too?

Anyone been through this?

[Gardening Grandma]

Not updating, but after building a new custom home, our refrigerator died. The space for the refrigerator had been designed to fit very snugly and we wondered if we'd be able to find a new one that would fit as well. The new one fits better and looks like it's built in!
If you need a new sink now, I'd get one. If the current one is OK, then I would not worry about it as long as it's a pretty standard size. I think dishwashers are pretty standard, so would not replace it unless needed. If your current stove/range is a standard size, I would not replace it unless it was old.

[NancysSummerSip]

Yes. We ripped out our entire kitchen to the bare walls, though we did not move any of the walls, or pull a construction permit for major renovation. But everything, from paint, to flooring, to lighting, plumbing, counters, sink, cabinets and all major appliances, were replaced. We did a lot of work ourselves, but did have a plumbing and electrical contractor, because wiring and plumbing had to be rerouted.

I bought the sink and counter to fit together, so they would look good and to avoid leaks. My question for you is this: If you did the counter first, and the sink much later, how would you get it to fit in? Not saying it could not be done, but I'd ask a kitchen contractor that one. I did not like my old sink, so it was a moot point for me.

[Mrs. Dinero]

Good advice about the appliances, I'll look into their sizes and see if they are standard. Forgive me for asking, can a dishwasher just be moved out without removing the counter-top? How does that work? I'm thinking soap stone for a counter top.

Thinking about the sink now and it should be replaced. I'm not a fan of the color and it seems like the two should be done together. Thanks for the tips!

[alabamagal]

I would replace the sink. Sinks are not that much money, and you will have to pay to have it removed and then reinstalled, you might as well get what you want. Especially if you want a different size sink.

We got new counter tops/sinks a couple years ago. We had a double sink. I liked the one that my mom had that had one large side and one small side, but when we looked around, we found a single sink that was the size of double sinks. We love it. We don't wash dishes by hand, so it is the best money we spent.

On the stove, look to see if you have a "standard" stove. If you do and you like what you have, keep it, and you can easily replace later.

[Gardening Grandma]

can a dishwasher just be moved out without removing the counter-top? How does that work?

Yes, we've done it. DH is pretty handy and he had no problem.

He also replaced the sink in our old home when we put it on the market. Just picked the same size. Took him about an hour to replace it.

[zibazinski]

Have you thought of replacing the cabinet hardware? I had some yech white cabinets that weren't even wood and adding those and replacing the kitchen fan to match as well as painting the kitchen a darker color made a HUGE difference.

[Mrs. Dinero]

Hardware was switched immediately after we moved in 6 years ago. Then we painted the cabinets. Now the countertop & backsplash look outdated. The kitchen is huge with a breakfast nook. It has hardware floors throughout. I like the layout and the cabinets are in good shape.

[Gardening Grandma]

What kind of counter tops do you have in mind?

[Mrs. Dinero]

Soapstone (black), white subway tiles for the backsplash. If you google "soapstone kitchen counters" you can see plenty of images that show the hardwood floor, black countertops and white cabinets. It looks clean & classic. Hoping it will stay current for at least 20+ years. haha

[Gardening Grandma]

Sounds beautiful. I wish we'd put in a contrasting backsplash.

[sheilaincali]

My education is as an Interior Designer-- if you are going to replace the countertops- do yourself a favor and replace the sink and the faucet. It is a real pain to try to add extra holes for a different faucet, or cover up holes if you go from a multi hole to a single hole, etc.
Most countertop people will want the template out of your new sink and faucet so the openings are accurate. If you have a stove top that is in the countertop take a look at that too. If it is going to need to be replaced make sure it's a standard size so you can slip a new one right in down the road.

FWIW-- I LOVE the look of dark countertops with the subway tile back splash. That's exactly what DH wants to do at our house. But since I spent a couple of years with a company that makes custom concrete countertops that's what I will be using. I have all the tools and equipment to make those here at my current job so my cost is pretty minimal.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'm jealous! My kitchen has really old/breaking cabinets, carpeting! and old appliances.

I'm not a fan of subway tile but to each their own!

[mtntigger]

One thing that nobody mentioned was if you have a cooktop (instead of a stove/oven unit). Cooktops are not standard sizes and are a PITA to replace. A 36" cooktop can range from 35" to greater than 37.5" and the widths vary also. So, if you have one of those, replace it now.

To answer your question, dishwashers are easily removable and you don't need to touch the countertop to replace them.

[Mrs. Dinero]

Our stove/oven is standard size. It's in an area of the kitchen that is separate from the main counter area. I plan on taking my time with replacing that.

Good news about the dishwasher.

The faucet & soap dispenser we bought not that long ago and they tie into the hardware.

I'm getting excited. These have been great tips. Thank you!

[Mrs. Dinero]

What would you recommend for the type of sink? Stainless or porcelain? We have a porcelain double sink with one side being smaller right now. The smaller sink has the disposal. I use that side for waste and the other side for washing occasional dish.

[8 Bit WWBG]

It is precisely for this reason that DF want to wait until we can do a total kitchen remodel before we do anything. A new dishwasher might be in the future, but anything beyond that and I feel like we'd just have to redo it anyway.

[sheilaincali]

If your oven/stove isn't set in the counter top then you should be ok. But- if there is counter top on either side ask about the expense of having that cut down in the event a new oven/stove is larger down the road.
You can re-use the faucet that you like- they will just need measurements for the hole that get drilled into the counter top.

I like the simplicity of a nice stainless steel under-mount sink myself. But a white porcelain would tie in nicely with the back splash.

[Mrs. Dinero]

I just started looking at sinks and I'm already overwhelmed. I like the under mount look. What would look the best? Stainless, white or black? I need to start looking at some pictures.

[Mrs. Dinero]

Dang. A lot of these pictures have the farmhouse style sink in soapstone too. $$$$$$ uhhhh!! They run around $1k

[Mrs. Dinero]

Stainless looks great too. Thank goodness.

[sheilaincali]

The problem I see with the Farm House style sinks is that they can start to look a little fad-ish. They are all the rage now- but what about 5 to 10 years from now? That's why I like the simplicity of a nice stainless under-mount. They have some decent ones at HD and Lowe's. I have seen a few in the $200 and under range. Not sure what your budget is for a sink (I am more used to the frugality of WIR so I tend to think "inexpensive" when it comes to things like this).

[Deleted]

I accidentally set fire to my countertops last year so we did a partial remodel. I had already replaced the stove. When you say yours is standard, what size is it? Is it a drop-in? I guess you could say mine was standard, too, since it was replaceable. But it cost me $1000 for a rather basic model that only came in white or black/white. I went with the b/w since most of my appliances are white, but it offered a different option.

We did formica countertops (70 linear feet so it was all we could afford). We did glass mosaic tile for the backsplash. It looks awesome.

I second replacing the sink and faucet. The only extra money is for the sink and faucet themselves. Installation is included since they have to remove it/reinstall it. We got a cast iron sink (white) with a low separator. The sink along with the backsplash are the prettiest features.

I wouldn't worry about faddish. It is all going to go out of style soon enough. Make sure that is is classic, fairly neutral, and clean-looking. I didn't replace the 90s almond countertops because they were ugly. They were fine. Accessories dressed them up. That's what neutral does for you.

My kitchen is less neutral now, but it's ok (shades of creams, tans, light browns, etc.). By the time we ever sell, even granite would have been out of place. Besides, why put expensive countertops on top of old cabinets?

[suziq38]

I just replaced the counter top with granite. I had to buy two slabs, and they cost me $800.00 each.

The color is a sandy brown, with a lot of colorful streaks in it.

I ordered an eased edge, and the edge is really thick.
I bought a heavy gage stainless steel sink, and it was fairly big.
The cost was $225.00 for the main sink, and $100.00 for the small bar sink.
I bought them at Pacific Sales.

I bought a Sears cook top, and I think that it was about $800.00.
I back splash I choose was 4 X4 tumbled travertine, in a slightly lighter color than the granite.

I also had someone come in and sand and re-stain the oak cabinets.
They still look great!

I also had the handyman redo the shelves in the pantry.
I replaced the old shelves with new put-out ones from IKEA. You pull out the drawer shelf, then push it back lightly and the drawer closes by itself.
My kitchen looks good.
I will stop for now, until I have a bit more money

[TrixAre4Kids]

Suziq38: Who did your granite install, Pacific Sales?

ETA: Nevermind, I see they are mainly in CA, darnit

[commuter]

We are updating some our kitchen too. We did granite, additional lighting, stained the honey oak cabinets to a darker color, new stove, sink, faucet, microwave that vents out of the house, and new tile back splash. Its not finished yet, but pick what you like since you live there! Would love to do more, like the master bath, but need to save some more cash first.

[TD2K]

I'd love to go with an induction cooktop but the prices have to come down.

[Deleted]

I had a thought on microwaves I wanted to share: built-ins look sleek and elegant but they're very expensive to replace when they go bad because of installation costs. In my last house the built-in broke down and I looked at the prices of microwaves and thought it would be relatively cheap to replace it. The installers were there a couple of hours and it definitely was not cheap.

Our current house had a combined oven/microwave and the oven went bad. (Only a builder would buy something like that-and not for his/her own house.) The whole darn thing had to be pitched. We installed a standalone oven and had a carpenter build a shelf in the alcove above the oven (with an electrical outlet, of course) and bought a microwave to put there. So you may want to buy a standalone microwave.

[Deleted]

In our current house, we have a cooktop on an island with a wonderful high-tech ventilation fan in the form of a vertical panel that rises up out of the cooktop when you push a button.

After this discussion, though, I'm not looking forward to the day when the cooktop needs replacing- it was installed in granite custom-cut to fit it!