Kitchen remodeling software. Anyone have recommendations?

[truth2power]

I'm thinking of remodeling my kitchen, down the road. My kitchen is very small and I have practically no storage space. I would like to put in a dishwasher, which will take away a huge chunk of what little space I have.

My cabinets have a soffit (I guess it's called) above, which is just dead space, and I think to make the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling would add much needed storage.

I have ideas of what I could do to maximize the limited space, but I need to be able to figure it out visually, move things around etc.

I've looked at the 3d home improvement software at the store, but I'm really confused as to what's good and what's not, and don't want to purchase on impulse.

Need something not too expensive ($40.00 or less?) and user friendly. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance. :)

[Longhorn]

1. We tried the 3D software several years ago and it wasn't bad.

I'm sure it's better now. Check out the various titles at amazon.com and the reviews. For example: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001GU7K6/qid=1134153704/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-6537809-1734449?v=glance&s=software

By the way, before the furrdowns are removed, make sure they aren't concealing pipes or AC ducts. Sometimes they're dead space and sometimes they aren't. I have cabinets that go to the ceiling in my utility room. I do store stuff up there but then I forget about it because it's so out of reach! I also have cabinets with open space above. It's a clean look but the top of the cabinet also becomes a major dust collector. I've come to believe that furrdowns aren't such a bad idea after all!

[truth2power]

2. Hey, thanks for the input, Longhorn.

I clicked on that Amazon link and there's good info there. Will check out more later.

I hadn't thought of there maybe being pipes etc. in the furrdowns. I don't think that's an issue in this case, but good to know.

I've had pretty negative feedback, overall, from my idea to extend the cabinets to the ceiling. Same as you said; things are out of reach (and I'm short, which doesn't help matters).

On the other hand, I could use the top shelves for things I don't use every day, or use once a year (holiday platters and such). That would free up space where I'm cramming things now, under the sink.

Designing, when you have limited space, really taxes one's ingenuity, as can be seen by all the "Storage for small spaces" books that are out there.

[NMDemDist2]

3. check out the software on the Ikea site

it may be helpful


http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/complete_kitchen_guide/planner_tool/download/index.html

[Stinky The Clown]

4. I'd suggest Visio

I'm not sure there's a flavor in the $40 range, but it is great for what you want to do. I use a costly pro version for my work designing commercial kitchens.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/visio/prodinfo/default.mspx

[Warpy]

5. I'd think very long and hard about that dishwasher.

Unless you're cooking for kids and generate a lot of dirty dishes every day, they're generally not worth the space in a very small kitchen.

One thing you might consider is a drop in dishwasher, usually in a single stainless unit as part of sink system, takes up about the room that a double sink would. They're quite small, good units for singles with tiny kitchens who absolutely insist on having a dishwasher.

[wildeyed]

6. The free design program on the Ikea site is fun.

I also get help from friends here :)

During my last kitchen remodel, I just went to Home Depot with the kitchen measurements and someone there helped me lay it out. She was actually very helpful and the service was "free", at least until I purchased several thousand dollars worth of cabinets.


I think extending the cabinets to the ceiling is a good idea. Like you said, you can put the stuff you don't use everyday up there. I also keep folding steps in the little space between the fridge and the wall and just whip it out when I need to get something from on high.

I think they make a mini-dishwasher that is like a deep drawer. That might work well in a small kitchen and save on your water and power bill, too. You could still have a small cabinet for storage underneath it.

[NMDemDist2]

7. how's the bathroom coming? did I miss the pics? n/t

[wildeyed]

8. No :-(

We are just really busy. My husband almost mutinied last weekend when I insisted on re-grouting late in the PM. But we are so. very. close. Just the mirror frame and light fixture to go. Will post ASAP upon completion.

[Old and In the Way]

9. Here's a great little 2D drawing tool - freeware.

http://www.apperson.org/cadstd/

The CadStd Lite should be a freedownload.

You can scale and dimension (lines and angles) the drawing. It has layering features. It exports to .dxf format, too.


Does floor plans, but no library of objects with the free ware.

I use it for doing some of my building/landscaping projects

[amerikat]

10. 18" wide dishwasher

my sister has one like this. it works great but its only 18"s wide.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=APPL&pid=02217252000

edit to add: 18" built in dishwashers are also available.