I Hired 3 Designers To Redesign My Kitchen! 

In my opinion having cabinets come all the way up to the ceiling is great because then you don't have to clean the top of the cabinets :') which is always the place where grease and dirt end up bulding, and everything ends up sticky and gross haha

I love option #3, BECAUSE you have a dining room. Islands are often utlized for more open concept floor plans, and I think an island with your closed off kitchen is kind of a funky design. I love the idea of having a table in there, and utilizing the U shaped kitchen.

Omg I have so many thoughts and feelings! Creds - my mum's an interior designer who does a lot of kitchens and we just finished designing my new bespoke kitchen (it's going to be cornflower blue!!) so I have spent a lot of time thinking about kitchens recently. Here are my thoughts: - There definitely isn't enough room for an island. Bare minimum you need 1m of clearance between counters and both those renders had about 80cm behind the stove. If two people can't pass or you can't e.g. walk around an open dishwasher, it's terrible. Nice to have for sure but I think it's best to prioritise functionality. - I would do high cabinets on the dining room wall only. Putting them on the far side or wrapped around will trap the light and make the room feel so much smaller. I'd be much nicer to have open shelving around the sink/window to show off all your nice things, while the functional storage is less visually dominant, especially upon entering the room. - You can totally have a durable wooden countertop as long as it's sealed properly! - okay I'm drawing out a floorplan idea to have all the good bits as well as a coffee bar and spot to sit. I will DM it to you 😆

I love the yellow tones of the second kitchen, but I feel like the last design is the most functional. You can always change the aesthetics, but the layout is solid. While islands are appealing, it's cutting your actual kitchen in half. Remember that you're going to have to maneuver around the island. They're great for a larger kitchen, but it's going to make your space feel cramped and uncomfy to cook and eat in. I recommend letting your kitchen be a functional work space and have your beautiful dinning room be the main room for meals. If you're dead set on having an island, your idea of having an unfixed one is your best bet. You don't want to be stuck with something for years that you've shelled out a bunch of money for and won't be able to easily change.

My biggest worry about the 2 designs with the islands is that there wouldn't be enough space to stand in front of tbe oven with the oven door open. It feels like it would really hinder the functionality

I think the fixed island layouts make the kitchen feel really small and like it would be hard to have multiple people in there at the same time. The open layout felt a lot better and having a moveable island seems like the way to go to me ✨

“A table as an unfixed kitchen object” : YES YES YES!!!!! That would be so cozy and classic and beautiful!!!

you being bored by the white subway tiles is exactly why i love watching this series lol. love how much personality, colour, and intrigue you add to the house.

3rd layout is most usable and functional. They all seem kind of modern compared to other rooms in your house, though

I know this is random 🤔 but even though I’m not a designer, I am a 3D student. I’ve been watching you for so long and i feel like we have similar styles. I kinda want to design your kitchen in 3D, knowing a bit more about what you might like, gives an advantage. 😆 And if you’re actually interested, I would do it for free since it would help my portfolio! Thank you girl for doing these videos, I love where the house design is going, since you manage to mix your personality with the quirks of an old house! I don’t know if you’re even going to see this message, but I love you anyways! 🥰

My number 1 tip with upper cabinets is to ALWAYS go up to the ceiling!! I cannot waaaaait for this series omg. Also as other people have stated, watch XO, MaCenna - she just built her entire kitchen herself (cabinets, doors, island, etc). 💪

Do NOT put your fridge next to the wall like in the first two designs! I have that now and it’s the worst because the wall stops the door from fully opening making it really hard to get larger things in or out of the side of the fridge next to the wall. You want the fridge door to be able to open fully 180 degrees. Best of luck with the reno. Excited to see the final design 😊

If you like the framed art but want it to be more useful- maybe frame some family recipes and include photos of the product too? I think that would be cute in a kitchen!

They have "Kitchen Island Carts" / "Rolling Kitchen Islands" that you can move around, or in and out of, the kitchen. If you have space in the dining room, that could be where you store it out of the way.

the 3rd render was definitely the best layout wise, but they used WAY too many different colours/cabinets/shelves so it looked more slapped together rather than intentional. As for the vent hood, I know where I live you don't HAVE to have it vented outdoors. Mine isn't, but that is definitely something you would need to look into if you want to put your oven on that wall. Wood countertops are definitely a viable option as long as they're sealed well, and you take the time to refinish them if needbe, or epoxy them.

If you go for an art wall, you could feature your mug collection in it, dispersed on various hooks or tiny shelf moments throughout the other art? So enjoying watching your lovely home renovation! It’s delightfully colourful and refreshingly different ❤

If you want to keep the little window I think it would look very neat and purposeful with open shelving around it, kind of incorporating it as a bigger decorative shelf

Having just finished a renovation here are my two cents: map out island and cabinet dimensions in your current space (painters tape is great for this) to get a feel for clearances and size esp when opening oven and fridge doors, save your old cabinet doors if you can and use them to test your paint colors since you can move them around in different light and mimic cabinets better than just painting walls, pick your countertops first and then choose complementing materials or it becomes impossible to complement everything else, think about where you want things to be stored when choosing cabinets (drawers vs shelves etc). Anyways I’m sure there’s more but have fun with it! And yes go for color! I went with a deep teal for my lower cabinets and white for uppers and I get constant complements and even better the darker color on bottom is forgiving when it comes to dirt, spills, etc.

This is a great way to get a peek at different ideas and make sure you don't get stuck in one way of thinking about a space. None of these seemed like your style at all, but now I'm more excited to see what you have decided to do!

this is such a fun video, i totally agree with you saying that it s super hard to imagine a different layout once your brain kinda locks down on one, so this is super useful to see what other possibilities are out there!

1. Yellow color is so happy! 2. Wallpaper is also very happy. Don’t give up on that yet! 3. I love the versatility of my own unfitted kitchen. Not every storage unit needs to be attached to the wall. A hutch, pie safe, bookcase/or vintage wall shelf, a movable table can all add interest and functionality. 4. You are spot on re: too many textures competing in a smallish space - choose the textures that really resonate with your aesthetic. Then the happy vibe is guaranteed. 5. Whatever is above your faux ceiling could be a bigger factor in your design choices…it’s yet another wall to play with! Enjoy the design party you have invited yourself (and us) to…🎉❤😂

Consider making lots of drawers in place of cabinets, and a baking nook. The drawers are so much easier to access all of your stored items without crawling into the cabinets or removing things in front. I am going to add pull out drawers into the cabinets in my own kitchen. I absolutely love the baking nook! The kitchenaide mixer, blender, food processor, Emersion blender all fit easily in the nook and hide the items yet they are easily accessible. Also a pull out trash can covered with a cabinet door is really convenient.

You will never be sorry having an island. Makes entertaining so much easier for buffets, drinks and for people to sit at when you are cooking. Love the green kitchen one for sure.

For the style of your home I would love to see more none kitchen storage solutions like a big wooden hutch with more of a table type island using your sink (that only 1 did). I have butcher block countertops and they're sealed properly once a year and I don't worry at all about water staining or anything as it's easy ro fix when re sealing. I think they all missed the mark and didn't think if adding casement windows and beams to match the esthetic of your house.

I like the last design/layout but with different colors and definetely not that many textures. Honestly islands are great but they can make the room smaller so I don't know if it's worth it. I gotta add that the coffee/tea space in the first design was delicious!

I recently thrifted a copy of The Kitchn's cookbook which goes into depth about how to design a kitchen! One important thing that stood out to me was the triangle of sink, stove, fridge. The way these three elements are arranged in relation to each other makes a big difference in the utility of you space while you're cooking! I'd recommend their book for kitchen design inspiration. They also have profiles on various people's kitchens and how they use them!

You can treat and seal wood countertops so that you put wet things on them and not worry about damage. If you are really rough on them, they’re pretty easy to refinish and they look like new again!

I feel like the layout and moodiness of the third design, with your idea of a nice wooden table in lieu of a kitchen island, and the coffee bar and high cabinets of the first design combined would be soooo good!

Ideas: A spot big enough for all your spices that is right next to the stove and very easy to access. In a drawer or cabinet that is easy to reach. A small long skinny cabinet for cutting boards, baking sheets and other such items. Using a old hutch or antique for the coffee station with maybe a soft arm chair next to it since you mentioned liking to sit down when cooking in the kitchen. That had a removable and washable cover since it will be in the kitchen. One electrical outlet that also has USB so you can charge things without finding a brick. A small lighting moment that can be warm and dim so when you are first waking up, need to get something in the middle of the night or are getting ready for bed you can have a soft dim option instead of having the main lights on. Cabinets that go to the ceiling leave less surface for dirt and grease to build up and you can put the bulk food items that you use to refill the smaller containers. Maybe a window the length of your sink to add more light and to open up the space more. Designated pantry space that has enough room for the food you normally keep stocked.

Hello! The U shaped kitchen is definitely the most functional but also makes the room look larger. I think if you replace the (awful) wooden stuff at the far end of the u shaped kitchen & did your coffee bar there with open shelving for your mugs above it, it would look great. You could also consider making the coffee bar with no cabinets beneath it, so you could have stools there to sit & chat over coffee. A long, very narrow table could give you your kitchen island feel, whilst making it not fixed in place. I love your videos x

Definitely steer clear from wood countertops unless you’re prepared to properly treat it and maintain it regularly! I had them for like two years and I didn’t do a good job maintaining them and they got slimy, stained, mildewy and gross. I switched it out for a laminate that looks like wood and it gives the exact same effect but for way cheaper and way easier to maintain!

This was so fun! As a person with a kitchen island, that is the one thing we are going to remove/change whenever we redo our kitchen. It feels like we are always navigating around it or passing stuff over it and it becomes a clutter spot, especially if there are no outlets in it so you can use it as a prep spot. Also for things like knives, we put a magnetic bar up to mount ours above our prep counter and it has been so nice as a way to both get countertop space back and have it more open and accessible. Function is so important!

I love the third one. It suits the space the most and if you simlified the colors and textures to make it feel less modern, I think it would fit in with the house perfectly. The two designs with islands just make the space feel so small and weirdly oblong. If you really want an island for practical use, I agree using a table or mobile island would work better. Or, instead of going with a full U shape, you could do an L shape on the left and top walls and then use the right wall for a tabletop work space. That also might help the room feel more open.

We have an itty bitty kitchen in my house but ADORE our rolling butcher block thing. It functions like an island so well, can be moved and locked easily, and has a bit of storage underneath which is essential to our lives! love all of this creativity and can't wait to see how your kitchen emerges!

only 5 mins in but please consider a narrow, antique bakers table as your island. I've seen them left all wood and I've seen them with stone tops. Absolutely stunning and goes with the age of your home :) ok updates - I have so many ideas: quartz countertops would be perfect. They come in a lot of options and are very durable and low maintenance while still being a natural material. Also, look into brick pavers for kitchen floors; its such a historic look that would play off the wood beams well. A victorian "unfixed" kitchen all along one wall would be true to the home and give a lot of floor space. For the art wall, pretty aprons and aesthetic hanging cutting boards can be like art but also utilitarian. For the backsplash - look at "hand glazed" subway tiles. They're way more raw and natural. Paired with dark grout for contrast.

No matter the amount of counter space, it's always nice to have two pull out bread board/cutting board on each side of the cooktop. I use mine all the time, they are so handy, and then just clean and push back under the countertop.

Yes! Please get renderings done for the spooky room! 🤩

Dear Ariel: I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your videos, and not just because I am a reader, I like old stuff, and renovating older homes, your creativity, and how articulate you are, though that's plenty! I really like #3 myself. If the cabinets over the sink are too much, just put some shelves there; I agree about the door, I'd want something warmer, cork, or laminated real wood? And you can definitely make other choices for the back splash and possibly just paint where the wood is. And I saw an 80s hutch bottom turned into movable storage, with wheels. It would make a great island, and hold pantry or baking stuff. I am a green lover, too. Enjoy your process!

My home growing up had a table that was pulled out from the cabinets if we needed extra space. It is great! It was a slab of wood between the countertop and the cabinets, with a folded leg, basically we will pull out the slab (one end will stay connected in the space its stored), pull down the leg, and had a whole extra table to work on. If you want more details / it's not clear here, I can maybe try to draw it

I love the last one so much but with the coffee bar from the first design!! You are going to do such a good job no matter which one you choose!! Can't wait to see the process

Very exciting! As an old mom who has had multiple kitchens redone, (with a mom who designed and built houses) and is also a cook/baker, you need lots of counter space. You think you don’t, but no matter what, we always want or need more. 😁 One thing my present kitchen doesn’t have that I miss from my last custom kitchen is pull out lower shelves. Hardly anyone can bend easily and get to the items in the far back reaches of a lower cabinet. Save your back and help the resale value of your house and get pull out shelving in your lower cabinets. Also, keep the style you’ve started in the rest of your beautiful home in mind with your kitchen. It’d be odd to have everything a certain cosy, quirky aesthetic and walk into an extremely modern and cold kitchen. I love all the colors and creativity in your gorgeous home, and look forward to seeing your kitchen!!!

Oh, I hope there are wood beams in the ceiling! ❤ For the kitchen, I'd suggest a locking wheel butcher block type island. They're available in so many different styles and sizes. Also, looking at the third design made me wonder about considering the view straight through from the dining room and somehow creating a focal point in that spot. Maybe even a window there, for more light to travel through both rooms?

I LOVE the layout of the third design .. I think it’s the way to go in your own style!

I loved the first design having the sink at the back wall so as you enter, your eye goes right to the window/sink. Sinks are the anchor of the kitchen. Having your beautiful farm sink with the two flanking drain boards is the Star of the show! Let the drama happen there on that wall when you walk in. BOOM! Your eye immediately is delighted by that beauty of a sink at the far wall. The frig, microwave, and stove should be the supporting actors. In the 3rd design the eye is drawn to the microwave as an unintentional focal point. Lose the island and insert your cottage table. The coffee corner was the best use of that space and most attractive. IMO. It was an inviting charming spot with the open shelves to display your mugs plus all those drawers would be awesome for your vintage table linens and things. You might also want to mix in some glass front cabinets for China/stemware display in the main section on the dining room wall. We love your channel and I’m sure whatever you decide will have that unique Ariel touch!

if it’s just you in the kitchen, the island would fit fine, but having multiple people in the kitchen would be too cramped i think. Like you couldn’t walk around someone standing by the island. i’m so excited to see what you do with it!!

I’d love another sims rendition with your updated ideas of your kitchen!!

Please don't be afraid of wood countertops!! I have butcher block counters and it was the best decision I ever made, even though I was so scared I would regret it! Almost 5 yrs in and zero regrets! There are so many ways to finish them to make them waterproof but I just kept it natural and oil when needed. It is so satisfying to oil them! I am also not very neat and tidy, and I spill alllll the time. I have yet to leave a mark that needed sanding. The vibe they add is like no other. They are warm and inviting, timeless and go with every style or colour. I won't need to change them if I wanna paint or change things up. Please look into them, I truly think they would work so well with the rest of your lovely home!

You mentioned the Sims - it would be fun if you made a shell of your kitchen and uploaded it to the Sims 4 gallery and then we could all decorate it and upload our designs to give you some more inspo and ideas.

Ariel, I really cannot recommend a kitchen table that has wheels on the feet enough. We were kindly gifted one from a close family friend when we moved into our new apartment and it has been SO wonderful to have a space separate from the kitchen countertop to prep food, set groceries down on, etc. Our table also has foldable wings on either side so we can make it wider or smaller depending on our needs and we can move it easily if we want to since it's on wheels!

I think you should do this for the spooky room! Loved this video!!

My favourite design was the first one. I just love the layout and I think you could use that blank wall space for your many mugs by putting loads of little hooks on that blank wall. I also think an island would be very useful because you mentioned that you would want somewhere to sit in the kitchen and I think an island would look better than a bench and be more useful 😊

That first design with the green cabinets was fab. Also why more windows on that outside wall? Not needed. You’ve got two decent sized outside windows already, plenty for a room that size. Use that wall space as a gallery wall. You could even add a bench or cozy armchair to sit and drink your coffee.

We need that vibrant green kitchen! I have ceiling-height cabinets and they are brilliant - plus you don’t have to dust above them! But my kitchen is also tiny and I only have one wall of cabinets (two, actually, either side of my oven!) I wouldn’t put the stove next to the wall for accessibility - it’s a nightmare if you’re putting anything big in the oven! Also, bigger windows! Bring in all that sunshine!

Having rewatched, the first is still kind of my favourite; But I would move the fridge so it backs the outside wall! Move it about 5 feet so that the corner behind it has room for the microwave, blender and can opener. Move the island about 3 feet for the oven door is good. Can you take down the wall the living room shares? You can still make a coffe hutch just have access on both sides. Mug hooks and open shelves on outside wall there. I would like to see the window on outside wall become a glass door that can have a view from dining room or more windows. Olive grren on bottom cupboards and the yellow gold on top. You will know the right wallpaper for that wall when you see it. Maybe sunflowers? Use the rust colour as an accent. Copper faucet? Or brass?

Hi! So many thoughts and love how these three designers gave you different ideas. Am also a designer and recently redid our kitchen, moving from a galley style kitchen with a fixed island on one side (our old kitchen was a very similar layout to the second design you shared.) Guests never wanted to sit at the stools because the space felt so small… Also, once we removed the fixed island I realized how annoying and anxiety producing that long galley was. If more than one person needed to be in there it felt so crowded. Without even fully realizing it, we had basically resigned ourselves to only having one person in the kitchen at a time. Once we opened that up to more of an ‘L’ / ‘U’ shape we could have 2 or even 3 people functioning in the kitchen at once. Everything suddenly felt easier and the space felt so much larger. We included a small wooden island on casters with drawers and open shelves for extra storage and it is perfect! Just think through how many people you might want to be able to use the space at once before you finalize the layout!

The U shape is my favorite because I envision the other end of your kitchen with one or two wingback chairs and a round table for your cozy moment. A more traditional approach which seems to suit yourself and your home Have fun making it your own!!

Thank you for the lovely video! Personally, I think I preferred the last design without a kitchen island because that felt less cramped and looked like a better use of the space. I completely agree though that it was too many textures. Open shelving is very popular now but is a pain to keep tidy in the kitchen. I really like cabinets with glass fronts as an alternative. I cannot wait to see your kitchen renovation, Ariel! Best of luck! :)

Hi Ariel, I've been watching your videos for about a year and I love your quirky style and inventive designs! My initial thought is to go with a farmhouse style kitchen, with older and vintage pieces. Freestanding cabinets, a work table or island, a refurbished stove, an antique hutch or cupboards. Build all the storage you need, maybe have a pantry area for things that aren't used all the time, etc. You have a delightful style going; I'd like to see the kitchen reflect you and the rest of the house. Oh, and please, leave that wonderful pass through into the dining room! And have fun! Carolyn Schaefer Concord, Massachusetts

I really think that the pink layout with the u shaped "galley" style kitchen is very nice and the idea of a mobile kitchen island like a table or a cart that can be movable is a good idea. I don't understand why no one is putting in just a plain archway to the dinning room and the same to the living room. Are the doors required because of some sort of architectural reason? Also why not have a large picture window from the kitchen to the dining room? Then you can see your gallery wall you already made. Separating spaces is great but the kitchen can get lonely if you are cut off from the rest of the house. I will enjoy every single video you make Ariel. I love your enthusiasm and your passionate relationship with color in your home. I am not so brave but I like to see you play with it so happily!

I really see your kitchen being a colorful, french county, eclectic feel. Just very cozy and "cluttered" with a beautiful lamp in the corner for evening.

Ariel I'm literally obsessed with your outfit. I kept pausing to appreciate your shirt, top, trouser combo

Go with the U-shape design for the kitchen, please consider installing larger windows on both the side and back walls, and consider using quartz counter tops. Honestly, I'm not a fan of your colours but whatever you finally decide, it's your kitchen and you need to be happy with it. Good luck, Ariel!

I’m obsessed with wood countertops right now, I cook ALOT though so I’m not sure they’re practical but I’m really tempted…I love the warm cozy vibes they give.

I fully support the idea of using a nice table or something as an island, you'll be able to move it elsewhere is you need to, but it'll still add more counter space if you need it. I like the third design idea in terms of layout, but I like the sink and dishwasher taking up the whole short wall with the window, and then raise all of the cabinets up to the ceiling!!! I can't wait to see what the beams look like. I love the idea of having a longer window across the long wall, and you definitely have plenty of wall space to do that. The coffee section from the first design seemed to be on point with what you're looking for. Anywho, I can't wait to see the demolition video!!! Keep up the beautiful work Ariel!!!

Well, where to start. Loved the idea of a U-shaped kitchen as it gives lots of cabinet and counter space. Really liked the coffee bar option in the first one. Make sure you get pot drawers instead of just cabinets on the bottom, it will change your life. Also no open shelves near cooktop...constant cleaning. I like the idea of an antique harvest table in U-shaped design. Yellow kitchen felt like two corridors and not very practical. I also think tweeking of appliance placement is needed in U-shaped. Redid ours last year, it turned out great. All the best!❤

very fun to watch. I love a colorful kitchen. color-wise, the yellow was my favorite. however I think all the designs were either contemporary/farmhouse and I think of your house as more colorful victorian. I think the combo I could imagine for your house would be: yellow cabinets with dark hardware, polished concrete countertop, the layout from the first render with the coffee bar, an antique looking table to use as an extra work space, and probably adding some chunky base boards like you have in other parts of your house.

i love the layout of the last one, especially having the sink in front of the window, but i prefer the theme of the first (as well as the coffee station). I agree that there is a lot of wasted space in the first design and it looks unbalanced. and I do think that if you could include an island/ seating area would be great for when you have company!! especially since the kitchen is a separate room from the dining room/ living room. can’t wait to see what you come up with!! ❤

wood is totally fine especially if you clear epoxy the top :) you get that beautiful wood look and its durable :) also be cautious of fridges side by side on a wall and the doors being able to open fully . My husband is a cabinet installer and there are so many times that he has to re-design with fridges because the handles of fridges don't allow the doors to fully open :)

Ariel, you 1000% need yellow somewhere in your kitchen. It’s so lovely and warm. I agree that islands are so awesome and useful. We bought a beautiful butcher block island from ikea and is so great to have. Maybe something like that can be your pop of wood tone.

I honestly love the layout of the first kitchen (green) and that empty wall I would put french doors on and open it to the outdoors. This was great to watch, thanks.

FUN!! I enjoyed hearing your generous & honest critiques of both the +/-'s. What you brought up was well expressed & I could definately see/understand your points of view. Please consider doing this processing for your upstairs area. I totally enjoy your approaches whether on your books or decorating ideas & house renovations.

I like the layout of the last one but the cohesiveness of the color and materials of the first two.

For me and my style, I absolutely love #3 with certain minor changes. The cabinets are fabulous and like what I assume are double ovens on the far end wall. While #1 and #2 were ok, #3 felt welcoming (for me and my personal style). Looking forward to what you decide with your own style!!

I really like the 3rd design, in terms of storage and the placement. I think storage in the kitchen is very important if you want to actually have functional kitchen that you are cooking in etc. Great video :)

Two things! One they make vent hoods that don't need any external outlet! So they can go anywhere and Two the microwaves that are lower open like a drawer and you place your food in top down. It's actually much nicer cause you don't have to reach up and grab something hot plus you can see your food directly when you open it without having to take it out if its not done and needs more time.

Oh, my gosh. Ariel. Number 3 for the win! This is the one that makes the most sense, layout-wise anyway. I love the colors too. Lots of cabinets, lots of counter space. There are things I'd change (yes, the floor, that dark backsplash, and the few too many colors/textures and modern elements), and I'd add in more of the whimsical style you seem to love, but the layout scores. You could use a kitchen cart /cabinet for an island. They tend to be smaller and on wheels so you can move them around. In my opinion, the room is much too small for a fixed island. I'm not understanding the number 2 design at all. There's no storage space and no counter space. (I'm wondering if that designer has ever cooked.) Number 1 was too modern farmhouse aka too much like what everyone else has, and I don't see that in you. This was fun, and I'm sure whatever you do will be amazing. You've taken chances so far in the house, and the payout has been grand. I love your choices. Peace.

Best thing I’ve seen in a kitchen is a kitchen island … on wheels with breaks ! So functional so easy to move ! Might blowing

This is getting me so excited to see more kitchen videos! I think the layout of kitchen 3 is the most functional, but agree that there are too many textures, ect. The black is so heavy compared to the whimsical and dreamy vibe of the rest of the house. Something similar to the color vibe from 2 would brighten up 3 so much. Adding a peninsula on the end cabinet right by the door on 3 would help the lack of the island for sure. Can't wait to see more! 💛 Something else to consider that the first two designers did is that those double door fridges against a wall are very cumbersome! You lose a lot of access to one side by not being able to actually fully open the door against the wall and can even damage the wall over time.

They went super modern with the designs! I love the rust and green colours in the last one.. definitely add lots of windows for lighting & views! I think there’s an opportunity for some open shelving for mugs and plates, it opens up the space a bit more. You could also find some eclectic tile as a backsplash, it would look really nice & give a vintage feel. You can also find kitchen islands on wheels and that would work out in this space!

I love the first design, I would put in full length windowed doors on the righthand wall and make a patio outside the kitchen, and put tiled floors in the kitchen and patio to make a indoor/outdoor feel (my personal dream, idk if it would work with the layout of your house)!

i do love the last design the most, but i liked the coffee nook from the first design!! instead of having the wood thing from the third design in that area, i think a coffee nook (with windowed cabinets so you can see your mugs without them getting super dusty) would be really adorable

That's so interesting. They don't seem to be to scale. There's not enough width for countertops, island and space around. Definitely do a to-scale floorplan and then use painter's tape to outline stuff in the room.

Dear sweet Ariel, thank you for inspiring me and making me feel brave enough to finally tackle decorating our house. I had been stuck in analysis paralysis combined with massive fear of messing up since we bought it in 2021. I've since painted a room black, yes BLACK and I'm adding actual colors to the rest of the house! I'm not a fan of white on white on white on gray on white etc. You've shown me that it's ok to take the chance and add the color! Just do it!

I vote U-shaped kitchen w/ca peninsula table at the living room end! Also, it sounds like it doesn't really appeal to you, but gosh does that vined white marble feel to me like it is going to be the great datable future of our times. It just feels trendy and statement. And it's everywhere.

Yes, please, do a video like this with designs for the spooky room. 👏 I agree that there are two many textures in the 3rd design, but the U-shape definitely seems like it would be the most functional. In the first design, I’m surprised they didn’t put in patio doors on the outside wall for more light.

Ooo, oooo, oooo I LOVE that third one! The rich colors, warm and comfortable. Every element just flows. Plenty of counter space and cabinets! Wow! You could replace that black tile with a stone or pebble one. Make the wood cabinets in the door corner cream like the cabinet next to it. I have a stainless top high bistro table in my kitchen for my island.

COULD not click this fast enoough!!!! THANK YOU ARIEL!

a combo of the first and 3rd design would look so cool and functional! I love the green cabinets in the third design

Open window suggestions, a model train that goes through. It could carry stuff or simply be for the whimsy

Love this! I think I really need to do the same thing for when I do my kitchen reno. It seems like it gave you a lot to think about and consider. I plan on doing butcher block countertops - you have to care for them a bit more, but also if you bang them up a bit, you can refinish them. And the "don't put anything wet on the wood countertops" experience is only bc the guy probably didn't want to re-oil them. I will never understand marble countertops - especially WHITE MARBLE. If you want that to last and not get stained, you'll have to have a plastic film put on top. I'm glad you're thinking of tiling a bit - be sure to tile by the stove/sink because there's a lot of splatter from those areas and tile is much easier to wipe down than drywall/paint.

My thoughts/modifications on the yellow kitchen: use the art wall and instead hang a mug rack, a magnetic knife strip, and cutting boards. That way you have storage but as "functional art".

Love this! I think the third one makes the kitchen look so much bigger and uses the space so much better than the first two in my (unexperienced) opinion. Counter space is so important. I do like the appley green you suggested!

Quartz countertop is the bomb. No maintenance and man made but look like stone.

I think the small space at the end of the kitchen would be perfect as a small bistro table with a lovely window to bring in the light. Morning coffee for two, or intimate chats

I actually really like the style of the yellow kitchen as I feel it's more in keeping of the style of the rest of your house. I feel the other two, although beautiful, are a bit ultra modern. I can't envisage Jane Austen scuttling around making tea in them 😂

That last kitchen is GORGEOUS. I was going to say instead of an island, find a nice old wood table😂

I'm so happy to see another Ariel video!!!!🎉

Your choice of sink is awesome. Green kitchen: I like the look of high cabinets instead of dust collection on top; also like the microwave on the island and out of the way, I think they spoil the look of many cute kitchens, like your idea of another window on the outside wall. Yellow kitchen: I like the color and the sink, the right side of the island looks cramped in the first photo, and those pointed corners on the wooden shelves I don't like and the lower ones many a head will hit if too low. Pinky kitchen: Best layout, don't like the black backsplash, like the cabinets and so many...better use of space than the other two islands (I'd be turning around and feel like the islands were in the way), don't like the box with the microwave in, would rather have a stove with an oven than a wall oven (my experience). No refrigerators too close to a wall. Yes, this was fun and yes, would like to see more with another room.

I don't have opinions about the designs, but I want to say I LOVE the way you speak about them. You have clear opinion/taste, but you express it politely (I get the impression that, say, if *I* had some design choice in my kitchen, you aren't saying it is bad-- you're saying it is not for you). I'm so excited to watch you do this project!! It will be awesome and quirky and fun!

You could do the u-shaped kitchen and order a small island on wheels. My cousin got one from Amazon and she unlocks the wheels and can push the cart out of the way. The coolest part is: when she host parties, she loads up the island w the food and can move it whereever as a food station. So, for your layout, you could put the food on the cart and wheel it into the dinning room and use it as a buffet.