Our Kitchen Now...

Here is our kitchen as it stands now (March 1, 2012):

Unseen, one central light above the island provides the majority of the kitchen light.

One recessed in the soffit lamp illuminates the sink area, while the microwave and broken CD player offer mediocre under-cabinet lighting.

The cabinets to the right of the stove do not have the convenience of under-cabinet lighting

The kitchen has served us well in it's capacity for the last 21 years and while there is nothing functionally wrong, it could be improved.  Storage space is at a premium due to inefficient design, some of the appliances are finicky (the dishwasher racks are rusting while the control board is dying, the microwave is old, improperly vented, heats unevenly, and causes wireless connection issues whenever it is turned on), the cabinets have drawers falling out, and the cheap imitation tile linoleum floor is peeling up.

Inside the under-cabinet sink, a code-violating switch for the garbage disposal.

This heater below the sink cabinet is hardly functional and the linoleum floor has looked unclean (despite frequent washings) for the past 15 years.

The space wasted by the soffits above the cabinets turns the pantry into a "stuff overflow zone".  The wire racks waste space and some are failing under the weight of their contents.

In the basement stairway, an unfinished broom closet frees up some pantry space, but has no door or means to secure the brooms, dustpans, and other items.

While we are grateful the kitchen has served us this long, it is long overdue for a change.  This coincides perfectly with the low finance interest rates, we have refinanced and taken some equity out to refurbish the kitchen and plan to start remodeling in April.