Forum Discussion

Seasoned Novice

14 years ago

Hanging microwaves & other kitchen objects

The kitchen is a very important part of the home. In real estate, the kitchen can be one of the major selling points or a deal-breaker.

So why not have even more customization / variety available for our kitchens?

Hanging / Suspended / Built-in Microwaves

First off is the space-saving hanging microwave. It can be attached to a small upper cabinet as in this picture:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt6aasIZi1qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Or be built-in to an upper cabinet like so:
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt64jEQ5Y1qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

For less expensive versions one could simply be attached to the bottom of a regular hanging cabinet like so:
http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt6fbgoOC1qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Then we have the ones that can double as a range hood and be placed over a stove:
http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnsx8jQph81qhfuqwo1_500.jpg
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Built-in Range Hoods

Moving on to Range Hoods. The current one is a free-hanging thing that doesn't look very pretty.
So how about we look at the before version of the previous image and see the range that was there instead of the microwave.
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnsx62FZ4S1qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

I would love to see range hoods built in to cabinets to make them fit with the kitchen better. Perhaps they could even double as fire-alarms.
Here is an example of the hood in my own kitchen (my father built the cabinets out of solid oak).
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnsxklGI851qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Lower down view of the same range and cabinet. Taken with a different camera so the color doesn't show up as well. This shows a fake tile backsplash with oak shelves above to hold the spices. You can't see in the picture, but there is an oak panel extending from floor to ceiling on the backside of the shelves- it essentially looks like an oak wall (I didn't take a picture because there is a curio cabinet up against the oak so it is hidden).
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt5xx7ZB51qhfuqwo1_500.jpg
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Pantry

For dried goods and items that don't need to be refrigerated. I don't think I need a picture since I believe we had a pantry in Sims 2.
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More variety and sizes of upper cabinets

Upper cabinets that extend all the way to the ceiling (as seen in the above picture).

Upper cabinets that fit above a window. (Please ignore the ugly ceiling-- rented the place out and tenants saw fit to destroy just about everything). It isn't turned on in the picture but there is a light on the underside of the cabinet over the window. It's currently broken so I couldn't turn it on.
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt6yvbxzw1qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Cabinets over refrigerators would be nice as well. This one shows a cabinet over a refrigerator in an open space.
http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/9/7/8/8/ar125277279788795.jpg

Here is the cabinet set up to go over a refrigerator against a wall.
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt75w9hy71qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Here is the set-up for the appearance of a built-in refrigerator.
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt7cfpFSX1qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Cabinets surrounding refrigerator:
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt7lslG131qhfuqwo1_500.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lntrsy8AD31qhfuqwo1_500.jpg

Then we can have refrigerators with covers to make them appear to be part of the cabinetry.
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnt7stfUhX1qhfuqwo1_400.jpg
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Built-in large appliances

Built-in dishwashers and trash compactors(don't think I need an image for that). There could also be dishwashers, trash compactors, and ovens covered to match the cabinetry.
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Diagonal counters and cabinets
Currently the counters/cabinets don't seem to be able to work properly if there is a diagonal wall. It would be nice if a counter and cabinet could be against a diagonal wall and still link up properly with other counters/cabinets.
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnta04XmaY1qhfuqwo1_400.jpg
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More counter top styles

On that note, it would be nice if counters and cabinets could link up when going around an outside corner.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/9e2d0e758f1557e66f32ecde7f3a0742/tumblr_lnt9gyyWmn1qhfuqwo1_r1_500.jpg

Countertops that line up with large stoves and large appliances would be great. Some of the stoves come up at the back while others are just flat. It doesn't seem that the current countertops actually line up with them. It would also be nice for a stand-alone countertop that is not attached to any cabinet to be able to be placed over objects like a dishwasher or trash compactor. I think there may currently be one in game but it does not line up with countertops from other cabinets. It would be nice if it were made to line up.
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Mortar & Pestle

Instead of using a blender, low-tech Sims could use a mortar & pestle instead. It could have the animation of the mixing bowl but have the same bonuses as using a blender.
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lntunoP9Ku1qhfuqwo1_250.jpg
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Laundry stuff for kitchens

Stackable washing machine/dryer-- because some kitchens have them.
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Lighting
Recessed lighting would be good for kitchens.
Lights that fit onto the bottoms of cabinets would be great as well.

That's all I can think of for now. If anyone has more suggestions or images to share, please do so.

Edit:
Onavie suggested counter-height mini fridges (both standalone and the kind that fit under the countertop). Great idea!

Martialrocks suggested built-in ovens without cooktops.

Do we currently have cooktops without ovens?

Idea

suceress
Seasoned Novice
11 years ago
Thank you for the replies. I think that if they modified the animations somewhat to have the arms extend to the target in a sort of automated way instead of having to map out all of the movements in a specific animation sequence it might help. I know there are some 3D programs out there that let you set joints and you can grab say a hand or foot and move it to a specific location and the joint rules dictate how the limb moves. Its hard to explain.

I believe there is at least one cooktop that is separate from an oven but I think it is a store item. I can't remember for certain-- some sort of Japanese grill?

Separate cooktops would be nice.

I agree that it would be great if range hoods / cooker hoods were included in basegame-- and not just the kind with the ugly vent duct.

I haven't seen the concept art for Sims 4. It would be awesome if they do have pantries.

I just hope that the objects in the basegame are not as sparse as they were in Sims 3. Sims 2 had a lot more items to offer in basegame.
Katlyn2525
11 years ago
There are a lot of things I would like for the kitchen. I like to build and decorate. Some have already been mentioned:

1. Hanging microwaves.
2. Double ovens.
3. Wine racks that fit into the counters.
4. Counters and islands you can angle and/or connect in different styles.
5. Sinks you can place on islands.
6. Cooktops you can place on islands.
7. More range hoods in different styles.
8. Mini fridges.
9. Bar sinks.
10. Hanging paper towel rack.
11. More kitchen clutter such as cookie jars, matching canister sets, fruit bowls, crockpots, small potted herb plants, etc.
12. Cookbook shelfs, nicer dishes to display, pot and pan racks, wine glass and glass racks, potholders and matching towels, etc.
13. Matching appliances and matching small appliances in complete sets
14. Being able to use the top of the upper cupboard as a shelf for plants or display items.

I have more, but that is enough.
frozenorangejui
11 years ago
I would love it if when you had a food processor you didn't use it for literally everything. It looks so dumb when they are making a salad and they throw everything in the food processor. The game should know which recipes to use it for and which not to.
GhostBirdofPrey
11 years ago
Upper cabinets have always been a sore sport for me. Sims 1 and 2 didn't have them and the ones in 3 are basic, I definitely want to see upper cabinets that only reach halfway down to put over fridges and to put range hoods or microwaves (better yet I;d rather them be context sensitive, just like they automatically turn onto a corner piece when at an intersection, I'd like them to convert to the smaller model if I bit a fridge under them.)

Better counters would also be nice, diagonals and outside corners would be great, but I am also missing good breakfast bars. In sims 3 the ones we have don't always link up well with the non bar counters, and we only have single level designs, none of the ones where the bar is at a higher level than the prep space.

Kitchen islands are also tricky since the counters aren't really made for it. It can be done decently, but they still always seem a bit awkward.

Last I second your appliances in cabinetry. That seems to be a popular option these days because it looks good. I would also add support for under counter fridges, they aren't as common as full sized ones, but they exist, some are drawers rather than models with a door, and we have never had wall ovens, double or otherwise.

As for stacked washer and driers; I want to see those too, but I am not sure I'd consider them a kitchen item per-se.
Drinabug
11 years ago
We are!

http://honeywellsims4news.tumblr.com/post/61878734495/ripped-concept-art
acordyia
11 years ago
I love these ideas,I like the idea of pantries too. Oh and stackable cabinets with glass fronts.
Katlyn2525
11 years ago
Drinabug wrote:

We are!

http://honeywellsims4news.tumblr.com/post/61878734495/ripped-co
ncept-art

No, that is just concept art. It doesn't mean we are really getting it, although I wish it were true. Remember the girl in the concept art picture they did relating to Star Wars. She was sitting on the arm of the sofa. People liked it and were hoping and/or thinking that it was in the game. It was later confirmed that it wasn't by one of the Guru's. Concept art does not mean game reality.
suceress
Seasoned Novice
11 years ago
Thanks for the responses. I really do wish that islands and regular counters could hook up together well. I've seen kitchens where some of the cabinets are against a wall and then they wrap around to be double-sided as they go in to the room.

GhostBirdofPrey, in some places, the washer/dryer are in the kitchen. Probably because of the convenience of the proximity to water lines, drains, and vents. (Plumbing drains have to be vented in order to keep the pressure equalized since they use gravity to move waste). Basically having things closer saves on materials-- although potable water supply lines must be above waste lines and have to be at least 12 inches away from waste lines to avoid any risk of contamination should breaks occur.

Also, I love your idea of the cabinets that change according to where they are being placed. Of course, it would be nice if you had the option of say Shiftclicking them and setting them as corner, standard, shorter, taller, etc. I've noticed that the corner cabinets in game sometimes don't want to go in to corner mode and it is annoying.

The ability to merge counters and cabinets at a 45 degree degree angle or 135 degree angle or 180 degree angle would be great.

I really would love to have more variety in countertops. I hope that for Sims 4 you will be able to choose different tops for different counter bases. And the ability to add the little raised portions on back and sides would be nice-- perhaps we could adjust the height.

Frozenorangejuice, yeah, using the food processor for salad doesn't make much sense unless they are mulching up carrots or something.

Katlyn, I love your signature image.
Kairikata
5 years ago
> @Suceress said:
> The kitchen is a very important part of the home. In real estate, the kitchen can be one of the major selling points or a deal-breaker.
>
> So why not have even more customization / variety available for our kitchens?
>
> Hanging / Suspended / Built-in Microwaves
>

Bumping because 9 years later, most of these things are functions now except for the hanging/wall-mounted microwaves!
corner counters are things, rounded counters are functional & different sized cupboards are available! (regular, short, tall & cornered - but still obviously just for décor).