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The MN lessons learnt kitchen thread.

427 replies

jollydiane · 02/09/2012 12:58

I have read loads of kitchen threads so here is my conclusions.

  1. Plan for where you bin is going to go.
  2. Handless kitchens look lovely but can wind you up.
  3. Floor Tiles look stunning but can be a bugger to keep clean.
  4. Splash-backs are very practical for cleaning and can look stunning although some of you think they look naff.


What else should I add to the list before I make my purchase?

The one area I'm really stuck on is flooring. I want something that I can use my lakeland steam mop on (another MN suggestion) which I love.
OP posts:
raspberryroop · 02/09/2012 13:04

Love my reycling bins in the cupboard !!!
Cull your kitchen now and see what you really need to store
I wish I had gone ahead with 2 diswashers as although it takes up space you can still 'store' crockery in it.
Be honest with yourself about what type of house keeper you are ie - open shelves are very stylish but take quite alot to keep clean all the time.

partystress · 02/09/2012 13:16

Exposed brickwork is a bugger to clean and attracts spiders (who are, moreover, camouflaged and therefore even more Shock).

partystress · 02/09/2012 13:17

Oh, and if you have space for crap on top of your wall cupboards, crap will materialise to fill that space.

EdMcDunnough · 02/09/2012 13:25

I'd go with tiles every time - if you move large items, like replacing a washing machine etc, the vinyl will sometimes get ripped or dented by the feet and then you have to do the entire floor again.
Don't ever have brick effect tiles, or anything else rough as they are impossible to clean.
Ceramic sinks will discolour and scratch fairly quickly, I never realised this.
Don't oil your wooden worktop before attaching/sealing in the sink. Silicon will not stick to oiled wood.
use the wood sealant/hardwax from Howdens (Uni-something) not the ronseal worktop oil or plain Danish oil, neither of which is any use.
Chipboard will eventually rot. Wood will last much longer so if you can afford it, build in or buy or even make (I did) your own cabinets from solid wood.
It's an investment and I'm sure mine cost less than chipboard anyway.

EdMcDunnough · 02/09/2012 13:26

Oh and tile the floor before you put in the cabinets. That way if you decide to change them (or have to change them), you can keep the same floor and change the layout without having to knock up all the old tiles and start again because there are gaos where the old cupboards used to be.

EdMcDunnough · 02/09/2012 13:26

gaps

CarpeJugulum · 02/09/2012 13:26

Similar to poster above, cupboards all the way to the top.

Gives more storage, and means that you have a "where the hell can I stick this" space (and cuts down on areas to clean).

jollydiane · 02/09/2012 13:35

Thanks - re tiles, I want to like them but the risk of grotty grout is really putting me off, and it seems that underfloor heating is usually need unless you wear slippers Wink and I'm not old enough yet for slippers (just)

OP posts:
EdMcDunnough · 02/09/2012 13:49

Ours aren't cold at all. They are ceramic, we don't have underfloor heating.

I guess it depends on your floor - I think our kitchen is raised up a bit compared to the rest of the house, so has some thick foundations or something that stops it getting too cold maybe.

The grout I used is grey to start with so it doesn't show any dirt. I would not have white grout anywhere on a floor - cream, or grey, every time. It looks fine, seriously. And we have lots of muddy boots and pets in and out of ours.

jollydiane · 02/09/2012 13:52

Thanks EdMc - I hadn't thought about coloured grout.

OP posts:
MousyMouse · 02/09/2012 14:02

yes, tile the whole floor right up to the edges. will also help to keep the slugs out.
get a few extra parts, for example door handles.

PodiumOfWinners · 02/09/2012 14:14

It goes knives, forks, spoons

trixymalixy · 02/09/2012 17:20

Undercounter fridges are very annoying. Eye level, or even full height if you have the space, is so much better.

It goes from left to right, forks, knives, spoons, the way you would lay them on the table. Anything else is just plain wrong!!

jollydiane · 02/09/2012 19:15

There is an order or a kitchen draw??? Don't you just feel really smug if you can get the draw closed in the first place?

OP posts:
tunnocksteacake · 02/09/2012 19:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mathanxiety · 02/09/2012 19:35

Leave yourself space for a mud room or some huge cupboard that can function as a closet for boots and shoes and jackets and coats galore.

A nice big pantry cupboard is a necessity.

I agree about the grey floor grout if tiling, but I would always use wood on a kitchen floor, with yacht sealer or some other very strong sealer to keep the wood from staining and to aid cleanup.

YYY to cabinets extending all the way to the ceiling. You don't get the smelly, sticky dust up there that you would otherwise, and what you put there remains out of sight and clean.

A backsplash is a necessity. Cupboard for the bin ditto.

Leave room for a desk for yourself and keep a good big family calendar there. Put in bookshelves for your recipe books and other papers.

goldmedalmother · 03/09/2012 22:59

One thing I don't get is range cookers. I find it really hard to get hot food/ trays safely in and out at that level instead of an oven that's higher up. Am I missing something?

Gentleness · 03/09/2012 23:35

Everyone loves deep drawers for crockery and all sorts.

A plan for tea-towels in use. A proper plan that doesn't involve a year of asking dh to use rawl plugs.




(And it is knife-fork-spoon - the way you say it).

mathanxiety · 04/09/2012 05:29

yy to knife-fork-spoon

MousyMouse · 04/09/2012 08:47

no, it's spoon-knife-fork

ArbitraryUsername · 04/09/2012 09:04

In our house it goes spoons, forks, knives. So there!

ArbitraryUsername · 04/09/2012 09:05

I don't like higher up ovens. I'm short and they're always position too high for me to get stuff in and out easily.

I also hate high cupboards. What's the point of having shelves that I need to climb on the worktop to get to?

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stealthsquiggle · 04/09/2012 09:12

Deep drawers for crockery and saucepans are the best.

Open shelving is a stupid idea

However many sockets you think you might need, double it.

FishfingersAreOK · 04/09/2012 09:15

spoon fork knife.

senua · 04/09/2012 09:25

Oh, am I doing it wrong? My cutlery tray goes starters, mains, pudding.

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