New kitchen... Help me plan 😊

[mumtosp]

Hi all,

We will soon start building works on a 6m back extension that is going to be our new kitchen and family room. I need to start planning the kitchen.... It's exciting and confusing at the same time

Right now I cannot decide between Howdens and IKEA ... I was pretty much convinced with Howdens and then I came across some old MN posts about ikea being better....

Also, I cannot get my head around the world of kitchen floors !! I want something that will not cost the earth and that is easy to maintain.... I am not fussed about wanting authentic hardwood floors....

I must add that I have always rented and this would be my first home as an owner and I am absolutely rubbish at diy.... So I am hoping for a lot of hand holding from MN :)

TIA....

[Parietal]

there is not much in it between howdens & ikea - pick whichever does the cupboard sizes & doors you like. we had second nature, who I think have more choice of sizes than Ikea.

buy a couple of magazines, look through for what you like & cut them out.

and post a floorplan if you want proper advice.

[livingthegoodlife]

A friend of mine had ikea (and loved it) and was talked into Howdens by her builder in her new house and doesn't rate it as much as her previous ikea one.

Another friend is a very wealthy (multi millions) property developer and he uses ikea in all his houses and also in his OWN house, i think if its good enough for him then its good enough for me.

I went for ikea cabinets, but then Franke sink and tap, real granite work tops and Fired Earth tiles and flooring.

I have white/grey fake wood tiles on the floor from fired earth, they look lovely and are super durable and easy to keep clean. plus the slight pattern hides dirt!

[mumtosp]

Attached plans.... It shows the existing layout and the new extension.
Please ignore the current layout... That's just what the architect has depicted. I really don't want a 6m long kitchen... I would rather have something L shaped to break out the room....

[smellylittleorange]

OP we now know your address! Perhaps report your own post and repost with it blacked out or something?? looks lovely btw

[Believeitornot]

Yes get rid of that picture!

I also know that part of the world very well, have family there

[mumtosp]

I know i know!! Big mistake ... Have already reported my own post :)

[YetAnotherHelenMumsnet]

Hi there, the plans are gone now, hope that's okay!

[mumtosp]

Thanks MN!!

[limesoda]

We did IKEA, but are in n. Ireland, where we don't have howdens. We are doing everything ourselves though, and I think it's ideal for that. I looked at an online handmade company, and the kitchens where lovely, but in the end I wanted to be able to do a bit more with the insides.

As @livingthegoodlife has done, we used the savings to get a solid worktop, quooker boiling water tap, and decent appliances.

As for flooring, we went for Harvey Maria vinyl (or as I call it, posh lino). We have underfloor heating, and I run a catering business from home, so wanted something super easy to clean. After being a bit of a wab about solid wood, I actually decided on wood effect, and I lurve it.

[shovetheholly]

I'm going for a new kitchen and I'm going IKEA. My aunt has Ikea and it looks fab - MIL has Howdens and it is nice, but not as modern looking. It's not wearing well either, but this may be because MIL is rather heavy on things in the kitchen!

I love the name 'Harvey Maria' vinyl. Made me giggle properly that did.

[mumtosp]

Plans attached again.... without the personal details

[mumtosp]

any inputs on layout also welcome :)

and thanks for the inputs so far....Ikea seems to be on the top for now!

[WishICouldThinkOfACoolUsername]

I LOVE my new Howdens kitchen - but I've heard that the quality of fitting makes a big difference - my joiners were fab.

Layout - drawers are more important than you'd think, double the number of sockets you think you need.

[namechangedtoday15]

My only comment is the hob on the island. How wide is the island unit? Do you envisage people / children sitting at the island whilst you cook? It looks from the plan that it is quite close to the stools. I'd be wary of steam / oil spitting especially if you're having children sitting at the island.

I'd be tempted to put it on the run of units you have, further towards the back of the house - you have plenty of space.

[mumtosp]

namechange what you see in the plans is just an initial idea put down by the architect.... I definitely don't want the island to have the hob.... I would rather have the island for extra storage and as a breakfast bar.... not even sure I will have an island if I have a L shaped kitchen :)
we are still trying to figure out the layout of where everything should go...

[namechangedtoday15]

Oops sorry, thought you'd asked for feedback on the layout!

[mumtosp]

namechange I do need layout ides.... but imagine the extension as a blank canvas as opposed to what is already there... sorry didn't mean to offend :) keep the ideas coming... very helpful!

[mumtosp]

also, for flooring, what are your views on Karndean and Amtico ??

[thisisbloodyridiculous]

Why don't you go visit some showrooms? I'm doing an extension and new kitchen too and only after visiting half a dozen different showrooms demonstrating different layouts did I choose what I like best.

I'm using DIY kitchens - cheaper than IKEA and way better quality.

[mumtosp]

We have finally decided to go with Ikea, Quick question for those of you who got kitchens from Ikea: did you get Ikea to fit it out or your builders??

[GoofyIsACow]

Im following this thread as we are planning an ikea kitchen at the minute! We had amtico in our last house, it was fantastic, my PIL's have karndean and it hasn't worn well at all... Could be the fitting of course but it looks a mess.

[RaisingSteam]

Good advice on kitchen layouts and their ergonomics here and here, of course you have to adjust it to your room.

For instance in your kitchen that might mean a longer island with both hob and sink, and tall storage units on the back wall. That might give you room to organise the seating a bit more nicely so it faces the garden or fit in a small table and chairs.

[RaisingSteam]

and more here

[dynevoran]

We fitted our own IKEA with a little help from dp's uncle who did our bathrooms. So id say get your builders to do it rather than IKEA fitters.

[mumtosp]

Thanks all!

Raising those links were very helpful! Thanks :)

For those who got IKEA kitchens, did you also go with the appliances or get your own?