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Property/DIY

Kitchen help

40 replies

ipredictacarrot · 07/06/2021 16:34

I've asked for advice on here before but have since completely changed the layout for my new kitchen. Would appreciate some advice on the following - upstands vs splashbacks - can you have both and are glass splashbacks any good? Are built in microwaves any good - I like the idea of keeping it off the worktop but seems too high up if built in. Layout doesn't allow for a radiator - it is a south facing room and opens to dining room which will have a radiator. Will this be enough? Are the 2 full height cupboards next to the fridge out of place - could change these to wall and base units but feel this worktop wouldn't be used much so better to have extra storage. Also having a nightmare trying to pick colours/ worktop but I'll worry about that another time! Thank you

Kitchen help
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CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 08/06/2021 16:46

I went with a large glass splashback behind the hob, but upstands everywhere else. I love the glass splash back, looks great and easy to clean. I fitted one larger than the hob (ditto hood). The walls are painted in dulux diamond matt (so easy clean). Looks great and works really well!

I’d be worried about the lack of radiator, I bought a bathroom style thin tall one which keeps my towel and dishcloth, etc dry. If you’re concerned could you install ufh?

I’m not sure about the 2 full height units next to the fridge in your pic, I’d be tempted to see how it looks with the fridge in that space (looks too close to the windows atm?). Without the fridge next to them they’d look great though. Definitely agree about the extra storage there vs worktop.

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ipredictacarrot · 08/06/2021 18:35

Thanks for your comments. There are top boxes that can go above fridge freezers which might make it look less out of place..? I have tried the fridge at the other end of the units but feels too far away from the main kitchen. Not sure it would look any better in the middle of the tall / base units.

I could fit a tall radiator next to the window if I reduce the window size slightly, but then the window would be off centre. Considering ufh but don't want to spend more money!

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CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 09/06/2021 20:28

I think my concerns with the fridge freezer were more it would feel a bit too close to the window. If the FF was the same depth or less than the other units that would help, and the overhead units you mentioned might work great. I’m not sure sure though with the FF being deeper as it is. I do like the symmetry and extra storage of the two large units though. Moving the FF closer to the unit may help (or not!). And all said and done refrigerated storage is so important so I can understand not wanting to compromise on that either!

I definitely wouldn’t compromise the window size for a radiator tbh, like you say you’d then have to consider making it match on the other side, etc.

This is a bit left field, but you could consider a partially disguised slimline radiator on the island/breakfast bar? Something like this -

i.pinimg.com/736x/e0/9f/87/e09f87c8d298915304a3e656f3a58867.jpg

Failing that if you don’t want the expense of piped ufh, I’d definitely consider an electric one as a compromise if all else fails, they’re v cheap (my bathroom cost about 160 including Bluetooth remote control!), and easy to install (especially as you’ll be getting electrics done anyway). That way you can boost the temp on the occasional freezing evening if required.

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ipredictacarrot · 09/06/2021 23:18

That is an amazing place to put a heater - thank you! I have visions of sitting at the breakfast bar being freezing! I think heating will be used infrequently so maybe an electric heater here would work.

I am hoping to get a fridge freezer that doesn't stick out too much past the units but this is diy/kitchens software and doesn't have too many options. I know there are some compromises to be made so think I'm at peace with this.

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BlackboardMonitorVimes · 09/06/2021 23:33

We've just had a plinth heater installed. Sits under the units with a vent in the kick board. Worth considering if space is an issue.

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CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 10/06/2021 01:25

@ipredictacarrot

That is an amazing place to put a heater - thank you! I have visions of sitting at the breakfast bar being freezing! I think heating will be used infrequently so maybe an electric heater here would work.

I am hoping to get a fridge freezer that doesn't stick out too much past the units but this is diy/kitchens software and doesn't have too many options. I know there are some compromises to be made so think I'm at peace with this.

No problem! Ah if that’s just an example from their software re: fridge freezer then I’m sure you’ll be able to find something that looks/fits perfectly. Hope it all works out well, it’s a gorgeous kitchen!
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ipredictacarrot · 10/06/2021 08:12

This pic better shows where the fridge is in relation to the window, and I will definitely try to find a fridge that isn't so deep!

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Leigh8721 · 10/06/2021 08:36

Hi op we are about to order from diy with an american ff and we are going to build around the ff to make it look more part of the kitchen, in my opinion it looks a bit lost there. You could move it over 300mm from the wall and place a 300 mm larder unit next to it with a 1000mm top box over it which joins your run of tall units.

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Africa2go · 10/06/2021 10:02

I agree that the FF looks out of place and spoils the look of the kitchen. Build it in (i.e. have cupboards / top boxes fitted around it) or have integrated appliances (although I hate american style ff so may be biased!).

More importantly, I think its a mistake not to have heating - you will regret it. It's a fairly big room and if its cold, it will be awful to spend time in there. In a previous house, we spent a fortune (for us) on a gorgeous bathroom - it was a strangely large room / double aspect etc and we didn't put in enough heating. It really spoiled the room and I ended up hating it, even though it was £££.

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minipie · 10/06/2021 10:34

You’ve got a room that’s big enough to be a kitchen diner but you’re laying it out in a way that means you can’t have a kitchen table. Are you sure about this? Obviously it’s your choice but seems unusual!!

Sorry to be questioning the whole layout, I can tell you’ve been around and around on it!

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butterfly990 · 10/06/2021 10:50

I would put a top box above the fridge freezer to tie it in with the other units.

When designing a kitchen if you look at different tasks and how the kitchen would work. Eg. You are cooking on your hob and decide you need butter from the fridge. How far , awkward is the fridge to the hob?. You are boiling water in your pan and need to drain, how far is the hob to the sink? You have just come home with the shopping how practical is putting the shopping away going to be? ...

A microwave on top of a double oven is usually too high. If you put it in a wall cabinet that would work better. I used to have a built in coffee machine from ikea as well as a built in microwave so this provided symmetry in my kitchen.

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daisypond · 10/06/2021 10:58

I think your ff is in the wrong place . It’s too far from the rest of the main kitchen and slightly awkward to get to - around the other side of the peninsula/ breakfast bar. Personally, I think the peninsula divides up the room too much.

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minipie · 10/06/2021 11:26

@minipie

You’ve got a room that’s big enough to be a kitchen diner but you’re laying it out in a way that means you can’t have a kitchen table. Are you sure about this? Obviously it’s your choice but seems unusual!!

Sorry to be questioning the whole layout, I can tell you’ve been around and around on it!

Ah hang on, just worked out from the visuals that there’s an extra bit to the room, behind the steel.
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SolitudeIsHighlyOverrated · 10/06/2021 11:31

I'm another who thinks the peninsula is a bad design idea. I'd have a solid run of tall storage units along the wall where your FF is and build the FF into that. I'd lose the small piece of counter along that wall or if you plan to use it as, eg a coffee station, then put it behind doors. It would make that wall look more streamlined.

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ipredictacarrot · 10/06/2021 11:35

Thank you everyone.

I am considering underfloor heating or a radiator under the breakfast bar so feeling better about the heating issue. I appreciate the fridge is a bit far from the main kitchen but I have tried lots of layouts and this feels the best compromise. I will look at boxing the FF in as I agree it spoils the kitchen. The current kitchen is tiny and badly laid out so willing to compromise a bit to have the big window and breakfast bar.

Also planning open shelves above the sink which I can't show on this software - this looks a bit odd at the moment. There is an opening opposite the doors / windows into the rest of the house which isn't obvious from the images. We have a separate living room, dining room and small utility & wc are going in the old kitchen.

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ChequerBoard · 10/06/2021 11:38

If you haven't already done so, I would strongly recommend going to see a local kitchen showroom and getting one of their designers to help with your planning.

I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, and was going to kitchen places for quotes but the suggestions from one showroom in particular have been really valuable.

I think you know there are several areas where your layout needs work to be optimised. Personally, my new kitchen is a big investment and I want to get it as right as I possibly can.

I would look at:

  • Moving the fridge/freezer - it's tacked on where it is and spoils the line of the units
  • Moving the hob - it's too close to the corner and the line of wall units is interrupted oddly by the hood, having a single wall unit in the corner looks strange
  • agree with others the peninsula isn't making the most of the space you have and is an odd shape with that wine rack in the corner
  • why have that odd little worktop on the back wall? Doesn't look very useful, maybe better to have all tall units along that wall - maybe think about moving the oven housing to be part of that tall run or having two oven housings in that running and putting one main appliance in each?
  • think about lines of symmetry around the kitchen, you have a lot of odd bits at the moment
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minipie · 10/06/2021 11:47

Can you post a floorplan that shows the whole room (including the door into the kitchen)? It ought to be possible to have a better layout whilst still having a breakfast bar and big window.

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AZisgreat · 10/06/2021 11:49

@minipie

You’ve got a room that’s big enough to be a kitchen diner but you’re laying it out in a way that means you can’t have a kitchen table. Are you sure about this? Obviously it’s your choice but seems unusual!!

Sorry to be questioning the whole layout, I can tell you’ve been around and around on it!

This. I hate bar stools and would do some sort of normal height table arrangement even if you have a separate dining room.
Yes to maximising cupboard space. Built in microwaves are fine until they need to be replaced and then sizing can be an issue. Probably best here to have it built in as it is over the oven so not too high.
Yes to needing some kind of heating.
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ipredictacarrot · 10/06/2021 12:30

This is my floor plan. I am ok with having all tall units across the back wall, and originally had two oven Units there but decided I'd rather have the ovens in the main kitchen and not in the way of the route to outside. Just thought I didn't need all that storage and drawers / work surface would be more useful. Planning shelves above the sink so the corner unit won't look so odd. The little wine rack between the sink and peninsula is just because there's room and makes the corner of the sink less tight against the peninsula. This could be a cupboard instead of wine rack.

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minipie · 10/06/2021 12:33

What are you doing with the back part of the room (not shown on the kitchen plan)?

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ipredictacarrot · 10/06/2021 12:40

The adjoining Room will be a dining room possibly with small sofa.

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ipredictacarrot · 10/06/2021 12:54

Pics attached with top boxes - looks better? Also a version with all tall units at the back - I think I prefer just 2 tall units.

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ChequerBoard · 10/06/2021 13:02

@ipredictacarrot

Pics attached with top boxes - looks better? Also a version with all tall units at the back - I think I prefer just 2 tall units.


I think it would look better if you place the fridge and the top boxes in the middle and balanced it with 3 tall units either side.
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Ozanj · 10/06/2021 13:05

Polished venetian plaster looks good too. But I’d still have clear glass splashbacks behind the hob and a little above the sink.

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ipredictacarrot · 10/06/2021 13:07

Chequerboard i might agree with you..

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