Any top tips for a new kitchen?

[MrDarcysMa]

First time I've gone this so I'm worried I might make an absolute clanger through lack of experience.
E.g had new flooring laid in the lounge and didn't take into account new flooring wouldn't quite meet skirting boards so I had to pay to get them taken off and new ones fitted after I'd already decorated !
So- it's a small L shaped galley kitchen.
I've got a good idea of what I want/ visuals/ supplier and am using a kitchen fitter who's been recommended to me and I've seen his work.
I'm having new units (old ones are shot) doors, worktops, sink. Appliances are fine so will be re used if possible (not intergrated) and it will need tiling/ backsplash thing, plus sockets moving and all that jazz.
Tell me oh wise ones - are there any weird things you wish you know before embarking on a new kitchen?

Cupboards to the ceiling, so you don’t get greasy dust on top.
Splash back rather than tiles. Much easier to clean and there are some great colours and designs, or plain if you prefer.

I’m sure there’s more, but I’m off to Zoom Zumba!

No granite. Bin caddy on rollout drawer beneath food prep. USB charging on electric sockets. If you're replumbing, run hot and cold taps to outside: makes car washing easier and more comfortable.

Thanks foxy! Exactly the type of advice I was after.
If it's a small narrow room would ceiling high cupboards look a bit oppressive ? (Quite high ceilings - Victorian apartment)

@DisgraceToTheYChromosome

No granite. Bin caddy on rollout drawer beneath food prep. USB charging on electric sockets. If you're replumbing, run hot and cold taps to outside: makes car washing easier and more comfortable.

Thanks @DisgraceToTheYChromosome it's v small so don't think I'll be able to put bin under Worktop - will have to see once designs are drawn up. but I'm eyeing up a ridiculously expensive but beautiful bin in case it has to be out 😂

It's first floor apartment too if that's relevant

No cupboards. All drawers or pull out pantry

Have more than one oven if you can, if not one oven and a microwave that is an oven too
I have granite and it's very easy to keep clean plus I can roll out Pasty on it and put pans directly on it saving space from boards
Agree about a pull out bin, can you put your recycling directly outside or will they need to be stored?

@PuffyChuff small kitchen so only space for (and only need) one oven.
Yes have a basket for recycling which goes out in the street bins daily but I'm looking at the branantia bo bin with compartments .... so pretty I wouldn't mind it being on display.

I should have said no DC so just 2 adults. Don't need a massive family set up and very tight on space anyway.

@littleharissa am I being dim? If you have no cupboards what do you put on top Half?
Small galley kitchen so need storage on the top as well.

@MrDarcysMa

We have pull down cupboard things. Sure there is a more helpful name for them! Sorry

Basically, avoid anything where you cannot easily see the back of the cupboard or get things out

Another vote for splashback not tiles.
Lights under top cupboards make way of a difference than you realise. Put in new kitchen one place and didn’t bother, moved to place with them and realised how good they are.
A nice looking and effective cooker hood rather than one in fake cupboards.
As many drawers as you can.
If you have high ceilings and the kitchen is narrow, you can ask the cupboards to be fitted higher than standard to avoid feeling boxed in. You need a stepladder, but I need a stepladder for top shelf anyway and it does make a difference to the feel of space.

Desperate to know what pull down cupboard things are! If anyone can tell me what to google I'd be much obliged

Thanks @EnPoinsettia I like the open shelving look- but need cupboard storage too so I was planning shelf for mugs/ tea coffee/ maybe plates then cupboards raised up a bit above shelf. So that would work.
The stuff at the very top would be stiff I don't regularly use anyway.

I’m having my tiny kitchen redone next month.

Maximise the work space as much as possible - I currently have one bit of worktop that’s usable for prep and it’s a total nightmare.

Get a boiling water tap so you don’t need a kettle, these are quite possibly the best invention ever.

As many drawers as you can fit in.

Ah OK, a pull out spice larder is handy to fill in small space . You can see what you need at a glance

Have drawers rather than cupboards (base units) wherever possible. Can easily use full depth then. Or pull out wire basket drawers within cupboards. Consider pull out units for tall cupboards - again easier to use full depth.

Consider bifold upwards for wall cabinets. No risk of banging head when open and can see full width at once.
Really try and fit in a pull out kitchen bin unit. Separate bins inside for recycling, works so well.

Decide how many sockets you need and then double it - you always need more than you think.

I love my induction hob. I was always a gas girl and wouldn't consider any other kind of electric hob but the induction is a game changer for speed and ease of keeping clean.

Boiling water tap - I haven't got one but wish I had. I do have one of those taps that pulls out and retracts and I find it very useful for rinsing.

aquabord around sink/dishwasher/washing machine.

tile/flooring the whole floor, don't stop at the kickboard.

if it's a cold kitchen consider having a fan heater installed in the plinth.

Pan drawers are amazing, I'm only having drawers below worktops next time if I can afford it.

@PuffyChuff any more tips re granite? Honed vs gloss? I really want a worktop I can put hot pans down on without worrying about trivets etc, but also want something low-maintenance that I will not need to spend hours buffing to a shine...

I had my kitchen totally refitted a few years ago and my top tips would be:
Think about the lighting and definitely get lights under wall cupboards and shelves so that worksurfaces are lit. I had them before and thought directable ceiling spotlights would be an ok alternative - they're not...

Pull out carousel shelves for base units that are in the corner.

Have a work surface next to the oven.

Try and get the bin under the worksurface - in a cupboard or freestanding in a gap. I bought one that fits in a base cupboard and tips forward - was £5 on ebay but new, would have been £90 (or something ridiculous.

Paint the walls BEFORE the wall cupboards go up if you can.

Great stuff, thanks everyone. Going to write this all down for then the fitter comes to have a look.

another vote for only drawers in base units. It's a game changer. Im about to unexpectedly redo my kitchen for the second time in 6 years and I'm basically just replicating what was there before since the drawer set up is so good.

Also have a socket in the back of one of the drawers for charging devices.

Think about boring things now, yes like bin/rubbish stuff. Where will you hang tea towel/oven gloves. Extraction..buy the best you can. Lighting.

Yes to wall units to the ceiling. We didn't and I regret it.

if you're short on space then drawers in the kickboards are a good idea. You can also use one to store step ladder to reach to the top of your ceiling high cupboards.

[quote HBGKC]@PuffyChuff any more tips re granite? Honed vs gloss? I really want a worktop I can put hot pans down on without worrying about trivets etc, but also want something low-maintenance that I will not need to spend hours buffing to a shine...[/quote]
It's high gloss. I clean it with tesco surface spray or occasionally method granite and marble spray .