Kitchen tips

[ShesTheAlbatross]

We’re having our kitchen redone, and willing to spend a reasonable amount to get it done right, so I’m after any tips or advice anyone has! Anything you really recommend, anything that wasn’t worth the money, anything we might not have considered?

It’s a long kitchen-diner. Kitchen part at one end, dining area at the other.

Lower cabinets - always drawers. You can access everything. Wall units, I have chosen vertical bifolds; they fold upwards therefore no risk of a banged head and can see the full width. Full length units - pull out. Everything accessible. View all the units that DIY Kitchens have (I recommend using them too, but you may have another supplier in mind). Most of their units come in 5mm increments so almost bespoke if you measure correctly.
Always at least twice as many electric sockets as you think you need. I did this and still need a multi socket.

If you’re working with a contractor get everything in writing.

My only regret about my kitchen is I didn't have a socket next to my hob -- went to blend a big pan of soup and thought, oh...

Quooker boiling water tap. Have had one in a rental for seven years and my own for four. No issues and I love it.
Be sure to have tall cupboard fur broom/vacuum.

You’re not being tight—always good to shop around and see if you can get a better deal.

I have a long kitchen diner and really value having a peninsula in the middle both to zone the space, but also to put the things on I want to carry to or from the dining area. Also, I got a plate warming drawer and it's amazing - way better than you might imagine. However, I wish I'd got a deeper one to warm large serving bowls and prove bread in.