Kitchens

[Alsmyeroff]

We are having a new kitchen built and would love any dos and don'ts with a large growing family youngest aged 3 oldest 15 thanks all

Drawers rather than cupboards for your lower units. I like one big sink but depends how you use it. Try and keep laundry in another space if possible.
I like everything Intergrated. If space tight I found a 45cm dishwasher perfectly adequate. Will you want a breakfast bar? Make sure you have room behind for people to walk past with someone sitting at it.
Boiling water tap is a must have.
I like U shaped kitchens (I have a peninsula which has bar stools other side). Literally everything is one or two steps away, but might not work if two or more like to cook at once.
Do not forget cupboard for tall things like broom, vacuum etc - plus a place to store shopping bags.

A little while ago I read this blog which I found really helpful for advising me on family kitchen features- hope it helps you too!

I second drawers instead of cupboards. Also take your cabinets to the ceiling if possible . ( assuming you don’t have incredibly high ceilings ) it gives a more streamlined look and will provide extra storage for things you don’t use ad often .
Also an island or b bar with built in storage and space to eat can work well if you have the room

Why is a boiling tap a must have? I’m having our kitchen done and ruled one out. I have a coffee machine so boil water to go on veg and pasta but surely the fast boil on the induction will do that? £1000 for a tap is hard to justify in my head so I’m keen to understand what I’m missing.

As many plugs/ usbs as you can fit.
I personally prefer a table to an island and eradicates need to perch on bar stools.
Second the hot tap.
Drawers. Drawers. Drawers.
Make sure your light switches are placed appropriately.
Wardrobe style cupboard to hide your toaster/ coffee machine etc).
Enough space for bins (recycling / food waste /etc).
Hidden pull out tray drawers in Island / peninsula's to store your laptop's if anyone is going to be using them regularly.
Don't have a gap between tops of cupboard and ceiling.
Kitchen to have doors that don't show up fingerprints easily (otherwise constantly cleaning)
Sink that can fit a banking tray in.
I like the chopping board inserts that you can get to go over the sink again that's a personal preference.
There are some great threads about kitchen essentials here if you have time to search.

Enough space for various bins and recycling bins. This is annoying me already about our new kitchen. The bin cupboard is smaller than id anticipated.

*lol to banking tray (baking)

Best thing we got in our kitchen was a full length fridge and a full length freezer rather than having the normal sized combined one. We moved now, and I am having that put in again because it is so useful to have the extra space with those

Somewhere to put tea towels!

I am only 5'7" but my counter heights are two inches higher than usual. It was essential in my first flat where worktops had to go over a free standing boiler and it's incredibly helpful. Everyone else's counters seem far too low.

I like a mixture of drawers and cupboards. Also my ovens are eye level and side by side. My back isn't up to a range any more. Induction hob, two sinks and yes to the boiling water tap. Wine/beer fridge on the other side of the kitchen so DH keeps out of my way when I'm cooking.

Sockets! Don’t forget to have enough sockets - put in more than you think so you have maximum flexibility on where to put all appliances - stationary ones like microwaves, as well as ones you use and put away again.

Following this thread for ideas! Some good ones so far

@RosesAndHellebores

I am only 5'7" but my counter heights are two inches higher than usual. It was essential in my first flat where worktops had to go over a free standing boiler and it's incredibly helpful. Everyone else's counters seem far too low.

I like a mixture of drawers and cupboards. Also my ovens are eye level and side by side. My back isn't up to a range any more. Induction hob, two sinks and yes to the boiling water tap. Wine/beer fridge on the other side of the kitchen so DH keeps out of my way when I'm cooking.

Depends on your height. I am 5'3" and someone who lived in our house was tall and the kitchen counters and inbuilt desk upstairs are higher than normal by a couple of inches. This is too high for me and makes them uncomfortable/difficult to use. It also means that freestanding appliances like our dishwasher have a big gap between their top and the counter which looks rubbish and needs regular cleaning.

I don't have a big gap, the dishwasher is integrated, has adjustable feet and the tiny gap is made invisible by an infill piece.