What are the must haves in a new kitchen?

[WildFlowerBees]

We're going to redesign our kitchen, it's a decent size but I seem to never have enough space. I'm going to look at a pull out corner cupboard, that's as far as I've got.

How do I maximise storage so our kitchen looks neat? I do have regular declutters and storage reshuffles.

We have 4 wall cupboards and 4 base units for space all the others are integrated appliances, boiler cupboard and drawers under the hob.

We had a small kitchen in previous house and went for a full height corner cupboard with rotating shelves (Wickes 'Mondo') which was brilliant as we could store so much stuff in it. We had it next to a full height pull out larder style cupboard. Those were all of our food storage and light stuff like containers and lunchboxes.

It did mean we lost a bit of work surface but it was worth it.

Tall radiator with towel rails to dry towel, tea towel, dish cloth etc (I missed this out in my last house and cursed every time I had a wet dish cloth to dry). Also as many drawers - especially the wide, pan sized drawers - as you can fit in.

Drawers instead of cupboards under counters. Game changer!

I did a diagram and assigned everything I was going to keep to a cupboard in my new kitchen to make sure I had enough. Don’t forget space for bins including recycling bins.

DRAWERS. If I were redesigning our kitchen I would replace all the base cabinets with drawers. So much easier to get something from a deep drawer than have to reach to the back of the bottom of a cupboard.

One of the features I love most is having an appliance cupboard so that my worktops are clear. Kitchen feels less cluttery and it’s easier to keep clean.

If you search for the kitchen lessons learned thread, it’s a treasure trove of brilliant ideas

lessons learned

Just be aware that drawers are very expensive and all pull-outs or carousel corner units are very expensive too.

You can easily add 3-4 thousand pounds onto your kitchen quote just by adding a couple !

Get your kitchen design with basic units first, ( and basic sink/taps/worktop etc as sinks (can be £30 to over £300) and taps (£20 to £400) can and 1 basic set of drawers for cutlery etc. If you ask for the cheapest sink/taps/worktops/units etc, you can add your 'preferences' later (i.e is a square/ fancy sink a 'necessity' for you ?)

Then add tower/drawer/pull-out's etc one by one, in order of importance( to you), asking for a quote for each option. i.e Basic kitchen quote, then basic with 1 tower etc. Then you can decide what you need and can afford.

If you have an island for counterspace, you might be able to afford to use the midline wall space for appliances like ovens and dishwashers - not bending over a dishwasher has improved my back immeasurably.

If you install drawers below waist height, you get to use and see every bit of that space compared to having to get on your knees and peer into the bottom back corners of a cupboard. Toe kick openers are wonderful.

I got my cupboards up to the ceiling even though everyone, including the designer, said it’s wasted space. But I keep stuff up there that I used to store in my attic and hang a step ladder in my utility and it’s much easier than going up to the attic to find my Christmas plates or a fondue set.

I don’t have two dishwashers (and if I did I’d have three) but you can rationalise the space as the equivalent of a cupboard of dishes.

Don’t get a slimline dishwasher. Full size or nothing.
A cupboard(s) for all food (eg slim larder unit) is fab.
Depending on the room, a peninsula will maximise space far better than an island.
Hanging tails for wooden spoons, spatula, ladel, milk pan, mugs, etc etc.

Pullout nozzle on tap
twice as much lighting under wall units as you think you need. It’s great not working in shadow from over head lighting. Wire the under unit lighting onto a single switch.
Can any appliances go elsewhere to create more space in the kitchen. My mum turned her shed into a laundry room which she loved because it gave her space for folding laundry as well as more room in the kitchen.
alternatively can you put a sideboard somewhere and use it for storing things from the kitchen you don’t use much eg casserole dishes

When we did our refit my must haves were bendy spray tap & plumbed in fridge with ice maker.
i also fancied a walk in larder, I love this but check how much weight the shelves can take!
watch out for those kidney shaped pull out cupboard inserts. They store a lot less than you think

Just be aware that drawers are very expensive

But worth it IMO.

Don’t get a slimline dishwasher. Full size or nothing.

I disagree. There are only two of us most of the time, and having a slimline dishwasher meant that it freed up space for a corner cupboard. It might not be practical for a larger family though.

Instead of a pull out corner unit, which actually loses you space, because there is less surface to use, get a continental corner unit. Two small doors that open fully so you can get in there.

Deep pan drawers.
Pull out spray tap.
Big fridge.
Ceramic hob.