Kitchen Upgrade - general advice?

[AnnaSewell]

I live in a big Edwardian terrace.

There's a long kitchen - all the cooking stuff at one end, and a table at the other, though there are also some cupboards/units. It's been painted, retiled and generally tweaked - but essentially is much as it was when we bought it. And it's getting shabby.

I really have no wish for a gleaming space age kitchen with a huge oven, but the room is looking very tired. New units, different flooring, some retiling - maybe a partial reconfiguring of the layout?

I may get some quotes in the New Year, but it might be helpful to know when people have used big firms, what their experience has been and how much they've paid.

It's also possible that in a few years time we might move. New owners who want everything just so, might want to rip stuff out and start again. On the other hand, if we upgrade we'd get the pleasure of being in a nicer space for a while - and any improvements might make the place more saleable. (Though houses in our road usually do sell because of proximity of schools, shops etc etc.)

I used Benchmarx which is the trad arm of WIckes.
Better experience than Howdens and WIckes and far cheaper, good design advice too.
Though I had make a plan myself after doing lots of reasearch.
Post a pic/plan here for tips?

I just had a design done by Magnet. We did have Howdens out as well but I didn't like the fact they aren't transparent with prices whereas Magnet are. We're getting 15 units I think, no appliances as we want freestanding, and it is coming out at 7.5k

Looking particularly gloomy this morning. If we got rid of the units to one side of the table or replaced them something shallower, we could seat a bigger group without it being a squash.

I think we might not need quite all the storage and have just expanded into the space available

There is sun in the mornings, but mature trees and a neighbours extension mean there is less light than the used to be In the summer it can look lovely, but not so much in December.

We do use the Dutch drier though it is not smart. I would want to keep it

I am more interested in a homely look than something ultra modern. The rest of the house has a lot of pictures, books, some old furniture, some quite strong colours. No beige/neutral/ minimalist. It has gradually improved after being in really bad nick. The kitchen has been rather left behind.

I used ikea. Installed dark wood as it's victorian and wanted something more in keeping and not a shiny slab.

Sourced the appliances myself. Actual units and work top cost less than 3k. There are 3 tall units (enclose fridge freezee, boiler and oven), with 3 units on top to take to ceiling, 4 drawer 3 × 80cm, 1 x 60cm) units, with hidden drawers, a sink unit and another floor unit in the back of the peninsula. The work top is wide at the end to accommodate peninsula. Also end panels for the ends of units and kickerboards.

Got it on an interest free deal too. Husband (joiner) fitted it. I love it.

@AnnaSewell we also moved our washing into the bathroom upstairs. It's made a massive difference and would recommend it to anyone who can.

Few thoughts having seen the pics.
Can you move the washer elsewhere?
I agree with you, the base units at the end are deep, I would remove/replace and have a much longer/larger table parallel to the wall, perhaps a bench with a back on one side. You could have units on that side where the fridge is?

I would also move the pole about the doors so its the same height as the one above the window to tie them together. Or remove the door curtains and have a roman blind above the window only? Perhaps in a lighter colour with some soft botanical pattern?

Do you need the double height units above the hob, they look very top heavy an a bit claustrophobic.
Nice space, I think it could be very cosy with a bit of tlc.
It reminds me of a kitchen I saw in a Houzz article, will see if I can find it.

Its the second kitchen in this article with the green units and nice dining area
https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/5-of-the-best-before-and-after-kitchen-transformations-on-houzz-stsetivw-vs~143087336

Is it a lean to/extension at the end of the room (utility room)?

There was a very shabby lean to when we got the house, and we had it turned into something a bit more usable. There's now a tumble dryer there, and it's a useful place to store recycling, garden furniture etc. Not really a conservatory because it doesn't get sun - and it's too full of stuff for it to be a sitting area., We do also start seedlings off there.

I'd agree about the units either side of the cooker looking a bit heavy. It might be that something in a lighter colour would lift the space. The brownish flooring didn't help. We had lighter vinyl flooring before, which did need a lot of mopping. (It wasn't heavy duty enough and had to be replaced.)

I like the way the dining area in the photo is laid out with a built in storage bench. (When we moved in there was a hideous ancient storage heater, in the equivalent where the units below the Dutch drier now are. We shifted things around.)

Agree re getting the heights of the curtain poles sorted. Not sure re blinds. It's a big room with a lot of outside wall, so want to make the space feel/be warm.

I suppose being ignorant, I don't know whether you just go round buying units, or whether you get someone in who is a bit more of a designer. (Would rather not pay several arms and legs for that.(And or whether help is needed to think re whether all the plugs are in the right place.) It makes my head hurt, but you lot are at least helping me to think.

I think we probably need a professional decorator. There is paper, painted over on the ceiling, and it's starting to come loose/billow.
Aaagh!

Hello!

A couple of things I would consider.

1. Can the radiator be moved to the right of the arch window if you put in a vertical one? Then you could use a bench underneath the window and your table would feel less 'in the middle'.

1. I'd look at straightening that random arch window out, maybe extending it upwards?

1. Moving the washing machine and washing.

1. Using the area where the oven is as a solid bank of units, to the ceiling, with a built in eye level oven. I'd then fit a hob elsewhere.

1. For now I would turn the island around, it must be annoying having itbin the middle when you have to walk around it all the time.

1. Maybe look to make a peninsula (so attached at one end) rather than an island, but, if you move the washing and use the end as a full set of cupboards, you may no longer need an island.