Kitchen design | Mumsnet

IworkMiracles · 2025-08-05T19:29:30+00:00

Went to Wren kitchens today, they had already measured my kitchen. We looked at colours and handles and such, then we sat down and he showed me the kitchen layout he'd designed. He never actually asked me what was important to me, what was an absolute must, or give me options beyond the colours. I can't afford a really fancy kitchen (I'm looking around the £5k mark) but surely they should be asking me what I want? Do I want a wine bottle store?do I have a pet I want to have space for feeding bowls? He said it's not possible to put the draining board on the right side! Am I expecting too much? I've never had a kitchen I wanted, and I'm not going to have someone else's ideas!

Aparecium · 05/08/2025 20:52

Have a look at the Ikea website. They have an excellent online kitchen planner you can use to work out your own ideas. Of course, it's only for Ikea units, but the principles are the same.

skippy67 · 05/08/2025 20:58

DIY Kitchens have an online planner. It takes a bit of practice, but fun once you get used to it. I spent ages playing around with different styles and colours. You can see the cost of each unit as you add them to the design.
It only works on desktops and iPads.
https://planner.diy-kitchens.com/

Original poster

IworkMiracles · 05/08/2025 22:45

The IKEA one doesn't like me having a water supply by the window 🙄
It also can't cope with having a window, or a u shaped kitchen 🤔

OP posts:

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 05/08/2025 22:50

You need Gutenberg technology.

get some graph paper, measure your kitchen, put that and ALL the features ( not just windows but sockets ,switches drains etc) on it. Then use the graph paper to make paper shapes for all the things you need ( dishwasher, sink, hob etc) then you can shuffle them round to see what goes where.Some people have been known to make a circle representing the kitchen user to make sure there is enough space between an island and the wall…

Honestly, it is much easier than the online plans, and much more realistic, too.
BTW, virtually all sinks come i right or left drainers, many just have a tap space on eithe side so the same sink goes both ways….

littleteapot86 · 05/08/2025 22:52

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 05/08/2025 22:50

You need Gutenberg technology.

get some graph paper, measure your kitchen, put that and ALL the features ( not just windows but sockets ,switches drains etc) on it. Then use the graph paper to make paper shapes for all the things you need ( dishwasher, sink, hob etc) then you can shuffle them round to see what goes where.Some people have been known to make a circle representing the kitchen user to make sure there is enough space between an island and the wall…

Honestly, it is much easier than the online plans, and much more realistic, too.
BTW, virtually all sinks come i right or left drainers, many just have a tap space on eithe side so the same sink goes both ways….

Ive googled Gutenberg but what is it exactly and how do you get it?

Aparecium · 05/08/2025 23:01

IworkMiracles · 05/08/2025 22:45

The IKEA one doesn't like me having a water supply by the window 🙄
It also can't cope with having a window, or a u shaped kitchen 🤔

Are you sure?

I have all of those, and was able to plan using the Ikea planner. Admittedly it's been a year since I last did it...

Aparecium · 05/08/2025 23:01

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 05/08/2025 22:50

You need Gutenberg technology.

get some graph paper, measure your kitchen, put that and ALL the features ( not just windows but sockets ,switches drains etc) on it. Then use the graph paper to make paper shapes for all the things you need ( dishwasher, sink, hob etc) then you can shuffle them round to see what goes where.Some people have been known to make a circle representing the kitchen user to make sure there is enough space between an island and the wall…

Honestly, it is much easier than the online plans, and much more realistic, too.
BTW, virtually all sinks come i right or left drainers, many just have a tap space on eithe side so the same sink goes both ways….

Also a good idea. Albeit faffy.