Can you help me to plan my new (small) kitchen?

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

This is very exciting. We are finally getting a new kitchen. Have never been able to design a kitchen where I have lived before so a bit heady with the thrill of it. We have a small space - rectangular shape 200cm x 300cm but it?s quite a high ceiling. We were going to have a split level oven and hob and I had forgotten about getting a hood extractor so that will take up more space but it's probably going to be more efficient with space to have the hob above the oven. Also, even though I do bake quite a bit, I wonder how often will I be bending down to look at the oven to make it vital to have a split level arrangement.

Because the ceiling is high the units can be tall but I guess it's not going to improve access as I don't think you can get larder style cupboards which start above the work surface. I suppose the best thing to do is get the Lakeland add a shelf solution. We are planning to get pull out deep drawers on the lower units and a carousel for the corner unit.

The other thing that is bothering me is where to put the bin. At the moment, as there is very little space on the floor, we have a carrier bag hanging on the door which is obviously not a great solution. Ideally I'd like a sensor type bin in a unit without a door so I could get to it easily but this seems to be very difficult as the only space we'll have will be under the sink. Also, I'm not sure where to put the recycling which is currently a plastic bag stuck on top of the dishwasher.

We're also planning on getting a sliding door to maximise space. Has anyone ever done this and if so did it allow much noise through? TIA

200 x 300 = 3 units widths on one side plus 4 on the other (allowing for a corner upboard there...

So on the short wall I'd have deep drawer unit for pots/pans, spices and cutlery. Then the cooker/hob. Then a corner carousel unit.

Along the long wall you need: a sink, washing machine, possibly another deep drawer unit - maybe an outsize one for serving dishes you use rarely?

Wall space, you need to be realistic about how often you'll go clambering on high to get things down. I'd be tempted to think about getting the "sideways" ones from IKEA as these seem to be the only wall units deep enough to store proper sized plates in and tall enough to store wine glasses - I know this because I marched round about 20 kitchen outlets with my plates/glasses in hand!

Forgot to mention - the fridge and bin are freestanding in that plan - something to think about if space is a real issue!!!

Wow northerngirl41 - thanks so much for such a detailed reply. Did you have any thoughts on whether a contrast in colours between the units and the surface tops is necessary? Would like to go for light colours on both as the kitchen is small but all the display kitchens have contrasts and I find it difficult to picture how it might be.

The sideways units from IKEA sound interesting. at the thought of you going around with plates and glasses in hand!

Well I went for a bright coloured perspex splashback since it reflected light and was a real feature. You can also get light into the area too by not having lots of wall units - like for example keeping round the cooker hood clear. And having "shiny" light-reflecting cabinets. Of course, it goes without saying that more is more with lighting - my builders shuddered with my specification for the lights... And again at the numbers of plugs I wanted in such a small space. My kitchen - my choice!!

(Of course the good thing about a small kitchen is you can afford to splash out on really good cabinets and appliances and top-spec plugs etc.)

Having a feature kitchen is not everyone's cup of tea, but what I found was that the bland wood/metal/white combos basically blended into the background and became a nothingness, whereas having a bit of wow really did add to the overall feel. And no, I didn't get bored of the colour!