Ever designed your own kitchen? Any pitfalls or tips to pass on?

[suzywong]

Thanks

I don't have a great deal of room and it will be open plan in the living area as well, I have an L shape with 5 metres of wall space, the wall with the window and about 2.25 on the short end, part of which will be taken up by fridge.

I have a 70cm free standing cooker

I also have a 60 x90cm stainless steel prep bench but the rest will be cheapo Ikea with a faux stainless steel work top.

Can't decide on what kind of sink

Will only be having one double doored over head cupboard.

Never designed a kitchen before, so if there are any HUGE HOWLERS one should avoid.

thanks

I had an Ikea kitchen too - was wonderful. I had a 1 1/2 stainless steel sink - great. Go for stainless.

As much work surface as you can. Aim as near as possible for the "working triangle" - sink, cooker fridge and plan accordingly around that. Not easy with L-Shaped but should be manageable. Turntable in corner cabinets, means you can store much much more than you think. Good extractor fan/cooker hood for the cooker. Good lighting is very important - under cabinets lighting is very cheap in Ikea and good too.

Keep it uncluttered to maximise work surface.

Get a carpenter to fit it all for you. Makes a huge difference.

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make sure you have enough power points for all your regular use appliances.

stainless steel - pita to clean. it streaks easily. glass splashbacks are good. tiles, not so good because the grout gets dirty.

you need good light that is preferably dimmable. when you get up at 2 in the morning feeling shit you don't want to have to stand in a bright kitchen.

this is very boring to do but INVALUABLE: write down what you have in your kitchen now. then work out where it will go in your new kitchen. make sure you have extra space, so you don't end up cluttering.

think about getting a quooker - instant boiling water. you won't need a kettle. one less appliance.

also, fit the water filter into the sink tap, so don't need filter jugs.

get a waste disposal fitted to your kitchen sink so you don't have to worry about food left on plates. quick rinse and chuck in dishwasher.

if you have the space, use one of your lower cupboards for your garbage. you can get compartments for normal rubbish and recycling.

crikey, £730 for a posh kettle!? You must use more hot water than I do...

don't go for modern looking units as they will date quickly and you will have to put in another kitchen before too long.

We're designing a new kitchen at the mo so am reading with interest.

One of my pet hates is cluttered worktops, so am planning an appliance cupboard. Shelves, powerpoints, everything in there ready to switch on, with cupboard doors to shut it all away when I don't want to see it.

That's the theory anyway....