Designing a kitchen - advice and recommendations please!

[stevieknicks]

We are working towards exchanging on a house that needs work, we have a 3yo and a 2 month old so I am really keen to find out how long having a kitchen replaced would take (average sized, L shaped).
Also, we can't decide what type of kitchen to go for - so your interior design tips welcome! Was thinking about white gloss but think it's a bit too ubiquitous, love the kitchen on Jamie's 30 minutes, but that looks well expensive

No practical advice but am in the same situation so waiting to see what other saying.

Few builders I know have recommended Howdens kitchens as good value for money.

I also like white and can't think what else as I think wood looks a bit dated now ( beech anyway) and don't want red/ black whacky ones I don't think.

Dark wood maybe?

Just had our kitchen done.

21 days to rip out and fit the new one...tiling still to be completed. Probably my fault because we needed new wiring and plumbing as everything moved to make the space work better.

On design as I lived with the old kitchen for ages and had very clear ideas on what didn't work and what needed to be improved. Got several cos to come round and come up with a design. Even though I had to pay several £50 fees I felt it was money well spent as each had different ideas to address my problems.

Ours is Oak with a Midnight Corin worksurface. I like wood and would have wood worktop if I didn't have kids and a DH. Didn't want anything gloss with 2 small DDs would be endless finger prints.

Our cupboards go right up to the celing and I have a wonderful pull out larder.

Am very pleased with it although was hell.

Which co did you go with in the end Bt?

A small local firm (Herts based). Was between them and John Lewis but the Herts firm was more flexible and I prefer to support a local business if I can.

Sounds good Bakewell, I never really thought about living with it first before deciding on design but it makes perfect sense.
What on earth did you do without one for 21 days though?!

We had our kitchen redone this year and I went with Magnet kitchens, mid range with solid wood work tops. It took 2 weeks to rip out and install new kitchen including plumbing and leccy.

I love it. I was advised again high gloss as it is a magnet for everything and if you have animals/kids it will get super filthy quickly.

My new kitchen is vanilla coloured and painted a pale greyish blue which sounds cold, but with the wood and the flooring and cupboards works very well.

Howdens is also really good for kitchens.

It really all depends on your budget and what you like. Sadly granite worktops wouldnt have looked nice with our kitchen and this house doesnt warrant it. Next house though...

Oh, and if you go with a 'chainstore' kitchen, it is better to get your own installer/plumber etc as their prices are hideously expensive.

Name of Herts firm? We're doing our kitchen in new year and looking for recommendations!

FWIW we were talking to a kitchen salesperson - they said gloss is easier to keep clean than wood. He often demonstrates with melted chocolate - with gloss you can wipe it off, but wood (particularly light wood) it tends to get more embedded.

I'm tempted by cream gloss, but also love cream matt.

Also heard good things about Howdens.

Best thing about my kitchen.... big drawers for plates and bowls within an arm's swing of the dish washer.

yes I agree Dukes BIG drawers are a godsend.

Big drawers have made my life so much easier.

We went for Ikea - by far best value and match friends' Magnet, Howdens and independent ones in quality for less £££.

Designing - do your research and then go for what works for your lifestyle. Don't feel constrained by everyone's advice but pick what suits you. For example, so many people told us to go for long stretches of work-top, but I know I a messy oik and am better working efficiently in small areas. I have 5 separate areas of worktop in our kitchen, all with a specific purpose and it works great for us. I really love working in there.

Gloss doesn't seem to get too mucky for us, and when I spot a splash and can be bothered to do anything about it, it takes seconds.

The best piece of advice I was given was to imagine walking through your design, doing everyday tasks. Then, for me it was always about making life as easy as possible and finding a space where I didn't want to kill dh after working in there together for more than a minute.

stevieknicks it wasn't great being without a kitchen for so long. We camped in the dining room with a microwave, toaster and kettle. We did have some access to the kitchen and a sink for all but 3 days. Its not something I'd wish to repeat.

EssieW, Lake Interiors Hermitage Rise Hitchen. Great workmanship and design paperwork and admin crap.

If you can't get big drawrrs which are great but wouldn't fit in our kitchen I'd recommend a Le Mans corner unit. Best storage for my pots and pans I've ever had.

I'd second the design for your lifestyle. I was told my wall of cupboards, larder and ovens was a bad idea as it crossed the corridor / walkway between doors. Maybe not for everyone but perfect for me as maximises the use of space which had otherwise not been used.

Have you seen this virtual planner from Magnet here I've had hours of fun planning our kitchen. We are still waiting for planning permission. Even if we get it we might have to wait to see where the currant cuts fall. [hsad] So it's just playing for now. 2nd Gentleness gloss. We have an Ikea kitchen now and the gloss doors have been very easy to clean soap and water, no nooks to get dirty.
has anyone tried the Ikea Virtual planner? Is that easy to use? [hsmile]