Kitchen work triangle - I can't get it to work

[FlingonTheValiant]

I'm trying to plan the kitchen for the house we're buying and I can't seem to get a work triangle sorted.

I'll try to describe the kitchen, and would love to hear suggestions please!

The kitchen is a decent size rectangle, with the two short walls being the front and back walls of the house (house is one room deep). If you stood at the front the long wall on the left goes to the sitting room and the long wall on the right is to hallway and stairs.

The front wall has a big window dead centre, that comes down too low to put anything under it.

The sitting room door (left) is very near the front, so the left long wall has a nice long run for cabinets, down to the back wall.

The hallway door is about half way. Between that and the back wall is basically unusable as the staircase comes along the wall and makes that side below a decent height. Plus on right side of the back wall is the back door.

So the space is basically an L-shape, plus the stretch of wall from the hallway door to the front.

Thanks if you're still reading!

The water is all plumbed along the back wall, and we were hoping not to move it. So sink and dishwasher along the back.

I then wanted to have a nice run of base unit with drawers along the long wall, with an induction hob, until the last few at the end with built in double oven and tall larder unit.

The problem is where to put the fridge. I don't want an integrated one, they're too small, so it'll be freestanding. In which case I'd quite like an American F/F jobbie. But the only place I can think to put it is between the hallway door and the front wall, i.e. the opposite end of the kitchen to the sink. So definitely not a triangle.

Can anyone see another way to arrange it all?

Thanks very much.

Then I think you need to think about locating f/f (whatever type you go for) at the top end of the kitchen, somewhere.

The space at the bottom right could be more cupboards/worktop/etc for storing stuff you don't often use (or random crap as it would known in this house!).

I was typing "cleaning things", but I was thinking "random crap" :o

Thanks pointydog, I was hoping someone would say that!

have you got a utility room or are you trying to fit washing machine and brooms/hoover in here?

How about this one:

Front right: 60cm tall larder unit and 60cm tall fridge freezer next to each other.

Under stairs - cunning built in cupboards/drawers/shelves that will take all your china, cutlery, and maybe have a little worktop for kettle/tea/coffee if space. Not too deep so doesn't obstruct back door, maybe 40cm.

In front of window: dishwasher, sink with cleaning or recycling bins underneath.

Then long run of worktop on long wall with hob say 100cm from corner and oven either under it or in a shoulder-height unit at the end of the run, depending on your preference.

That's worked out based onthis. (Click on zone planner to see layouts).

IMO as long as you have a decent workspace between sink and cooker, have the kettle near the fridge and can unload the dishwasher into nearby cupboards, the rest can go where it needs to!

Ooh, I hadn't even thought of putting shallow units under the stairs! That's a really good idea!

I haven't decided about the washing machine. There's a little outbuilding that I could put a utility room in, which would free up space, but I need to decide if I don't mind it being outside. I think for the sake of more space I might do that.

I'd prefer a shoulder height oven at the end.

Did you mean 60cm tall for the larder and fridge? Seems a bit small :o

Thanks, I like that plan!

Flingon - any chance you could put a link to where you got your planner? We're on mac too and in a similar position!

Thanks - and good luck!

Yes if you have a really small larder and fridge put cushions on top and then you have a seat

I was just thinking that you don't need the fridge close to the sink, you need it close to the prep/cook area.

You could try and configure the bit near the stairs so you could have a small worktop/rounded table sticking out & couple of stools to perch.

I have a mac by the way and can use the new Ikea online kitchen planner, the downloadable one is no more. Well it mostly works anyway.

Your sink and dishwasher are on the end wall so you'll use the worktop beside the sink for dirty dishes. That means you'll use the long worktop on the left to actually cook. If you want a tall fridge I would put it on the left hand side at the end of the worktop (opposite end to the sink). Then put both the hob and oven on the left hand side (oven under the worktop). I would also make the island unit wide enough to use as an extra worktop if you need more preparation space.

Or, you could go for a fridge and freezer under the worktop on the left hand side and have a tall unit at the end of the left hand worktop containing the oven.

No problem Harimad, I got it here . You have to sign up, but they apart from sending me a catalogue they haven't hassled me. Maybe try the ikea one though if greenlotus can use it. I'll give it a go later as we'll probably buy from them.

Good point re fridge close to prep area, not the sink.

Nocake - yes, I was planning to use the island as extra worktop space. But they'll be no electricity on it, so I wont be able to have appliances there.

I'll have a think about those fridge placements too. Thanks!

Thanks again everyone :)

Thanks Flingon - will have a play now!