New kitchen installed, although still work in progress. Had spent years reading house magazines so was already jaded with most kitchen fashions.
Most people suggested we use the kitchen extension for dining, but since I never really eat in the kitchen, I just put a coffee table and two chairs. Good for dh to have his morning cup or for a wine together while cooking.
I just did my own thing. Went for freestanding units in an unusual mix of reclaimed wood and metal.
Two shallow, but wide sinks so don't need a dish rack. The sinks are made of black marble, so are probably quite prone to chips.
Two countertop top induction plates. A separate high kw wok burner. I have never used more than three burners in one go, so this works really well for me. The wok burner is in the area closer to the dining room, so I can chat with guests while doing a stir-fry. The induction hobs are in the kitchen extension, and more for putting something on with the timer and leaving to simmer.
Dishwasher and fridge close to dining room so easy to load dirty plates and get drinks. Undercounter fridge for us as I rarely store anything in it except wine, and a deep freezer in the utility room, mainly for meat for dh.
Proper space for the bread maker, juicer, coffee machine and grinding/chopping machine, so don't have to dig around for these.
A proper shelf for my pots to be displayed, rather than stacked. I hate have having to pick the bottom pot from a stack. Works for us because most of our pots are cast iron, with beautiful enamelled colours, so look nice.
Downsides? Too many windows which are a pain to clean.
Other than that not much really...since it is a freestanding kitchen with mostly portable/ movable appliances, I don't feel constrained that I am committing to a specific layout. Can change things easily if needed.