The MN lessons learnt kitchen thread.

[jollydiane]

I have read loads of kitchen threads so here is my conclusions.

1. Plan for where you bin is going to go.
2. Handless kitchens look lovely but can wind you up.
3. Floor Tiles look stunning but can be a bugger to keep clean.
4. Splash-backs are very practical for cleaning and can look stunning although some of you think they look naff.

What else should I add to the list before I make my purchase?

The one area I'm really stuck on is flooring. I want something that I can use my lakeland steam mop on (another MN suggestion) which I love.

I miss the pantry I had in my previous house.😕Every house needs one.
We have just taken advantage of the fact that the dining area needed reboarding and replastering to build a cupboard in there next to the kitchen- about 3' wide and 2' deep, floor to ceiling, using a narrow room door for the cupboard door- it just looks like there's another room when the door's shut. When shelved up it will store masses of stuff, from flour sacks on a duckboard at the bottom, via food tins and jams on narrow side shelves, bigger stuff on deep facing shelves, to cake storage tins on a shelf at the top. All the stuff that doesn't go in, or fit sensibly in, kitchen units. Can't wait.

I CBA reading the whole thread but lessons from having lived with small kitchens for years:

Cupboards all the way to the ceiling
Build in fridge freezers are shit, the capacity is hopeless. Make space for a freestanding one.
Tiled floors are cold!
This trolley from Ikea holds an enormous amount of stuff and is a good place to put the microwave and air fryer to save on worktop space
Black worktops show every single crumb and speck of dust. Wooden worktops are far easier to look after than you'd think (as long as you're not silly about putting hot pans on them) and look far cleaner
Stainless steel sinks also never seem to look properly clean; the white stone sink in our last kitchen was far easier to keep clean
L shaped cupboards in the corners so the doors open fully to allow access are a must - no dead space
Have a draining board. There will always be things that don't go in the dishwasher

If you are still active on mumsnet do you mind sharing your 29 point check list? Nd anything else you learnt from your experience?

Algarve Northampton 2,700 (but with big splashback which i don't want) - through Adrian Bane and Paul Rowles
Adrian Bane 18,600 inc worktops but without fitting.
Magnet - 14K with fitting but no worktops.
Magnet Minerva (calacatta) - £4,042 plus £392 fit = £4434 :O

Corner cupboard business
Gap for french doors apx. 160cm width
Washing machine and drier freestanding. GAP MUST BE BIGGER THAN APPLIANCE
IN FRAME DESIGN kitchen. (doors within front frame not a flap)
Plinth design? - no kick space at feet need to experience in person
Integrate microwave.
Floor to ceiling cupboards
Floor to ceiling corner pantry things
Bottom cupboards all drawers no cupboards. Except maybe on the island.
Extractor fan hidden in fake chimney breast.
double socket every meter?
sockets on side of island.
floor laid wall to wall before cupboards go in
Bin/recycling in cupboard
Upstand round worktop no splashbacks
Drawer or space for - tea towels, long foil ect
Elec to island
Fridges/freezers of the same size outside vary hugely in terms of usable internal volume. check.
Have a 'useful' drawer - for crap like takeaway menus/scissors/keys/sellotape/candles etc
Trays and chopping board space
Lever taps handle mixer tap. Easier than twisty.
Sink big enough for biggest roasting trays and baking trays. double drainer?
Big pull out baskets in island for crisps and bread?
Quartz work top.
Are the deep drawer sides deep all the way around?
Connect all lights to wall switch
Wall cupboards not too low
Itinery of how total cost is made up? no waste.
Don't put bin cupboard next to anything which gets warm

Induction:
Chose one without noisy fan (Miele?)
Chose one with rings which take variable size pan.

@Saga21here it is ! Good luck with it it's mostly gobbledygook which even i can't quite remember the meaning of 🤣

How are we getting in? Still haven't done most of it ! Ill health in the builder (DH), 101 family crisis', a hike in prices and an electrician who had a mental breakdown (not because of us) have slowed things down.

Im hoping to get it done before i die of old age 🧐 We have the ££££ beautiful pale french quarry tile floor - but it's piled up outside wrapped in plastic .... 😫

What have i learned? Never EVER embark on massive reno./ house builds. Just move into what you want in the first place!

@Laiste thanks so much. Sorry to hear DH hasn't been well.
Lots to think about from these and the whole thread

👍👍