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Original poster

'Back kitchen' - WTAF?

102 replies

Devora · 13/12/2015 16:01

The Jan issue of Real Homes has a feature on trends for 2016. Apparently the newest thing is a 'back' kitchen, where you can do, um, all that stuff that needs to be done in actual kitchens.

Here's a quote from the founder of Architect Your Home: "Kitchens have become an integral part of family/living/dining spaces and, as such, have had to become more stylish. While appliances are more elegant than ever, more functional designs can be hidden in a pantry or back kitchen... The danger in creating an extra room like this is that it could undermine the open-plan feel of the kitchen-diner. To avoid this, keep it simple in form and away from views through or out of the house, so as not to interfere with your main space."

Moving between two kitchens every time you cook is not going to be at all annoying, obviously. So I guess over time you do all your kitchen work in the back kitchen, leaving your front version an a very expensive accessory, a fantasy kitchen!

Own up, MNetters, has anybody got a back kitchen? Grin

Oh, the other trend is TWO islands - anyone gone that route? Grin

OP posts:
TheGreenNinja · 15/12/2015 07:29

When we were house hunting we looked at a house with two kitchens, one huge kitchen/diner affair and one functional, pared down type at the opposite side of the house. It also had a massive pantry (pretty much the size of our current lounge) and servants' staircase! And those jangly bell things you get in big, old houses. Sadly we didn't buy it, so I don't have two kitchens with multiple ovens.

BikeRunSki · 15/12/2015 07:53

I know someone über rich (heiress to a global household name brand) who has a back kitchen. Her house is flipping enormous. Would be a bit of a hassle to get a drink if you're in the far end of the house without the back kitchen. It has the washing machine etc in, but is also fully equipped as a kitchen and is beautiful (more beautiful, larger and better equipped than my Only Kitchen).

SoftDriftedSnow · 15/12/2015 08:11

Northern back kitchen here too.

I saw recently some plans for a large new build house with 2 fully functional kitchens, one of which was a spice kitchen. Great idea.

Sansoora · 15/12/2015 15:43

one of which was a spice kitchen.

Thats why most houses in this part of the world have an outside kitchen. We cook with spices almost daily as well as garlic and onion and you really dont want the smell wafting through your house via the central AC's.

TurduckenForDinner · 15/12/2015 15:52

I would quite like to have an Asian wet kitchen. You do anything messy outside, then you can just hose it down. Not quite so practical in chilly Ireland.

AlisonWunderland · 15/12/2015 15:55

My sister's in laws have a beautiful big kitchen with everything in it, and a second smaller thing they call the prep kitchen. Sink, second dishwasher and oven, plus another fridge freezer. The utility / laundry is another room altogether.

I don't want a second kitchen but the in thing in top end new builds around here is 2 en suites to master bedroom. I think there lies the way to marital bliss

Twinkie1 · 15/12/2015 15:57

We used to have a back kitchen. Now we have one huge room where everything is on show and a utility for the laundry. I mourn the loss of my back kitchen.

wowfudge · 15/12/2015 16:32

I have to say that I find the idea of having a show kitchen barmy - a kitchen is a kitchen. I would not be bothered what anyone thought of it and as for keeping somewhere pristine in order to impress visitors, well that's just wrong! Like having a parlour no one used was wrong.

PigletJohn · 15/12/2015 16:35

so where do you cut up the pig?

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 15/12/2015 16:36

Ive got a small back kitchen.

Freezer is in there, washing machine, tumble dryer, pantry. I store all my wine and tinned food in there as well as spare cereal, etc. There's a small work top. I keep my Kitchenaid in there as well as some other smaller appliances and have a cupboard full of baking stuff. Sometimes do cake making in there rather than the main kitchen.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 15/12/2015 16:40

In impossibly glamorous Art Deco Eltham Palace there is a special room off the large foyer /lounge where the butler could arrange flowers and store all the vases.

There is also a ladder from the lounge up to a special room for the family's pet ring-tailed Lemur.

Both of these I aspire to Hmm
💐🐒

Sansoora · 15/12/2015 16:52

You do anything messy outside, then you can just hose it down.

I know what you mean. I have a tiled area on the outside wall of my outside kitchen. Its just a tap sticking out of the wall with a tiled splash back and a big shower tray kind of thing with built up sides. It also has a chopping area on either side of it at a higher level. Its nothing fancy but when you're trying to manhandle a 45 kilo tuna or kingfish into submission its the best thing ever.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 15/12/2015 17:07

My back kitchen is Victorian and still has the original hooks in the ceiling for hanging pigs and game off.

I aspire to a pineapple pit in the veg plot.

lugo40 · 15/12/2015 17:18

i'm not sure i could be bothered to clean two kitchens...

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 15/12/2015 17:42

You're missing the point of a back kitchen. I wipe the work top down every now and then. That's all.

loooopo · 15/12/2015 18:51

But does anyone have a buttery....??

My dream home would have all functions separated out so:

Everyday boot room for muddy boots/coats/schoolbags/sports kit with shower and bed for dogs - there would also be a separate cloak room at the front of the house for guests...

Laundry room - obvs for clothes washing only (but upstairs)

Pantry/Larder (what is the difference?) - but in main kitchen

Store room (buttery for bulk buying)

Scullery for wet/dirty work - with dishwasher and recycling bins

My main kitchen would have have all food prep and cooking in big open plan with an additional sink for rinsing veg/fruit on island

Biggest mistake I ever made was putting main sink on island with dishwasher under as centre stage in my trendy minimalist kitchen is either a pile of dirty plates ready for the dishwasher or a pile of large saucepans drying on the top....because I am a slob....

Sansoora · 15/12/2015 18:57

Does anyone have a buttery

No. Not where I live. Grin

But I do have a wine fridge that I bought by accident even though I was glad I did in the end once I realised what it was for.

loooopo · 15/12/2015 18:59

Sansoora v v disappointed that your well appointed house is....well deficient get yourself a buttery!!

RueDeWakening · 15/12/2015 19:04

My mum has a back kitchen Grin

She lives in a centuries old farmhouse, it used to be the cow shed or something. It has a drinks fridge, a couple of freezers and enough food to survive the zombie apocalypse, plus stuff like the bread maker, ice cream maker, mixer, slow cooker - all the gadgets you wish you had room for but don't!

Sansoora · 15/12/2015 19:12

ah you mean a buttery as in a store room and not as store for alcohol as in the old sense.

So yes, I have a buttery. Its a separate room next to the outside kitchen. It measure about 16 square feet and is lined with shelves on three walls and the freezers are kept underneath. The other wall is where we keep the fridges. Again its just the way its done here and when the weather means I cant grow my veg for the family I go to the central market every week and buy in bulk for me, my 4 children who are married, and my sister in law who loves with her son and his wife and 4 children. I put it all in the buttery store room and people come and take what they want. No one ever leaves any money and they're not expected to. Again its just the way it is here and to charge them for the veg etc would be the same as charging them for a meal at our table.

lugo40 · 15/12/2015 19:14

I would love to see how they work on floor plans

Sansoora · 15/12/2015 19:17

Sorry loooopo, we cross posted. I do have one but I only realised when I re-read your post and realised you were talking about a store room for bulk buys. I thought you meant a buttery in the old sense as a kind of above stairs wine cellar.

Do you have Irish ancestry? I ask because I seem to recall my granny referring to her larder or pantry as a buttery.

Its funny how in one country something can be seen as unusual or pretentious yet in another its an absolute staple in a house.

Sansoora · 15/12/2015 19:18

See what Lugo? Smile

loooopo · 15/12/2015 19:30

Yep Irish - but their back kitchen was always the scullery - for storing a bucket of turf, a big sack of spud and turnips as well as plucking a chicken and keeping the fresh fish. Buttery I have heard used as either a drinks/bottle/wine store or general food store.

Sans sound like you are running a commune with industrial scale catering required.

howtorebuild · 15/12/2015 19:37

Turf, I can smell it now.