New kitchen... Help me plan 😊

[mumtosp]

Hi all,

We will soon start building works on a 6m back extension that is going to be our new kitchen and family room. I need to start planning the kitchen.... It's exciting and confusing at the same time

Right now I cannot decide between Howdens and IKEA ... I was pretty much convinced with Howdens and then I came across some old MN posts about ikea being better....

Also, I cannot get my head around the world of kitchen floors !! I want something that will not cost the earth and that is easy to maintain.... I am not fussed about wanting authentic hardwood floors....

I must add that I have always rented and this would be my first home as an owner and I am absolutely rubbish at diy.... So I am hoping for a lot of hand holding from MN :)

TIA....

Hi our ikea kitchen is being delivered on Saturday! We got all our appliances from ikea as well apart from the washing machine as we wanted a larger wash load. You get 5 years warranty with them too. I am so excited about my new kitchen as I have never had a new one before

If you're considering howdens can I suggest benchmarx? We were all set to go with howdens then dh popped in on the off chance. They are the trade version of wickes but matched and took off 10% from our howdens design and the quality is fantastic

OP, do you realise that IKEA kitchens are deeper than Howdens? Howdens are so shallow that they won't hold some large dinner plates - so bear that in mind.

We chose IKEA but with Silestone worktop, Franke sink etc and floor tiles from Fired Earth. The only thing with tiles is that they are kind of permanent. I was tempted by Harvey Maria or similar and in hindsight they might have been better as they are not so permanent and I think they look a bit cosier. Our kitchen is quite nosy because of the hard surfaces.

We didn't go for a fixed island as we want as much flexibility as possible. We instead have a standalone one/large butchers block. I personally prefer that.

Doodled a bit with your plan !
Thinking long term and pantry storage on bottom wall and prep island in middle - breakfast bar behind corner sofa looking out to garden or to watch TV . The sink and cooking, maybe FF too on the top wall ...

Just looking at the plans. Looks great but wondering if you would like a side door out of the utility so you can keep the bin in there and put it straight out rather than trailing it through the extension. Only thinking that because we closed up our side door and I regret it now!!! Of course that is if you have land to that side.

We use Benchmarx - were ok but I think it is better to work with a company that your fitter is used to dealing with as there were some issues.

Karndean - great flooring but get a decent fitter!!

I love our wooden worktops and if you use a good polish they are quite tough.

Having thought about it - it's a great space but is it at the expense of useful space elsewhere? Have you thought of taking out a corner to give you a bigger utility room and back/side door so there is room for recycling, cleaning stuff, airer, coats etc?

I would try and keep the "business" part of the kitchen in about a 3x4m space or it will be too spread out- maybe make the bifold opening narrower or off centre - 2m is still great - and have room for a good L shape of units and sofas or a breakfast table in the other side of the room. A bit of an upstand and a shelf on the back of an island would hide mess and give you somewhere to serve out. Would people mostly eat in the kitchen or at your dining table?

If you are building an extension you have a great opportunity to tweak windows and doors etc to suit exactly what you want.