What do you LOVE about your kitchen layout?

[PlaymobilPirate]

We're putting an extension on soon - it'll make the kitchen about 6m by 6m. So far that's all that's decided!

We're chucking ideas around about:
an island or* peninsula thingy
underfloor heating or not
patio doors or bifold
*utility room or not bothering

And, erm... everything else!

[HolaWeenie]

Another vote for deep pan drawers!

Deep sides so kids can "help" cook

I have my four bins in a pull out drawer, love that they're out of sight.

Storage all the way around the island.

[PlaymobilPirate]

Oh no, I might want a range cooker now... too many choices!

[PlaymobilPirate]

agapanthii that's what puts me off bifolds!

I really want this corner larder (but don't like the colours it comes in!)
traditional-kitchens/tiverton-range/tiverton-oak

[PlaymobilPirate]

This one

[YaySirNaySir]

I love that our kitchen has loads of workspace, storage space and a big range cooker. Glad it doesn't have an island as I am not a fan.

I don't like having a built in fridge/freezers.

[PlaymobilPirate]

Very tempted by a range cooker Yay is yours duel fuel?

[TheWildRumpyPumpus]

We've just done ours. Things I love...

Huge expanse of space with no island, room feels enormous.
Walk in larder.
No wall units.
As a PP said, dishwasher, sink and bin in a line.
Space for dining table in room, makes it much more sociable than having separate dining room.
Bifold doors which are amazing - don't understand the hate they get on MN!
Large lantern light in ceiling.

[YaySirNaySir]

Yes duel fuel.

[cbigs]

Oooh so helpful!!! Can someone explain not having wall cupboards??

[ChishandFips33]

In my case, makes the room feel more spacious and airy but we have ample base units/pantry/utility so storage isn't an issue

in our old house, tiny kitchen so had an extra wall unit instead of an extractor hood! It just depends on the room/needs/preferences I guess

Drawers are much better than cupboards

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Second the underfloor heating, it's so cold in ours.

Also second the PP who said plenty of sockets - a lack of them really restricts what you can do where and also if you fancy a change of layout later on.

I think as other PPs have said it needs to be functional but also a comfy pleasurable room to be in, so things like a sofa or even a monks bench with the storage in the seat is my dream kitchen item!

[GeorgeTheThird]

Gas hob, electric oven.

I love my larder cupboard too - the worktop into the cupboard described earlier. I have my toaster kettle blender in there.

For the poster with manky cupboard tops- put newspaper on them, change it every few months. Saves a lot of cleaning as the dust up there is sticky I find.

[PlaymobilPirate]

Help please - if you have a pantry - is it in the main kitchen cupboards area or just near it if you have a kitchen diner type space??

[Kr1stina]

I have a pantry in the sense that it's a large tall cupboard with bi fold doors where i store all the dry food. As opposed to a proper walk in pantry with ventilation to the outside .

It's in the main kitchen .

[thisonethennomore]

My pantry is off the kitchen, it's like a tiny separate room with floor to ceiling shelves. I don't keep any foodstuff in my kitchen cupboards.
It's got a sensor light which is very useful.
It's quite hard work keeping it all tidy though, the temptation to store empty jam jars/ cake tins/ kilner jars is hard.

[PlaymobilPirate]

Do you have to walk out of your main cooking bit to get stuff from it?

The architect has drawn up plans and he's got the pantry across the other side of the kitchen. I'm not sure whether that might annoy me. DP keeps reminding me that it's a kitchen extension on an ex council house, not a west wing addition!

[PlaymobilPirate]

His sketch

[Kr1stina]

I'm not an architect or any kind of expert, but I'm not sure that these are the best use of your space . Have you already hired the architect ? Do you have planning permission and a building warrant ?

Can I also check that you live in England ? Because I don't think these plans meet building regulations in other parts of the U.K.

But I'm not an expert as I said

[PlaymobilPirate]

Hi - he's an experienced architect - we are in the UK. Which bits wouldn't meet building regs??

[Kr1stina]

Sorry I meant do you live in England ?

[PlaymobilPirate]

Yes

[Kr1stina]

Well that's fine, it's just there are rules on Scotland about having a WC straight off a kitchen .

Ok back to use of space . There seems a big wasted space right in front of the pantry . And I see that your utility room is just a galley - how long is it ? And do you want just a WC or a shower as well ?

It just seems bitty TBH. Do you have roof lights ? Otherwise that area will be very dark . I'm assuming that's your French doors / bifold doors at the bottom .

Is there a window to the left, above where your sink will be in the middle of your U shape of units ?

[Kr1stina]

I'm guessing that your sink is there because the waste for the WC and utility are in the left wall too

[PlaymobilPirate]

We're looking to merge the wc and utility and just have both in one bigger space. We'll lose the side door too.

Yes - bifolds at the bottom.

We're going to put roof lights in.

It's the bittiness that's bothering me too 😢

[Kr1stina]

There are some advantages to having a back doorknob the utility room.

When it's bad weather you won't want to open up the French doors, it will make your ki the freezing .

Also you probably want the muddy kids / pets to come in from the garden and dump their shoes and jackets in the utility room. So you need it big enough for that . Our house is overrun with jacket and shoes. I'm concerned that yours isn't big enough as it just seem long enough for a sink, washer and dryer and freezer .

Remember you need space in there too for a laundry basket and piles of washing / ironing .

The pantry seems huge . I guess it's not to scale but I assume it's a walk in room as it looks the same size as the WC. Do you really need that much space for food ? Ours is massive and I'm guessing it about 1200 long and more shallow than a standard unit ( sorry I'm not at home right now or I woudl measure for you ) .

So you will be using the sink and staring at a wall ??? Not good . And your layout doesn allow for an island but you have all the wasted space on the top right .

Do you have two living rooms alrdeay and if not, will this double as a living space ? How much time do your family actually spend at the dining table ?

If you are not happy with the plans, you need them changed . Why don't you start a new thread and see if any experts are around to give you some ideas?

You probably need a scale drawing and with Windows and roof lights marked on , as that one is a bit hard to read .

Is this person the only architect you have consulted ? Why don't you ask another one or two to come out and discuss your project ? They should be willing to do this for free, assuming that you are considering hiring them .

I'm sorry if I'm made you but you will be spending £££ and it's a nightmare to get it done so you want it to be right .

Personally I'd be starting with the doors and windows and light , view to the garden , and how you want to live in the room and working from there .