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Original poster

Kitchen appliances - limited space - which set-up would you prefer?

36 replies

evrybuddy · 12/09/2016 12:42

I'm doing up a kitchen in a small bungalow which will either suit two OAPs or young couple + 1 child max.

The external kitchen wall with all the water supplies and drains is 198 cms long.

I'm thinking washer x 60cms, separate vented tumble dryer x 60cm (side by side/no room on top), Compact dishwasher x 45cms, and a 30cm compact sink/cupboard unit with draining boards to each side on the worktop.

Alternative layouts I've come up with include:

Washer, Condensing Dryer (in shed at bottom of garden 100ft away) full size dishwasher and full size sink/cupboard.

Washer/Dryer combined, full size dishwasher and full size sink.
I'm not really a fan of combined machines - prefer to wash and dry simultaneously and get it all done more quickly.

Washer, Condensing Dryer in conservatory (could cause dampness) full dishwasher and full size sink.

My preference is for the first option but I don't know if OAPs or young people would dislike the small sink/compact dishwasher combination.

What would you choose?

OP posts:

YelloDraw · 12/09/2016 12:49

I would prefer to have a full size DW and put the condenser TD somewhere else like a cupboard, bathroom or conservatory. But then I put everything in the DW.

Most people would probably prefer option 1 with the mini DW.

However it is really normal now in rented places to have a combined WM TD so that wouldn't be odd for most people.

PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 12:52

Definitely option 1. We don't have a tumble dryer or dishwasher. We'd much prefer a full size dishwasher to a separate tumble dryer.

PurpleDaisies · 12/09/2016 12:53

Sorry, I've arbitrarily designated the combined washer tumble dryer option as option 1! That's what i meant.

DameFanny · 12/09/2016 12:57

if you only have a mini sink, where are you going to wash the pots that don't fit in the dishwasher?

notarehearsal · 12/09/2016 12:59

Full sized dishwasher and full sized sink and cupboard. Ive got that and have the washing machine and tumble dryer in an outhouse. Works perfectly

Original poster

evrybuddy · 12/09/2016 14:01

That's really helpful - I really thought everyone would go for the compact DW and small sink!

Would it make a difference to you if you were looking at it as a buyer or seller rather than renting it either as a landlord or tenant?

Looks like my options should actually be:

Washer/Dryer combined and full sink and full DW - this is the easiest.

Washer, full sink, full DW and Dryer in shed - that'll mean making a proper path to the shed and permanent electricity - but if that's what people would prefer, I'm game.

OP posts:

namechangedtoday15 · 12/09/2016 14:18

Slimline dishwasher and tumble drier every time, especially for a couple / couple with a baby.

Original poster

evrybuddy · 12/09/2016 14:29

Ha ha - I've just resolved myself to building a path!!!

Back to first choice.... aaaaah!

It is a key point though, that the bungalow will never be big enough for more than 2 adults - even extended - which has been done a bit already.

I haven't had a dishwasher for a few years so I've forgotten their limitations in terms of pot size.

I know a small sink could be a right pain... but equally walking down to the shed with a basket of washing is probably a major no no for many aged pensioners.

OP posts:

PigletJohn · 12/09/2016 14:47

What will it cost you to provide an electrical circuit, water supply and mains drainage to the shed?

Original poster

evrybuddy · 12/09/2016 14:55

I'd just go with a condensing dryer in the shed so the only expense would be the electrical circuit - which I suspect would be pricey although I have an external socket to run from - but all the trench digging and so on - I'm sure it's more work than i imagine.

I'd rather have everything in the kitchen - a self-contained 'Noise and Smells' room but the compromises are significant on sink and DW size

OP posts:

YelloDraw · 12/09/2016 15:04

Do you gave like a useful cupboard by the bathroom or anything? Like an old airing cupboard with the tank removed? That would be a perfect place for condenser TD.

namechangedtoday15 · 12/09/2016 15:15

I think you have to think of your market. You're right that OAPs wouldn't want to be traipsing down the garden on icy paths to get to a dryer (or in fact up the stairs to a bathroom cupboard) and a young couple with a baby are not going to want to leave a baby unattended in a house whilst they walk down to the garage to sort a load. I've had washer and dryer in garage and then a utility room only accessed from going out of kitchen and into what was a lean-to - it was fine for me but can see the limitations.

I love my slimline dishwasher - family of 5. Gutted that in re-doing the kitchen we couldn't get a slim one to work in the design and have to have a 60cm one. Slimline - takes a day's pots, put it on every night. Empty it in the morning. Fab. Had 60cm one in old house - took more than a day to fill it up (usually say 3 or 4 meals) so had dirty pots hanging round for ages and always ran out of teaspoons / glasses etc so you'd end up washing them by hand anyway. Think it would probably take a couple a good 2 days to fill it up so they'd need enough crockery to keep them going!!

Original poster

evrybuddy · 12/09/2016 19:16

Thanks @namechanged - I hadn't thought of it like that. Last time we had a DW, it was full size, just two of us and it was usually empty when we ran it as we didn't have that much crockery.

The house is a very wee bungalow with no upstairs, lean-tos or useful cupboards - no nooks and crannies just simple 2 beds, living room, conservatory/living room, tiny bathroom and tiny kitchen - no halls or corridors.

OP posts:

iknowimcoming · 12/09/2016 19:37

I would say it depends if you're renting it or selling it, either way I'd do full size sink and dw if you're selling it I'd leave a 600mm gap for washer or washer dryer and if you're renting put in a washer dryer. My ils took years to get used to the dw that was in their bungalow when they bought it but they do love it now, however they still believe tumble dryers are the work of the devil. Also older people seem to have tons of crockery in my experience so would prefer to run the dw less frequently iyswim. I wouldn't go to the expense of running electric to the shed either way, if you're selling and new owners want that let them do it but if you're renting most tenants I've had don't run a tumble dryer due to cost so I wouldn't bother.

Original poster

evrybuddy · 12/09/2016 20:01

That's an interesting perspective. Selling is on the horizon but if not sold, then renting.

I'm looking at it from too much of a personal perspective I think.

I wouldn't want the damp clothes about in the winter but as you say, maybe tenants wouldn't use the dryer because of cost.

The main thing is to factor in choice.

I can have all the relevant connections in under the worktop.

The only thing that changes is the size of the sink or whether there's a large or small under sink unit.
That's the only element that would be fixed/expensive for a new occupier to change.

OP posts:

ChipmunkSundays · 12/09/2016 20:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1471549018 · 12/09/2016 20:22

If I was buying a small house with a small kitchen i would be expecting to compromise. I agree with pp, just make sure the plumbing and elecs are there and then people can choose what they want to put there. Neither target market are likely to take laundry out to the shed so I wouldn't bother with that. I think a 30 cm sink would put everyone off though!

JT05 · 12/09/2016 20:31

Not everyone likes washer/ dryers, personally I'd rather have a decent spin on my washing machine. We have just ditched our dryer. The clothes come out so well spun they are dry on an airer over night. If it's an ok day you can put them out!
A small sink is useless for big pans or the oven trays, so a larger sink is preferred. As for the DW I don't think there's a lot of difference between a full size or smaller one, when there's only two people.

Purplebluebird · 12/09/2016 20:59

We have a normal sized (big) sink, small dishwasher and separate washing machine / tumble dryer. it's perfect for us, and being the 3 of us we don't need a big dishwasher. Big sink is a must though, and I've not had any good experiences with combi dryer/washers.

Original poster

evrybuddy · 13/09/2016 07:34

Thanks everybody.

It seems like overall, full or half size DW is not a huge issue.

Tumble Dryer is surprisingly not an essential for people - I was shocked by that here in UK - we use one a lot and I get a bit paraniod when I have only one machine with 2 functions - washer and dryer together.

30cm wide sink by 50cms deep seems a really big deal - I didn't realise it would seem so bad - it's 1ft across by nearly 2 ft long - like this one:
www.wickes.co.uk/Astracast-Single-Bowl-Stainless-Steel-Compact-Sink/p/148595?awc=1563_1473748176_c22af8a2ffcf915ab527b25f78e27a6a&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=78888&utm_content=deeplink&utm_campaign=Skimlinks

Of course, large pots would be an issue, and of course couple have friends for dinner and so on - so it could be really annoying if it was too small for big pots - even only now and again.

Overall people don't want to walk down the garden to the shed for the dryer - that's definitely gone - that's good.
The conservatory is not a practical option for the dryer as it is also a main living room and the Dryer would cause damp.

I need to see a few small sinks on display but the shops don't show the speciality/low demand stuff.

OP posts:

user1471549018 · 13/09/2016 09:09

I think when you see one you'll realise how small they are. Not suitable for washing up or much else really. If you put a small sink in it will put off buyers and tenants, and the next buyer would almost certainly change it. In the UK both dishwashers and tumble dryers are 'luxuries' imo and people buying or renting a small house wouldn't necessarily expect one let alone both. Space for 2 white goods and a f/f is very generous in a small kitchen and it allows the family who moves in to prioritise what to put there. As you can see on here, it is a very individual decision (I personally would have a washing machine and dishwasher then a clothes airer in conservatory for winter)

iknowimcoming · 13/09/2016 10:02

I strongly urge you to bin the small sink idea, think about how you would clean the roasting tins after Sunday dinner and also things like the grill pan and oven shelves etc or the fridge shelves when you wash them. It's the sort of thing people would notice and make them think things have been scrimped on which generally makes them question other stuff imo

PurpleDaisies · 13/09/2016 10:03

I wouldn't rent a house with a small main kitchen sink. If I were buying I would be planning to change the layout to include a full size one-it world put me off.

SoupDragon · 13/09/2016 10:05

Not everyone uses a tumble drier so I wouldn't make compromises based on that. I would have space for two full sized appliances and a full sized sink. Some people would pick a dishwasher, some people a tumble drier.

YelloDraw · 13/09/2016 10:08

In that case a DW and an combined WM/TD is the best option - don't have to use the TD if you don't want to but its there in the same machine if you do :-)

FWIW I wouldn't ent anything that didn't have a WM/TD and DW. Renting london flats a WM/TD was standard - never separate.

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