Please help with kitchen layout

[EvilKitchen]

I'm losing the plot and the will to live while trying to design the layout for our new kitchen. We are going with DIY kitchens so I need to do the design myself. It should be simple; an L shape with no island (just going to have a big table). Washing machine and dryer going in the cellar.

If anyone could take a look at the three possible designs here and tell me what to do I'd be forever grateful.

For info, I prefer the first one, because it will maximise worktop space. My builder thinks 2, because he thinks the sink will look weird stuck in the corner. And DH says 3

And don't get me started on wall cabinets...

I can;t see from your drawings what you have in the corner, is it a pantry i.e. tall or do you have counter space there? Also is the fridge a tall unit?

Number 2 definitely. Sink and dishwasher need to be close to each other, and sink would look better away from range/chimney

I'd say No 2 as well. Sink and dishwasher should be close.

Definitely not 3!! Sink and dishwasher being so far apart will be a nightmare!
I think 2 also.

Thanks for comments so far; hmm, looks like the builder might win but I'm still worried that there will only be small 'patches' of work surface. The corner unit will just be a low cupboard (with a corner wall cupboard above) and the fridge will be fridge-freezer so a tall unit. At least I'm beating DH...

Definitely 2.

I don't have much work surface and I don't miss it. I've got a bloody weird set up so don't copy mine, but lack of work surface isn't a worry. If I have any need for more space for large amounts of chopping or rolling for example, I sit at the kitchen table and do it there.

Number 1 is likely to be the cheapest. Keeping the sink/dishwasher near the drain is a good thing.

In that case, the sink and dishwasher together on the wall nearest the door (could you switch the sink and the dishwasher around so you'd have a longer run of work top coming from the corner).

Ok, how about option 4?! Sink and DW together and FF would be tucked away rather than right next to you as you come through the door.

Although I'm leaning towards Option 5: dont bother with the new kitchen and learn to embrace the current kitchen's dingy charm

Forgot pic of option 4...

Yep 4 is fab

I think that will work nicely.

Why can you not go under the window? All the layouts would drive me mad, even with a table. Just not enough storage.

Option 4 the best IMO, I got to the same place. I would add some shallow larder cupboards on the other wall, because you are a bit tight on storage. If you ask DIY they will make you say a 1000 double door tall unit, cut down to 450mm deep which is a really nice size where things don't get lost at the back. Or even whole wall of shelves/larders.

Fridge and larders aren't in the best place but TBH they are places you periodically fetch stuff from rather than work in front of, so acceptable compromise.

I'd also say leave out wall units over the prep area to give light and headroom, and knock out your chimney breast if at all possible. The cooker is the main work station of your kitchen, don't put obstructions around it. Save money on something else and give yourself a big clear space to prep and bake on.

Oh forgot sketch

Agree about needing loads more storage space. I've got a nice pantry but no wall cupboards and when I get my act together we're adding some!

+1 for no 4

1. Or 2

Make sure you can open that fridge door in the corner as you need it to open more than 90 degrees to get shelves out.

Thanks everyone, especially RaisingSteam for the sketch. The window is very low so it would be awkward to go underneath that side of the room and the window can't easily be changed as its all stone mullions outside.

I definitely agree that storage is a problem here and we'd thought about having a dresser or some other freestanding furniture on the other side of the room but I will have a think about a larder unit instead. On the plus side the ceilings are very high so we can get tall wall cabinets which will help with storing lesser used items. I don't really want to remove the chimney breast as its a Victorian house and it would ruin the original coving and ceiling decoration plus we are up North so the budget versus value of the property is pretty tight if you know what I mean.

Thanks again; I think we might finally be getting somewhere!

When the dishwasher is on and someone brings some dirty dishes into the kitchen where will they get plonked?

With said dirty dishes on side, when emptying clean dishes from dishwasher will you transport in small numbers to the cupboards to store them, or stack them on the side (is that the side with the dirties on?)

The dishwasher seams a bit on the perifery to me.

In option 1 if you use your sink to wash up then is there enough space for dirties plus drainage?

I was also thinking aboutwhen you cook big roast dinner. Lots going in and out the range, wanting worksurface kept clear for quickly putting down very hot and heavy dishes.

For me sink, dishwasher and fridge need to be close to each other. Pref with small bit of worktop between sink and fridge (for tea making so tea and milk within arm's reach). Then separate space for cooking on. So none of these would work for me but 2 the best of the ones you have.

This is why people have an island isn't it?! (Which I really don't think we have space for...)

Definitely don't lose chimney breast! How much storage do you currently have? As in, how much stuff do you have or not have space for at the moment? I can't see lack of space here but then I don't own a lot of stuff.