Kitchen design advice - with diagram

[wowfudge]

I spent last night having a go at a kitchen plan and would welcome any advice and ideas. I know you love a diagram too . The area above the dashed line was the original kitchen and has 3 m ceiling height. The area below the dashed line is the orangery - brick walls to 2.1m (so wall units are out, but base and dresser type set ups are fine), central heating, glass ceiling and windows and French doors to the garden.

We have had the wall taken out between the two rooms and want to use the whole space for the new kitchen. The dining area is through the arch to the left, so connected with the kitchen space, but we don't need to put a table in the kitchen.

There are two existing alcove spaces which I've tried to incorporate as best as I can - FF in one and breakfast station in the other where there is an existing built in cupboard.

What do you think and are there any other configurations we should consider?

Forgot the diagram

Its awkward isn't it because of all the doors and it looks (on paper) quite disjointed. What type of kitchen are you considering, as I think it will be difficult to pull off a contemporary minimal type look but if you're going for a more traditional / shaker design, that would be fine.

I think I'd be tempted to streamline your units on the right hand side, so not sitting the F/F back into the recess, but aligning it with the run on units down that side for a sleeker finish. Could you not continue the units right up to the wall under the window?

Is there another exit from the dining room (i.e. not coming back into the kitchen?) If not, I'd be tempted to swap the sink and the dishwasher as it looks as though when the dishwasher is open, there wouldn't be much room between the open dishwasher and the pillar, meaning it will block people coming out of the dining room that way.

Are you planning on stools at the island unit?

It looks like an awkward space, lots of areas that need to be kept clear. It needs a run of cabinets somehow to make it feel less disjointed.

If I were you, I'd have a kitchen designer, one who'll come to the house so they can see the area rather than just on paper, Howdens come out and measure up for free.

Good luck, we're doing ours at the moment, finding it stressful because I want to get it right.

Second getting a kitchen designer to take a look, places like howdens and magnet do it for free with no obligation to buy. It does look disjointed and Iooks to me like you'll end up walking miles around the kitchen every time you cook because everything is so far away from everything else.

Thanks namechanged. The original kitchen was so poky and dark with a very small sink and shallow wall units so we want to get this right. Thinking classic in style as it's an Edwardian house and quite grand.

The windows start 60cm from the floor which I why I haven't taken units right up to them. I fancy window seats with storage under rather than a breakfast bar. Yes, we are restoring the access to the dining room from the hall - the previous weird access was a major reason the room was under-used.

Huge FF so although not streamlined I made use of that alcove. I also don't know where else it could go?

DP thinks I've made the island too big. He is probably right - we don't want pinch points if we can help it - I want max storage though. I enjoy cooking, baking, etc and have lots of kitchen equipment, which I'm sick of traipsing downstairs to get from the cellar. We entertain a fair amount with family and friends coming round.

We've had one local kitchen designer round, but we're not hopeful as he wasn't very inspiring. I am trying to arrange a design visit with Magnet. Was just hoping collective MN wisdom could help.

Ah that's disappointing, I went into b&q and found them a bit mhhwww but Howdens for us have be really good at finding solutions to our small problems.

This is an alternative layout. It's a big space with not much wall isn't it?
Other thing would be abandon island and have lovely sofas!

Thanks Steam - appreciate it. Yes - norlt much decent wall space. We really need the storage - already got a large living room with sofas! We've been advised by Uninspiring Kitchen Man not to put the hob under the glass roof and I would like proper extraction, which we can't achieve with the hob on the island. Yes, FF could go where you've got it too.

Just had dreadful phone call with Magnet who are short-staffed and seemed to think we live miles from their showroom for them to come out to us - it's a 20 minute drive fgs!

Is there anywhere else your hall door could be moved to?

I don't think so.

I think your layout is about as good as it is going to get with so many doors / windows / alcoves etc.

One suggestion - I think on the bottom R H side where you have base units and shelves above. I would remove those and keep that wall free. You do have a lot of storage in your 3x floor to cealing units + island + 2x dresser units. I think that unit is making it look a bit awkward, tight and clutters and introducing more awkward angles

Key points to avoid catastrophe later is always make sure there's room to get a big item like a USA FF out again ! The pinch points in your drawing look to prohibit that currently. (So if your Fridge freezer dies it's going to have to stay there for eternity ! )
Try to make sure there's set down space for your shopping near to your pantry and FF .
If you have a microwave in a wall unit - you need to be tall ! If you are petit - reconsider ! Set down space either side of a range cooker is needed !
( so hope that small cabinet isn't a tall pullout next to range )
You need to be aware of local design code if you are in certain countries, as their rules are law not just guides. So although it's fun to have a go at planning it yourself - ALWAYS get your plan safety checked before you order anything !

Food for thought - thanks Yello. I wonder what UKM will come up with! Annoyingly we know a fantastic kitchen fitter, but he's told us he knows his limitations and designing kitchens isn't his thing.

make sure there's room to get a big item like a USA FF out again

That is a good point!

Ooh - hello OnePlan, we're in the UK. That is a very good point about the FF! I will measure and check the measurements around it. Another reason for leaving that wall free as Yello suggested. Anything bulky like the FF would go in or out through the French doors rather than lugging it up the front steps anyway.

The microwave is currently in a wall unit, I am short, but don't find it an issue - it could potentially go in the breakfast station unit. Yes, there is worktop either side of the cooker. I've put the cooker there so an extractor can be vented outside.

There is two types of extraction hoods, one extracts externally the other uses a filtration system and doesn't, we have the latter.

Get someone like wicks round, they digitally design the whole thing, so basically they come measure up then they digitally design it, incl things like the actual height of cupboards etc, then uou can keep the plans if you don't use them and it's free. You defo don't need to design it yourself like this.

I know I don't have to design it myself, but I think it's useful to figure out how it could work for us - I am hoping the designers will come up with something better than we can.

I would say it very much looks like it wasn't designed by a professional. It sounds like you have spent a lot on getting the right (but awkward) space, in a beautiful period house. You NEED to get the kitchen design right! I would get a 'proper' designer too, not someone who just wants to sell you a kitchen.

Do you have anyone in mind?

We have been shopping around for a kitchen design with all the usual suspects mentioned above and a few specific to the style we want (shaker). By far the best design and service has been with de vol who did it all over email and then I popped to their showroom to finalise the design. You have to complete a form and send a proper plan initially but it was well worth it and a far better design and overal interaction than wickes etc. Well done for having a go though and good luck!

Ok I'm biased - but I truly believe you are better off working with a designer who's not actually trying to sell you anything ! That way there's no hidden agenda !
There's a few of us about !

I know OnePlan - just can't see DP agreeing to pay for a design service when kitchen companies don't charge for it.

Try a kitchen peninsula instead of an island. To create a C shape iyswim.