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Original poster

Would this bother you in kitchen design (will it bother me?!)

67 replies

PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 21:26

We have had our pretty uninspiring kitchen design back today and I was hoping we would be given some ideas that we haven't already had, but we haven't. I suppose there is only so much that can be done with an awkward space!

Anyway, you will walk through the utility to get to the kitchen - would it piss you off to have the fridge freezer in the utility? And the microwave in there? I asked for an integrated one but it isn't on the plans so I thought I could pop a freestanding one in the utility.

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Intransige · 17/05/2017 21:57

Our utility is directly off the kitchen, but the door to the utility is at the far end of the kitchen - the opposite end to the main work area. It's just a hassle - in addition to being an extra couple of metres away there is always other stuff also in the utility that gets in the way like baskets of washing etc.

I wouldn't have an under counter one as an alternative though. That's what we took out and replaced with the fridge in the utility. Too small, for a start. And you can't see what's in it without kneeling down a lot.

RandomMess · 17/05/2017 21:57

We ended up with slim line under counter fridge and freezer to make ours work.

We had a wall mounted microwave instead of double oven which worked well.

NoSquirrels · 17/05/2017 21:59

Hmm it is underwhelming, isn't it?

does sink need to stay there?
I'd want oven & microwave in tall housing unit (plus fridge freezer, plus maybe tall pantry larder) in one wall run of units maybe where hob/oven is now, and place hob itself elsewhere on long worktop bench run. I'd then perhaps be fine with moving sink& dishwasher to "utility" room.

For me kitchen = food storage/food prep/cooking, and in terms of the actual cooking might prefer to walk out for kettle/pan filling etc.

But that's might because I'm not sure - draining pans of pasta etc, would it be awful?

depends on how you cook/use your kitchen mostly, and what each room is leading to and from eg what side is your dining?

PeachesandPie · 17/05/2017 22:00

This is basically my kitchen layout! Our fridge freezer and microwave are in the utility and it doesn't bother me at all. We are redoing our kitchen soon and keeping everything where it is. When I cook I get everything I need out of the fridge before I start so makes no difference. You would definitely get used to it.

Thissameearth · 17/05/2017 22:04

I agree if coming from outside you need to go through the kitchen then that's a good plan - take off shoes etc in there not where you prepare food.

I know you say a small and awkward space but looks fairly decent to me so as you asked for a fridge freezer ask Howdens why it's not there i.e. Was there a problem or just forgot. Could you not have the fridge freezer at the end of the L shape next to the external door i.e. away from cooker. It looks like you have loads of cupboards in utility - what will you be putting in there? If not using it all you could cut back on that then it's feel less like an extension of kitchen and more separate purpose with shelving and hooks and shoe rack etc.

Would this bother you in kitchen design (will it bother me?!)
HipsterRaccoon · 17/05/2017 22:04

If there was room, I'd put fridge freezer, integrated eye height oven and microwave as a row of full height units across the back wall. The wall with window and door on would need to fit sink and hob, and maybe some wall cupboards in between. That would free up loads of storage space in utility, so kitchen would only need to store everyday cooking stuff.

MargotLovedTom1 · 17/05/2017 22:04

Our fridge freezer is in the utility. I found it a pain in the arse when the DC were little, but now they are old enough to get stuff out of the fridge for themselves I don't really think about it.

OhTheRoses · 17/05/2017 22:05

How about getting another firm to do an alternative plan. In fact go to three/four firms. Then go back to the one you like best with the ace bits from all plans and end up with the best possible compromise.

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 22:06

It won't let me upload the floorplan which is annoying - apparently I have posted too many today on this thread.

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Thissameearth · 17/05/2017 22:06

Pared back utility room photo provided!

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 22:07

OhtheRoses, I think that is what I will do next. But don't some make you go and look at it in their showroom without letting you muse over it at home?

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SummerMummy88 · 17/05/2017 22:07

My fridge freezer and washer/dryer were in the utility room in my old home didn't bother me in the slightest, Could you not have a built in oven microwave in the wall?

Millybingbong · 17/05/2017 22:09

I think your arch looks too big. I'd make that narrower and put the fridge on the other side of it in the kitchen. Freezer is less of a concern

We have our microwave high up above the oven.

WizardRobot · 17/05/2017 22:09

Built in fridge freezer is overrated and frankly quite shit, it gives little provisions for changing later. Ideal kitchens have you working in the centre of a triangle where the fridge ,sink and cooker are the points and are all in short reach

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 22:12

Peaches, that is what DH thinks. And I worry about losing work surface space in the kitchen if we move the fridge freezer in there - for eg to the right of the sink.

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Etymology23 · 17/05/2017 22:22

I think I would lose a cupboard in the kitchen for an undercounter fridge and then have a separate fridge freezer in the utility room.

If you needed more kitchen storage could you have a plate rack or something next to the kitchen window?
I know a lot of people hate shelves in kitchens but if the stufff is in regular use it doesn't get greasy.

I find the symmetry of the cupboard set up in the utility disconcerting, and I think I'd be tempted to put cupboards over the washing machine.

Alternatively, is it possible to keep the arch as wide as possible and essentially just have a bigger kitchen?

What size are the rooms ish?

Quodlibet · 17/05/2017 22:22

Well an easy solution is put fridge freezer to the left of where Howdens have put the oven. Move the oven one unit or 30cm right, and also move the sink further right on that adjacent run. It would all fit fine, your kitchen designer is prioritising symmetry over practicality.

Quodlibet · 17/05/2017 22:23

Also - steel beams are not that expensive - £80-£100? Our builder/kitchen fitters took a wall down, put an RSJ in and clad it in a day.

didireallysaythat · 17/05/2017 22:24

Others have made fridge freezer suggestions. I like a microwave in a wall unit - you don't have/want wall units to the right of your sink ? (Apologies if I've missed something).

Can I suggest you tag @OnePlan who is a fantastic source of knowledge of all things kitchen planning and a wonderfully generous individual ?

And if nothing else, get another plan from somewhere else. We had one from howdens. It was awful. It had two wine fridges. After we explicitly said we didn't want one (but hadn't said we didn't want two ????). The best layout came from a more upmarket shop which I'm embarrassed to admit we didn't follow up on but it was so much better.

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 22:27

Ety, there will be a large window above the washing machine/drier and a door to the left so no more room for cupboards on that side, we don't know the measurements of the window yet though.

I'm not sure about the room sizes, that is a bit crap isn't it. I will post the proposed floorplan tomorrow when the photo allowance starts again. Ety, we can't get the archway any wider for structural reasons, but we hoped it would flow nicely and feel like a bigger kitchen but with two distinct spaces - utility and cooking.

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ExplodedCloud · 17/05/2017 22:27

That sink looks really awkward. You couldn't open the wall cupboard next to your head if you were washing up. Could you switch it around at least?

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 22:30

Quod, we are still getting builders quotes, but we have been told that the layout we have asked for this kitchen to be designed based on is the cheapest option and therefore the only we we might be able to afford. The house needs a lot of other work too. However, I definitely wasn't under the impression that beams were that cheap!

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Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/05/2017 22:31

didireallysaythat, how do you tag on here? I had no idea that you could! All input would be gratefully received!

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Etymology23 · 17/05/2017 22:35

Structural reasons makes sense - I think it'll hopefully do what you want :) I think I had it easy with my kitchen as there was only one way I could find to fit everything in and make the plumbing ok (but I do have extraordinarily little worktop space (approx 60cm one side of the sink and 75cm the other) ) - 6ft wide galley kitchen and it's a tight squeeze!

didireallysaythat · 17/05/2017 22:39

I think we have paid around £200 for 3m steels (simple ones with no joins) and more for more complicated ones. You might need structural calcs for one though which will add to the cost.

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