Kitchen units won't allow me to reach appliances

[ShortLass]

I put in my order with DIY Kitchens on a recent visit, but was surprised when I read through my order confirmation at home that their cabinets won't allow me to reach the fridge and oven/microwave stacks properly.

Here's a picture of my Mum's kitchen, which works perfectly. The oven is above just one drawer with the microwave on top meaning that I can reach both the oven and the microwave. But the DIy-kitchens unit inexplicably has two drawers under the oven (2nd pic), meaning that reaching the microwave is difficult. My friend has an arrangement like this and she finds getting something like hot soup out of the microwave rather perilous.

Perversely, the problem with the fridge is the other way around (3rd pic). There is only one drawer underneath, meaning the fridge will be too low. It also turns out that this is a housing for an oversize fridge (1200), whereas I want an ordinary size fridge (900) -- as with my Mum's kitchen where it's the large door next to the microwave.

I sent two emails to DIY and had no response. I sent a support ticket yesterday, but decided to ring them today. They said they don't do cabinets which allow me to reach my appliances. I know I'm short, but at 5 feet, I'm not that unusual in the UK. My Mum has a kitchen that works, why can't I?

I am thinking of asking a carpenter to sort this out for me, but not sure how. Moving one drawer on the oven stack might be possible, but what about the fridge? Apparently they don't even do an integrated door for an ordinary sized fridge -- I just don't understand it. Any suggestions welcome.

my only comment would be if you got a carpenter to make alterations, check first if this would invalid any warranty from the supplier.

Good point about warranty, but I'd much rather have a kitchen that is practical rather than one that isn't.

Starting to wish I hadn't gone for the cheap kitchen option...

I have a similar arrangement with the oven and microwave, but I have a regular sized cupboard under the oven (so probably equivalent to your two drawers). It works fine, I'm quite short too (5 foot 1) and I've never struggled using the microwave. I can get things in and out of the oven without bending down which is more important to me.

I have this housing unit and it's fine (although I am 5'6). I have a double oven but no issues taking things out of the top. Can't you get side by side housing units?

This is such a PITA and very common in fitted kitchens where it's more important to line up with standard doors than for people to be able to reach things! My mum is petite and had to do similar, she ordered some extra doors from DIY kitchens and my dad customised the units.

Your mum's arrangement seems to be

• fridge in a 900 double oven housing with a 900 (or 895) high wall unit door for the fridge door

• oven stack in a 900 double oven housing with one drawer discarded and a filler panel (maybe a shallow drawer front) to hide the gap above the microwave.

It might be easier to work it out with your fitter and order the extra parts than get DIY to build custom units. You can get extra hinges/drawer boxes etc from anywhere. You can ask DIY to supply units dry assembled (ie. not glued) and then it is straightforward for your fitter to move the shelves to a different level.

useful diagram of different arrangements of units and the standard door/front sizes that are available.

Have you tried getting smaller legs on the units? Would bring everything down a little. One thing to remember is that if your kitchen is too different,low and you come to sell your house in the future, then this may be an issue for the buyers.

Oh - this is the first negative thing I've heard about DIY !
When we design for people buying from them, we draw elevations of the configuration required to suit the clients height - and I've never had a client say they got it delivered differently ? It's a safety issue - they have all the components so I'm surprised that they aren't being more helpful on this ?!?

After a lot of head-scratching, I have decided that I can put my fridge in a double oven & warming drawer housing:
www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/tall/appliance-housing/600mm-1970mm-x-600mm---double-oven-&-140mm-warming-drawer-housing-unit---2-pan-drawers/wp2031610/#.WTZmCxPytBy

I just need to order the appropriate door. DIY has asked me to open a support ticket for this, which I have done. I hope they reply this time.

I will put the oven/microwave in an integrated fridge freezer housing:
www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/tall/appliance-housing/integrated-fridge-freezer/600mm-600mm-integrated-fridge-freezer----1970-high---suitable-for-midi-height-fridge-or-freezer---total-height-2120-including-150-legs/wp15500/#.WTZmuhPytBx

and will probably need some sort of filler plate.

Talking with my Mum again, it seems that this is similar to what she had to do.

Also, thanks NotMeNoNo, I will also look at your suggestion.

I think we may be ordering from DIY and may have a similar problem as I am on the short side. Commenting to find for future reference!