Could someone critique a drawing of my kitchen please?

[kitchenemergency]

I am having a replacement kitchen as a result of an insurance claim. this is what has been suggested, I am trying to think if there is any better way of using the space than has been suggested - the position of the cooker is fairly fixed (due to electrical connections) it can move a foot or so either way but thats it.

any views welcomed please!

I'd agree with that - I can empty the dishwasher and put nearly everything away without moving from the spot.

Do you own your house? Is it in your Insurance documents that your kitchen has to come from Howdens? Because unless it was written in blood, I’d be telling them to sod off.

If you’re renting, I’d still be finding out why it has to be Howdens.

That aside, just tell them what layouts and cabinets you want, that makes very very little difference to the quote.

You can take all your cupboards to the ceiling if you want, they’ll just cut away the back of the cupboards for the vent. A decent fitter will put a false back on for you.

Moving the electrics along that wall isn’t a big deal.

Have you ever had a kitchen with decent pan drawers? I’m guessing not as I dont know anyone who would go back to cupboards after having them. They give you SO much more useable space.

I don’t be curious to know why a PP said it looked ‘dated’.

I am under a lot of time pressure to agree this, I need to go back today to them so I can get it fitted before Xmas. I am also at work so have basically no time to do it.

If I ask for a non Howdens kitchen I won't get it by Xmas, that's the bottom line.

I am struggling to work out how to get it symmetrical either side of the cooker. The duct for vent can't be moved above as the vent is in the kitchen (just above the furthest right cupboard).

I am struggling with Howdens website I can't see any of the cupboards, widths etc so I can't see what my alternative options are?

I thought it looked dated because of the differing sizes of cupboards, the lack of proper deep drawers and no full height units which really add to storage solutions. It’s just banks of High and low cupboards with no features such as glass doors to break up the solid look. Typical Howdens!

If you have a picture of the kitchen, is there no plan with dimensions? How do you know it will fit if there is no plan with dimensions? Ask for this, then you will know what has been specified.

I would make the cupboards on the right nearest the wall tall ones with the slide out shelves taking the counter space away. My parents have the same units from howdens I would just be wary of the cooker as my mums glass exploded and apparently it was a bit of a common fault with one of the brands.

This is my mums but it's obviously smaller than your space

The oven looks to be 90 wide. This is unusual. I can see Howdens web site is full of lovely kitchens but not details of cupboard widths available. The rigid ones do have some dimensions though so you could see if you can make a better job of using the space.

It's my own 900 oven, and also my job to be fitted above it.

I have a plan but not all the measurements are on there and it's basically illegible.

I was told they don't do glass fronted cupboards? I had these in my old kitchen but thought they were not great.

I need all the work space as it's my main prep area. I have a large larder separately where most tinned and packet food lives. This part of the kitchen is crockery, cutlery, cooking pans, trays, bakeware and so on.

Hob not job!

Ok so ive worked out the kitchen is 3315 long.

Once the corner cupboard is in this reduces to 2684.

The oven is 900 so that leaves 1784.

I used to have 2 x 500 drawers, 2 x 300 cupboards and a 150 wine rack on the base units.

I'm afraid I'm going to echo the Deep Drawers chorus! We're not able to have many in our own kitchen (the layout just doesn't give room for a run of them) but the one set we do have is so useful. One 60 wide 3 drawer holds all my cutlery, all of our plates, and all of our oven trays. I redesigned MILs kitchen and we went for drawers along the long wall and it's a total game changer, she can see and get to so much more of her stuff without having to dig around in cupboards.

For your corner unit I'd suggest fitting a Le Mans type pullout. We have one cupboard with and one without, and the LM one is so much more useful. I really need to get one retrofitted in the other corner.

here is a brochure with a list of unit sizes for Tewkesbury framed - not sure if that's the right range but the unit sizes are probably close.

Based on your sizes I'd reduce the number of units and have the corner unit (which should use 63cm on your long wall) then a 60 pan drawer, cooker, 60 pan then 50 pan. You'd have 8cm of wiggle room/filler, and your cooker hood would be fairly central on the wall (123cm out on one side, 118 on the other so probably as close as you'll get realistically.) You should be able to get an internal drawer in those pan drawers at the top for cutlery, utensils etc.

You haven't given sizes for the other side - can you tell us how long the other wall is?

It's looks very old fashioned, I would also go for pan drawers and cupboards that lift up for a more modern look. Don't be bullied into having a kitchen you're not happy with, you'll have it for a long time

With 1784 you could do 2 x 80cm drawer units. If corner posts allow you could move it out of symmetry a bit to stick in a wine rack or 15cm pullout unit on the end, if Howden's do them, or tray space. Otherwise use the slack to create symmetry using filler panels. Or if Howden's do both, you could have an 80 on the left and 90 on the right. IME kitchen shops sell whatever top units mirror their bottom ones. Just ask them to use big pan drawers either side, they should be able to come up with something according to the units they have.

The symmetry actually doesn't bother me at the moment. It looks to me that they've centred the oven in the room rather than on the run. Definitely my second choice but not the end of the world.

They do glass fronted with glass shelves. The advantage of glass is that it breaks up the slab fronted look of all solid fronts. You can display colourful glass or crockery in them or even nice wine glasses.

I have a 900 wide oven and I love it. Very few available now!

I wouldn't have a glass cupboard again as it's a waste of a cupboard. I have a few kitchen type ornaments in it and a few glasses.

I wouldn't have a built in wine rack either because 1) I no longer drink wine, 2) when I did I bought one bottle at a time and 3) it is used for mugs and how many mugs do a 2 person household need?

We have 150mm units either side of our range cooker. One is a pullout with oils, etc in it and the other is cut down because of out layout but still usable. Anything is possible. Are you able to cook, etc at the moment because I would really take the time to get this right and to get what you need and want. The loss adjuster should have put a value on the replacement and there's no reason why you can't have the money and go elsewhere.

Or you could add money to it, I'm guessing?

The only obvious thing I would change is I'd have a double oven, not a single. How on earth do people cook a Christmas dinner with a single oven?

thanks everyone.

I've basically gone back to ask for 800-oven- 800/150 (or 900) on the other side, to be deep/pan drawers. Not sure if they do the hidden drawers in those sizes but I have asked.
I've also asked for glass cupboards at the top.

However Ive had absolutely no response. Getting very stressed now as we are 3 weeks off Xmas, and at this rate I still have no sodding kitchen!

Did you try emailing? Try phoning if so. I haven't dealt with Howdens though. I need to be able to tinker with my units myself!

A 900 wide oven is quite big. You can get several dishes in side by side. It might be single but they are spacious. However I have a 600 oven as well!

I have a 900 wide rangemaster- but thats a double oven with a regular sized oven and then a slim oven which I think is more versatile than one big 900 oven as you can have them at different temperatures for different things.

All contact is via the builders instructed by my insurers/ the insurers. no direct contact with Howdens.

I've had my 900 oven for 10+ years and I love it. There's never been an issue with cooking, I can fit any size tray in (or 2 side by side).

This just came up on my Instagram. This looks lovely. All drawers too.

Is there anyway you can get new appliances? It's a shame to fit the kitchen around a 10 year old appliance.
You could have a single tower unit elsewhere then have your hob with drawers underneath

I cant get new appliances, and if Im honest I wouldnt want a smaller oven. As and when this one gives up I will only get another 90cm oven. I'd be happy with drawers either side of it.