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Original poster

Can’t decide on kitchen design

34 replies

proudmummy129 · 17/02/2019 23:37

We’re in the middle of side and rear extension and we really need to finalise our kitchen design. Problem I just can’t decide on how to have the island. If anyone could shed some light it would be much appriciated. I’ve attached the two designs.

Can’t decide on kitchen design
Can’t decide on kitchen design
OP posts:
wowfudge · 18/02/2019 07:40

Right - first I have some questions:

  1. is this an open plan space or is that a wall between the central empty 'room' on the plan and the dining table?
  2. why does turning the island round to parallel with the sink wall mean that the island is half the depth and the table is smaller?
  3. do either of those kitchen plans give you enough storage for food and kitchenware?
  4. it looks as though there's a huge amount of space centrally on the plans, what is going to go there? I'd look at extending the kitchen into that space and having a longer island parallel to the sink wall. With all that space I don't understand why the second plan appears to have a slimline dishwasher on it.
ApolloandDaphne · 18/02/2019 07:47

I think the second picture shows the table with bench seating so it looks smaller? You don't seem to have much work surface. I would have picture two but with a much bigger island. Can you make it deeper and extend it more? There seems to be. A lot of open space not being utilised.

purpleelk · 18/02/2019 07:51

That first island looks far too far out. For multiple cooks (or in your case people milling around the fridge), it should be 48 inches or 120cm btw the counter and the island

stillworkingitout · 18/02/2019 07:54

I think I think option 2 but with more kitchen to balance the long side. We have a big island (2m x 1.2m) because that balanced the space in the room, but it’s a nice thing to have if there is room (even if one end is perpetually a dumping ground)

Mummybacon · 18/02/2019 09:32

Sorry I probably should have said there is a floor to ceiling window just where the wine cooler is in the second picture that’s why we are limited along that wall. Wowfudge it is all open plan and the Island on 2nd picture has been made bigger so measures 1.2x2.2 same size as on the first which I forgot to mention. Thanks so much for all your help I’m literally at breaking point.

wowfudge · 18/02/2019 09:39

Sorry - I can't tell what anything is on the second picture because it isn't labelled up like the first one. I don't know where the wine cooler is, for example.

Mummybacon · 18/02/2019 09:50

I intially preferred the second option too with a bigger Island but then i think what was bugging me was the run of kitchen along the sink wall wouldn’t be in line with the end of the Island. Don’t know if I’m just being picky and overthinking thinks. I just want to get it right

Mummybacon · 18/02/2019 09:57

The wine cooler is the unit end of the run along the window

Can’t decide on kitchen design
wowfudge · 18/02/2019 10:07

I'm with you now - anything to stop you have kitchen units on the wall between the window (I think that's the floor to ceiling window next to the wine cooler) and doorway? You could have a dresser effect or tall units or base units and shelves. I think the plan looks short on storage but you know what you have and need to find space for.

Mummybacon · 18/02/2019 12:02

Wowfudge thank you I will have a rethink. Any other opions please

Mummybacon · 18/02/2019 17:59

Anyone???

purpleelk · 19/02/2019 11:53

Yeah, that island is bizarre- why is it a unit in middle of the room, instead of an actual island Confused

LeakyLoftHatch · 19/02/2019 12:21

Are you keen for the table to stay tucked away? I'd always try to have a table where it's easily accessible - what about more of the 'kitchen' itself going into the space where you have planned to have the table? Then have the table positioned more centrally so it's easy to move, can be extended, is more flexible and people can move from the table to the sofa area easily.

Mummybacon · 19/02/2019 15:49

Purplelk I don’t know what you mean really? Would you like to expand..

Mummybacon · 19/02/2019 15:52

LeakyLoftHatch I was thinking that too but not sure we would have enough space for a table there will have a measure thanks for your help Smile

Mummybacon · 19/02/2019 16:08

Very roughly thats how it would go

Can’t decide on kitchen design
Mummybacon · 19/02/2019 16:10

Or like this

Can’t decide on kitchen design
purpleelk · 19/02/2019 18:00

Not sure what you’re not grasping. An island is a workspace that is meant to work along with your countertop space. When you face away from one, you should be able to spin around and at most take a half step to reach the surface of the other. An island shouldn’t be more than 120 cm away from your counter if it’s to be efficient. Turn and spin and turn to your opposite work surface. Not turn take 2-3 steps holding a hot pot or your ingredients to get to an island. That’s more like a stand alone unit in middle of your kitchen. Google what kitchen islands and kitchen aisle width are as standard, if it’s still unclear.

wowfudge · 19/02/2019 18:15

purpleelk there is no need to be so rude. Looking at the plans, the island is, ooh, about 120cm from the units along the walls at the widest point between them.

I like Leaky's idea tbh - that empty central space is wasted with nothing in it and I'd extend the kitchen units to where the table is on both plans and have the island parallel to the longest run of units.

Mummybacon · 19/02/2019 18:27

Purpleelk the reason I have no idea what you’re talking about is because the island is 1.2 from the counter some people honestly!

StatisticallyChallenged · 19/02/2019 23:13

I have similar thoughts to leakylofthatch - I'd be moving your table centrally so its in the open space between the sitting area and the kitchen, have the island orientated like it is in plan 1 and extend the kitchen significantly in to the space the dining table is currently. Depending on the dimensions you could make your kitchen just units along the back wall with a larger island for a more linear look, or put tall units on the wall the table is currently against (left hand side of pictures) but keep the wall on the bottom of your pictures all low level.

For what I think is a big room (can't make out dimensions) I think you're short on worktop.

MrsCollinssettled · 20/02/2019 13:00

How are you planning to use the kitchen OP? Is it a case of having friends round for coffee and chat/drinks/takeout? It doesn't look as if it is designed for cooking from scratch due to the lack of worktop and storage for equipment etc. If you're not intending to cook much I would go with option 1 as it looks more sociable. If you were planning on mainly cooking from scratch like PP I would put the table in the space between the kitchen and the seating area so that you can extend the units into the dining area.

Mummybacon · 21/02/2019 08:44

Thank you both I’m having it designed to see if it works.

LeakyLoftHatch · 21/02/2019 10:04

Just seen the pics, it will be lovely! Here's some more thoughts (we are just going the same process).

  • Can you locate the dishwasher so its convenient for cooking /prep areas and eating areas, so the dishes can go straight in not be left on a side.
  • Can you locate the fridge so it can be accessed without having to go through busy cooking areas - this so that others can get drinks etc without needing to push past the chef.
  • Similarly with the bin (cant see where it is but I might have missed it) - make it easy to access not tucked in a corner.
  • Four stools in a row is not very sociable, could you have them around a corner? Or actually if there were four people, are they more likely to sit round the table?
The more I look, the more I want to move the table into the middle! Good luck with the redesign, come back and show us :)
Mummybacon · 22/02/2019 09:58

LeakyLoftHatch thank you so much you’ve been so helpful. Having an extension and (3 DC) can be so stressful and I’ve just let it get on top of me all.