New Kitchen must haves

[Sunisshining12]

Just about to embark on a new kitchen. House has been extended on the back so the space is all empty. What are your must haves? And things to bear in mind?

Never bought a new kitchen before!

American fridge/freezer or built in FF?
Hot water tap - good or a useless gadget?
Range style oven vs eye level?
Any other ‘gadgets’?
Worktop/stone advice
Flooring type

Thanks

The MN lessons learnt kitchen thread

This is the title of the thread you need (can’t remember how to do proper link). It’s quite old now but a lot of the advice is still really useful.

My loves so far:

Quooker Tap
Drawers rather than cupboards for plates, saucepans etc
Full size integrated fridge and full size freezer
Double sink, insinkerator
Too many cupboards (haven't filled them all!)
Induction hob
Sockets With usb points

@NotPennysBoat

Here you go!

We have engineered wood flooring

I have to say, though, those photos make it look darker than it actually is. What isn't shown there is that we also have under cabinet LED lighting, which reflects nicely off the worktop too, and lights built-in to the extractor fan above the hob

Oh, underfloor heating - was expensive and a luxury item really but no radiators and my feet love it

Dishwasher next to wastedisposal is a good idea. I'm getting two full size ovens side by side with a big drawer under each. Also telescopic oven shelves are good for heavy dishes.

I agree with the plug in speakers idea. Future proof compared to a fancy sound system with wires which will become out of date.

A broom cupboard with double socket for charging my cordless vacuum cleaner.

More sockets than you think you could ever need.

We got two under counter fridges instead of a big fridge. Have a freezer in the garage. Works really well for us, use one for stuff we use daily, milk, butter, cheese, yoghurt etc. The other one has mostly wine/beer/fruit juice and sauces and things.

@BIWI I love your kitchen! That is exactly what I want - where did you get the dark blue units?

@BIWI stunning! Thanks for sharing

Having 2 dishwashers is HEAVEN.

We moved our kitchen from one side of the house to another and kept some of the old appliances (including dishwasher and integrated fridge)

I can load one while the other washes, no need to ever face stacks of dishes waiting to go in.

Lo

Personal preference, I have an American style fridge freezer and a range , also two sinks.

Whoops finger slipped.

Also love my hotwater tap, especially as the builders are still in, makes doing a round of tea so much easier

My architect advised against the AFF with built-in ice/water dispenser as apparently these often break quite soon into the life of the appliance

Our American FF is now 13 years old. Ice maker still works very well, as does the rest of it. In fact it still looks pretty good overall. We put a new kitchen in a couple of years ago (relocated into a different room too, so lots of work) but decided to keep the FF because it still looks good and performs well.

We have a range cooker. I love it but it is a bloody pain to clean.

Really good lighting is essential. And second previous suggestions of plenty of sockets.

I inherited my kitchen when I moved in my council flat, the things I love are, eye level double oven, pan drawers, space for a dishwasher. When i eventually move, my essentials are, 5 ring gas hob, space for American fridge freezer, double sink, pull down cupboards (I'm disabled) deep drawers instead of base cupboards, pull out larder cupboard, lights under all wall units, lots of electricity sockets, USB sockets, pull out ironing board.

I did my kitchen about 3 years ago. Things I can now not live without.. A Quooker boiling water tap, have not used a kettle since, wine fridge in the island, even without wine in its extra storage space for juice, tonic waters etc, very large pan drawers in the island, underfloor heating, loads and loads of plug sockets with USB charging points (we went for a glossy pewter chrome which never seems to age), american Fridge Freezer with ice and water dispenser, integrated bin drawers in our island. We knocked 3 rooms (small) into one to make a big kitchen and now it is literally the main hub of the home. Both my husband and I are sitting in here tonight both working on laptops (or mumsnetting!). It has turned out to be the most important space so to my mind deserves the best you can afford.

@Uhtredswoman our kitchen was hand built (don't ask!). It's painted in Farrow & Ball Hague Blue. But when I was doing my research fighting against the architect's suggestion of having it hand built I went to Magnet, and they do something very similar that they call Midnight Blue

Anyone on here got a Cashmere gloss kitchen and willing to show a photo?

I had one at my last house @Jubilation - was very pleased with it! I'll dig out a photo and message you (as everyone will recognise it)

Oh, anyone know how to attach a photo in a PM?

You can't attach a photo to a pm.

A few from my new white kitchen. Still to tile and finish a few areas.

I'd second a quartz worktop - definitely something that gives a kitchen a real feel of quality. There's some good options out there - we went for Monte Bianco from CRL quartz. I found this page on their website about the benefits against other worktops:

www.crlquartz.co.uk/quartz-worktops-advantages/

Best of luck!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/3737710-Your-best-kitchen-design-tips-please
Also includes a link to Lessons Learned thread

@Applephone11 I preferred quartz as opposed to corian and granite as it is more resistant to stains and we cook with a lot of Tumeric etc. However they are allegedly not heat resistant so you can't put things straight out of the oven on it or straight off the hob

Is this your experience with your quartz worktop?

Your kitchen is gorgeous @itwaseverthus