New kitchen...wha5 would you have? What would you have done differently?

[Perfidy]

Extension, medium sized and reasonable budget... wha5 would you have or do? What pitfalls to avoid?

So can you use the toaster in the cupboard?

(I love this idea. Cannot stand clutter on the worktop.)

Do try to find somewhere else for the noisy washing machine and dryer!! We had ours in the kitchen for 6 months while we had work done and it was a nightmare.

@imausernamenotanumber yes you can use a toaster etc in an appliance garage. Also hate clutter out on worktops.

Thanks for the pictures Africa2Go. No, I haven't seen those before (although they remind me of the cupboards that were very popular in the 60s / 70s, where you pulled the door open to make an extra surface, but less practical. ) .
That said - and I am going on those pictures only - they don't look like you have enough 'working room' above the appliance, whilst at the same time not having much work surface in front to slide it out on to ? As I say, I'm only going on those photos.

just dont feel the need to use a toaster throughout the day

Not got teens then ?

I agree Parietal

@ariela we have all the measurements and know which kitchen we want but need a member of staff to order it and the showroom is shut no staff in there working so will wait ive waited nearly a year a couple of months longer wont matter

That said - and I am going on those pictures only - they don't look like you have enough 'working room' above the appliance, whilst at the same time not having much work surface in front to slide it out on to ? As I say, I'm only going on those photos.

just dont feel the need to use a toaster throughout the day

Not got teens then?

@BackforGood they have enough space to put a piece of bread in a toaster, not sure what other working room you need ? And yep, I have 2 teenagers.

Do try to find somewhere else for the noisy washing machine and dryer!!

I agree. We had an L-shaped (previously extended) kitchen but we put up a stud wall and created a utility room.

It's so much nicer having a food-only kitchen. The utility room can get really messy but we just close the door and pretend it isn't.

Thank you. I’m picking up more drawers as an option! Does anyone know the kitchen designer who lots of people have used her? You send the plans away?

Karen Wallace @Oneplan.

Cheers.

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder Oooh, I'm considering doing this too for the awkward corner I have in my L shaped kitchen. Rather than a utility room it will become a walk-in pantry which houses the washing machine too. Karen at Oneplan's idea and one I love. Just trying to figure out the logistics now. Would you be able to share a pic please? Don't worry about the 'messy inside' just want to see what the exterior looks like!

Like - very tall cupboards and too the ceiling cupboards yes need stepladder to get to top but am short so would need one anyway!

Glass splash back so easy to clean ..
Steel single sink nice and deep for r roasting tray ... builder laughed when I took it to screw fix :)
Peninsula as maximises workspace however I do have to clear it!
Wide units with drawers, symmetrical cupboards:) reversing one unit in peninsula do tablecloth etc on side where table is and reduced number corner units..
Cheap worktop -thought would upgrade later but still happy with it and indestructible so far!

Paying for painted units from diy kitchen still really happy with colour and condition

Main regret-picking cheaper tap! It's dripping now and crap design means can't access washer/cartridge..
Driving me mad ! Should have bought the grove/Hans grove one

I am on the whole quite happy with our kitchen layout and we’ve had it in ages. The only thing i regret is not having an oven/grill higher up.

@Smallgoon

This is a photo of the stud wall going up to divide the kitchen. We had only one sink which was in the (now) utility room. We had to have another sink fitted in the kitchen. We now have quite a large utility with the boiler, a washer, a dryer, the microwave, a large sink, ironing board/brushes, laundry baskets, glass recycling bin and a full wall of top cupboard storage, as well as a corner and sink unit. The other photo is the finished 'eating' side of the kitchen.

@Chocolatedeficitdisorder thank you so much. Lovely kitchen btw!

I spent a long time looking at the lessons learnt thread and don't regret much. TBH we didn't have much space so a lot of decisions were just made for us.

Regrets - needed a hose on the kitchen tap, cleaning the double sink is a pain.

Unexpected bonus - had a tiny cupboard next to the cooker which I thought was a waste, just due to measurements. Turns out I use it all the time to put chopping boards in.

Definitely good decisions - Karndean floor in a very worn looking oak. Warm underfoot and doesn't show up the dirt.
DIY Kitchens - yes everyone on Mumsnet is right
Worktop Express - cheaper than a DIY Kitchen worktop well it would have been if I hadn't promptly seen a higher end worktop I liked better

Finally as someone who sees a lot of kitchens - just get what you want. Don't feel compelled to have an island, American freezer, butcher's block, breakfast bar or whatever this year's in thing is if it is meaningless to your lifestyle.

We put a serving hatch in