Kitchen layout help

[NWnature]

Hi all

We are renovating and opening up the bog standard kitchen/diner. The space isn't big, and this is the inital layout by the architect but obviously subject to tweaks and proper kitchen design.

I know I want a Fisher & Paykel fridge freezer which I think is probably wider than the one shown. In terms of making the rest of the layout as efficient as possible, do you think that swapping where the sink and hob are would be a good idea?

I'm thinking that then I would avoid the need for an expensive extractor fan, because the oven could go against the wall with a flue straight out. I guess the downside is washing up left in the sink on the island looks messy? Its more social to cook facing out into the room?

If we did change it, I've been looking at range cookers that have an induction top which might fit in that space at the end of the 'C' shape. I'd initially thought an induction hob then hopefully a double oven at eye height but I'm not sure where that would fit in as there isn't much space for full height cabinets.

We are having two other floor to ceiling cupboards just opposite (out of sight) one of which I thought could be a sort of pantry cupboard with a socket for microwave.

Any thoughts and tips welcomed!

Our layout is similar. Sink and cooker work well. No cooker hood (previous owners didnt put it in) we plan to install a wall mounted fan though. I think you could fit your tall oven in that run. It is tight though, can you widen the U at all?

The FP fridge is deeper than drawn as well as wider and you need air gaps all around it so in a kitchen this size it's too big. Range cooker is probably too big too.

If you use an independent concept planner to design it with you, you can then shop around and compare like for like very easily.

Thanks both. @NotMeNoNo I could ask the architect if possible to widen the U but the dining room table is beyond in a small extension (our planning got reduced to the permitted development depth of 3m).

@321youreback ahh I am so keen on F&P will have to work with a designer to see if they can incorporate it anyway as I just love them. Do you have any recommendations for indepedent designers? I'm in NW London if that makes a difference.

Just mentioned Karen from OnePlan on another thread. She works anywhere as all done remotely off plan or off your sizes .

I’d move the stove to the other side - how many times do you need to be social for cooking? It’s the last thing I want when trying to concentrate on not burning myself!

You could then widen the run into a breakfast bar the other side you don’t need much room.

What GreenTulips said, I’d put the hob against the wall and keep the area that’s facing the room clear.

I’ve just planned a kitchen and found that I saved money by using a ceiling inset extractor, rather than the expensive pop up down draft ones. The air is taken outside via the joist gap.

It means you can have the induction hob facing the room, without the extractor cluttering the worktop

Not sure I'm reading the plan right but is that a window next to the sink? If it is I think for building regs you need at least 60cm (standard unit) between a window and a hob. I assume it's so that your glass doesn't crack??

I do like the idea of social cooking but when we redid our kitchen I didn't want to put a hob on the island mainly for worrying about kids sticking their fingers in it when I was cooking. It's a bit dull facing a wall but it might be the best place for it, you could then go for a standard extractor if you wanted to save money.

Final thought, I have a F&P freestanding fridge freezer. We've had it 5 years and it's been brilliant and is the only freezer I've ever had that keeps ice cream at perfect scooping temperature!!

@sollasollew I agree, I am dying for F&P fridge freezer, they are so GOOD. Sadly been out of stock on John Lewis for yonks. There aren't any windows on those walls so hopefully will be ok to put the hob wherever. I'm going off the architects idea of having it on the penisula and think it would be better against a wall as everyone else has said.

Thanks @GreenTulips and @CrystalMaisie i think consensus is get the hob against a wall.

@Witchlight i think my architect said something about why we couldn't have the ceiling fan so I think maybe going against the wall is the answer. It'll free up all the counter space too.

Thanks @321youreback will check out OnePlan.

Not sure about the exact dimensions but have that almost exact layout, including big American fridge, the difference being that the cooker is centered in the middle of the peninsula. We’re very happy with it and find it social. We have an Elicia extractor hood that sits flush with the ceiling and vents outside with the pipe hidden up in floor joists.

The thing is if you put the hob on the side with a wall, (particularly if you want oven and fridge on that run), you will end up with a cramped little prep/work area and your peninsula won't get used. If you are that tight for space I guess you won't be bothering with stools, but using the back wall of the peninsula for half depth storage? So who is going to reach the hob any more than the other layout? You could also slide the hob towards the sink so the main prep area is more at the end of the peninsula.

How about putting your statement fridge freezer in the place where you were talking about the pantry unit, and then put a full height larder and full height oven housing (maybe with microwave shelf included) on the LHS. These won't stick out more than standard units.

Also, a wall fan/Xpelair can be put on the outside wall and meet building regs, you do not need a cooker hood. If it's powerful and not too far from the hob it will draw the steam out fine. www.airconcentre.co.uk/products/vent-axia-centrif-duo-plus-p-centrifugal-kitchen-fan-431613

@ShyTown whereabouts is your oven? Below the hob?

@NotMeNoNo I'm not planning on using the peninusla for a breakfast bar or with stools as the dining table is right behind it and as you say,there isn't enough space. I think the plan on the outside was for open shelves for storage. ShyTown seems to suggest moving the hob along to the middle which keeps the end clear, I think that would be nice.

Definitely worth considering having the fridge on the other side of the room. I've attached a bigger snip of the layout (we won't be having two sofas like that so there is space for a second cupboard the other side of the column or maybe the fridge). I just wonder whether having the fridge outside of the kitchen area will feel weird/annoying to cut across the entry door to get things.

Have you considered the plumbing requirements if you move the sink to where the hob is currently supposed to go? Where is the drain and water supply and if cupboards under the peninsular units the pipes are going to have to go through them and have a drop sufficient from the sink to the drain to make sure there is no stagnant water in the pipes. The further the sink is away from the drains the more drop there needs to be. In the position your architect has put it presumably it is outside wall so drain probably just the other side. If you move it you have to consider the plumbing which in my opinion is harder to deal with than electric cables for the oven.

@NWnature We have a range style cooker so the hob and oven are all one. We have half depth cupboards on the other side of the peninsula for extra storage and also extended the worktop to allow for a breakfast bar. Consequently we hardly ever use the dining table so I think you’re right that you don’t need both in a small space!

@shytown ah fab thank you! Very helpful.

This is what our layout looks like "in heavy use" that I took for another discussion. The other half of the peninsula is just behind the hob, and the fridge stands alone to the left. I like the big 90x90 space on the end of the peninsula, can really spread out on it. It's messy but the accumulated wash-up is stacked out of the way of cooking, and the area for making drinks is still accessible. If you have a tiny space, every part of it needs a purpose.

If you push the peninsula out into the dining area a bit, then have a bench seating immediately on the other side of it with then a table and chairs on the other side.

This will give you more space in the work area.

Put the hob where the sink is now. Move the sink next to the fridge. Have the peninsula as the prep area.

You can then add pull out drawer to the end of the bench seating for pans or whatever. Have your microwave built into the end of the peninsula (under the counter).

Sorry not sure how clear I was. See some pics of bench off island and also microwave at end of island.

Have your microwave built into the end of the peninsula (under the counter).
Yes we have this! Another great space saver.