Redesigning kitchen - what is a must have?

[TwinklyLightsForXmas]

We've decided to redo our kitchen this year. What is an absolute must have/do and what should we avoid like the plague? We currently have an island with a sink in it which just looks messy most of the time. The washing machine is in the utility so just need an integrated dishwasher and would like an American fridge freezer if budget allows. Other than that, what did you do that was a winner or what do you wish you'd done differently? Thanks in advance!

We’ve just done ours, I’m not a fan of integrated appliances you get more space and they’re easier to change if they’re freestanding.

Best bits:
American fridge freezer
Big pan drawers
Big larder cupboard
Corner space saving unit.

We’ve also made a bench in the corner which I love

Zone the areas before you plan

Sink dishwasher cup cupboard
Cooking cutlery pans spices etc
Decent work surface for plating
Tea making

Yes to pan drawers

Pan drawers

Pull out drawers in larder
Gadgets wise - waste disposal unit

Cupboard where you put your glasses, plates etc within arm's reach of the dishwasher. Bin in a cupboard next to the sink (otherwise you have to carry the plug drainer across the room dripping everywhere). Kick operator for the bin cupboard. Boiling tap. Big cupboards etc. Not a fan of American fridge freezers personally - two full height integrated fridge freezers work for me.

There was a thread earlier this year, which might have some good ideas. (I've bookmarked it for when we do our own kitchen!)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/3831237-Kitchens-What-do-you-wish-you-had-hadnt-done-when-you-got-your-kitchen-done

My most favourite decision and slightly extravagant, was to have one big main American fridge freezer at one end but another under the counter hidden fridge which I pretensiously call the breakfast fridge. It sits under the cupboard where the cups, jams, spreads are and close to the toaster, kettle, coffee maker, so in the morning when every second counts I don't have to run back and forth to get milk, butter, jam etc. Also very useful in normal Xmas time for extra wine.

Larder with pull out drawers ,American size fridge/freezer,coffee station/corner,insinkerator,dishwasher drawer,pan drawer.

Loads of sockets and think about their height Vs upstand
Bin near sink
Somewhere for sharp knives if you have small children
Quiet appliances wherever you can

As well as all the above - boiling water tap is an essential for us.

@didireallysaythat can I ask why you're not fond of American fridge freezers - is the issue that they have a smaller capacity than 2 x normal ones?

Waste disposal unit. Filter tap. Freezer in kitchen but big freezer elsewhere. Pan drawers.

The biggest sink you get fit.
Really good integrated bins.

we're starting planning ours now.

we want a full size dishwasher (currently only a half one), a freezer in kitchen (currently only have one in garage - will keep this there), fridge (with a second in garage for drinks), i want a pantry cupboard and loads of storage. although i don't think we'll have the room.

We’ve just finished our kitchen and I definitely agree with what everyone has said about drawers, zoning and bins.

On the less practical side of things there are two things I love which cost extra but are really paying off:

1. The two counter standing reeded glass fronted cupboards one for glasses/spirits and the other for the naice crockery. They make me happy when ever I look at them.

1. My spice drawer.

Things to avoid, I had a sink on the island of my last house and like yours it always looked messy, in this house it’s tucked around the corner where you can’t see it from the dining/family room. Also I had open shelving in my last kitchen and I was constantly re-cleaning things I’d stored on them before I could use them. They can look great but the grease!

An Aga.

Boiling tap
Charging point in island
Big tall fridge (not American)
Comfy island stools
Two single ovens, separate mickrowahvay
Wine fridge
Pan drawers

i also want a pan drawer for baking pans to be built into the skirting board/dead space under the oven.

we have a small ish kitchen currently and whilst we are going to take a wall down and open plan it, we still have limited space. so need to really make the most of the space. am tempted to get a local boat designer on board. . . given that boats are limited on space....

USB ports in plug sockets, everyone said no but they are so handy

We did ours a few years ago. What I love:

big uninterrupted island - no sink or hob.
Two ovens, one with a warming function (if I had room I'd have had a warming drawer too)
biggest sink possible - without a divider. I can put roasting pans in flat to soak.
Really good extractor fan
Walk in pantry/larder with counter space, shelving and large cupboards. I can keep all my appliances out but not seen as I just close the larder door (pocket door)
Integrated bins/recycling

I wish I had put in a flat spice drawer - so much easier to see the spice jars than the narrow upright ones.

Empty wallspace. I've got cupboards up to 30cm from both sides of the window and it feels as though I'm working in a tunnel, despite multiple LED lights.

We did ours at the start of the year and I love everything about it but have been most pleased with my lovely big pan drawer and also my drawer for crockery. So quick and easy now to unload the dishwasher.

I also love my hose tap (didn't want a boiling tap). It's so simple but makes rinsing away soap suds in the sink so easy - something which for some inexplicable reason previously used to really irritate me as I just used to use my hands and it took ages.

I have a new kitchen, no fancy stuff but I love my massive (double belfast sink) it's great for hiding untidy stuff and dirty dishes. Also really big conduction hob, my 9 year has cooked nearly every day since install because it's so safe (she likes to and is not a child slave). I love my intergrated appliances but the fridge is a bit small. No island but a big extendable family table which means the room is well used for work from home, home work, board games and lego etc.

Warming drawer.
Splash back instead of tiles
More sockets than you think you’ll need
No dead space above cupboards
Task and cupboard lighting
Pull out wire trays, especially for tins and spices

I prefer integrated, but everyone’s different. I would never have open shelves, lovely as they look, anywhere near cooking. You’d be forever wiping them.

Blimey, some of you must have massive kitchens.

Second the aga 🤣🤣. But on a serious note get a water softner.

Induction Hob
Boiling water tap
Wine fridge
At least 2 ovens one of whxh is also a microwave
At least 1.5 sinks