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!

Most expensive worktop you can afford
Good quality/sturdy handles/knobs
Hose tap
Big larder type unit, w spice rack on inside door
Underfloor heating

Two ovens
Boiling tab
Really good bin cupboard
Integrated everything - We have a full height fridge and full height freezer, both integrated.
Floor to ceiling cupboards
Pull out larder storage
Plenty of worktop space

Thanks for all the ideas. LOTS to think about 🤯

Get 2 ovens. Best thing we ever did!!!! We have ours side by side

Plug sockets with USB charging point.

Any cupboards that are in the corner, have the pull out metal trays so you can get to everything, even at the back. We regret not having these. (No idea what they're called 😂)

What we have which we like:-
Waste disposal unit - best thing ever.
1/2 sink on 3 metre long island - this has the WDU and we do all food prep there.
Large American sized fridge freezer with French doors - the hub of the house. Bonus if you can plumbed in water/ice.
Full height pull out larder with wire racks.
Sockets - lots of them!
Water Softener - we have a whole house one.
No top cupboards where possible - makes the whole place look bigger.
Pull out bin where you do the food prep. Larger the better.

Definitely don’t have the sink on the island - it’s the one place that can look the messiest.

Gap between floor cupboards for trays, , pan drawers are great, integrated bins are great ,pull our larder - we’ve got a narrow one and it’s great

A charging area - we designed in an alcove tucked outbid the way fir the various chargers . Sockets have built in usb chargers - wish we’d done more of these everywhere else too

Wish we’d got a boiling water tap

We’ve got 2x pull out corner units but don’t really use them much - ok for the little used baking stuff but very expensive for how we use them

Oh and if you’re going for a quartz worktop shop around - don’t get it from your kitchen suppliers , similarly use your own fitter if possible . They are much flexible - we rearranged our units once they were built and in position and we could see better how the space worked.

Oh and if you’re going for a quartz worktop shop around - don’t get it from your kitchen suppliers , similarly use your own fitter if possible . They are much more flexible - we rearranged our units once they were built and in position and we could see better how the space worked.

apologies if these points have been covered already but...

seriously good bin set up.
Biggest sink you can fit in.
handleless cupboard doors.
boiling water tap.
plenty of plug sockets.
don't have fancy lights under the granite - they just highlight the dust/marks on the cupboard doors.
walk in larder or larder with individual pull out drawers.

We've just had our kitchen done and I wish I'd known that integrated fridge freezers are smaller than standalone. I'd have had two if I could go back in time, or gone with an American one like you say.

I have a pull out rack thing for spices and oils right next to the hob and ovens which I love. Also had the hob and ovens in the island with a bench opposite so when I'm slaving away I can at least talk to people rather than the wall!!

Boiling tap
Pan drawers (no stuff lurking at the back of cupboards anymore!)
Pull out drawers in larder cupboard
Warming drawer
No top cupboards
Granite worktops

If we had space, I'd have liked a second oven. We have an oven and a microwave which has oven function - but the oven function isn't as good as a 'real' oven.

We'll be getting our kitchen done next year. I'm not a fan of integrated appliances, or American fridge freezers. There's only one tea drinker in the house, so won't be getting a boiling water tap either.
We will be getting wide drawers instead of cupboards, and a pull out larder with individual drawers. I want a sink big enough to soak baking trays in. Two full size ovens, with a separate microwave in a cupboard. Oh, and a wine fridge. Induction hob, and 3 pull out bins.

Omg how could I forget my beautiful walk in larder - the best thing ever! All the food in one place. Magical.

Cupboards that close the last inch by themselves.

Good lighting. Agree re: plug points, drawers in all cupboards.

A really deep sink.

Personally I dislike handle-free cupboards, but if you do it, please please do not make them shiny/high gloss. Dates a kitchen so quickly.

Ps if an Aga works for you, go for the Aga. Never regret it.

2 dishwashers saves have a drawer/cupboard to store the crockery etc in.

A space for your bin...our new build developers hadn't thought about this and so our bin is on the other side of the kitchen

We've just had our kitchen done (waiting on the floor). We now have drawers for pans, crockery, glasses etc which is so much easier than cupboards.

Got rid of most of the high cupboards and but have storage up to the ceiling on some areas.

Got lights fitted to under shelves to give more light in a dark corner.

Bottle storage next to the fridge, it's amazing. Kitchen isn't very big but we've made the most of the storage.

No cupboards, just drawers of different depths and widths (apart from pantry). I literally listed the entire contents of the kitchen and used that to plan the drawers.
Couple of USB sockets in different areas
1.5 or 2 bowl sink.
Flat drawer/cupboard fronts for easier cleaning if you're lazy like me.

sockets, many sockets. I had to fight with builders to get the sockets I wanted...

I have enough and can work in different areas - most of the sockets are in use

toaster, microwave, fridge, kettle, coffee machine, two phones, dishwasher, cooker, so thats 9 sockets and then we have Alexa who come in the kitchen area sometimes to do the timing for baking and cooking

Id always have more than you think you need and don't be dissuaded on that

Just changed our full height fridge freezer for a full height fridge (have a utility and garage freezer). Boiling tap essential, drawers wherever you can, I have 3 ovens, normal, micro/combo etc and steam (best thing ever). Induction hob. We have nothing on the tops at all.

Two big fridges rather than an American one. One mostly holds drinks and snacks
Pan drawer, tall cupboard full of big pullout drawers for spices, biscuits etc

Please everyone add photos. I am really struggling to understand how all these things fit in a nice way!

Those of you with walk in pantries - how big a space do you need? Pics please! Planning my new kitchen at the moment and could probably fit in a 1.5 x 1m pantry, but is this big enough?