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Property/DIY

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Small Ikea kitchen layout help?

12 replies

LeeMiller · 25/01/2021 16:38

We’re moving to a house with a small corner kitchen area. It’s empty so we want to take as much of our current kitchen as possible (we're overseas and this is standard practice). The problem is our current kitchen is much bigger a very different shape. The idea is to redo the new one properly in a year or so when we have more time and money. So for now it's about adapting what we have so it's functional and looks fine, rather than perfect.

We already have a freestanding fridge/freezer and cooker, hood, and a double sink with draining cupboards above it which i’d like to keep. We also have a selection of IKEA base and wall cabinets but will need to buy/swap some so everything fits.

This is the only way I can fit an IKEA base corner cabinet in and we really need the storage space it provides. I’m worried about only 20cm worktop between oven and doorway, though DH thinks it's fine. There is space to put another level of (shorter) wall cabinets above the row I've done, but again, it was beyond my tech skills to do so... maybe it would look too heavy though. e small kitchen area (210cm by 250cm) is to scale, the rest of the room isn't because the walls aren't at right angles and I don't know how to do that on the IKEA app, but there will be a table (for further food prep) and chairs/bench with hidden storage. The sink has to go on that wall and assuming we keep ours it can’t go against the fridge (it needs at least 20cm worktop on either side).

Anyway, I have been fiddling around with it for so long and can't tell if it looks weird or unbalanced, or if it's 'good enough'.

Small Ikea kitchen layout help?
Small Ikea kitchen layout help?
Small Ikea kitchen layout help?
OP posts:
LeeMiller · 25/01/2021 16:40

different views...

Small Ikea kitchen layout help?
Small Ikea kitchen layout help?
OP posts:
Africa2go · 25/01/2021 16:59

I'd rather have a smaller sink and more worktop in a kitchen that size, but if you're using an existing sink, not worth buying a new sink.

Is the door next to the cooker going to be used much (is it an internal door or an external door)? Do you have children? I'd be concerned that people coming through that door could knock pan handles / little hands could reach up if you're not careful, but 20cm isn't a disaster if you can manage those risks.

I'd be tempted for the cost to get taller wall units or a set of "top boxes" (I think they're called - kind of half height horizontal cabinets that IKEA do) to increase the wall storage and if possible, could you make the cupboards next to the fridge freezer floor to ceiling (even one of those pull out larders for a bit more storage?) but otherwise think it looks fine.

LeeMiller · 25/01/2021 18:12

Thanks!

Yes I think a single sink would fit better, but we have the double (as well as the same size drainer cabinet) which I find very useful since we don’t have a dishwasher... one sink to put dishes in and the other for food.

Yes I was wondering about top boxes.

We have one DC ages 2, and it’s an internal door so will get a lot of use. No door, it’s just a doorway. The current hob is lower than the worktop height, creating a sort of lip. I was wondering about fixing something onto the end but it so pans couldn’t be pulled off but I’m not sure what! The alternative would be to attempt some kind of corner cupboard hack (less efficient for storage and might go wrong!) to make the end cupboard 30 or 40cm rather than 20.

OP posts:
thelegohooverer · 25/01/2021 18:46

Would it be possible to swap the position of oven and sink? Probably not if you’re trying to fit to existing pipe work, but if you could it would be safer.

LeeMiller · 25/01/2021 19:50

I don’t think so, the water pipes are where the sink is in the plan. And we want to avoid it becoming a big job (which I guess moving the plumbing is).

OP posts:
Shmithecat2 · 25/01/2021 19:56

Could you change the door so it hinges from the right rather than the left? That way to door isn't opening onto the hob top iyswim.

korawick12345 · 25/01/2021 20:01

Are you thinking of bringing some units with you from abroad? Unless your appliances are very very expensive I can’t imagine it would be cheaper than starting from scratch

korawick12345 · 25/01/2021 20:04

Ok just reread and I think you are moving within the same country but that that country is overseas from the U.K.! One thing to check is are your Ikea units FAKTUM or METOD if they are FAKTUM they won’t be compatible with any new units you buy now! If you are thinking of moving units bear in mind that they don’t travel very well so may need some rejigging and squaring up when you reinstall them

LeeMiller · 25/01/2021 20:32

Thanks Korawick! Yes it’s all metod luckily and we are moving a short distance in the same country. So they may get a bit shaken in the van but hopefully nothing we can’t sort.

There isn’t actually a door at all Shmithecat, it’s just a doorway, but I couldn’t find that option on the IKEA planner.

OP posts:
korawick12345 · 25/01/2021 20:37

In that case I think you have got the best layout within the constraints! DO NOT try jiggery pokery with an Ikea corner cabinet ( I am the voice of bitter experience😀)

LeeMiller · 25/01/2021 21:21

Warning duly noted. The words ‘IKEA hack’ bring DH out in a cold sweat after past trials so we should probably use one of their corner bits.

OP posts:
MaryLennoxsScowl · 25/01/2021 23:16

Stick your cooker on some bits of plywood or adjust the feet if they go high enough to get the cooker the same height. I reckon if your kids don’t currently pull pans on top of themselves they won’t start now, and you will learn to tuck the handles to the other side. The trouble with hacking the corner cabinet is that you need a decent door opening to reach inside one, so if you hack it to be smaller the door will be very narrow and you already need to reach into the corner awkwardly. Do IKEA do a full height 20cm pull-out cupboard for the bit by the door? You could put all your spices in it.

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