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Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Designing a kitchen

27 replies

dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 15:34

I'm really struggling to design our kitchen and need some ideas/ help. We've used online kitchen planning app type things but actually feel we need someone to give us ideas of what to do with the space. As kitchen shops aren't open currently, does anyone know of places that do this?

Or do any mumsnetters enjoy this sort of thing? If so, I'll happily put the space/ sizes etc on here!

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DisappointedOfNorfolk · 08/03/2021 16:11

I don't have any answers sorry, but I am in exactly the same situation! I've never had the opportunity to design a kitchen before so I want to get it right, but not sure where/how to start, and Google hasn't helped, I'm even more confused now Confused.

I hope you don't mind me joining your thread in the hope that someone knowledgeable will answer and will have some ideas for both of us? Grin

SollaSollew · 08/03/2021 18:30

It can definitely be really hard starting with a blank piece of paper! Where are you getting your kitchen from? Most places will either help you with the design or do a design for you?

Another alternative it so use an independent kitchen designer. I know OnePlan is highly recommended on here but I think very busy as there's another thread at the moment about alternative kitchen designers.

If you're buying from DIY kitchens or somewhere similar that you need to design yourself some things you could start from and might help you constrain the blank piece of paper are...

  1. Do you have a budget?
  2. Where is the existing plumbing, its most cost effective to keep that where it is but not impossible to move. Also when you know where your sink is going your dishwasher and washing machine (if no separate utility) is most useful to be close by (as is the bin tbh)
  3. Where are the /doors/windows are there any other features you need to work around.
  4. What kind of oven/hob do you want, a range style or built in, and what kind of fridge, freestanding or built in. If built in they go in tall cupboards so that's another thing where you need a good run of wall for.

Once you get some of these things and you know the style and budget it should all help to start the design process.

Also do you have a style in mind or things you really must have like an island? How much storage do you need?

skippy67 · 08/03/2021 18:48

planner.diy-kitchens.com/ doesn't work on a phone or tablet though.

BitOfFun · 08/03/2021 18:51

Do you watch programmes like the Property Brothers' My Dream Home, or Buying And Selling? They are my guilty pleasure, and have so many kitchen ideas.

dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 19:42

Yes, were buying it from DIY kitchens, we've used them before and really rate the quality.

I've looked at oneplan but yes, they're busy until May.

It's going in a brand new extension so no existing plumbing to take in to consideration.

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dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 19:50

I ideally want an I dependent designer, like oneplan. But I can't find one!

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butterfly990 · 08/03/2021 19:54

You can mess about on the IKEA kitchen planner to get ideas.

121hugsneeded · 08/03/2021 20:25

OnePlan seems to be worth the wait. I spoke to her on the phone about a month ago about a dressing room, she pointed out a potential problem in another area that we thought was sorted. (on our overall plans) definitely knows her onions!

dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 20:27

butterfly990

Yeah we've done that and we've done the DIY kitchens one too but it's an awkward space and I need some direction. It's such a huge amount of money I want a designer to give me ideas on best placement etc.

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dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 20:29

121hugsneeded

That's what I'm think but it involves moving the whole build back

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121hugsneeded · 08/03/2021 20:34

My builders keep stalling me so I think they are over subscribed, on another site people were saying similar and supply problems too, so I think we will be delaying for a bit. He [builder] says it's manic at the moment. Everyone wants stuff done like yesterday.

Lottle · 08/03/2021 21:04

I love this sort of thing!!!! Is there a way you can create a dummy account on diy kitchens that I can then log into and mock something up for you, to save me drawing the outline? I feel like I sound like a scam artist now....a very bad one...

dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 21:15

Lottle

Yes, I will

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Lottle · 08/03/2021 21:16

Excited :D

dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 21:26

It'll be a while. I'm currently in the bath 😂

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Lottle · 08/03/2021 21:36

haha! pm me whatever you can and I'll look tomorrow for you.

brainstories568 · 08/03/2021 21:45

We are currently one week into a kitchen renovation. We went with a local independent kitchen shop who is open as are classed as a manufacturer because they deal with trade, you just need to make an appointment. We've had a really good experience, the owner is very knowledgeable and gave us some great ideas. We weren't initially set on going with him but we decided to as we had such a positive experience. I'd recommend finding a similar shop near you.

dotdashdashdash · 08/03/2021 22:38

Yellow is new kitchen. T toilet, u utility, L lounge D dining room (currently). Red lines are stairs.

Obviously not to scale and very bad! G is new garage

Designing a kitchen
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DisappointedOfNorfolk · 09/03/2021 15:50

Hi @Lottle do you mind offering pointers to another clueless person too please? 

Our kitchen hasn't even been built yet as it is also in a new rear extension... all I know so far is that it will hopefully be a 5.4 m x 3.7 m rectangle (internally).

Facing down the garden with the 5.4 m wall at the back of the extension, it will be south-facing, with one/two windows in that wall and French doors in the left hand 3.7 m wall somewhere.

The door into the kitchen will be on the left hand side of opposite 5.4 m wall, which backs onto the new bathroom and leads off a hallway (created from existing cloakroom plus space outside the new bathroom).

Our plan is to have the main water supply coming into the right hand corner of new kitchen, on right hand 3.7 m wall, near to bathroom for easy access, and to have the gas coming in there too, so the boiler and gas hob/oven/range (?) will be on that wall.

The sink, dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble drier will hopefully all be along the back 5.4 m wall/in the peninsular bit, with water supply under new floor/behind cabinets. Drainage exits under left hand side 3.7 m wall to join up with new bathroom drainage.

I am looking at either an L-shaped kitchen, or a peninsular/G-shaped kitchen in the right hand half of the rectangle, with enough space for a 6-seater table and chairs in the left hand half/what's left of the kitchen, and to be able to access the French doors leading onto the patio...

Oh, and if possible I'd like to fit an American-style double door fridge-freezer in there somewhere - but it won't need a water connection as it won't have an ice maker!

I think that's as far as I've got so far... and I'm looking at DIY lichens and self-fitting the cabinets, and either self-fitting a laminate worktop or getting a granite worktop from DIY kitchens if the (small!) budget allows . Any pointers would be great, thank you Smile.

Designing a kitchen
DisappointedOfNorfolk · 09/03/2021 15:53

DIY kitchens even Grin!

BlackAlys · 09/03/2021 19:49

Watching!

bedroomcurtain · 09/03/2021 19:53

Are you sure they aren't? I bought my kitchen in the first lockdown and visited to collect an extra part only last week, I thought they were deemed essential, tile and worksurface places have also been open.

dotdashdashdash · 09/03/2021 19:56

For purchase/ delivery and collection yes, but not the design side. Technically anyway.

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Lottle · 09/03/2021 19:58

@DisappointedOfNorfolk I'll private message you!

dotdashdashdash · 09/03/2021 20:03

I can confirm that little really does just want to play with your planner!

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