Kitchen help please

[Solina]

So we have been planning on doing our kitchen for a while and the plan is to get it done this year. Originally when we first started planning we wanted to change it quite a lot with the layout and were thinking of putting in a kitchen to our taste etc. However, our situation has changed a little since and we are now thinking we will be moving in a few years but really the kitchen still needs doing.

I don't want to spend a fortune on a "dream" kitchen because of it so we wont be changing the original layout much, just little bits to make it more functional.

Now my main question for help is please could you let me know what you think will appeal to most buyers in a kitchen? It is a relatively good space (kitchen diner) but no space for island. Approx. 10 base units and 6 wall units and easily fits a 6 seater table.

I was thinking going with matt white modern doors. Or does shaker doors appeal to more people? Also going to go all intergrated appliances (oven, hob, dishwasher and washer dryer) except for fridge freezer. Light worktops or wood?

Normally would just go with what I like but really hoping we can make the kitchen appeal to most people to aid selling the house in couple of years!

If the house is 1930s or older, consider shaker. If not plain is fine. Gloss units if it’s short of light.

Lighter coloured worktop too. Wood can be a pain to look after. Stone costs a lot more but is maintenance free. Depends if you are careful and don’t ruin wood worktops. Mine was a pain and we changed to quartz. You should consider the value and age of your property and expense on this. Quartz worktops cost a lot more than wood.

Yes to integrated but you won’t get much choice re an integrated washer dryer. Most are not great performers at drying. DD has an AEG and it’s good enough for 2. Not great for a family. Go for eye level oven if you can. Built in microwave? I would also build in seating with storage under the table or benches.

I would be wary of the fashionable dark colours of navy and green. Great months right house but overwhelming in smaller kitchens.

John Lewis have a good range of kitchens so you can see designs that range from plain to more upmarket.

I'd rather table than island if only room for either/or. Agree with pp about worktops- quartz or composite.
Slab cabinets, matt white (hate gloss) and put a bit of colour in the splashback - coloured glass looks good.
My washer/dryer (not in my house but rental flat) is great and more efficient than my separate dryer.
I don't care for eye level ovens - personal preference so go with what you like. I'd never be without my Quooker but that is an expense and people are divided on them.
Drawers rather than cabinets.
Integrated bins!
Even though you are selling eventually you still live there now and you must choose what suits you. Not second guess what some buyer might want.

go for what works for you, tastes in kitchens are very individual so assume a buyer will want to replace it.

to demonstrate..

NEVER wood worktops unless you have staff. Completely impractical. Laminate is cheaper and hardwearing.

gloss shows every fingermark. Handles need to be big enough for hands and not catch clothing.

I have free standing appliances as integrated ones are expensive, smaller internally and don't last as long. No boiling water tap either, a kettle is good. Also no integrated bins, life is too short to be opening lots of extra doors and taking out lots of separate bins.

Thanks all. Sounds like matt white, lots of drawers and NO wood worktops is the way forward. Not keen on shelling out for quartz worktops for this kitchen even if I do personally love them. Laminate will have to do.

I did want to put double oven in a tall unit originally but it would cost more to do with the layout changes so will go for under counter one.

I have a which subscription so was looking at their recommendations for mid priced best buys for the appliances. I know washer driers are bit mehh as intergrated but they had 2 decent recommendations and it is an appliance I did want for myself in the kitchen also it is that or no drier at all. The other thing we want is the intergrated bins so that will be added too.

The house isn't that expensive (well for south east anyways), we bought it as first time buyers so I would see another young couple buying it. Which is why we want it to be appealing/non offensive to buyers as I am not sure most first time buyers will have funds to rip out the kitchen and put a new one in. We only have that because of the mentioned changes in circumstances.

My DD has just had a pale grey gloss kitchen. The reason is that the area for the kitchen in her flat doesn’t have the biggest window. It is so much lighter with a pale worktop and the gloss. Gloss is easy enough to keep clean and I had a gloss kitchen with small children. Never bothered me! I think white Matt will look a bit low end with laminate. It’s what social housing has. So try and find a way to make it look expensive, even if it isn’t!

Definitely have two bins built in. As you will be living there, I would not have the oven under the counter. I would look at layout to accommodate a better design and pay the difference. I would suggest an induction hob too.

DDs was her dryer is an AEG. Mid priced and does a good enough job.