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Original poster

help for a novice please - kitchen

24 replies

Ostara212 · 05/05/2021 10:18

hi there
I am in a small poky flat with what I think is called a galley kitchen, but it's linked to the lounge so that's like small all in one area.

I have some ideas about how I'd like to change it - it's about 20 years old I think - but no idea how to start going about it.

there's currently a tall wall unit with microwave, oven and grill.

Under the hob, there's drawers.

there's a dishwasher I don't use.

there's a sticking out breakfast bar thing with cupboards underneath, I can manage without them I think.

my ideas are:

remove the tall microwave/oven part and get an oven put under the hob instead of the drawers

remove the dishwasher and make it storage space

remove the breakfast bar and use the space vacated by the current oven unit to have a drop leaf table or one of those tiny Ikea tables where the chairs fit right under.

Ideally, get a door or even just a part of a screen so the kitchen no longer looks part of the lounge.

I have no idea where I would start to get advice or fittings on this. Can anyone help me please? It would be cheaper to get the jobs divided by trade maybe?

thank you.

OP posts:
DespairingHomeowner · 05/05/2021 13:25

I think your best bet would be to go to somewhere like Howdens & get them to design a kitchen for you

You don't have to buy from them - its just to understand what is possible/sensible with your layout, and how much it would cost you. Obviously you can spend more/less but it would be a ballpark (you might be able to get 20-30 pc lower by using other suppliers)

Ikea is also an option (I'm thinking of places that don't charge for the consultation)

Designing a kitchen is not easy so I'd get help :)

emmathedilemma · 05/05/2021 16:32

I found Homebase very good when I changed my kitchen. Some companies came and measured up then went away and did a design and were reluctant / stroppy to change anything I didn't like. Whereas in Homebase you sat down with them and designed it from scratch, they had lots of ideas and we played around with things that I liked but didn't work etc. I don't know if they still do it like that but worth investigating and their basic ranges aren't too pricey.

De88 · 05/05/2021 21:08

Measure all your spaces and get an appointment somewhere, as above.

bypfp · 06/05/2021 00:57

Any pictures? Would help to visualise the space

Original poster
Ostara212 · 06/05/2021 09:26

thanks everyone
there's a Howden's nearby so I will pop in at the weekend.

I don't really want any of the units changed apart from the things mentioned so not sure if any of those places would do that kind of small job. They must make a lot more money on people with big kitchens?

I was thinking maybe a joiner and a...someone who can fit kitchens might be more the thing I need?

OP posts:
BeechTreeView · 06/05/2021 12:09

A kitchen fitter would do it - if you can get one. 6 month wait where I am.

Original poster
Ostara212 · 06/05/2021 13:25

@BeechTreeView

A kitchen fitter would do it - if you can get one. 6 month wait where I am.
I wondered this too. Sent off a couple of emails last week and no response.
OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 06/05/2021 22:18

Go on stick a diagram or some pics up. You might get some really good ideas

PresentingPercy · 06/05/2021 22:41

I would never be without a dishwasher! Valuable in any kitchen! You could find there are creative ideas for storage without sacrificing this.

Original poster
Ostara212 · 08/05/2021 11:13

thanks everyone

I have decided to pause before taking action. A lot of it is about my frustration at the place being so small. I think a kitchen revamp would help especially removing the breakfast bar sticking it out, but it might be better to just get a builder to take that out first.

re dishwasher, it was here when I got here, I don't use it.

I'm not sure I am ready for a building project tbh!

OP posts:
PresentingPercy · 08/05/2021 13:58

Yes but if you sell it’s a major bonus. Not
Least for a bit of storage and keeping work surfaces and sink clear of dishes etc. Straight in the DW and out of sight. Why don’t you use it?

ChequerBoard · 08/05/2021 14:25

I didn't think you could just walk into Howdens as an individual, it's for trade only. You need the name of a kitchen fitter that has an account with them so they can quote against that account.

ChequerBoard · 08/05/2021 14:28

DIY kitchens have a good online planner tool. Measure up your space and play around with the layouts to see what works. I have just done this for my kitchen and scullery. Really helpful to try out different things.

It also prices up the units / worktops /plinths etc so you can see what they would cost. Remember you would need to add the fitting costs, appliances, flooring etc to this.

https://planner.diy-kitchens.com

Original poster
Ostara212 · 08/05/2021 14:38

@PresentingPercy

Yes but if you sell it’s a major bonus. Not Least for a bit of storage and keeping work surfaces and sink clear of dishes etc. Straight in the DW and out of sight. Why don’t you use it?
I really hate housework so I'm just pondering this actually

It seemed a waste of resources for one person but perhaps not. it won't help keep work surfaces clear as things go in the sink to be washed, but it might feel like one less chore.

it will certainly be running half empty every time, it's a full size dishwasher.

OP posts:
PresentingPercy · 08/05/2021 15:13

When you have friends round?? Do a bigger cook for the freezer? You just rinse plates etc and pop them in.

Howdens used to sell to the public.

GreyStairs · 08/05/2021 15:16

Honestly, start using your dishwasher. Life changing and use quite a lot less water than you think.

Original poster
Ostara212 · 08/05/2021 15:20

@PresentingPercy

When you have friends round?? Do a bigger cook for the freezer? You just rinse plates etc and pop them in.

Howdens used to sell to the public.

the dishwasher got used for the first time after my flatwarming party and a couple of times that I had friends round afterwards.

I don't do a big cook for the freezer. I used to because it is quite economical but even then it was just a one pot thing and the chopping board needed washing up so the dishwasher seemed like an irrelevance.

also I think it heats up it's own water and that seems like a waste of money with one person.

Then there's the maintenance of a dishwasher. I don't know, it just doesn't seem terribly useful to me. I appreciate that it would be a selling point in future but the space has to work for me long term.

As I said, I've parked the idea for now because I realised I might be acting out of frustration at being here all the time which isn't really reflective of normal life.

OP posts:
iknowimcoming · 08/05/2021 15:32

I know you've parked the idea for now but just for info, it would be very tricky to change only parts of the kitchen rather than the whole thing, and if it's 20 years old probably more hassle than it's worth and not cost effective. I'd wait until you're able to replace the whole thing and get it properly planned out/designed by someone who knows what they're doing if I were you. Smile

Original poster
Ostara212 · 08/05/2021 15:51

@iknowimcoming

I know you've parked the idea for now but just for info, it would be very tricky to change only parts of the kitchen rather than the whole thing, and if it's 20 years old probably more hassle than it's worth and not cost effective. I'd wait until you're able to replace the whole thing and get it properly planned out/designed by someone who knows what they're doing if I were you. Smile
yes, this is what I'm thinking

it's a job that ideally would be for the next occupant tbh!

thank you all for your help.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ostara212 · 09/05/2021 14:22

Well I tried the dishwasher

More fool me

It wouldn't stop running so I had to force stop it and bail out the water

Now I don't know whether or not to call a plumber in case there's a back up or block somewhere.

OP posts:
iknowimcoming · 09/05/2021 18:58

What do you mean by wouldn't stop running? They do take a couple of hours usually so it might just be a long programme. On some if you take the filter out in the bottom there's a plastic knob thing which if you gentle pull it up forces the water to drain out - worth a try!

Original poster
Ostara212 · 09/05/2021 19:04

@iknowimcoming

What do you mean by wouldn't stop running? They do take a couple of hours usually so it might just be a long programme. On some if you take the filter out in the bottom there's a plastic knob thing which if you gentle pull it up forces the water to drain out - worth a try!
I put it on the fastest setting, 1 hour.

There's no evidence of a water leak so I'll just assume the machine doesn't work any more, it is very old.

OP posts:
cptartapp · 09/05/2021 19:21

Had a new kitchen two years ago. Two adults, two teens. Still never use the dishwasher.

seven201 · 09/05/2021 20:05

I think you should consider a half size dishwasher. We put one in our tiny old flat and absolutely loved it.

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