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Original poster

It’s another kitchen design one

28 replies

Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:03

Have seen some awesome kitchen designs on here so hoping Mumsnet can help me create something great in out new kitchen extension.

We’ve had a kitchen planner round this week who has just sent me these, which are okay, but just feel a bit bland. Am optimistic the creative hive mind on here can help me see what needs improving or has been missed.

It’s another kitchen design one
It’s another kitchen design one
It’s another kitchen design one
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Thread gallery
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Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:08

The door opposite the fridge will be a walk in pantry and the door next to the island the laundry/utilty. Just wondering things like is the island deep enough for the size of the room? Should we have a range rather than hob (would prefer induction though and not sure if induction ranges look weird)? Do we have enough work surface as there are five of us who are often all mucking in on a dinner together?

It’s another kitchen design one
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confusedlots · 04/08/2021 21:11

I think you need to try to open it up a bit. Is there any scope to move the utility and walk in pantry or make them smaller, to make your kitchen feel more open?

NinDS · 04/08/2021 21:12

Are you planning to have a sofa or something similar near the patio doors at the bottom end of the kitchen?

Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:15

@confusedlots

I think you need to try to open it up a bit. Is there any scope to move the utility and walk in pantry or make them smaller, to make your kitchen feel more open?
That was our original plan, but unfortunately that is a supporting wall so will cost a fortune to knock down and support.
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NinDS · 04/08/2021 21:16

The three built in ovens…are they ovens/grill? Could they be put on top of each other and then lose a tall cupboard to give you more workspace?
I agree, it seems closed in. Do you even need a walk in pantry? I get having a separate utility room but never quite get a pantry.

Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:18

@NinDS

Are you planning to have a sofa or something similar near the patio doors at the bottom end of the kitchen?
The plan is to have a large dining table (10-12 seats) by the bifolds and a possibly a log burner. I’d quite like a sofa too, but we had one in our last house and DH’s (warped) logic was that we ended up using the other rooms less and not appreciating them so doesn’t want to do that this time!?! Am hoping to bring him round!
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Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:22

@NinDS

The three built in ovens…are they ovens/grill? Could they be put on top of each other and then lose a tall cupboard to give you more workspace? I agree, it seems closed in. Do you even need a walk in pantry? I get having a separate utility room but never quite get a pantry.
It’s an odd one - the house has loads of weird nooks and there is this odd corridor that leads nowhere(!) so there isn’t really much we can do with it if we don’t turn it into a pantry. The ovens are two full size ovens and a microwave I think, but I’ve just noticed I asked for a coffee machine so maybe it’s one of those?
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Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:24

Would the island be better round the other way perhaps?

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confusedlots · 04/08/2021 21:25

I don't think the island looks right in this space. How about running the units on round the corner in an L shape, replacing the island with a large long table running down the room, and then a little snug area down at the bottom?

confusedlots · 04/08/2021 21:28

Or if you really want to have an island for extra worktop space, then have one there which isn't as wide as the one in the picture, and which has a long table then extending out of down the room if you know what I mean? You can get all sorts of combinations of islands with tables/seating.

confusedlots · 04/08/2021 21:31

Something like this?

It’s another kitchen design one
Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 04/08/2021 21:33

Minor point: Do you really need 2 wine coolers? I never use mine as it doesn't seem to go cool enough for white/sparkling wine. It does not serve as extra chilling space as people seem to think.

Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:34

@confusedlots

Or if you really want to have an island for extra worktop space, then have one there which isn't as wide as the one in the picture, and which has a long table then extending out of down the room if you know what I mean? You can get all sorts of combinations of islands with tables/seating.
That’s a great idea. Thanks!

My preference was to have the odd narrow bit as a snug, but it is next to an entrance hall with glass doors (which we built last year) plus we have the odd hallway to nowhere which can only really be used as a pantry and DH thinks (which I do kind of get) that it would be next to the main sitting room and is therefore a bit weird as we wound likely end up with two tvs on opposite sides of the same wall...

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Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:36

@Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby

Minor point: Do you really need 2 wine coolers? I never use mine as it doesn't seem to go cool enough for white/sparkling wine. It does not serve as extra chilling space as people seem to think.
No - you’re totally right! I didn’t actually ask for them. In fact I said we didn’t really need one, certainly not a large one (though maybe she noticed the Naked Wines delivery in the hallway and I got rumbled)
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Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 04/08/2021 21:37

@confusedlots

Something like this?
Or similar but with lower seating as a normal dining table would be:
It’s another kitchen design one
NinDS · 04/08/2021 21:42

There’s some great ideas here and I think you will get a much better layout by making a few changes as suggested. Good luck and let us have sight of revised plans!! 👍🏻

Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:46

I’ve just seen this online...what do people think about hobs that aren’t central on islands?

It’s another kitchen design one
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NinDS · 04/08/2021 21:54

Lovely, nothing at all wrong with that. Are you thinking of having it the other way around?

Soontobe60 · 04/08/2021 21:55

How much space will you have at the corners of the island? It looks quite snug on the left. I’d have the island as a peninsula with the hob central, then you’ve got a decent amount of worktop without the narrow walkway round it on both sides.

Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 21:57

@NinDS

Lovely, nothing at all wrong with that. Are you thinking of having it the other way around?
Possibly. The more I look at what has been drawn, the more it doesn’t look right but I can’t work out why so all these comments are really useful. Thanks everyone!
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parietal · 04/08/2021 21:59

So I'd do something completely different.

In your design, I think the blue arrow on my pic is the route that people walk into the room. So they go past the fridge & ovens and then through a very narrow bit by the island and will always be bumping into the chef / each other etc.

I would have a peninsula design as in red, with fridge (F) & sink & hob (H) all in a fairly small space in the corner. With ovens below the hob. The peninsula would give a big bit of worksurface. then lots of storage (S) by the door - this could include coffee machines / wine storage etc.

This design will give the chef a dedicated space where other people don't get in the way, and also gives more space for people to move through the room to the dinning table area. if your DH doesn't want a sofa, how about a pair of comfy chairs?

It’s another kitchen design one
Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 22:00

@Soontobe60

How much space will you have at the corners of the island? It looks quite snug on the left. I’d have the island as a peninsula with the hob central, then you’ve got a decent amount of worktop without the narrow walkway round it on both sides.
Good point! No idea! It is actually quite a big space 8x9m in total (though obviously not square - the narrow bit is 3.5m) but I just can’t seem to envisage how to make it work best.
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Original poster
Wewereonaspringbreak · 04/08/2021 22:04

@parietal

So I'd do something completely different.

In your design, I think the blue arrow on my pic is the route that people walk into the room. So they go past the fridge & ovens and then through a very narrow bit by the island and will always be bumping into the chef / each other etc.

I would have a peninsula design as in red, with fridge (F) & sink & hob (H) all in a fairly small space in the corner. With ovens below the hob. The peninsula would give a big bit of worksurface. then lots of storage (S) by the door - this could include coffee machines / wine storage etc.

This design will give the chef a dedicated space where other people don't get in the way, and also gives more space for people to move through the room to the dinning table area. if your DH doesn't want a sofa, how about a pair of comfy chairs?

This is the sort of creative thinking I need - thanks! I think in my head I am so wedded to an island (I loved the one in our last house as it was so sociable) that I simply can’t see past it. Food for thought.
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crazycatgal · 04/08/2021 22:10

Would definitely get rid of the island and go with something like @parietal has said. DP is a kitchen designer and said that the design isn't very practical - e.g. the hob is very far away from the fridge.

Dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 04/08/2021 23:23

@Wewereonaspringbreak

I’ve just seen this online...what do people think about hobs that aren’t central on islands?
I deliberately didn't have mine central, as I wanted the bar stools to be as far away from hot pans as possible. However I have realised it is more likely to splash over this way and so have invested taller pans! I still don't regret it as it makes the work surface much more usable.