for anyone who is considering getting a new kitchen...

[Happytodayhappytomorrow]

I sometimes see posts from people asking about ideas for new kitchens, things to avoid, things that work well etc.

I pre-empting that by telling you all now, loud and clear....

Get the biggest sink that you can afford and/or fit in!!!!!

I've had a cooking session this morning and now have three large baking trays to put in soak. Except I cant soak them because they don't fit in the sink

I remember conversing with the builder about the sink. I think he asked me if I would like a bigger sink and I said no.

Why? What the hell was I thinking?

Agree. I have a Belfast sink. It's like a bathtub. I can never go back.

At least it wasn't round (stupid developer kitchen)!

My request to designed was biggest sink I could fit in a single unit (dishwasher / washing machine other side) it's great! It's not quite as bit as a Belfast sink but still good.

Can I add after over 10 years of this being annoying- space between sink and hob - as much as possible, imagine an annoying child deciding to wash their hands just as you are dealing with cooking really close. It doesn't matter how much surface space on the other side. Needs to be between the two.

Why, why would the previous owners bunch everything together at one end of the reasonable sized kitchen? (Actually I can work it out - wanting the sink under the window to have a "view" while washing up, needing the hob to be in its current location to minimise the distance for gas piping. Its all logical and probably worked well for the single person who did this, just need gaps between things when you have kids)

Agree. I have a brushed stainless steel Belfast and it hides loads of stuff in there whilst I’m waiting to hand wash or rinse it. It still looks great. Love it.

This might be helpful for your baking trays, oven and fridge shelves. Obviously will need to be put on the worktop next to your sink but do the job very well.

www.lakeland.co.uk/20228/Oven-Rack-Soaking-Tray

Thanks for this post....reminded me to have a look and think I have now persuaded DH that we need an 800mm wide 1 & 1/2 sink, so we have a big main bowl and a half bowl too.

ooh, thanks Frogfairy. That looks like it could be useful.

And for those of you with a Belfast sink (or similar)... my time will come (I hope)

In my next house (which might well be in my dreams only but hey ho) I will have the biggest sink EVER!!

Thank you happytoday.
I have just ordered my new kitchen and instead of the 1.5 sink I currently have, I have gone for one big sink. You have put my mind entirely at rest.

We've gone from one big sink to a 1.5 (we moved, so we didn't pick the new one!) and it drives me nuts. I'd far rather have our old single but big sink back

I love my waste disposal (even if it gets a bit pongy when the drains are dry)!

The kitchen designer was confused at my insistence on a big sink rather than the 1.5 arrangement they had drawn. Not only do I have a washing up bowl, I also have a sink in my utility room that is 7 steps away.