Help us plan our kitchen

[cancancan]

So we've had to bin our extension plans and now have just do up what we have!

Ive attached our current floor plan. I really dislike our current kitchen layout. And I'm worried we will just replace like for like as we can't think of anything more imaginative ! So is really appreciate some tips!

We currently have a square kitchen.... so 4 sides, we have peninsular between the kitchen and diner. The sink is in front of the window.
Currently have a range oven which we are happy to get rid off as takes up too much space. We have a large American fridge freezer taking up a lot of space too.

Our issue is we have very little storage space for actual food stuff! I'm constantly storing stuff on the worktops! So annoying

We have 3 corner cupboards! Which are horrible to use and no where for bins.

I'd love a larder type cupboard but not sure we can fit it in without compromising on work top space.

Can you put the kitchen bit into the current dining room, if your kitchen is big enough to function as a dining area?

Put built in cupboards into the dining room to store lots of kitchen stuff in to free up space in the kitchen area?

Get wall cupboards right up to the ceiling to increase storage of things not often used?

@GreyhoundG1rl
I did suggest that to my DH but we'd have to either move a door of knock out the chimney breast.... probably both! To get a decent run of cupboards.

@Elieza we will def be getting some full height cupboards, with the ovens etc built in.

We are thinking of putting some sort of unit in one of the Alcoves in the dining room but that will probably be some sort of drinks/bar thing

We’ve just redone our kitchen which is a similar shape- we’ve left the dining room where it is but built in matching storage either side of the chimney breast to help. Don’t know if that would work?

Just seen your other post and that’s actually exactly what we did in the other alcove!

Can you open into the space under the stairs - I'm not too sure how high that would be but it could be a bin storage area. Or make a cupboard across the Z shaped wall in the kitchen so ceilingl height storage plus, possibly, space under the staircase. The cupboards that have shelves on the doors hold loads as do the ones which pull out.
If you have a dishwasher you don't need to put sink in window, it's dark half of the year so being at the window is not necessary, put it elsewhere with good lighting over it. Also drainer could be quite small if you have a dishwasher.

How about this plan? S - sink, H - hob, F - fridge

The peninsula gives you a bit of extra work surface and maybe a small breakfast bar.

Also, if you make your worktops 80cm deep instead of the standard 60cm, then you can get much more surface storage. So you can have kettle/ toaster/ mixer at the back of the worksurface and still have space to cook in front.

@icklekid

That's lovely! Can I ask Where is your fridge/freezer and watching machine/dryer?
That's the issue I'm having, getting all the appliances to fit!

So one side of the chimney breast is half fridge freezer and half larder. We have a washer dryer which lives under the stairs so not in kitchen

@HollyGrail I would love to open the space but we really don't want to do any structural work... if possible.

I'd probably be happy to move the door, since there used to be a door to the separate kitchen on the z bit of walls. But not sure that would help much.

@parietal see I hadn't even thought of having the peninsula there... it's currently coming off the other wall!

Our current peninsula houses the washing machine and dryer but it is a bit of a dumping ground for cramp! But it doesn't have a breakfast bar edge to sit at at the moment

Some people have the washing machine and tumble dryer in the bathroom. Or in a large cupboard upstairs (presumably near a water and drainage pipe. And use the appliances with the cupboard door open for ventilation)

Is this an option?

It sounds weird but as the laundry basket is upstairs and the wardrobes are upstairs, it may be more convenient? You could also iron up there? Why humph the laundry up and down stairs when it can all be done upstairs. Thatd give you more storage space in the kitchen.

Your kitchen and dining room bar nd storage look fab @icklekid.

@Elieza nope no room upstairs sadly as yes it makes perfect sense for it to be upstairs

The plans for the extension we were planning included a utility room, downstairs WC and a larder I could fit my whole family in. Gutted to not be able to do it.

Really not sure what to do to make the best use of space.

Similar to ickles thoughts...
I would make the entire back wall of the dining room into kitchen units- tow large pantries either side of the the chimney and I would cover over the chimney as well (assuming there's no fireplace there). Even small / not deep shelves can be really useful.
The. I would have one long walk of units at the other side of the back wall of the kitchen and see if you can fit an island. I think you would have room for that and still a dining table.
I would have sink in the island, hob and fridge on the back kitchen wall.

Excuse the truly shite drawing but how about a long Island open and lowered at one end for dining.

I have a tiny kitchen but the designer from John Lewis was amazing and though small, there is oodles of space.

The tricks he used to maximise space were thoughtful cupboard door openings, not all cupboards open the same way or are the same width, and it makes a difference to how easy space is to access. Fridge and washing machine doors also open the ‘best’ way. We have pull out Le Mans carousels in the corner cupboards and those are big space savers and back saving too as you don’t need to crawl to find stuff at the back.

I ended up with so much space I have four junk cupboards. He put cupboards under the breakfast bar.

All this in a converted single garage including loss of space to allow for insulation required by building regs, washing machine and large range cooker. I could swap a junk cupboard for a dishwasher but I like washing up.

The designer was a genius. I can’t remember his name but he operated out of the John Lewis Solihull store. They do charge for the design service but you get that back if you buy from them (and they worked out the same price as Howdens).

I didn't even know JL do kitchens!

@Worldgonecrazy @MavisMonkey

My gut is telling me to use the dinning room and just knock out the chimney breast. There is no fireplace. It's something we have wanted to do since we moved in. But had one quote and it was going to cost £5k!

Could be a compromise.
DH would take some convincing but it would really "unlock" the space.

What I need is Sarah Beeny or Kirsty allsop to tell us what to do!

Sorry should've tagged @HasaDigaEebowai as well on that last post

Really appreciate everyone's ideas. I do love the power of Mumsnet x

Leaving aside the kitchen itself is there room for a small laundry under the stairs? That will free up space in the kitchen for other stuff

I think the suggested plan by Mavis is excellent, that way you dont go to the expense of knocking out the chimney breast but you would gain decent storage and it will look sleek and seemless.

As Beeny would say using the dining room is the key to unlocking the space.
Chimney breast removal is always expensive as it's structural work, and it's crazy messy, but it can add a lot of extra space.
Another option is as you mention to flip the kitchen entirely into the dining room space - I like Hasa's idea there. You could keep the chimney breast but knock out a small opening and use it for the hob- see pic.

Re getting your husband onside, you need to use the power of Pinterest and search up images showing what it could look like. Personally I would also take myself off to a kitchen designer and get them to draw up plans based on using the dining space and then show him after. If he's anything like my husband they need visuals to get on board with anything dramatically different.

Clearly I am bored today...
Kitchen on the other side - you can probably still have an island. Was just looking at what you had wanted but can't get planning for and think you should try and link in with the outside to maximise your space so I think you should look at bifold doors or similar. I've also thrown in bench seating which can be built in and adds loads more storage. Plus I think if you steal some room from the kitchen you could create a small room under the stairs to stack washer / dryer to create a tiny utility.

Oooo, yes, take out actual fireplace and make an open chimney space - place hob or cooker in there with nice plate shelf up above like an old mantlepiece, like in above pic. Your chimney can be your extractor fan exit.