I invite your comments on my kitchen plan (with photo)

[kitchenplanner]

I'm planning our new kitchen atm - it's going to have IKEA carcasses and Naked Doors fronts. This is the plan. It's not a big kitchen, made worse by the fact that we want a range (90cm) and double Belfast sink (80cm). I'd say these two things are non-negotiable.

I find wall cabinets quite oppressive. I'd probably rather not have any at all, but have been persuaded to have some in the left corner. Storage is hopefully not an issue, as we also have a separate pantry, and a utility room.

The thing that worries me is prep space. Is there enough? Should the sink swap with the dishwasher to create a bigger prep space?

Please do let me have your comments!

Could you consider a sink and a half? Still gives you what you want but bit smaller.
That kind of broken up worksurface is a pain. We swapped rooms round and although my kitchen is technically in a smaller space, having a decent run of worksurface makes it so much more useable.

You've all pretty much changed my mind already on the double sink. That didn't take long!

Parietal, one thought re your plan is that as the oven moves to the right, I'll have to make the open shelves narrower, so fewer kilner jars. But not a huge issue.

Calmdown not with IKEA. Apparently you have to buy their Belfast sinks if you want their quartz top. I can't be arsed sourcing everything from different shops.

Why no corner cupboards? The cupboards in the plan look very odd but maybe it's just how they came out in the drawing.

No no to Neff I know lots of people love them but I've always wanted a range. I originally wanted a Rangemaster but they're out of stock until next year and I can't wait that long, so have settled for Stove.

for your open shelves, you could have 3 levels with a smaller shelf at the bottom for spices / little things that are used often. then the bigger jars that are used less often go higher up.

Merry I know what you mean re corner wall cabinet but I think it's just the drawing. The IKEA person did that bit for me so I really hope it's not dodgy. It's not a carousel or anything. It's just a 80cm cabinet and a 60cm next to it.

Parietal my spices are multitudinous and NOT pretty. They're not display spices. They will be firmly tucked in the pantry.

Ah. Worktops are easy to order online from places like worktop express. Could be worth it.
What about swapping the tall fridge to the opposite end, where dishwasher is now.
I'd put the sink on the short wall with the door. The corner space is ideal for dirty pots but useless for prep. Then move the cooker towards the fridge (with small gap to put down utensils etc). Then your worksurface is in a run and not so broken up.

Is it in a corner of a bigger room? Where are the other walls? That is not the kitchen for a keen cook and big family dinners. There is nothing like enough useful prep space. I would at least supplement it with a big freestanding island like the “Vadholma” or whatever it’s called.
Budge the dishwasher and sink as far right as possible. The IKEA double sink to be fair is very useful and does it still come with a sit on chopping board? You won’t gain much space by having a single and drainer.

I would also consider a 60cm “mini range” or “cooker” as we used to call them. Have a combi microwave as back up .

whats on the other side of the room OP - we have custom made shelving and all our kilner jars are on there - away from the food prep area - it works well both cooking wise and as an aesthetic look

if you do have storage elsewhere, I would get rid of the wall cabinet, which seems to overshadow and make everything in that corner feel cramped. Could be vital prep surface instead.

What’s on the opposite wall to the sink? Can you do a run of counter along there as a breakfast bar type thing then use as prep space for big gatherings? Can you fit the fridge in the pantry? If you have small appliances in there too (kettle, toaster etc) could be ok with what you have

Chillied I know what you mean re wall cabinets looking cramped, but getting rid of it won't give me more prep space though?

The other side of the room leads to a large dining room. We've explored an island and it's not good. It would block the flow from the door into the kitchen, to the door into the garden. I'd rather have a clear pathway for that.

I think it looks a bit clunky with that large unit that the door will be opening facing and which creates quite a small impractical corner, my first thought was to see how it would look with the tall unit switched for the last one (next to the sink) on the other side.

As then you’ll have a more practical space for food prep on the right and you won’t be opening a door effectively just revealing the edge of a full height unit for the first c.45* view of the room. I think it’ll feel more spacious and probably also more practical with a standard height unit there instead.

Notme- doesn't seem to come with sit on drainer anymore. But let me look, that sounds useful.

I've realised what I meant by "wall cabinet" is your fridge freezer. which you definitely need, but that's the thing that makes that end feel hemmed in.

Doyly I get you. The issue is the dw is currently in that location. I don't want to create a lot of extra work by moving it. Or maybe it's not a big issue?

Not what you asked but that door.... is there any way of moving it around the corner? I know that would be extra expense and might not even be possible but it would just give you that little bit of extra space that would make it all that much more spacious. Sometimes it doesn't cost as much as you'd think and can make a massive difference
Other Than that:
The extractor is going to really close in that space even with the lovely open shelves. Could you do an flat in ceiling one to create a bit more head space?
I'd also question what is it about the Belfast that you like? Is it the front being visible or is it the ceramic? Belfast's tend to dominate and we're designed for massive kitchens - you could save a lot of space with an inset ceramic or a single Belfast and I think it would look more in proportion.
Those cupboards in the corner are a disaster - they just close in that whole section and make the corner unusable.
Have you had a design consultation with IKEA? I had one a few weeks ago and they were great - all online but I think she was better than in store. Maybe that's an option? With such a small space you have to be a bit clever but if anyone should be good at that it's IKEA!

Can you swap the dishwasher and the range, so that all of the space to the left of the sink becomes usable space?

Another thought - I'd you can't have an island because if flow but you do have a bit of space, could you try a peninsula? Sort of make a u shape of the kitchen to give you more work space and a bit more of a defies kitchen space?

It's harder with IKEA units because they don't have a service gap.
Have you looked at DIY Kitchens? Similar price point to IKEA but they offer a bigger range of cupboard sizes. I liked IKEA but just couldn't make it fit well in my space. When you can get things like 45cm cupboards and more corner options it can be the difference in shuffling a tight layout

Question - can the dw be easily moved around the kitchen? I always assumed not.

The fridge would look lots better where the dw currently is, you're all right. I should do that if possible.

Dramaalpaca I did have an IKEA consultation. Two in fact! They did not make any of these useful suggestions. They were just going along with what I said.

Sorry I meant dramallama! I've got so used to seeing a poster called dramaalpaca on here.

I know you don't like the wall cabinets but it might look less squashed in if you had a longer one above the sink / dishwasher and then shelves for your jars in the corner?