Follow-up: I invite your comments on my NEW kitchen plan (with photo)

[kitchenplanner]

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to my last thread. I took on board your comments, and have created two new plans for comments.

1. FF on the right
2. FF on the left

Option 1. I moved FF to the right to free up that dark corner, but there's now less worktop space as a result. The sink cannot go right next to the FF (right?) so I can't swap it with the 30cm cabinet. There's a lot more worktop to the left, but I don't think I'd use that as food prep space.

Option 2. I kept FF on the left. I replaced the double sink with a single, and swapped its location with DW. Now there's a good stretch of prep space. This is my preferred design. Here's a link if anyone is inclined to have a tinker! kitchen.planner.ikea.com/planner/#/gb/en/planner?projectId=DD36F728-4686-4C61-AA8E-F4FE829F8A23&ref=share

I really must keep the range. Those who remember my floor plan, I also want to keep both doors in the kitchen (into hallway and into conservatory). I am ok to lose the window, but I don't think that gives me much to play with.

Please let me have your comments?

@kitchenplanner

I think not to extending into the utility. The utility currently houses the boiler, washing machine, and a massive freezer. I'd like these to be separate from the kitchen. Plus I need somewhere to keep unsightly crap!

In that case what about extending the utility (to take in the wasted corridor space) and either:

a) just have it accessed at the top or
b) create a door from the reception room

Reason I suggest B is only if you think it would annoy you having to walk all the way out and round to get something from the freezer. Personally wouldn't bother me, my backup freezer is in the garage so I have to go out of the kitchen, through the utility and in to the garage so probably similar distance. It's not like you're grabbing stuff from it all the time, that's what the one in the kitchen is for.

That chunk of corridor is kind of wasted too so you would also have a much better utility with lots more storage, drying space, etc.

Mamaof4 I can block up the window but would have to also block the door to have more space. That would close off a lot of light for the kitchen, and lose a door into the conservatory.

With the fridge freezer to the right, will it be up against a wall or window? If so you won't be able to get the door open wide enough to get drawers/shelves in and out. There was a thread about this last week.

Essentially - that was my concern too. It's 8cm by my calculation, if we assume a 60cm unit is just that, rather than 60cm plus a cm either side.

I'd go FF on the right as then you have a good amount of work surface on the left to do baking / cooking. Is that a dishwasher next to the sink? That surface gets warm in my house and the surface to the right of the cooker too. I make a lot of pastry and rolled icing so wouldn't work for me and FF on the left doesn't leave much work surface space that is usable, it's a bit of an awakened corner. Option one looks good.

With the fridge freezer to the right, will it be up against a wall or window? If so you won't be able to get the door open wide enough to get drawers/shelves in and out. There was a thread about this last week.

Great spot. This is also a concern in the way they build in some fridge/freezers. Our one in currently rented accommodation was put in 10 years ago, so things have definitely moved on, but the cabinet encasing the appliance doesn't allow the door to open past 90 degrees and it makes getting things out awkward. Have a good play around in the shop to make sure this doesn't happen to you.

My parents built in could move just slightly past 90 (maybe just to 100 or 105 degrees) and it mean things slid out very easily, even the veg drawer closest to the door.

We have a fairly small gap between our sink and fridge freezer and it's shit. We have a dishwasher but didn't consider how much stuff still needs hand washing, especially if I've used lots of pans eg when cooking a roast. We end up stacking the dirty dishes both between the sink and fridge freezer, and next to the cooker or on the dining table too. Drives me mad!!

I’d block the door to the conservatory, move/increase the size of the window and create a U shaped kitchen, with a large window. You can then move the sink to under the window, which gives you one run of worksurface near the range and more natural light in the kitchen.

Thanks all - I'm really not happy to block off the door to the conservatory (it lets in so much light, would be a real shame) or commit to significant structural work like getting rid of the utility or extending it. I'd like to just focus on the two options presented please, and small adjustments.

@kitchenplanner

Essentially - that was my concern too. It's 8cm by my calculation, if we assume a 60cm unit is just that, rather than 60cm plus a cm either side.

Probably not enough, ours is 20cm and no handle on the door and we can only just slide shelves and drawers in and out.

Ours is not integrated though, might make a difference

Not read all comments so I am sorry if already answered, but what space do you need for kettle/microwave etc? I think that’s something to think about. I’d be inclined to have FF on the left and have the corner for the kettle and microwave if they would fit there. Then have the bigger worktop space between the cooker and sink to prep food

Snoods that's my thinking too. Dark corner for microwave, kettle, toaster. We don't have other appliances out generally.

Same here .. we only have a microwave and kettle out and both are tucked away so more accessible worktop is used for prep

Option 2 definately. That corner on the left Option 1 is wasted space.

@kitchenplanner

I attach a Tom Howley kitchen again, which is like my FF on the left plan. It doesn't look too dark, with good lighting. Though I appreciate it might be slightly wider than mine.

Yeah .. I think this one now I’ve seen this. Microwave in that corner .. toaster one side and kettle the other. All out of the way and a bigger worktop for prep

And leaves enough room on the right of the sink to put used pots and glasses and the left can stay free for prep .. or room for a drainer

Snoods - what do you think re double sink? It's 80 rather than 60, so I'd lose that 30 unit next to the wall. People on the last thread were very against the double, but we have one atm and I just love it. We use the second sink for drying.

I have a single sink but have a drainer. A double sink is definitely handier though. Over all I just think you’ll appreciate the longer worktop if the FF is on the left. Well, I would, as we have smaller areas then one larger area, which I definitely appreciate having

prnt.sc/1rq78au
this is how I'd arrange for all the things you want if you don't want structural changes. full cabinet width prep space both sides of hob so easy to cook/chop for 2 people.

I'd also get your ff doors swung the other way if having it on the left hand side

Don't get an intergrated fridge - or any appliance for that matter.

I know from experience the pain of trying to replace them when they break or if the door breaks.

Thanks ablative for putting that together 😊

I think you're right re FF swing direction. I also considered centering the range but thought it would be better to have that uninterrupted 120 of prep space to its right instead.

Twizbe we're considering a freestanding FF actually. A Smeg style one (I find the Smeg handles too massive... if that's a valid reason to decide against!). But the problem is that the wall cabinets would have to come down lower to align their top with the top of the FF. I'd rather have them higher up.

How about having a "tethered" island just near your corner cupboard and part way across the arch - one of the bigger Ikea freestanding ones. Leaves space to walk round it to the cupboard and door outside, but it would give you more storage, a more interesting/vintage look as well as really useful extra workspace for baking, serving up etc.

I think both your new options are better than the first! Bear in mind its better if the dishwasher isn't under the main prep space or there will be "excuse me" all the time when the door's open - can it be squeezed the other side of the sink? Likewise where the fridge door opens in front of the cooker.
Also, some fridge freezers definitely do work opening against a corner wall, if they are well designed: Bosch are good for this. Or you can hinge the door the other way - it 's slightly less convenenient but you do get used to it if it makes the space work better.