I’m saving this thread for a cup of tea but in the meantime….
Ask around for recommendations for a kitchen fitter. We struck gold through no doing of our own as he came with the designer. I was really happy with our design but he had lots of suggestions and advice and massively improved on it with little tweaks here and there. And also, regardless of what you pay, it’s the quality of the workmanship that will look expensive, or not!
I love our big Belfast sink. I’ve just put an oven tray into soak. I dithered about putting an extra sink in the utility thinking it was a waste but I love that too.
Take time to understand yourself and your family dynamics , habits and needs before looking at kitchens. It’s very easy to be drawn to a look or an image that just won’t work for you. One of the things I recommend is the clutterbug quiz. Actually the quiz isn’t great but the concept behind is - you either need visual simplicity or you need to see your stuff in order to feel calm, and you’ll either be a micro or macro sorter (lots of compartments, or one big box). I really loved looking at kitchens with open shelves but I need to be able to shut the door on my stuff. And not having lids on boxes makes a massive difference to my ability to stay tidy! I’m really glad I figured that out.
Things can look lovely in showrooms but be a nightmare to keep nice. Be very realistic about your capacity for cleaning and polishing. And give some thought to what it will look like when the sink is full of dirty pots and the you’ve burnt something onto the hob. I’m not saying it to be negative but when you’re looking at a sink in the island in the beautiful showroom, you can forget that you could be staring at a pile of dishes while you’re eating. Just think it through because there’s no right or wrong answer as long as you’re happy.
Think about zones, but know that some things will need compromise. It probably makes sense to prioritise the things that you do most often. I don’t feel I got the cooking/prepping zone right. But the cleaning zone is brilliant and I can put all my shopping away by pivoting on one foot because the fridge/freezer/pantry are together. It might have been more sensible to get the cooking zone more streamlined than a job I do once a week.
I’m not keen on the silestone worktop we chose. It’s beautiful but what was I thinking when I chose something you can’t put a hot tray down on? Also it’s only supposed to be cleaned with water. Hello? Hygiene! It doesn’t stain though which is brilliant.
Our fitter advised us not to cut draining grooves in the stone and I think it was a good call. I thought we’d end up with water dripping on the floor but it’s fine. I was going to get a wooden draining board made but didn’t bother.
I also made a mistake with the amtico floor. It’s a bugger to keep clean. Their fitter was a diva, and made such a song and dance about levelling the floor, but it’s not actually level at all. It’s much warmer underfoot than the old tiles so that’s something.
Don’t be afraid to be difficult. I’m far too much of a people pleaser but at the end of the day, all the fitters, designers and trades will leave and you’re left with the kitchen. Put your foot down, strop, repeat yourself ad nauseum!
Everything in my kitchen beeps in exactly the same tone and it’s maddening trying to work out what machine is complaining, and whether the dishwasher is finished or I’ve left the fridge open. There is a variety of brands but they all use the same alarm!
Give some thought to acoustics. Too many hard surfaces will bounce sound and you need some soft materials to absorb echos.
I raised the washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher, oven and microwave to waist height. It cost counter space but my back thanks me for it. I only have drawers below waist height so I can see everything - no searching on my knees for something in the back.
I didn’t want an island but got talked into it and it was the best decision ever.
If you don’t like people in your kitchen under your feet put the fridge on the boundary.
I got the electrician to put the sockets on upside down at the end of the island. It’s much better when I’m plugging in blenders or my cake mixer. And I got sockets put in above the kitchen cabinets for Christmas lights. It’s worth putting a lot of thought into the electrics, where switches will go and what combinations to put together. Don’t just leave it to the architect/builder. I know the electrician thought I was bonkers but it was worth it. Think about things like lamps, Christmas trees, blenders, charging phones. Mine kindly put extra cable in the wall and ceilings too.
Sorry, that was long! I’m sure I’ll think of more.