New kitchen - what are your essentials

[Shefliesonherownwings]

DH and I are planning to completely replace out kitchen next year. It's hideous and we haven't changed it since we moved in three years ago so it's time for an overhaul. So, we're starting to think about it now and decide what we must absolutely have and I thought i'd see what others think.

We live in a standard three bed terrace. Kitchen is average for that size house, no room for an island or dining table but that's ok. We have a passage way that runs along the side of the house where we currently have our American style fridge freezer and washing machine. We have a separate dryer in the kitchen which we will probably move to the passage way freeing up room for a pantry cupboard which we definitely want. We also have room under the stairs where we keep hoover, golf clubs etc... so no issue with storing that stuff.

We're ripping out all cupboards, worktop, oven and moving the boiler too so it'll be a pretty blank canvas. Aside from two sinks, i've no idea what we should think about having, maybe a wine fridge? What would your absolute must haves be?

A Japanese Tepan plate. Has been so useful.

We have 2 dishwashers. Sounds mad but we have never got 'stuff' left on the side.

Drawers
Hot tap
Inductions hob
We have a prep sink and a main sink
BIG fridge
BIG freezer (biggest mistake in my last kitchen was a half freezer)
Non scratch worktop

Thanks so much everyone. We’re definitely going for two sinks and already have the big fridge freezer. I like the sound of all drawers on the bottom, I hate the bottom cupboards we have as I can never find anything or it all falls out as soon as you open the door.

Im not very tall so big floor to ceiling cupboards might not work, although I could get a stool. Something to think about.

For those that have mentioned IKEA, would you buy a kitchen from them? We love the place and buy plenty from there but never thought about their actual kitchens. Their storage options are very good though and we don’t have loads of room so maybe worth a look?

@Shefliesonherownwings

Thanks so much everyone. We’re definitely going for two sinks and already have the big fridge freezer. I like the sound of all drawers on the bottom, I hate the bottom cupboards we have as I can never find anything or it all falls out as soon as you open the door.

Im not very tall so big floor to ceiling cupboards might not work, although I could get a stool. Something to think about.

For those that have mentioned IKEA, would you buy a kitchen from them? We love the place and buy plenty from there but never thought about their actual kitchens. Their storage options are very good though and we don’t have loads of room so maybe worth a look?

My kitchen from the first page is from IKEA. I'm very happy with the quality of the products. The kitchens don't have service voids at the back so you get more storage with them.

Bare in mind that the do come flatpack, so you'll be including the cost of assembling. Some kitchen sellers deliver your kitchen already assembled. Also, I wasn't very impressed by Ikea's customer service (post delivery) and they do have a lot of items out of stock.

Things I love about my kitchen:
Neff hide and slide (they are slightly smaller than normal ovens and you can't get a half so I went for two and I'm so glad).
Pull out tap with spray.
Small breakfast bar, so useful for a quick lunch/snack etc.

If you get it designed check where/what everything is. We had annoying wasted space in the design (hidden, but still...). We changed things about a bit and got more in. Kitchen designer seem to think you care more about the look than use of the space.

Large sink (not double) one that can fit couple of large pans in. Don't bother with a draining board, just groove the worktop. Induction hob. 100% hot water tap- no brainier. Get soap dispenser built in and fill with washing up liquid. Appliance cupboard. Separate fridge & freezer if you can it

Definitely use as much ceiling height as you've got. There always stuff you don't use regularly which can go on the higher shelves and just occasionally use steps when you need to get to them.

IKEA kitchens are great, but you'll want a good fitter who is used to working with them and not out off by the flat pack.

@iamnotanalcoholic70

Induction hob Wall ovens with slide and hide plus steam Boiling tap Hidden bins with recycling Floor to ceiling cupboards Deep pan and crockery drawers Cupboard over fridge freezer so it's not used as an open dumping ground! Hard wearing surfaces like silestone

Pretty much this but we didn’t have the hot water tap.

Make you you splurge on a work top. We went for a cheaper version of Corian called Minerva and after three years it’s cracked across a stress point. If we did it again we’d obviously choose differently.

*make sure you

Love, love my hot water tap too.

The time you save boiling water for pasta and boiling vegetables is great.

I’m a very impatient person and love to just be able to fill up the hot water bottle at night too!

Hate my induction job though (was here when we bought the house). It doesn’t have the ‘areas’ clearly specified and I have to go looking for the spot every time, as it varies depending on the size of the pan.

You can look at Ikea for sure. I love their storage but not hugely keen on their cupboard fronts currently. You could see if you could get doors elsewhere that fit their carcasses.

Not all kitchen designers are like that @Thewindsofchange there are little gems like Karen at OP She put safety first, then practicality, but still managed to get it looking great too.
We then shopped around with that one plan to get our 'almost bespoke' but not really, ply kitchen. ( ply doors on standard cabinets)

Agree with mostly drawers on base cabinets, we did this too. Also built in bins near to DW, sink and your prep area. We have two sets of 2x 32lite bins ( so four) which work well. And I keep a compost bin under the sink.

I have an anti vibration mat under my DW and WM. ( from Amazon ) I keep my baking stuff on a shelf in the pantry in baskets so I can bring them out into the kitchen when needed more easily (another Karen tip, like the anti vibration mats, as this room has bedrooms below)

I compromised with a cheaper in wall extraction fan, as was only to keep building control happy, but actually it's incredibly efficient and switches itself on when there's moisture in the room. So I'm actually pleased with it now rather than being cross I had to buy one when I didn't think I needed it. So I guess that reiterates the 'professionals are there to help' motto as the building control guy insisted and Karen said it was needed too. They were right.
So don't think you know it all, I did and I was wrong!

Good luck with your kitchen adventure.

Can I add a spice drawer? Bit of an indulgence but it is the thing thati love most in my kitchen, even more than my hidden bins 1.5 ,composite sink and flexi tap (although they are definitely great.)

Gone are the days of searching through boxes of the many spices I bought for one recipe then have never used again for the ones I use all the time. I have mine alphabetised and it makes me happy every time I open it. Probably need to get out more!

oh yes, spice drawer. I forgot about that. Life changing whilst cooking! I had about 6 baskets before, now just one 1200mm drawer with them all set out. Saves so much time

Insinkerator. I hate not having one if we're away from home now.

Yes to the flexi-hose tap! I was thoroughly in the "this is ridiculous and looks bad” camp but my husband insisted. I've completely had to eat my words. So easy to clean large things and the sink!
The hot water tap was a no for us. But we don’t drink tea, we drink coffee which we make by pour over so we would need to keep a kettle anyway even if was a pouring kettle. And I didn’t want to lose the cupboard space to the gubbins that was required for it.
The other thing I found useful was to not put the bin under the sink. As then you can never put anything in the bin when someone is washing up.
Also I wanted proper handles not knobs but that’s because I find them more comfortable.

Induction hob
Pan drawers
Hot tap (I have the Blanco evol-s which I highly recommend)
Insinkerator
A larder or 2.

So helpful, thank you! What’s an isinkerator though??

Larder/pantry is a definite, with some sort of pull out drawers I think. I literally cannot wait for this and to not be rooting at the back of the cupboards for stuff.

Flexible tap is going on the list now. All good points about bins and keeping them out of sight, we have room for this so I’m going to add that.

What’s the done thing with going to a kitchen designer? If we went to say Wren and got them to draw up a design, can we take it away and then go elsewhere or are we obliged to buy from them?

IMO It's a bit off to go to a studio for a design if you don't intend to buy, so we booked a design week with an independent. That way there's no sales pressure, as the one we booked doesn't sell anything. It also meant when we sent out our plans and listing we could ask for trade discounts as we weren't using the retail service.
Karen at one plan was recommended on the lessons learned Mumsnet thread a few years ago.

We have a beautiful magnetic flexitap from Blanco and it looks as good three years on as it did when it was first fitted.

We put in a tall narrow radiator instead of the usual short long ones to save wall space. It’s really lovely to come in on a cold day and stand up against it for a while.

Hot water tap. Thought I'd hate it. Utterly love it especially as we're both at home always making tea. According to my smart meter it's very energy efficient as well. Have a Qettle.

Hidden bins in a drawer- bin and recycling and food.

Microwave built into a wall unit (I like clear worktops so losing the kettle and microwave was great.

I love our massive butler sink but it's flat bottomed so sometimes after washing up there's food waste stranded that hasn't gone down plug hole. (I've solved this with a slim tiny window squeegee - the kind you use on car windows. Very effective)

Pan drawers

Personally I also love the wine fridge. I thought it was a ridiculous indulgence but we had a perfectly sized gap and DH wanted one. It's also used for beer, champagne, cans, mixers, bottles of water- frees up loads of fridge space.

Hot water tap. Thought I'd hate it. Utterly love it especially as we're both at home always making tea. According to my smart meter it's very energy efficient as well. Have a Qettle.

Hidden bins in a drawer- bin and recycling and food.

Microwave built into a wall unit (I like clear worktops so losing the kettle and microwave was great.

I love our massive butler sink but it's flat bottomed so sometimes after washing up there's food waste stranded that hasn't gone down plug hole. (I've solved this with a slim tiny window squeegee - the kind you use on car windows. Very effective)

Pan drawers

Personally I also love the wine fridge. I thought it was a ridiculous indulgence but we had a perfectly sized gap and DH wanted one. It's also used for beer, champagne, cans, mixers, bottles of water- frees up loads of fridge space.

Also induction hob. Again, got grudgingly talked into it due to issues getting gas line fitted and now I absolutely love it. So much more responsive, easier to clean, looks great, better at simmering on low and heating on high.

Two dishwashers - yes I know extravagant
Larder (with spice racks)
A few pan drawers - I wish I had gone for more instead of base units.
Plinth lighting
Wine fridge
Flexihose tap
The biggest island you can manage.

Didn't go for the hot tap but wish I did
I wish I put in an extra oven (we went for the range cooker but I think we could have done with another oven but too late with the electrics)

Kitchen is not quite completed. I now need some stunning bar stools that do not require a mortgage. Any recommendations welcome.
I am lusting over these but at £450 a pop - just too much.
www.tomhowley.co.uk/kitchens/open-plan-grey-kitchen/