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Original poster

Kitchen planning help

80 replies

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 15:27

We’re getting there with kitchen designs and although I initially wanted more drawers, I didn’t like how it ended up looking so this seems to me (and dh) to work best for the space. Having more drawers would lose the much wanted larder so that’s my compromise.

I’ve never done this before so keen to see it through different eyes.

Kitchen planning help
Kitchen planning help
OP posts:
Original poster
NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 15:28

It’s navy rather than black (photos are darker than rl)

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 01/04/2022 15:38

I would replace some of the cupboard units with deep drawers. They are much more practical than cupboards for getting to things stored at the back.

We are in the middle of a kitchen refit right now. We got rid of the Shaker style doors and drawers because I was forever having to clean the greasy dust off the little ledges. My new doors and drawers are completley flush and will be easier to keep clean.

Original poster
NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 15:51

I literally explained in my post that more deep drawers aren’t an option as I’d lose the larder. The other unit has a sink or is a corner unit so there’s no configuration we can see that would enable additional drawers - happy for someone to suggest where they can go, but I can’t see anywhere they would work.

Definitely want shaker style - happy to clean them as I think they look nicer than flat doors, but I do appreciate they have somewhere for dirt to collect. Current door have shaker plus extra grooves and those are an absolute bastard to clean so plain shaker will be an improvement Grin)

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 01/04/2022 15:57

No, I meant deep drawers instead of the base unit cupboards, because it looked in your picture that it was possible. My mistake.

Kamma89 · 01/04/2022 15:58

I think the configuration is fine, can't see an option for more drawers from additional info you've supplied unfortunately. I don't love the colour. Navy kitchens have been popular for a while now so will date it immediately (not that I think you should decorate your house according to trends)

HellToTheNope · 01/04/2022 16:02

I would have a large one basin sink instead of a divided one. I just replaced my divided sink with a huge open one a few months ago and wish I had done it years earlier when I realised I hated it.

HellToTheNope · 01/04/2022 16:05

I know you want the ladder, but I would replace the cabinets with huge deep drawers on the area on the right side of the room.

I would also make sure you have plenty of outlets and dimmable lighting.

GroggyLegs · 01/04/2022 16:07

Looks good. I have a very similar set up to your first pic along one wall - does the doorway next to the oven have architrave around it? My oven door opens with mm to spare against ours!

I also went for open shelving and a flat glass hood on the wall, rather than cabinets to keep it a bit lighter.

Is the larder the large FH door or the skinny one? I think I'd have the knobs together as if they were a pair of doors IYKWIM? Although appreciate they're not symmetrical.

GroggyLegs · 01/04/2022 16:09

I would also make sure you have plenty of outlets and dimmable lighting. - good points;

Are you having kickboard lighting?
I absolutely love ours.

tootiredtospeak · 01/04/2022 16:10

It seems very dark have you considered any glass in some cupboards to break that up.

RampantIvy · 01/04/2022 16:15

I also went for open shelving

We had some open shelving in our last house. It was a nightmare to keep clean. I will never have open shelving again.

Bellyups · 01/04/2022 16:16

The design is what I would have chosen for the space as well op.

Blogblogblogblog · 01/04/2022 16:21

Can the section with the bananas and wine be swapped with the fridge and pull out unit? I prefer a long strip of worktop for baking. Then you’ve got of couple more options on drawers below the worktop.

Original poster
NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 16:23

Open shelving does sound like a grease trap. I always like how glass cupboards look but feels like wasted space as it has to look “nice” so you can’t cram it all in. Teenager and 12yo empty the dishwasher and I cannot rely on neat putting away behind glass cupboards. There’s also a wider than double door space through to dining room so large windows front and back.

I definitely want navy and I’m happy the room can take it. Not really bothered about dating as we’re not doing it up to sell so I’m going for what I like rather than fashion. Every time I see a navy kitchen I’m like “ooooh that’s pretty”. Appreciate it’s not for everyone.

Larder handles aren’t right so need to look at that.

Lights will be under cupboards with dimmer option. Not sure about plinth ones… don’t they just highlight if floors aren’t immaculate?

OP posts:
Original poster
NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 16:24

@Blogblogblogblog that’s section is only 39cm deep so to take the ff it would jut into the room a lot more.

OP posts:
jackstini · 01/04/2022 16:30

I would access the cupboard in the corner via the last door in that run, but with a pullout

Then everything under the hob can be 2 huge, 1200? wide, deep drawers or 4 x 600 wide

jackstini · 01/04/2022 16:33

Also agree larder doors need to meet/open in middle

I would go for opaque glass in some units - doesn't have to be ultra tidy & would lighten it up a bit (& have lights within)

I love our plinth lighting - nice optional low lighting - but if not, do plinth drawers for extra storage

Original poster
NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 16:33

This was the drawer option but one section is fake for dishwasher and we lost the small drawers which we really need for batteries and bulbs etc that would get lost in a massive drawer.

Kitchen planning help
OP posts:
Caspianberg · 01/04/2022 16:34

I would ditch those high cabinets like that near hob, and just have high up smaller ones right to the ceiling, then a narrow shelf underneath. High cabinets for stuff not used day to day. Make them in a lighter colour not dark blue and it will open up and brighten room.

We have just had kitchen installed. Lower cabinets oak, higher ones super high and white. Floor to ceiling unit dark blue. It’s so much larger

Forestdweller11 · 01/04/2022 16:41

Where the four drawers are I'd turn them and the cupboard next door into deep drawers. But then I'd be thinking where do I put my cutlery ...

Isseywith3witchycats · 01/04/2022 16:42

I think it looks lovely and whichever design you go for go for the one that works for you not to suit other people

RampantIvy · 01/04/2022 16:51

@Forestdweller11 one of the deep drawers in our new kitchen has a cutlery insert drawer, so it is a drawer within a drawer.

Kitchen planning help
clarrylove · 01/04/2022 17:01

I like it! Very similar to what we have. I would probably go for a corner larder rather than a straight one. Get LEDs put in it so it lights up when the door is opened. Next to it I would have a countertop larder unit sat on the worktop with a larger drawer unit underneath. It doesn't look like the cupboards either side of the hob are the same size. If not, I would want that sorted for symmetry with fillers etc.

ABitBesottedWithMyDog · 01/04/2022 17:08

I think it looks great and navy is a classic, classy colour.

Baxdream · 01/04/2022 17:46

I prefer your new design to the one with drawers.
We had a navy Howdens kitchen at our old house. I think it'll look great. The only thing I'd say is the integrated fridge freezer is tiny unless you have one elsewhere eg utility room etc.

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