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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:
RidingMyBike · 01/04/2022 17:58

It looks lovely. I've spotted a cutlery drawer insert in one of the kitchen catalogues which fits inside a deeper cupboard, so that might be an option?

Which kitchen is it? We're looking at Howdens and Magnet at the moment.

Blogblogblogblog · 01/04/2022 19:44

Could more drawers go in the shallower unit then? Battery drawers would still be a decent size.

apocketfullofposies · 01/04/2022 20:24

Is it a 30cm pull out larder cupboard? I have one and it's fairly tight to fit everything in as our only food storage but I guess is ok if you have more, which it looks like you do. The only thing that strikes me is how far away the fridge and larder are from the hob. I have a 90cm stretch of worktop between larder and hob and love how close to hand everything is.

PP mentioned have super wide deep drawers by the hob. I wouldn't do that. My MIL has a 100 or maybe 120cm wide drawer under her hob and it does my head in. Heavy to open, the cutlery drawer is inside it so you have to open two to get a teaspoon out and you can't ask someone to just move over a wee bit to get into it, they have to take a big massive step to get out of the way.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 20:39

To answer some questions, it’s Howdens. The actual layout re fridge freezer distance to hob is the same as we have now and I find that I get out what I need and prep on the L between the hob and sink. Having it over there means dc can get to the fridge without interfering with me cooking so I’m happy that it works okay for us.

Integrated is fine with 70/30 split we have a big ff in the garage.

Big draw is 80cm with top draw having cutlery insert. My dm has an 80cm set and 100cm set. The 80cm seem more sturdy and I only want a 4 thingy hob as I’d rather have workspace. Rarely use more than 2 hobs at a time.

Corner cupboard has a cool pull-out thingy.

I’m considering cornflower blue rather than navy… maybe I can get 2 samples and look at the shades in place to check lighting. I’ll ask.

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NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 20:40

@Blogblogblogblog I’m wondering that. I’ll ask Grin

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SockFluffInTheBath · 01/04/2022 20:44

I really don’t like the (1000?) base and wall units on the right- is there a house door each side? I think I would be better as a larder-type all in one cupboard- stand-alone bits and bobs like that make me think of old people’s bungalows Blush

SockFluffInTheBath · 01/04/2022 20:45

I like the rest of it though, very nice.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 20:49

@SockFluffInTheBath I wanted a pantry there but it’s got a light switch in the way with no other options to move in. I’m thinking I could put the coffee machine and fruit bowl there but it’s not exactly what I wanted. There’s a door to the hall one side and big opening to dining room the other.

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Elpheba · 01/04/2022 20:51

I think it looks lovely and works with the space you’ve got. Agree the one with the drawers (although I love drawers too) wouldn’t look as good.
I agree with pp about the sink. My ONE regret when we did our kitchen was the sink. I was sure I wanted 1.5 or 2 bowl but I wish I’d just maxed out and got one enormous bowl because I can’t fit an oven tray or big dishes in the sink! So check the internal dimensions…

SockFluffInTheBath · 01/04/2022 20:54

[quote NeedAHoliday2021]@SockFluffInTheBath I wanted a pantry there but it’s got a light switch in the way with no other options to move in. I’m thinking I could put the coffee machine and fruit bowl there but it’s not exactly what I wanted. There’s a door to the hall one side and big opening to dining room the other.[/quote]
Ah ok. Do you need that storage, could you put something that’s not a matching kitchen cupboard there?

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 21:12

We’re having a big Belfast sink in the utility (to fit the dog in) so would that be the alternative? I usually use my half bit for the cutlery holder/drainer.

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TatianaBis · 01/04/2022 21:16

I was going to say what @SockFluffInTheBath did - I would put a shallow pantry cupboard on the right and put an integrated side by side fridge freezer where the fridge and pull out larder are (the latter are a pia anyway).

You can move the light switch to the other side of the same wall.

Also it’s way too dark. Liking navy kitchens in brochures and showrooms is not the same as living with a dark room daily.

You could break it up with pale neutral top units, walls and worktop, and navy units underneath. (Google for examples). That will give the whole room a much lighter, liveable feel.

SockFluffInTheBath · 01/04/2022 21:18

@NeedAHoliday2021

We’re having a big Belfast sink in the utility (to fit the dog in) so would that be the alternative? I usually use my half bit for the cutlery holder/drainer.
Are you having a granite/ corian type worktop? A Belfast sink with a wooden top is a complete headache to keep the wood looking good.
NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 21:24

Quartz worktop - White with white walls.

Definitely want all the same colour. I always feels different base and wall units looks like you couldn’t afford to do it in one go. The navy kitchens I have seen belong to friends with smaller kitchens and they look lovely (never too dark imo).

I’m going to speak to the fitter/carpenter re the facing wall. Can’t move the light fitting as the door and under stairs cupboard is in the way the other side.

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TatianaBis · 01/04/2022 21:56

I always feels different base and wall units looks like you couldn’t afford to do it in one go

?? What an odd idea. What if it’s Martin Moore?

If you want to live with it that’s up to you but it will make it harder to sell 10 years down the line.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 22:12

I’ve no idea who or what Martin Moore is? It always put me off buying a house with different base to wall units - only saw 2 houses like it when we moved and I instantly felt I’d want to replace them. It’s personal taste, obviously. I think, with kitchens, the likelihood of the next owner of this house liking the same kitchen as me is low and as I’ve no idea who the buyer might be, designing my house with them in mind seems odd to me. I will look at lighter blue as an option but only to see which I love most. The house is light, open and flows well so can take the navy (in my opinion). I’ll get the samples and test it in the light. Window is south facing too so maybe that lightens it up.

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NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 22:15

Googled Martin Moore and looking at the front page I can say it’s a no from me. Guessing it’s expensive? Maybe I’m not posh enough to appreciate such design Grin I’m okay with that.

Kitchen planning help
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SockFluffInTheBath · 01/04/2022 22:17

I don’t like 2 tone kitchens either, but then I have a white painted kitchen with oak tops so hardly trailblazing 😂 I really raise my eyebrows at the trend from a few years ago when people painted random units- a bit like the house equivalent of having a contrast pattern on your ring fingernail… op if you’re doing the house for you and not to sell then just get what makes you happy.

M0RVEN · 01/04/2022 22:35

Why can’t you move the light switch so you can have the pantry?

Where are the bins / recycling bins and the microwave ?

You have the dishwasher to the left of the sink and the storage for cutlery and crockery to the right of the sink near the cooker. That will be very annoying.

I like the navy. However Howdens super matt doors are impossible to clean. Don’t believe them when they tell you it’s easy with water and a microfibre cloth. Go into your local branch with a cloth and a tube of hand cream and try it out .

Imagine that’s your kids making some toast, buttering it then putting the jam back in the cupboard and then the butter in the fridge. Then opening the wall cupboard for a plate and a mug.

M0RVEN · 01/04/2022 22:46

So I’d try them both out in store. I’d imagine that the Fairford grain navy is easier to keep clean than the Chelford Matt navy. They are both the same price.

The Chilcome grain navy is more expensive and the Elmbridge grain navy is dearer again.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 01/04/2022 23:25

@M0RVEN microwave will be multi purpose Neff grill/oven/microwave above the oven. Bins are in the utility - family of 5 cannot fit our rubbish in one cupboard without needing to empty it twice a day.

Light switch needs to be by the entrance as you walk in the room so the side it’s on (right side as you walk in) is where there’s no space for it and the left is covered by the door as you open in. Behind that door (at a right angle) is a cupboard under the stairs with a full height door, then tall radiator, then door to utility. I can’t see where to move it to and neither could the designer.

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TooManyPJs · 02/04/2022 01:01

i love it! Looks great. Great colour and looks nice and balanced.

I think the white worktops will brighten it enough.

I have cream shaker doors in my kitchen and they don't get that dirty - the cleaner cleans them once a fortnight and they rarely need doing in between.

The cupboards do look better than the drawers.

I don't like two tone kitchens either.

Do make sure you have room for bins and microwave.

I like a split sink as you have another one to use if the first is full/in use. I hated it when I only had one sink, it was so annoying; I would never go back!

M0RVEN · 02/04/2022 08:11

[quote NeedAHoliday2021]@M0RVEN microwave will be multi purpose Neff grill/oven/microwave above the oven. Bins are in the utility - family of 5 cannot fit our rubbish in one cupboard without needing to empty it twice a day.

Light switch needs to be by the entrance as you walk in the room so the side it’s on (right side as you walk in) is where there’s no space for it and the left is covered by the door as you open in. Behind that door (at a right angle) is a cupboard under the stairs with a full height door, then tall radiator, then door to utility. I can’t see where to move it to and neither could the designer.[/quote]
Re bins - you need at least a food waste bin in the kitchen near the sink and the dishwasher. Trust me - otherwise you will end up with a food waste caddy on the worktop. You are not going to walk into the utility room to scrape the plate of throw out a tea bag every time you put an item in the dishwasher.

You can put a light switch on the side of a wall or full height unit. Or on the architrave of the door. Have you asked an electrician if you can move it rather than a kitchen designer ?

Would it work better to rehang the kitchen door? I can’t tell from the photos.

It’s just it sounds like you are planning the whole kitchen around a light switch and they can usually be moved relatively easily. The labour costs to do this will be very small compared to the overall cost of your kitchen.

And it would give you a bigger larder if you could have it over on the right , where it looks like it could be 1200 wide.

And that area of worktop would be much more useful to you over to the left of the sink than where it is now on the other side of the kitchen, where it will end up being a dumping ground or for aesthetically pleasing objects ( depending on your style !).

Then the area to the left of the sink could be two larger wall units for crockery/ glasswear, cutlery drawers, your DW below and a bin under the sink . That would look neater and be more useful that that small wall cupboard.

If you do a lot of cooking and have a large family I’d have two dishwashers. Then you will never have dishes piled up on the worktop waiting for space and your kitchen will be tidier.

IME many kitchen designers get very caught up with the appearance of the kitchen eg tap must be exactly in the middle of the window and all units must be symmetrical. So they take that as a starting point and you end up with lots of small units and small areas of worktop ( more expensive and annoying to use ) just to make that happen.

You want fewer, larger units and bigger continuous areas of worktop.

You need a large single bowl sink , not two small ones. You won’t wash up much as you have a DW and presumably another sink in the utility room.

You’ve only got ? 500 of worktop to the left of your draining board, that’s not big enough for anything except a kettle.

I know it’s boring to think about now but the most important thing about a kitchen is functionality. You need a kitchen that works for the different tasks that you will do and some things together.

So for food prep you need worktop, knives, sink, fridge, food storage and food waste all close to each other.

For cooking you need oven, hob, microwave, pans / dishes and worktop.

Then dishwasher , sink, food waste, cutlery drawer and crockery storage.

Kettle, tap, mugs, tea, coffee, spoons.

You get the idea. Walk around your kitchen plan and do these imaginary tasks. Set it up in the garden with cardboard boxes/ random objects if you need to.

Have you thought about that corner base unit and what you are going to store in it ?

NeedAHoliday2021 · 02/04/2022 11:19

We’ve had our food recycling in the utility for the last 4 years - I hate mouldy food in the kitchen and it’s never occurred to me it’s an issue but I will ask dh just in case it does bug him. If I’m prepping veg, I use it on the shelf then tidy it away.

Really helpful points though. The only place for the switch would be on the side of the actual cupboard casing - would that be weird? There really is no other place that wouldn’t be a massive pain - light switches need to be in sensible places imo. But I do really want a pantry there. We have another company coming next week so I’ll discuss with them.

Thanks everyone.

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RampantIvy · 02/04/2022 12:20

Our council don't do food recycling bins. TBH we don't throw much out at all. It's more likely to be excess fat or bones.