Kitchen plans (with pictures)

[kitchenplans]

We're doing an extension, part of which will include an enlarged kitchen. Although far bigger than our old galley kitchen, we're still somewhat limited for space, and the shape isn't ideal. Unfortunately there's no scope to add extra space or change the shape, we're extending to the boundary, and the cut-off bit is the stairs, which can't be moved. We will have a separate tiny utility reached via the left hand side door.

I've been fiddling around on DIY kitchens planner, and I just wondered if anyone had any comments or suggestions on my plans. It feels quite a big thing to be responsible for the design myself!

I'm aware that some placements may not be perfect (e.g the straight line from sink to cooker to fridge and freezer, rather than a triangle), but this is the best I can do without compromising on any of our "must haves" (separate full size fridge and freezer, range cooker, decent amount of storage, table or island/breakfast bar).

I'd really appreciate any feedback or tweaks we could make to improve the plans. And any thoughts on what are good, timeless styles of kitchen? It's taken us 20 years to get round to doing the extension, so likely we'll be living with this kitchen for the next 20+ years! The handle less, plain white kitchen was original chosen for easy of planning, but it's actually grown on me. But is it too bland?

I think you've done a great job! My only improvement would be to replace the cupboard above the sink with a smaller horizontal top box, so you don't have a cupboard in your way. You can put lights underneath to light the sink.

Here it is with a topbox. I agree that might be better.

I have just had the Luca handleless kitchen installed - it's not finished yet, but I love it. The only thing I would consider changing in terms of your design if it were mine, would be to continue the runoff cabinets over the sink across to the end base unit, using top boxes (or shorter height cabinets, which is what I've done) with and integrated cooker hood, purely for a bit more storage

What are you having on the wall between the top cupboards and the worktop?

I wanted frosted glass or a continuation of the worktop but, due to cost, had giant matt tiles instead. I'm pleased with them. Giant to have the minimum amount of grout.

I work in construction and often advise clients how to utilise the kitchen design space. I agree with the other posters - have a reduced heigh wall unit above the sink and opt for an integrated extractor with reduced height wall units fully across up to the fridge freezer unit. Why is the fridge freezer unit height not full height? Could you opt for a taller fridge freezer unit with the space above used as storage? Granted it won't be accessible without a step but can still use as storage. It's quite unusual to not have the fridge freezer unit not align with the top of the wall units.

Thanks. I agree with the feedback given so far, but too tired tonight to fiddle around on the planner. Will have a bash over the weekend.

Re the height of the fridge and freezer - this is just what the planner drops in when you say a freestanding fridge and a freestanding freezer. It doesn't represent the actual model we will buy (not chosen yet). I'll be getting one that's full height. I don't want overhead boxes over them, so that we're not restricted as/when they need replacing.

Could you make it a u shape & put the sink in the u under the window to have more worktop around the stove? You might also be able to lose the top cupboards altogether then which would open the space out more.

First of all, this looks amazing considering you’ve done this on your own! Well done! Can you enlarge the windows at all? If you can and you move the sink under the (enlarged window) what would your view be of? Your garden? That might be nicer than having it face the wall? Overall though I love it!

Ps what planner are you using?

How big is the utility? We’ve got a smallish kitchen (in a big extension) and also have the Utility. We can fit a lot in the utility because we have an almost floor to ceiling shallow cupboard - so that’s where our “pantry” goes.
the microwave and kettle are also there too.

I would strongly reconsider the breakfast bar especially if you have a dining table already. They’re a nice to have but if it’s a small space then I wouldn’t squeeze one in at all.

where is the dining room?

I would put the sink under the window and go for a u shape. Then you can have more wall space for cupboards.

have you got a birds eye view plan? That’s easier to visualise for me!

Yes u shape with sink under the window, enlarge window if possible. Fridge can go where sink currently is. Table can go in the corner where fridge currently is. I'd get integrated fridge and floor to ceiling units that just look flush but I'm boring.

planner.diy-kitchens.com/

Ignore the aesthetics for now (though it looks lovely). Think of the ergonomics.

This could have major flaws.

Imagine yourself in this space. First thing in the morning. Making a cup of tea. Kettle. Round the breakfast bar to fill it. Back to plug it in. Back to get milk from the fridge. Where is the bin for the teabag? Back over to the sink to put the teaspoon in it. Where is the dishwasher? Walk around the island?

Imagine making your "God I am tired, good old pesto pasta/fajitas/curry/easytocook meal will do". How are you moving around the space? Need to microwave rice just before dishing up and strain some peas. Where is the hot baking tray going when it come out of the oven. You decide to become a coffee expert....where will the bean grinder go? And the machine. How easy to get to the tap .

You are unloading the dishwasher and either have to walk around the bar to put stuff away, or empty it on to the bar, walk around and put away.

Think of those holiday cottage kitchens which have had irritations (can't open the dishwasher and the plate cupboard at the same time as the are both in the corner, so have to empty it, shut dishwasher and then put away. The cups and glasses are not near the sink.

Write out a post-it of everything you need to store and use. Saucepans, herbs spices, baking trays, cereal boxes, food processor, plastic tubs, tea towels, measuring jugs,the kettle, the toaster. Then plan them. Where do you want them? What needs to be close? Mugs in the cupboard above the kettle? Bliss.

Picture yourself using/storing stuff in what you have planned. Will it work or will it drive you potty?

It is all in one long line. (Do you need a double sink?) With not very much workspace between fridge/sink/cooker.

If you are feeling lost make an appointment at your local Wickes/B&Q and go in with zero plan just to see what they suggest layout wise.

Handles may not be sleek, but they mean you don’t have to wash down the cupboards every week.

It may just be me but your sink looks to be about three times the length if a standard single sink. Is it a double or larger? Seems strange as it takes up so much space, it's as wide as the range cooker.

There doesn’t appear to be much worktop space next to the cooker. Where will you do your food prep? We don’t have much worktop space I’m our kitchen and it drives me mad that I’ve only got a tiny space next to the cooker to prepare. When someone is helping me cook its even worse.

is a range style cooker a must? You’d have more space if it was smaller, as well as a smaller sink.

your island looks like it might get in the way of moving around, but if you need to incorporate somewhere to sit and eat too I’m not sure what else to suggest.

If you don’t need a place to eat I’d utilise the wall under the windows with a further run of cupboards and worktop.

I don’t understand why you have a breakfast bar in the middle of the kitchen, so you have to walk round it all the time. It you had an l shape with base units under the window, you would have a much more ergonomic flow of work surface. Then you could put the bar between the kitchen and the other room (personally I don’t like perching on a stool, but I suppose people must like it)

When we were doing our diy kitchen, we ended up taping it all out on the floor and actually walking through making a cup of tea, cooking meals etc. It sounds a bit ott but made All the difference to the design of our kitchen - it flows brilliantly for how we want / need to use it.

I do agree walking around the breakfast bar all the time will be annoying.

I'm not sure. It feels a bit like 'i really want an island even if my room doesn't suit it (sorry!)

Where are you going to plate up your meals when you take a couple of baking trays out of the oven? Will the breakfast bar/island be big enough when people are also sat at it?
And is the room to walk round still fine when people are sat on the stools so have them pushed out?

Hard to work out without dimensions so maybe the answer is yes.

Have you played with a u shape under the window? Or even c shape with a shorter but deeper peninsula at the end depending what is the other side??

A floor plan would be useful if you have it?

If you do go for this layout would second the built in extractor cupboard from DIY. We have it with one that pulls out. Looks neater with wall units on a fairly short run and especially when off centre

The door on the bit that sticks into the room, is that the stairs or utility?

If utility could it be accessed from the other side to free up a nice big corner?

If you do go for this design I'd probably invest in a boiling water tap so you don't have to carry the kettle round people while cooking

What are the actual dimensions and layout? Would you feel comfortable posting a 2D plan here?

I agree with others that the island/breakfast bar is dominating the space unnecessarily, and could be irritating to move around it, however it's difficult to determine how much of an issue it is with no measurements.

Loads of responses, thank you.

The sticky in bit is the stairs, so shape of kitchen not changeable.

U-shape was where I started (images attached), but I found it hard to fit a table in without it feeling really cramped and like I'd constantly be squeezing round the table. For context the back wall is 4m and the longest part of the side wall is 4.3m, so it isn't a huge space we're dealing with. I actually didn't want an island/b bar, preferring a regular table, but I felt it worked better in the space. I also felt the u-shaped looked more dated as a style.

I've got loads of storage in the utility, even though it is tiny. And I have a run of 1.5m of drawers under breakfast bar, so there's more storage in the kitchen than appears at first glance.

I agree with the extractor in a run of units. Can't quite work out how to do that on the planner though!

I've fiddled around at put reduced width units on the entrance side. This might give a bit more space?

Definitely planning on a quooker.

Could you have your sink units all along the all where the windows are and keep the cooker and units along the wall they are currently on, and then have a table and chairs coming out from the wall opposite the cooker and remove those units that are currently there?

The shorter wall is only 2.85m, so I don't think there will be room. 60cm for cupboards, 1m for door to open in to, would only leave 1.25m for the table, chairs plus clearance for the cupboard doors to open. I think the pictures from the planner make the space look bigger than it is. Unfortunately I can't work out how to download an image of the 2d plan.

would it be possible to see a 2d layout of the extension and also the rest of the downstairs to see how it all flows - ie where do all the doors go to? is one of those doors to the utility room and if so, could the door be moved so that a table could go in the corner?