What would you do with my new kitchen - with plan!

[eleventybillion]

First time I've ever been in charge of a new kitchen (eek) and I could use some help if anyone is up for a new kitchen thread.

The kitchen is a bit of an odd shape (long and narrow)so it limits things a bit. There is currently a non load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room level with the fridge and window which I'm planning on removing.

What would you change?

I would change the sink so that the drainer is on the right (I'm right handed). I would also have the bins under the sink , so when you are scraping plates prior to washing up it is close at hand.
What us the unit closest to the table at the top of the picture?

That's a great idea Toasty. I'm left handed but actually it might be a better use of space (and get me out of the washing up!)

It's drawers under the window. I hate don't really like cupboards

I'm wondering if you have enough worktop space?

Also you have somewhere to put things, that you have taken out of the fridge or freezer, nearby to the fridge and freezer? Will there be room to put something down between those two appliance units?

It's got a bit more worktop space than I have now Mosaic but it is a good point about taking stuff out of the fridge. The centre section has shelves in the middle that I could use to put things on. Do you think that would be too clunky?

Agree with pp suggestions. I'd also put the fridge/freezer in the position nearest the kitchen and work surfaces rather than next to the dining area. Easier to turn round and pop what you need next to the cooker etc.

If you could have a bit of worktop to put things on I think it would be better otherwise you have to leave item somewhere else while you open the fridge/freezer. Might be OK with a bottle of milk (use one hand) but not a heavy dish such as a lasagne.

I'd agree with bins under sink.

I think I'd also want a dishwasher if doing mh kitchen up.

And yes to witching sink and draining board.

Agree, sink, bins and DW should all be together.

There's not a lot of work surface for prep, could you maybe push everything up and have a peninsular somewhere with stools on the dining side? It's really handy having somewhere other than a table to sit if you're just grabbing a coffee or cereal.

Also you have to consider where everything goes when you empty the DW, so glasses, cups and plates nearest to it otherwise you just keep walking backwards and forwards.

You could have your wine fridge in the corner next to the garden and a piece of worktop with drawers under between fridge and freezer. Could put toaster there

is that the current floor plan? are you removing the wall on the bottom left?

where do the doors connect to? i.e. which doors are used all the time / which are to the garden / which are a rarely used utility room? All these things make a difference to how people move through the room and thus how you should design it.

I also think you seem to have very little worktop space. There isn't a large prep surface, which I'd expect in a kitchen that size. I'd add a peninsula on the end. I like them because they also provide a visual break between kitchen and eating area.

As an alternative to a peninsula, you child get rid of the shelving/wine cooler etc and add an island. Looks like there would be plenty of room.

I wouldn't as I use this sort of space for kettle/ coffees machine etc. I like keeping all drinks together and it keeps people out of the cooking area

How many of you are there in the house? We only have 2 young DC plus us, and our tall fridge freezer really isn't big enough. Can you fit a wider one in?

Agree with pp, bins need to be near the sink and it makes sense to put the draining board in the dead space under the boiler.

Is the combi oven a microwave/oven?

These are all great ideas - thank you! In no particular order:

1. Kitchen is too narrow for a peninsula - much as I would love one

1. There's just me so I have the luxury of not needing too much space / fridge capacity.

1. There is an integrated dishwasher under the draining board.

1. The doorways are out to the living room and to a conservatory (conservatory has a proper roof and is integrated to the house). There a no doors but both need to be kept clear for walking around.

The house is very open plan - appreciate that's not it everyone's taste but it's not easy to change that.

Some good points on the amount of work surfaces. It will be about the same as I have now but maybe a bit more would be useful.

Thanks again for the ideas - you lot are bloody brilliant.

how about a radical change - see picture.

here I'm assuming that you will eat mostly in the dining room so you can get rid of the table. Instead, have worksurface all along the top wall, so you have freezer (Z) and fridge (F) then a new sink (S) then the hob (H). you could have low ovens (O) to keep the worksurface or have a few high-up units for ovens. then use the end wall just for more low storage.

I think this would leave space for a small peninsula (P) with a couple of high chairs and again some more cupboards.

How wide is the kitchen? I can't read the measurements. Are you sure you don't have room for a peninsula? The kitchen-diner in one of my old flats had one and it was really not a big space. We also could have got away with a smaller peninsula. It was invaluable.

Sorry for the delay - but of a busy weekend.

Love the radical approach - I will have a think about incorporating some of the ideas. I was thinking of moving the kitchen up into the dining room because it opens onto the living room but maybe I've been a bit too narrow in my thinking.

There is actually a peninsula in the kitchen now. Whilst it is useful I'm always bashing myself on it as it's quite awkward with the width of the kitchen. Maybe a narrower version would work.

Thank you all again for the great ideas!

wasn't thinking of moving the kitchen up into the dining room