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Original poster

What you love most in your kitchen?

202 replies

Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:05

Hi :)
I'm now designing a new kitchen. It's a decent space (was the kitchen and diner originally) but we are certainly not on a luxury budget so boiling water taps for 1k are not on the radar.
But I would LOVE to know what you love in your kitchen that it's worth me thinking about, I've never before had the opportunity to design a kitchen and so I'd like to get it right but would really appreciate advice of those who have been there and done that,
Thanks so much for your time :)

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SnuggleBuggleBoo · 14/12/2022 20:08

The pull out shelving from the corner unit is a must for me! We just used to have to lie on the floor and grope around with a torch before if we wanted something at the back!

VioletLemon · 14/12/2022 20:09

Built in appliances, not hugely expensive but v sleek. Design a small bar/island you can sit at and put in corner cupboards, they hold tons.

OhPeggySue · 14/12/2022 20:10

My lovely retro style fake Smeg fridge freezer.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 14/12/2022 20:11

I have just had a brand new kitchen put in and we had a max budget of 10k all in including fitting and some appliances (hob, oven, dishwasher and microwave). The things I love are pan drawers and my pull out bin. Sad as it sounds I just love them. Also the only splurge we had was a bosch built in microwave as our kitchen is teeny and we were losing a chunk of worktop for an oven housing. So getting the microwave off the counter was fab.

We did end up going over budget by £780 but that was for some unforseen electrical work and a blind.

Cillmantain · 14/12/2022 20:12

Drawers , so much easier to find everything.
Proper bin system.
Large sink that will take a roasting tin.
Plenty of sockets.

Shortkiwi · 14/12/2022 20:13

White quartz worktop. Love that it is cut out and shaped to accommodate the sink.

tenbob · 14/12/2022 20:13

Sorry to say it, but it’s the boiling water tap

you don’t need to get a £1k one. There are plenty of cheaper brands

I also did a tall larder cupboard with drawers for tins, packets etc which is so so much better than everything stacked on a shelf

Withholdingvitalinfo · 14/12/2022 20:13

hob on island so I can cook and chop and chat

Mydogatemypurse · 14/12/2022 20:13

The food

Malariahilaria · 14/12/2022 20:14

Ooh I love a good kitchen design thread! I love our deep drawer cabinets for pots and plates. I love that we have a large American fridge for food but a smaller under counter fridge in the corner near the kettle and toaster which houses milk, bread, jams, butter so that breakfast and tea/coffee making can be done without moving. I call it the breakfast fridge. Way better than a wine fridge imo. I got extra tall wall units so there's no temptation to store stuff on top of cabinets.

Mistakes I made. Should have got a double sink instead of main sink and tiny quarter sink. Should have invested more in the worktops.

Original poster
Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:15

Wonderful! This is just what I'm after.
Second draft plan has all built in appliances.
We gone for two full length fridge freezers built in. Hoping that isn't mad, didn't want a stand alone ff.
we've got two single ovens in a tall unit.
Sink wise I've got a ceramic one but not butler as I was thinking laminate worktops and you can't have full butler with laminate- the price of quartz puts me off because I'm not that keen on the look of it, and I don't want any maintenance required like with wood.

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Anjelika · 14/12/2022 20:15

I'm sorry too but my fave thing about our new kitchen is the boiling water tap. I bloody love it. Closely followed by the warmer drawer I would never have even thought of that the guy at Wren suggested to balance up the look of the ovens.

Original poster
Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:17

What do you use a warmer drawer for?

The tap Xmas Grin really? Is it like piping hot kettle water? I can see the appeal. But how much £ are we talking and will my kids burn themselves

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MintJulia · 14/12/2022 20:18

French windows facing east. And the sky lights above.

In the summer I can get up early and sit in the kitchen with a coffee, watching the sun rise across the fields at the back. 😊

RomainingCalm · 14/12/2022 20:18

We gone for two full length fridge freezers built in.

I'd suggest a full height built in larder fridge and then a built in full height freezer if you have space. Unless you are incredibly disciplined around what goes in each you'll soon get fed up of having to open both to find anything.

Original poster
Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:18

That does sound dreamy. Unfortunately can't spin house around Xmas Sad

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Original poster
Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:19

I did say I wanted one full length fridge and one full length freezer. I don't know why he's done half and half, I wonder if there's a reason. Thanks for making me think about it, actually it would be musical fridges wouldn't it

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rubyslippers · 14/12/2022 20:20

The biggest sink I could get. Makes washing up very easy
handless units
boiling water tap - reduces stuff on the counter and very handy
Integrated bins for rubbish and recycling
two single ovens - makes cooking capacity really good
induction hob - switched from gas and so glad. Easy for kids and cleaning it is so easy
pantry cupboard
pan drawers

LazyDoll · 14/12/2022 20:21

How exciting!! Kitchen designer here and also planning my own extension and designing my own kitchen in 2023. Top of my personal wish list is a Quooker tap (look for deals lots of places offer them as part of kitchen purchase but I wouldn’t have a kitchen without one!). Pan drawers are a big must and also integrated bin and storage solutions for units. Tall pull out larder. Quartz work surfaces. Breakfast pantry and zoning so the kids can sort breakfast/toast/snacks without coming into the ‘main’ kitchen. Is go for a full height integrated fridge and freezer if you have the space. Good luck with it all!!!

Callmejudith · 14/12/2022 20:22

We also adore our tap! And bin drawers and drawers for almost everything else especially the 1m wide ones. Quartz worktop is lovely and so easy to clean. I HATE our dishwasher being in a corner the cupboard next to it is always covered in splashes. Also wouldn’t bother with pull out corner unit.

Bohemond · 14/12/2022 20:22

I’ve got a butler’s sink with composite laminate. We’ve also put the laminate on our very deep (think 18’) window sills which makes the kitchen feel huge. My favourite thing is the shallow utensils drawer immediately under the hob

frostymoon · 14/12/2022 20:22

Extra large/deep drawers. So much better for anything than a cupboard.

we use for all crockery.

dishwasher. Can’t believe I’ve gone 20 years without!

Original poster
Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:23

How have you managed without a dishwasher!!

Bins wise- a pull out double bin?

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LazyDoll · 14/12/2022 20:23

Also if it’s in your budget (and they have some very budget friendly options available) I’d go for an induction venting hob and as pp have said 2 single ovens side by side (if you have the space) or a single, combo and warming drawer side by side.

Original poster
Celeste777 · 14/12/2022 20:24

We do have a good sized pantry cupboard already so that is a bonus but the rest of our kitchen has been only two bottom cupboards and three top cupboards so extra cupboard space will feel magical and a long time coming

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