New kitchen- do we really need a double oven / american fridge-freezer / tumble-drier

[Orchid7]

We're buying a new kitchen and are planning on extending into the current dining area so have more space to play with.

At the moment it's just the two of us, but we are planning on having children (probably 2) so are planning ahead.

In life so far we've got by fine with a single oven, typical size 60-40 fridge freezer, washing machine... but some family members and the kitchen sales people are all saying we really ought to have a double oven, american fridge-freezer, and tumble-drier (realistically this means a washer-drier not a separate machine) because these will be really handy when we have a family.

Obviously none of these are essential but we have the room and the budget.. sort of. But it's not a HUGE kitchen so I don't want to waste money and kitchen space on things we don't really need.

So a question all the parents here - how useful are these things really please?

Washer dryer is a no, they do neither well. I only use my second oven at Christmas. I would have waste disposal and a boiling water tap over both of those. Presumably you have a washing machine somewhere else?

And also dishwasher its a must.

No need for the American fridge freezer imo, but a tumble drier and dishwasher are invaluable.

Get an air fryer - then you don't need the double oven - single with grill will do
We have standard fridge freezer in kitchen and extra in garage - is that an option?

Do not forego the tumble dryer!
On top of washing machine next to other tall units

Have you got any potential designs yet?
Mumsnet is brilliant at tweaking!

We have a reasonably big cupboard under the stairs that we could put a tumble drier in. We also have a conservatory (adjoining the kitchen) so could put one in there.

Not ideal but perhaps options if we can't fit into our kitchen design these are potential locations.

3 kids and never had or missed a tumble dryer. Also we used washable nappies most of the time. Double oven maybe useful and it's good to have spacious fridge and freezer so you're not shopping all the time

We actually do already have an air-fryer (quite a big fancy one - wedding present) but haven't used it much yet, so maybe this reduces the need for the double oven.

Can't put anything in the garage - it's not joined to the house so not really an option for us.

All these things I didn't think about when we bought this place!

Don’t think you need a double oven just get an air fryer as well as the single oven . Don’t really use tumble dryer as long as you have somewhere to dry laundry or a heated airer .

Definitely get using your air fryer to get a feel of it before you decide re the oven. I very nearly didn’t get one as I feared it would live in the cupboard and never get used (as half my gadgets are) but it’s used daily and I love it

I really think it's so much about lifestyle. We're a family of 4 (2 teens), and have all the above (and as well as the American fridge/freezer, also have a small fridge and freezer in a separate room for overflow AND used fridge and freezer in the garage for drinks and garden produce).

We live rurally (did you guess?!?), nowhere near a supermarket, so I have a weekly delivery. I work 4 days and am out of the house 7-7 with evening commitments, so on my day off and at weekend, I'm usually doing 3-5 loads a day, so definitely need a tumble drier to get things dry in winter. I also have a heated aider for non tumble items - it takes FOREVER - there's no way it could cope with full loads.

However, if you live five mins from the supermarket, or can be bothered to have more deliveries, if you plan to work fewer hours so can spread out house jobs, then you'll have less need of these things than I perceive my need to be.

The only thing I could compromise on is the American fridge freezer but I do have an under counter fridge as a spare alongside my fridge freezer. You need double oven tumble drier and dishwasher. The other non negotiable for me is at least 1.5 sink. I also have a hot water tap which is a nice to have rather than a need to have but once you have it you’ll never go back

We couldn't do without our washer drier, and i couldn't be doing with the wasted space of having them separate.

Be careful when looking at american fridge freezers. Most of them we looked at had narrow freezer space, so it wouldn't suit us. We went with one that had the drawers at the bottom rather than split half and half vertically (if that makes sense).

And our double oven was a high priority, but i hate to admit our air fryer has taken over of late.

In the past I had a bosch washer / dryer it was fine but not ideal. I had a cheap whirlpool before that which was rubbish.

I don't know that I'd have an American fridge freezer again. I think the fridge bit is too big. Unless you keep lots of beer / cans in it.

We like cooking and often cater for larger groups so a double oven is well used for us. Never had an American fridge freezer but have always had and extra fridge and freezer in the utility or garage. Tumble driers have also always been in the garage due to space constraints- ideally I’d have a separate washer and drier in the utility but a washer in the kitchen and drier wherever it’ll fit works.

Double oven is a yes, tumble dryer yes, American fridge, wouldn’t be a top priority for me. Are you planning on getting a dishwasher ?

We had DD in our old (new build) and didnt have all the things you’re saying people are telling you are necessities. Apart from the tumble dryer, I know people cope without them but I you’d have to prise mine off me especially with kids. The only time I missed a double oven was literally when I was catering Xmas, and we still managed to find workarounds.

Do you have a garage or outhouse? We have a full size freezer in our garage (amazing for our quarterly big shops from Iceland!) and in my house growing up the washer and dryer were in the garage. Both are appliances you wouldn’t be using every day and it would mean you could have full size versions if and when you need them, rather than compromising on the kitchen layout.

Wouldn't care about the tumble drier, but a big fridge absolutely, so much easier than Tetris with a small one. Big oven, probable if you cook, they are easier than farting around with a small one.

Washer dryer - big no no.
Tumble dryer in the garage or under the stairs (we had one in the garage - was fine, meant we didn't get in the habit of using it for every wash, but was a godsend for towels, bedding and things needed quickly).
Large capacity FF is a good idea - doesn't have to be American style though.

I’d suggest a standard fridge freezer in the kitchen and an extra freezer in the garage if you can. Some American fridge freezers have very limited freezer space, so you end up with loads of fridge that may not get used. We also have an extra small fridge for beer, wine and soft drinks.

Every now and then I wish I had two single ovens, but I very rarely need that much oven space (really only Christmas Day and can get around that by resting the meat whilst the veg are cooking).

I wouldn’t opt for a washer / dryer - we have one that came with the house, and whilst it washes OK the dryer function is dreadful. If you can have a separate tumble dryer in a different room then I’d do that.

Have always managed with a slimline dishwasher (family of 4).

Having a fridge/freezer/tumble dryer in the garage isn't an option as you have to leave the house and walk slightly down the road to get to our garage, but we can make use of the conservatory - perhaps a separate drinks fridge could go there and provide extra capacity for Christmas etc

I am not keen on the American FF - I find the freezer compartment too small or impractical esp the ones with shelves, as these are too narrow and things fa out too easily.
I would get separate larder fridge and larder freezer. Capacity is obviously much greater - handy if you batch cook or entertain - and if one breaks you still have the other whilst you get a replacement.

We don’t have a tumble drier and manage by drying it on a clothes horse and over the radiators in a warm spare bedroom with the dehumidifier on. I do think they will be handy for bedsheets and towels as these are bulky and can take a while to dry. Not keen on using one for clothes as they tend to shrink or look worn out

If you don’t have room for two ovens Samsung make single ovens that split so you can cook at separate temperatures or you could get a double oven that fits under the hob. It might be a bit tight if cooking for 4 people+ though.

We had a washer/dryer when DC was born and it was a godsend. We’re going to get a separate washer and dryer in our new house but that’s only because space allows, I could have get by okay with another washer/dryer.

An American fridge freezer is nice to have (we have one) but with our lifestyle (commuting in a city going past shops every day) we could easily live without one.

Big fridges - take it or leave it.

Chest freezer in the garage - couldn’t be without it .

Eye level double oven yes as it gives flexibility .
Eye level fridge with freezer underneath, we have a bigger fridge bit. Not American style.
Tumble drier we've managed without until recently when everyone is adult size.

This is a “piece of string” question OP, unfortunately.

We live minutes from a large supermarket. I have three under five. I have a single oven, microwave, dishwasher, normal fridge freezer and a washer/drier and don’t see that any of these things need improving on. The heated towel rail is integral to drying larger items though, but that suits us.