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?

3 kids. Bought the washer/dryer when I had the 3rd. Rarely use it. We line dry, or put clothes on an airer inside. (Caveat - when I bought it we were in a smaller house so less space to dry clothes....so popping towels in for half an hour in winter to start the drying was helpful.)
Dishwasher - must have. In the old house I had a slimline one - it was still amazing and worth considering if space is tight.
American fridge freezer.....why? They are massive. A tall fridge freezer yes definitely. You've mentioned being able to put extra in the conservatory should the need ever arise.
We have a double oven (larger bit at the bottom and grill at top also an oven) we rarely use the top oven. If I were buying a double now....I would look for 2 fan ovens...if that's a thing. Then the smaller one would be just as good, and used more.

We have a single oven with a oven microwave combi one stacked above it so it looks like a double. We don’t microwave much so didn’t want a separate one taking up space but like the extra oven space. It works really well for us.

I have a full height integrated fridge and full height integrated freezer. Fridge is always very full after a shop I definitely wouldn’t manage with smaller. Previously had American style one, the fridge was fantastic but the freezer was narrow.

I have a washer dryer, wish I could have separate machines as it is a compromise. However, the dryer is a godsend when i suddenly realise that I haven’t got enough school uniform clean and dry for the next day.

I absolutely wouldn’t be without a dishwasher.

I have just had the kitchen done, and make use of the garage - you could use your conservatory maybe in the same way?

My washing machine, tumble dryer and a freezer (a beko frost free) are in the garage. The beko is the only freezer I could find where the guarantee was fine with it being in an unheated room. I do a lot of washing and I don't have the noise in the living space which I prefer.

The kitchen is small, so I have a single oven which has always been fine for me, and I'm a keen cook. I miss having a double at Christmas, but I would have lost prep space every other day, and I would rather have that. I swapped the 50/50 fridge freezer for 60/40 as the amount of food the kids eat is increasing as they get older and I have the freezer in the garage. Integrated microwave is handy too.

Essentials imo - tumble dryer, freezer space (not necessarily an American style fridge freezer, just extra space), dishwasher.

i'd have a
Normal fridge freezer
single oven
tumble dryer

as pp said post a floor plan and let Mumsnet have play. have seen some brilliant plans put forward by mumsnetters. Also seen some appalling use of space by the actual 'kitchen design company'

Double ovens are super useful and both used often. Ours have oven/grill/heat, re-heat functions so no separate grill or microwave needed. Mine are both eye level side by side which I love

Full length side by side fridge and freezer really useful too. Get a shop once a week always have room for everything and can fit in all our packed lunches without having to squash anything.

We don't have a tumble drier and don't need one. We have a smart washing machine but dont use the smart functions.

If I could turn back time I would have got 2 dishwashers because I (or DP) am always washing pots and pans that don't fit in.

Do you live somewhere relatively dry and Do you have somewhere in the house you could put a heated airer? (Like a spare bedroom). If you do then you can definitely do without the tumble dryer as I do (three children, two bedwetters, I do a lot of washing).

there are different sized fridge freezers; for me it’s about freezer capacity.

the double oven is basically about what sort of cook you are. Likely to be cooking regular roasts and quite sociable? Get it. Stove top curry sort of person? Less likely.

Built under are 2 small ovens. built in wall ovens are one full size and one small.

fridge freezers are all dependent on how you shop and cook. I do not like the side by side American fridge freezers. If you look at getting one, look at the kind with freezer drawers on the bottom.

i very much appreciate a tumble drier with 3 kids, but this also depends a bit on garden space, where you have room to dry clothes indoors, if your area is particularly damp, etc.

When we moved house we inherited a double oven and American style fridge/freezer. We already had a tumble dryer. All these things are so useful! Can't imagine not having them now!

3 kids here - teens, so huge eaters, and loads of clothes.
single oven
no dryer
we have a terrible fridge and freezer set up, but I would say that when baby 3 came along, it was good to have more freezer space so I could batch cook a bit.

don’t squash more in than you can, and don’t regret what doesn’t fit - MIL has always told me she couldn’t cope without her aga AND double oven… Smile and nod!

American style fridge/freezer not necessary. We just have a tall 60cm width fridge/freezer.

Tumble dryer is a big help especially in winter when it's hard to get everything dry.

Double oven is one of my essentials as it gives you more options - oven and grill at same time, ovens on at different temps, small oven cheaper to run for smaller meals rather than heating up a big oven each time. Have got a range cooker in rental and I wouldn't bother with one of those - loads of wasted space - but a 60cm width double oven yes.

If you’re extending, can you incorporate a small utility room/cupboard where you can stack a tumble dryer and washing machine? It means you have more space in your kitchen and if it’s behind a door, it’s much quieter.

I’ve sat through so many meals with the kids in our old kitchen, accompanied by the sound of a washing machine spinning and the tumble dryer rumbling. I don’t miss it!

Tumble dryer is essential for me. I have one oven and a combi microwave which I use as an oven on the rare occasions that two ovens are useful. Have a small fridge freezer which is fine, I probably would prefer slightly bigger but American style would be too much. Family of four, kids are nearly 14 and nearly 12. Our kitchen is two years old.

Depends on the type of ouble oven. We have a built under one and in effect you have two piddly ovens and I would prefer one built under

A double built in one I would go for

I have these. I have never used the microwave to do anything but microwave! The only time I have wished I had a double oven again is at Christmas. But the rest of the time when I did have a double I just used one oven to store all my baking stuff 😂
Now I’d go for a single oven/built in microwave combo. Id get an air fryer, also get a big fridge / freezer and definitely a separate tumble dryer.

2 children here (10&1).

We have 60/40 fridge freezer. Still space in the freezer - used for frozen leftovers, raw dog food, veg and the emergency fish fingers!!

Fridge space is fine too

No tumble drier. Barely used it when I did have one so didn't bother with the new kitchen 2 years ago.

Double oven has been useful, mainly on a Sunday when I do a roast, but could do happily with a single too.

Dishwasher - used daily

All of these replies are so helpful - thank you! I know it will depend on lifestyle and preferences but some of you have mentioned things I hadn’t considered.

The American fridge-freezer is perhaps less needed because we live near supermarkets, are both commuters so passing shops all the time anyway to pick bits up etc whereas it sounds like these are most useful if you’re far from shops and just want to do one big shop a week.
I’m also increasingly mindful of energy use and food waste.

That said, if/when it came to sell, would the lack of space for an American FF in a 4 bed house put buyers off? We’ve only just bought this house and planned to replace the kitchen anyway so didn’t consider it but others might.

We like cooking but probably no more than average - though an eye-level double oven doesn’t really take up much more space than an eye-level single.

I have a 70/30 f/f but I'd have a bigger one if I could got it, even though there's only me and my daughter here full time. I think it's because I'm not very disciplined but I'd like more freezer space without sacrificing fridge space. But it's only at bug occasions (Christmas etc) where I sometimes store things outside wrapped up!
I have a combo washer/dryer, but never in the kitchen! I enlarged a hall closet upstairs (stealing room from the second bedroom, then having built in wardrobes in the resulting alcove created). Much better to have laundry where the bedrooms are if possible.
Double oven? I've got by without it if main oven is big enough.
Built in microwaves - always had issues with them so I buy cheap countertop ones. I use it a lot - great for steaming veg.

Don't like American fridge freezers - they just look too chunky in a sleek kitchen - we have a full height built in fridge and same size freezer, single oven and then combination oven/microwave. I'd also put a vote in for a plate warmer - had it to fill in gap under combi but use it every day.

All of them. Only not a combined washer dryer. They tend to have small capacity and dry poorly.

I have 2x single ovens, much better for cooking a variety of dishes, 2x dishwasher (at least one used daily) one being filled, full sized larder fridge and matching freezer (American fridge/freezers disappointing freezer space) and combi washer dryer, only use the drier once or twice a year, normally washing dried over night on heated airer.

Could you keep a tumble dryer in a shed in the garden? Works very well for me, washer is out there as well. Proper plumbing for washer, but easier for dryer.

I was shocked at how much I suddenly needed freezer space after becoming a mum. Trying to economise and save time by batch cooking for us, then baby purees, chips, fish fingers, nuggets, icecream... I used to shop daily on the way home from work. It changes over time when you're shopping for a family and becomes closer to a weekly shop.
I'd be prepared to walk into the conservatory to use a freestanding chest freezer though.

Of all your choices, I'd think the 2nd oven is least important.

We had double oven, but I made my DH take one out and turn the space into a storage for oven trays.
Fine with 'normal' fridge freezer.
Couldn't live without dryer (UK)
Dishwasher is a must.
We already have 2 DC.

@Orchid7 I'd say yes, no space for a big FF will be something that people notice, whether it's enough to out them off, depends on the market. You and your partner now can currently nip to the shops, but add in a few young kids and there ain't much nipping, it's either everyone goes, or one of you does and fills up so they don't have to again! I'd say ina family house, personally, a large FF space, u less you have a garage with adequate space for a second one out there, is pretty necessary.

I would go for:
Decent size fridge and freezer, not American fridge,
Dishwasher
Tumble dryer
Double oven or a normal one plus a mini oven for smaller meals, depends if you like cooking or entertaining or will be bulk cooking.