kitchen dilemma - work surface or storage?

[tinykitchenfairy]

I'm designing my new kitchen which is 3.6 m long and 2 m wide and I'm stumped whether to have more storage, more work surface, or to go for the least practical but my aesthetic preference!

The kitchen is currently a very shallow U shape and I hate it! It feels cramped and doesn't actually give very much extra useable storage or work space for having units go around the corners.

The straight run is my preference, but this obviously has the least storage and work surface. I could use pull out/down worktops, and have tall, shallow units opposite for storage. I could also fit deeper worktops.

The L-shaped plan with the oven in a tall unit seems the most sensible, but might feel cramped? So the L-shape without the tall unit could be a good compromise? However, both of these options require the dishwasher to go in an annoying place (basically blocking the doorway) unless I switch the sink and oven around, which is an option, but I'm not convinced about such a small work area to the side of the hob/oven.

I can put shallow, tall units on the opposite wall, which will leave about 90 cm - 1 m floorspace between and give me much more storage. The current layout already blocks the door, which I don't find to be a problem really, but it does mean I can't use the full 2 m width for units, about 1.7 m is better.

I need to fit an oven, fridge, dishwasher and microwave (in a cupboard). Various plans attached!

Sorry, this is a bit long and rambling! Which one is best?!

Depending on the unit style, you could consider a “moveable” kitchen island on wheels on the opposite wall? This would give you some extra prep space if you need?

Also, I have a small kitchen (3m x3m) and have gone for two runs as opposed to the u shape for the same reasons as you. I did a massive de clutter before designing the kitchen to work out exactly how much storage I really needed.

I’m also getting a chopping block that will go over the sink to give me extra worktop space that way!

All of your proposed layouts are a bit weird. I wouldn't have the hob in front of the window like that. Your windows would end up splattered with fat. And where would the cooker hood go?

The oven is fine where it is in the leftmost position of your first picture. Install the hob above that, with the cooker hood above it.

Then put the sink in a more central position in front of the windows. (You can have the sink more to the right if you want, but that raises the question of where you're going to put all of your appliances.)

Having a "L" shape is OK but with the kitchen being narrow, I would be concerned about blocking the door - so don't come out too far.

Use the right hand section of worktop (including the smaller part of the "L") for your free-standing appliances, and fit cupboards and/or shelves above the worktop in this area.

Make sure you have enough sockets in the right places to accommodate all your appliances too.

would this work?

F = tall fridge freezer
C = corner worktop giving lots of space
H = hob with oven under
S = sink

I would make the long run of worktop to be 70 or 80 cm deep rather than the standard 60 because that also gives more space.

Thanks for the replies!

@parietal I realised that the back door isn't marked on the plans, but it's where you've put the fridge, and your corner is a full height cupboard, otherwise that would solve a lot of problems! A deeper worktop is definitely on the list if possible.

@ecology1989 a small island on wheels is a good shout, that would be perfect actually. I shall have a look for one 👍

@MaybeSmaller the layout you've suggested is basically the current layout and it doesn't work for me at all! I find having the oven directly under the hob annoying if I want to grill and cook at the same time, and I'd prefer space either side of the hob. Not fussed about a hood as there's ventilation already. I get your point about splatters on the window, I'd thought of having some sort of upstand between it and the hob. Noted on the sockets too, I definitely need more as I constantly have to swap plugs around.

An L shape works quite well with the sink on the corner I think, it leaves more space around the hob for prepping, but then it's awkward for the dishwasher placement. But I'm erring towards straight with a slim wheely island, and I can swap the hob/oven/sink around a bit so the window isn't necessarily in direct line of the hob!

Could you have two tall units on each 'end' of the L? One with oven and built in microwave and the other fridge freezer?

@Choc2022 putting any units in the small part of the L partially blocks the doorway (internal). There's waist height units there just now and it's not a big problem but I think tall would be too much. The wall is 60 cm thick stone so I can't move the door!

Your original plan doesn't show where the fridge or fridge freezer goes. Is that going to live somewhere else? Or does that need to be fitted in too? If you're going to put the hob next to the left hand wall (to avoid it being in front of the window) don't forget to allow for room for pan handles on the left. 30 cm worktop is a reasonable size for this, that way you have room to put pans down to the left of the hob as well. Walls and corners are never true, especially these old stone places, so allow for some filler pieces where units butt up against the wall, these can be scribed in to suit. Extra depth worktop is good in a small kitchen, but if you're planning shelves/narrow units on the opposite wall, you can't go too deep; ideally you should have 120cm width between opposite unit runs. You'll probably have to go narrower that this, but don't cut it too fine, remember you'll want to open the oven door with enough room not to bang your bum against the opposite run of units. Hope that helps.

Oops, just seen that fridge has to fit in as well. You should be able to get a 60 cm build under. Liebherr are expensive, but they are well designed so you'll be able to make the most of the space inside.
Since you are so limited on space, you might also want to consider a 45 cm wide dishwasher.