Ideas for my new kitchen

[Ihateslugs]

I’m having a new kitchen fitted and have chosen lots of new things - induction hob, European style fridge freezer with drawers for the freezer part, large drawers rather than cupboards, built in waste and recycling bins, seating unit at table top height etc.

But I feel most excited about having a new plug socket with a USB to charge my phone while in the kitchen! I decided against a boiling water tap as I only have one cup of coffee a day but I am having a black tap with a removable nozzle on the end so I can quickly rinse out the sink!

I was wondering what small things have excited you when planning a new kitchen - just in case I need one too!

Good lights under the wall cabinets, so the worktops etc can be clearly lit. The large drawers instead of cupboards were s game-changer too.

2nd dishwasher so there is always somewhere to put dishes in, even when the first machine is full or running. 😃

My hubby is very excited about his wine fridge! I am excited about having a larger fridge.

I've got most of what you're getting. Weirdly, a space for recycling bins was exciting. Better than having it all over the counter waiting to be put outside.

A raised oven is also good, easier to keep clean. And a deep sink to hide any pots that didn't make the dishwasher.

Also, a dedicated hot drink area, away from the main part of the kitchen, helps keep people from under my feet

I would have loved a second dishwasher when my family were still at home but as I live alone now, I only use my dishwasher a couple of times a week.

I have seen some that consist of two drawers, like pan drawers, operating separately, in essence having two dishwashers. I think they were from New Zealand or Europe.

Large drawers - easier to find stuff than a cupboard or did it get all piled up. Do you have drawer dividers or stackers and do you now write on the top of tins? I am torn

It’s the freezer drawers that excite me the most about my new fridge freezer, so easy to see what is in them.

We've just moved back into our new kitchen. I am very happy with the choice to have two dishwashers, and the boiling water tap is brilliant - not just for drinks but also to fill pans for cooking. We opted for lots of drawers, and either side of the hob are slim pull out units which house all the oil/salt/ spices etc

I’d recommend cupboards to the ceiling. No awkward space on top and every cupboard has a shelf of extra space.

This fridge freezer looks great, would you recommned? Does it need much of a gap each side do you know?

I initially chose cupboards up to the ceiling until I realised that I would need a stool to reach the top shelf! Also it added quite a lot to the price and I was going way over my budget so had them taken off the quote - I hope I don’t regret it!

My daughter has a similar fridge from the same company but with a water unit in the door and she is happy with it.

it is not sold as an integrated unit so does need 10cm of space around each side ( 5cm each side) and I think 20cm at top. It is also wider than integrated fridges ie 60 cm wide rather than 50 cm so with the side space, I needed 70cm space. Luckily there is just room between the wall and window to have a full width larder cupboard, the fridge and a double oven. The kitchen fitter said that the recommended space is over cautious, but we’ve gone with it to avoid warranty problems.

I don’t need a huge freezer, no family at home now and I tend to eat freshly cooked food so there will be plenty of room for some frozen veg, fruit, bread and a few other essentials.

Somewhat ironically you can buy USB charging sockets for about 15 quid and fit them in about 20 mins even if you are an amateur (although remember to turn the electrics off first). I have done several in my place. The key is to get a large current output so they charge up devices quickly.

I get excited about ceramic floors with nice tiles. But they cost a fortune to fit and require someone with skill if they are to look good.

In counter wine cooler

This!

Wow, I like this! I don’t drink much wine but it would be brilliant for a bottle of gin!