New kitchen after 35 years and I am clueless!

[TeaAndStrumpets]

Our kitchen was handbuilt in the late 80s and had served us well, but we are moving to a new build this year and I have started to look at what's available. I am mindful of the many recommendations for DIY kitchens, but am also looking at getting Ikea with bespoke doors. Any other suggestions?

What I am really struggling with is the oven. We had a Neff double built in originally (replaced once in all that time) so I fancy Neff or similar again. My only quibble with it is that the top oven/grill has no fan. Ours gets used to store spare trays! Meanwhile we hardly ever use the main oven except the odd roast or batch baking, and use a little worktop oven for economy.

I think what I really need is a compact oven over a single oven, stacked in an oven housing. I don't need or want a microwave, so not a combi compact. I don't need steam either. Can anyone suggest a nice set-up? Also, do I need a custom cabinet so the compact oven isn't too high? I am 5'2".

BTW fancy a white oven again, but they don't seem common.

I would be so grateful for any recommendations!

I just have a 1.5 oven (oven plus a top oven/grill) and a separate hob. Ikea kitchen, oven bought via ao. No microwave. I'm 5'2 too oven isn't too high. Much easier than a low one to keep an eye on food and to keep clean. You can see both oven and hob- just - on this picture.

If you're moving to a new build, won't these things be decided by a developer?

That is a lovely kitchen seaside The mirror is very stylish! I LOVE the dark cabinets too.
I may have to get a 1.5 oven again, it is ideal for my height. I wonder if having 2 ovens set a bit lower than normal would look odd? My only problem is wanting a small fan oven for cooking just for 2. At the moment I have one out on the worktop, and I am hoping to have an uncluttered kitchen next time (ha!).

jolly no it's a self build so all on my tod design-wise! The basic layout is looking easy, it's just the oven I'm struggling with.

You could.look to put a counter top oven on a pull out shelf in a cupboard? Not sure if that's practical.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/utrusta-pull-out-work-surface-00510577/

Actually that is rather clever!

Yep, if I had a microwave, I would have done this. I'm kicking myself that I didn't factor it in for the toaster...

Yes toasters never look good, do they? Ours lives in a high cupboard and comes down as and when needed, but always leaves a tiny trail of crumbs however well the crumb tray has been cleaned!

Another reason for wanting to find a replacement for the little oven, though, is longevity. We have the Sage Pro which is fantastic, but recently had to replace it after 2.5 years. Nicely out of warranty! They don't sell spare parts as far as we could find out, which is infuriating. Luckily I found one on eBay, brand new with a big dent in the handle, for half price. DH did a handle transplant from our broken one!

I just thought I don't want to be paying out every couple of years when the mini oven breaks down, if I can get something well made which will last. So looking for a quality solution.

If you have space for two tall cupboards you could have a full size oven in one, and then a compact oven in the other with a warming drawer below so they match up size wise. Neff do a compact oven/microwave which might work well for you too.

AEG do a double built in oven with two fan ovens, top one smaller. Not cheap though www.aeg.co.uk/kitchen/cooking/ovens/oven/dce731110m/

The feedback about IKEA that I got is that a. They’re not a standard fit and don’t have a service gap at the back. b. IKEA is not a dedicated kitchen supplier and your order is just part of their general delivery. So if something doesn’t turn up or arrives damaged it can take time to sort. DIY are ok if you’re comfortable with ensuring everything fits perfectly and any mistakes are on you.

I’d go to Howdens or Magnet or Wren - although the latter have quite poor customer service, their design is good.

I’m a big fan of Neff in general - their ovens and hobs are good as are their washing machines. Bosch are owned by the same company but Neff tend to have the edge on design. I had a Miele double oven for years and only 1 had a fan - but I used the non fan all the time.

Just popped back and seen more messages.

Thanks Pepper that would be a good solution but sadly has to be one column wide. I am trying to avoid wall cupboards but there is a pillar on one wall which I can put a single tall unit next to without it looking odd. The other side of the pillar will have nothing on the wall so I can tuck a table and chairs there...an eat-in kitchen is my dream!

Banana that looks ideal! Thank you for finding the needle in a haystack. The budget will be OK I think. Poor DH has been softened up by me showing him range cookers all £££,, so the cost of the AEG won't seem as bad, comparatively. To be honest by the time we get a hob and extractor the cost will approach range territory, but there will be some wiggle room re spec. I'm happy to bargain -hunt there!

Mirabai oh that is interesting, you have given me pause re Ikea. Sounds like a massive pain. I see that I can get bespoke doors to fit Howdens carcasses so perhaps that would be the way to go.
Totally agree re Neff, had two ovens in 35 + years so they've done me proud. I didn't realise they did washing machines for Miele. Will look! I already have a Liebherr fridge freezer about 20 years old and I think they also make for Miele. I will be buying the same when it needs replacing. The only time it ever broke down, several months out of warranty, they sent me a spare part free of charge.

I appreciate all who have given advice so far! My next thrilling quest is to investigate kitchen acoustics. I have slight hearing loss and tinnitus, so want to avoid an echo-ey room. So far I am looking at Marmoleum flooring and wooden doors, but not sure about worktop. Washer/dryer will be in laundry room. DH is the head washer-upper so he's requested a double sink, double drainer in the pantry, also the dishwasher will be in there. I think he sees himself as a Victorian scullery maid!

Thanks again.

My dad is in a new build and he was allowed lots of choices during the process.

Yes I think that's a huge benefit, I have known people who get lots of extras included when negotiating for a new build.

We were lucky to find a plot to build our own, but we almost have too much choice!

@TeaAndStrumpets

I would definitely consider bespoke doors on a Howden carcass although to be fair you can do with any kitchen company. You can also choose bespoke colours with Howdens to your colour choice.

For the avoidance of doubt re Miele - it’s Neff and Bosch that are owned by the same company - Miele is separate company. My point was that I had a Miele oven before I had a Neff one and I don’t really notice any difference, but I definitely used the non fan oven more than you.

Finally I do think Liebherr are the best fridges - note that do integrated side by side fridge freezers that are the same depth as your units. I have a personal dislike of heavy grey massive US fridge freezers that stick out into the kitchen.

Indeed Mirabai the Liebherr fridge freezer we have is very neat. I have friends with American- style monsters and the individual doors seem so narrow, too. Miele dishwasher is on my wish list, but Bosch have always done well too.

We only need a 50/50 fridge freezer in the new kitchen, with a tall freezer kept in the pantry for long term storage. We will be living rurally so need to bulk buy!

We had no issue at all with ikea delivery, just as a flip to what has been said. The customer service was great too.

OK I'll not rule out Ikea too soon!

Our Ikea kitchen was fitted by the previous owners of our house in 2013. It's still in good condition. I want to change it- purely to update the space. Not because there's anything wrong with it.

And I can do that by simply getting new door and drawer fronts.

Another happy IKEA user here. We didn't have delivery issues - in fact when we needed extra (due to our ordering errors) they came in anout 3 days so delays were minimal. This was last year

Have you considered something very different?

https://everhot.co.uk/

I have a Samsung Dual Cook oven which might be worth a look for you. It has 2 fans and a divider so that you can just use small oven or even have top at one temperature and bottom at a different temp. Remove divider and works as one . I think it is only available in black though. Mine is 4 years old , I think they have changed the design slightly now so it actually has a divided oven door too, which mine does not.

dotty and granny I am greatly reassured by the good feedback about Ikea, thanks for reassuring me. I do like the custom doors I've seen.
Jolly Everhot was in my original design! Sadly because we are quite old it seems more sensible to go for waist height to save bending. I am trying to be practical ( difficult for me....). However I may get a little Everhot space heater because they are so sweet!