Kitchen/family room ideas - with plans

[Nowthereistwo]

Hi, Please can I get your opinions on this initial design idea for a ground floor extension.

Original layout and proposed.

I would love your ideas to maximise the benefits of the extension (and minimise the costs).

The worktops would be 75cn deep to maximise worktop - but still seems little usable space.

Thanks

It seems like a lot of work to not really gain much, if I'm honest.

You appear to have less kitchen, the loo is in a less convenient place, and would you really use 2 sitting areas, abdc2 dining areas? Will there be additional bedrooms?

Why 75cm deep worktops? Unitsxare 60cm, so you'd end up with a massive overhang, and probably a load of clutter at the back of worktop.

I'm a big believer that the space people have is generally more than adequate, provided the lay out is good.

Sorry to be so negative.

Good to get your input.

The architect said the deeper worktops gives more space (the under units are pulled forward so there isn't an overhang).

All worktop items (coffee machine, toaster, bread maker etc) will sit and be used in the corner larder.

Kids are currently 10&8 so having separate living spaces is helpful so socialising now and in the future.

The current hall is so narrow that you can hardly let people in the house so the toilet definitely needs to move.

OK, I still.think the 75cm idea is odd. When you use a worktop, you don't really use more than the first half ish. I'm not really grasping why you need them deeper? When you're next making something in your kitchen, see how much depth you use? Seems bizarre to have a void behind units, but maybe it's just me.

I'd look at getting a better layout for the kitchen, rather than deeper worktops. I'd also do away with the storage on left and access your extended garage that way, put a pantry/loo/utility in there. To me it makes more sense than going through new seating area.

Will there be enough light in your kitchen? I can see windows in the seating are, none in kitchen.

If you have measurements, it might help?

Sorry, just saw the rooflight, so yes to enough light.

Deep worktops are fine. We have 70cm ones and it’s great as you can fit stuff at back and use front ie our long fruit bowl live sat back and we still have whole worktop depth, and when appliances in use

Two things:
Where you have storage in kitchen is that just cupboards? I would built in a full appliance cupboard or breakfast pantry there within. We have a combo with pocket doors and that’s where kettle, toaster, nutribullet and water sparking machine live. So when not in use there’s no appliances on show. If you have space you could fit kitchen aid etc in these.

I would reconsider the whole utility/ toilet/ storage area. Is there a way of combining and making a looility? Stack the washer dryer hidden in cupboard for example and toilet and sink in same room. Then use saved space for a pocket door pantry. Our pantry is keep to having a tidy small kitchen, as it holds 70% of all food storage, microwave is out there ( we don’t use that often), and all the random baking stuff.

Do you use the garage for a car or just storage? If the latter I'd switch it around, have a door where your kitchen storage is through to the utility there. Also instead of an island a peninsula would give you more worktop space

Like this

I would swap the kitchen and sofas as the kitchen will be lighter that way. Can you then squeeze in an island if you flip the table the other way to get more usable space? The utility would also be off the kitchen which is more logical.

I'd do this.
Your island is a peninsula, can have double units all the way, I wouldn't bother with bar seating as the dining table is so close. It gets rid of the awkward corner larder you have.
A straight run on the back wall of units. That's loads of worktop, without the 75cm need.
Then I'd treat the bit where you've extended your garage as a pantry/utility with sliding doors. I'd put plenty of cupboards/shelves etc in the store stuff. I'd probably look at entering the loo this way too, but that's because I'm weird and don't like loos straight off living areas.

Sorry, pic attached

This should also be cheaper as you are keeping waste and water in a similar point of the house.

I also would want the wrap around unit like you have seen it. Good job 👍

I would just put in a comfy booth as a dining table and forget the whole extension.

The location of the utility is odd, and will make the family room noisy (we had a laundry room off the living room in a really badly designed house).

What happens if you switch the kitchen and family room locations?

I'd keep the storage as a full sized garage. You may not want it, but others might.

If the kitchen stays where it is, I'd fill in the gap to make a U kitchen rather than have the island.

It all looks a bit disjointed.

Loving all these ideas.

Unfortunately we need the front of the garage to be a garage for a motorbike so we can't put the utility there.

On my phone so will look at the other ideas later

What’s the crossed out areas in the kitchen? Is that not worktop?
I would be having that full length as worktop, put normal under counter oven and hob. Then island is free from any hobs or sinks also which always makes them cluttered

Do you have another access to your back garden or is this practically turning your house into a terraced house?

I would replace the set of bi-fold doors in the dining room with windows to a. cut costs and b. give you ventilation without the need to open back a door for fresh air.

I don’t see the need for an island so close to the dining area. If you want a barrier between the two areas, you could just have normal height worktop with storage below.

Re kitchen design, I have just had a new kitchen installed, finished this week! I went for mainly deep drawers rather than cupboards as they are much easier to access. I also have a cupboard just for the bins - two big bins with a small clip on one for food waste, it’s brilliant! I don’t have room for a utility room but did have a full height, 500mm wide larder cupboard fitted, it has a mix of pull our drawers and fixed shelves and holds all my food stuff.

Having the kitchen where it is will keep costs lower, it’s expensive ( as I found out) to move gas or water pipes and have new electric fuses and sockets fitted.

I actually like the proposed design apart from the island. The larder for some kitchen appliance is a good idea, if there is a door on it then they can be used while still out of sight the rest of the time.

These houses a link-detached, which means garage-house-garage etc so there is no outside way to gardens.

The hatched part is full height storage for ovens, fridge freezers etc.

I agree joining up the island to make a u shape (like our current). It gives you so much more workspace and storage underneath.

I agree with getting rid of the bi-fold near the table and making it a window. Said that to him whilst he was here tbh.

I think I would move some of that hatched stuff to the storage on left. Then you gain more worktop. Def move the fridge freezer to the left

Some great ideas on here girls. I like the idea of changing the island to a peninsula best.

If you need a recommendation for a fantastic independent kitchen company then let me know and I'll drop their name here.

Logically speaking the other way you could arrange it is as attached. Bi-fold on the left - windows - and sink underneath so you can look out at the garden when using the sink, and move family area to where the existing kitchen is. This then keeps the services for the utility room and kitchen close together.

I also think get rid of the angled pantry and just opt for square finish in the corner.