New kitchen must-haves

[CatsForLife]

Looking at Howdens for a new kitchen. What are the hits and misses for those who have had kitchens recently? I’m thinking things like boiling water tap, pull-out larders, bins in cupboards, drawers instead of cupboards? Do I need a warming drawer? Built-in microwave? Finding it all a bit overwhelming!

@BarrelOfOtters , that’s a genius tip!

Two dishwashers. The kitchen is always clean.

This is super super topical, loving the ideas! If it’s not too outing, would anyone be willing to post pictures of their walk in larders please? We have a natural corner where one could go and I’d been all for it, until my head was turned by a kitchen salesman designer who put cupboards in the space. This thread has turned me back again but it would be really helpful to see layouts. Do you just have open shelves, or pull out racks? Cupboards inside? Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't be putting in too many usb points as they will probably soon be obsolete

Yes to:
Massive double sink with drainers both sides
Built in full height fridge
Built in full height freezer
Two full height pantry cupboards with drawers
Space for air fryer
Two bins
Two recycling.bins
AEG electric (convection) and gas hob. I cannot live without one gas hob for stir-fry.
Cheap unbranded wine fridge in which I store all liquids, canned drinks, mixers, wine and beer
Mix of glass and normal unit doors
Amtico flooring - brilliant stuff

No to:
Two ovens - unnecessary with the air fryer
Microwave oven combi. Hate it!
Boiling water tap (was advised not to get one as v expensive at £1k and cost of keeping water hot all day is now v high compared to boiling a kettle once)

Absolutely love our warming drawer, use it almost daily. It's great for when you don't know what time people will be home and you can have bits of the meal ready and keeping warm.

Other things are a sink tap with a pull out hose, pull out larder units and the U shaped drawer howdens do that fits around your sink, brilliant for storing washing up liquid etc.

If I could go back I would probably get induction rather than gas hob, so much easier to clean.

Yes to a full height fridge and full height freezer side by side. Love all the freezer drawers to categorise. I have a tall drawer under an oven where I have put a rack and can store all my baking trays sideways. Deep drawers everywhere else. We only have 2 cupboards for glasses, love having drawers for plates, cook ware etc. Think about what appliances you want to have on surfaces and where sockets should go. I have my bins in a pull out cupboard at the end of the island so when I prep food, I pull bin out and leave it open and can just sweep everything into it easily. I also love having a slim pull out to hold bottles of oil, vinegar etc and another for chopping boards.

Just had our howdens kitchen delivered
Sent the worktops back - they were 3 times more expensive that the same online
Built in microwave very expensive & also 2 single ovens rather than a double oven saved £600
We've also not gone for the built in bin as you can buy the bin but and fit it yourself (saves at least £100)
Larder draws also cheaper to buy elsewhere & fit yourself

So many fabulous tips here. I’m now looking at full height fridge and freezer. I was eying up freestanding ones. Also now having second thoughts about hot water tap. It’s a lot of money isn’t it?!

My ff are both CDA and built in.

Everyone’s must haves are different. Mine was filtered still and sparkling water tap not a boiling one as that is what a kettle is for.

Def bins in pull out cupboards.

I don’t really like pull out larders, if you have room, a wide larder cupboard with shelves and pull out drawers is much better.

I personally hate large freestanding fridges jutting out into the room. Integral full height side by side fridge freezer looks much better. I love Liebherr but Bosch do them too.

I love big American fridges free standing too. Stuck with built in.

I could empty seven cupboards if I had a walk in pantry.

I like the two big bins that pull out in one cupboard front.
Larders I like shelves rather than a huge wire rack
Anything that improves corner cupboards is good.
Drawers and pull-outs inside cupboards are good but make sure you have somewhere for appliances, tall cereal packets etc.

The main thing is to get the ergonomics right so things are to hand and you have spaces/zones that function well.

Hi @bouncydog are you sure your dishwasher middle rack isn’t adjustable to allow bigger plates on the bottom rack? I moved mine up closer to the tray giving enough room for big plates on the bottom.