Anyone up for an impossible kitchen design challenge?

[AwkwardSpace]

Apologies for the long post, I didn’t want to drip feed all the design constraints.

This is my impossibly awkward kitchen space - after we knock through several tiny rooms to create it and extend to add on the dining space. Trying to design something that both looks nice and is functional is driving me round the bend. (Although we currently have one double cupboard, half of which is alongside the cooker and impossible to access and the other half has the sink on it and one three drawer unit. So anything will be an improvement!)

Hilariously, Ikea’s kitchen planner said it was unable to make any suggestions and I needed to ‘redefine my space’! 😂

If anyone is up for a challenge, here are the points to consider:

• We can’t do anything with the rooms to the left of the dining room as they make up a ground floor annexe for a family member with mobility issues.
• The two windows on the external wall overlook the side access to the garden, so I would prefer the dining room to overlook the garden via the french doors if possible.
• If we put units where I have drawn them in blue we can retain the under-stairs cupboard. We already use this as a pantry/store and it’s useful for storing the vacuum and ironing board as well. Seems a shame to just block it up and waste storage space.
• BUT if we block it off we get a more balanced galley L or u-shaped kitchen.
• If we go for the u-shape it means I can centre a lovely butler/belfast sink on the external wall between the windows, which gives a much nicer look to the whole kitchen, but also requires two corner units.
• If we go for slim base units on the long wall the central aisle of the galley would be 1711 mm.
• The ceiling height in the corner where the pantry is is only 2000 mm due to stair winders above, but I was only thinking of wall units to the left of the chimney breast anyway.
• We have a Stoves Richmond Mini Range which is going in the chimney breast.
• The room to the left is our living room, so I have tried to avoid noisy appliances on that wall.
• I don’t mind quirky interiors, the house was built in 1930 and although not a chocolate-box cottage, is still cottage-like in design and style. I am planning on a light blue, in-frame shaker style with oak work-tops.
• One last thing is, I would really like to fit my tumble dryer somewhere, but appliances opposite each other reduce the galley/walkway space, so I haven’t managed to get it in anywhere. It could possibly go under the stairs at a push.

What do you think? Is this anyone up for the challenge or do you think what I have drawn is probably the best option?

I think you should think carefully about moving the access under the stairs to behind your sofa.

What do you store in there that you couldn't store elsewhere given the boost closing that space off would give to your kitchen design???

I speak from experience. We blocked off under stair access in our kitchen to get a better kitchen design.

We created access in our living room. (Used to be behind sofa but a recent room rejig changed that). Our neighbours have done the same.

We both now access the space from living room. Neighbour moves sofa to do so. There are loads of clever options for doors and for the space store seasonal items there so you only need access once or twice a year. Christmas decs?

That sort of thing.

Honestly loosing that access from our kitchen made a massive difference. We need more frequent access than you perhaps as our fuse box and meter are in there!

Outside the box but would give you the work space either side of the oven and lots of storage. Not sure how cottagey it is though so you might hate it. Your carpenter should be able to build it so it all looks built in.

A tall run of units with false doors hiding the pantry and door to sitting room within them like this picture.

Tall units in red. Low corner unit in green. No wall units either side of the oven to create an illusion of more space. And the rest as you've drawn it. You would have to lose one of the side windows.

@TheDefiant we already use it as a pantry, so it’s in daily use. Also there really is nowhere else for a sofa to fit in our living room unless it’s a two seater, which is not what we need as a family. Living room is tiny, with a small fireplace, two small alcoves and a bay window just big enough for one chair. So if we closed it off we would completely lose that storage space.

Part of the under stairs area has already been incorporated into the kitchen (it used to be a rear lobby to the back door hence the lower ceiling height in that corner as it’s under the stair winder). So the space is actually more useful from the end than the side too, as there’s very little headroom. I’m probably not explaining that very well though.

@Pepper12345 Definitely outside the box. I love it, thank you, but we can’t lose that side window without going back to planning.

I loved the windows when it was initially designed (they are arched to follow the brickwork where doorways used to be) but stupidly didn’t realise how much harder it would be to plan a kitchen around them. The plan is for them to be stained glass. Dh is a talented artist and designed them himself, so he’s is very keen to keep them. Not to mention the delays if we have to redesign and go back to planning at this point.

@AwkwardSpace I realised that your sofa would be in the way. Sofas can be moved?

That's why I suggested you put things there you rarely need and then moving the sofa is an infrequent nuisance.

However I really like @Pepper12345 idea of building a long line of units (so something in front of the cupboard) but EASY access maintained. Like a secret bonus cupboard!! That would be so cool.

The sink goes in the corner, it uses the same room as a single cupboard and you can store all your detergents etc under, left d/w, right washing machine and kitchen. Personally I would rather an undercounter fridge and freezer where your slim cupboard is, and proper fitted cupboards either side of the cooker.

Just to say, planning might not be concerned. If you were adding windows yes, but removing one could be dealt with as a non materiel amendment.

Could you change the access door to the lounge and have it as a pocket door? It then wouldn't require moving the sofa to use it?