Kitchen advice

[Anonnewbie]

We are getting a new kitchen extension and I'm interested in people's experience of worktop dresser fitted units. I'm tempted, but feel like you can't use that tiny bit of countertop in front of it therefore it's more efficient to either get a full depth full height cupboard/pantry unit, or else use a wall unit to increase your countertop.

The kitchen will be a decent size but not large - definitely need to be a bit careful on efficiency. 3.5m deep and 3-4m wide (some wiggle room on that in the plans as it'll be a kitchen diner).

I presume the main advantage of dresser units over full height and depth units is that they are a bit prettier and the room will feel less crowded? Anyone care to comment one way or the other?

I used to have one but would never bother again. We now have a full length cabinet with metal shelves, including down the door, a bit like a fridge. We call it the posh cupboard and it's like a tardis, can fit gazillions of things in it. It's from DIY kitchens who I would also hugely recommend.

I think they look nice on display cabinets with glass doors, but if you’re going to have solid doors and are short of space anyway I wouldn’t bother with them.

We are leaning towards DIY kitchens - using their planner now.

Thanks that's helpful. I think that's solidified that we definitely won't have them in the main part of the kitchen. There's a sort of standalone bit ofwall at an angle to the rest, which would be the edge of the kitchen entrance, where possibly it would work to look like a dresser with glass doors. Although I'd then be tempted to get a charity shop actual dresser for a bit of interest if we did that!

Trying to get everything conveniently placed and pretty (ish) is a nightmare!

do you mean something like this with drawers or cupboards directly on the worktop?

I think they are completely useless - you have to shift stuff off the worktop every time you want to open the drawer.

A similar version with open shelves would be much better for using the full worktop space and getting some decorative storage above.

If i am reading you correctly - just go for the full height, solid doors makes the kitch look much more tidy IMO

I have two with solid wooden doors, one has drawers below worktop level and then the microwave sits on the worktop. We open the doors when the microwave is in use. The other has fold back doors and the toaster and coffee maker are in this.

my main reason for having it was so the quartz could continue across and the toaster etc sit on worktop. They are both slightly shallower than the worktop so this sits proud of the doors separating the top and bottom.

I have one and you’re absolutely right, they aren’t practical at all. We have fancy glasses and spirits in ours so looks pretty but not used all that often. We also have a full depth full height larder cupboard which is used roughly a zillion times a day - way more useful.

Yes I think that's the exact one off DIY kitchens. This was my concern - why have any countertop. Open shelves to the counter is a good alternative idea though.

What I'd really love is a sort of appliance garage/cupboard thing so you can keep a few small appliances (toaster, small blender, kettle) plugged in but tidied away, but again it's a case of losing quite a bit of space.

Having started with dreams of not much above the counters, open shelving, everything perfectly to hand in the right place, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the tried and tested countertop + wall unit is so common because it's sensible and it works! By the time you fit the big important things in the rest just has to go where it can. Baffled by how adding quite a bit of space to the house can still seem small when you're plotting it out!

@OohBurnDavid ah I think this is what I was looking for when I found them but the ones I've found on DIY kitchens don't seem to allow for this, although I may look again. Where to put the microwave is another bug. If I can find a spot where it would work I may see if there's a way to do it.

In summary, I'm no more decided 😂but lots of good points and ideas for us, it'll come down to weighing up what we really need I guess. I'm off to stare into my existing cupboards for a while trying to envisage it haha.

Sorry I'm rubbish at Mumsnet. Failed to tag who I was replying to and also cross posted...but thanks to all!

We discounted DIY for the same reason, the countertop cupboards that sat on worktop without a bottom bit of wood so the appliances sat on worktop was on my essential list. Also I wanted the spice racks on the inside of the larder cupboard doors and they didn’t do those either. This was 5 years ago so they might have changed.

@OohBurnDavid oh I really want spice rack or some sort of door storage, love that sort of thing and we will be losing a walk in pantry (😭😭😭 current house set up is terrible but I love that one thing but it just won't fit in). We figured we'd add it ourselves, but then husband is very handy

It sounds like what you want is a larder cupboard. We have one a bit like this (but wider - 120cm) with hide and slide doors. If you don’t have hide and slide doors you can have racks on the inner part of the door. We have a Qooker but keep the coffee machine and toaster in there. We also have the microwave built in above the counter. The drawer storage is great too. I’m not sure if DIY Kitchens offer this though.

XIL had a roller shutter on the bottom/counter shelf to hide the toaster and kettle behind - worked really well.

@nc14 love that, where is it from?

@Seaside3 I came across it on Google unfortunately so I’m not sure! We had ours built custom, but they’re pretty popular so I expect they’re done ‘off the shelf’ too.

@nc14 ah, thanks. I liked the look of the doors, as I'd imagine mine would be kept open most of the time I'm cooking and wouldn't want yo be banging into them, so poket doors are cool.

I've just had a new kitchen, but was clocking for furure!

Just to add, if you can get to the DIY showroom in Pontefract, it's absolutely brilliant. I did this because I wasn't 100% sure that what I'd designed was correct.
The staff were exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful and even showed me that I was wasting money when there was a cheaper option.
Had my kitchen die 8 years now. It looks brand new and never had a single issue with it.

For 8 years!!

My mum has those in a small kitchen and they look very pretty and suit her home (actual cottage) but she has a large island/ peninsula for food prep.

@Xyz1234567 we will try to make the trip.

We will have a peninsular for extra counter space so I'm considering just having a small bit of counter, with a glass front wall unit, or just plain shelves, in between two tall units (larder unit and fridge). Thinking that effectively that will do the same job albeit no door on the front - keeps things separate and contained.