Kitchen must haves and mistakes

[Gilmoregirly]

We are about to start our kitchen renovation in a square area of 5m x 5m. part of this space is an extension to the existing kitchen. I am hoping to have an island of size 2.4m x 1.2m. Please may I know what your kitchen are must haves and any mistakes you have done.

Building cupboards to the ceiling is a good idea, probably looks good too having the unbroken lines.

I love my pull out bin more than anything. And all the little drawer dividers.

Really think about what you will be doing most and make it more convenient. So for example in our kitchen;

dishwasher is next to sink for rinsing off and has plenty of surface space above which is main prep area for cooking and then where we clear everything to before we load the dishwasher

next to the fridge we have a small surface with the kettle and our tea and coffee as we make lots of not drinks so wanted this next to the milk

I also recommend thinking carefully about where all doors will open as we accidentally ended up with a cupboard that blocks our back door. Not often a problem but can be annoying if two people are using the kitchen.

I personally wouldn’t have an island unless you have a decent sized dining room that you will never need to repurpose as for example a playroom or downstairs bedroom. Much better to have a kitchen table that can be extended at Christmas or to have a large group of friends. You might not do that often but it is nice to be able to. Tables are also better for children’s crafts, homework etc but you don’t say if you have dc or dgc or may in future.

Oh and space for all the different types of rubbish, not just a main bin. So kitchen waste, paper recycling and plastics/metal.

Budget space for keeping kitchen waste and all sorts of recycling. We have a cupboard dedicated to recycling and it’s brilliant - I have a space for batteries, random bits of metal, tin foil, card, glass, soft plastics.

I forgot to say the larder unit is pull out. It takes an amazing number of items and doesn’t buckle under the weight. Recently we stayed in an Airbnb which had narrow pull outs either side of the oven for condiments which we found useful.
My kitchen’s old but we have an enclosed carousel in a corner.

Do you want an installed (permanent) island or one you can move/swap? I love our wood one https://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=island%20kitchen&_gl=1ju6pnb_upMQ.._gaMTY2NTUyMjUxLjE3MzM3ODY0Njc._ga_28FF3484WNMTczMzc4NjQ2Ni4xLjAuMTczMzc4NjQ2Ni4wLjAuMTUyNzA1MTMzNw.._ga_8W79QPYZ3T*MTczMzc4NjQ2Ni4xLjAuMTczMzc4NjQ2Ni4wLjAuMTc5OTAxMTA0Nw..

Don't have an integrated washing machine or dryer. People often keep the doors closed all the time and don't let them dry out. You need to be able to leave the door and drawer open so they can dry out and the machine doesn't go mouldy.

I love the "hate" of integrated white goods here🙈 wish more people stuck to it.

We are looking to move and the amount of new kitchens with integrated shitty small fridges is killling me. I am American double door fridge fan. Essentially dosregarding masaivenumber of houses because I do not wnat to pay premium for for me badly designed new kitchen. 🙄

I’d add a warming drawer. It was a freebie with our kitchen that I probably wouldn’t have chosen. 18 years on it’s been used daily.

The integrated combination microwave and oven it sat under has long gone (never making that mistake again…never used it as a third oven and it would have been ridiculously expensive to replace when it died…so now there’s a gap above the much smaller microwave that replaced it). The warmer is great for nice hot plates, and for keeping stuff warm on big occasions when there’s lots to serve. It’s at waist height so it’s really easy to use. It’s the only gadget thing I miss when we are away from home.

Wooden worktops are a pain in the backside

Have a cupboard/drawer with plugs for charging phones. Most used.

Best things we did in our new kitchen last year. Two slim pull out units either side of the pan drawers under the hob - all oil, salt, regular herbs/spices are all to hand in these. Island made of drawer units, and lots of drawers in general. Two dishwashers - never an excuse for any dirty stuff to be on the side. Lots and lots of sockets (inc on island) with built in USB. Quooker. Lighting set out to enable different zones for different looks which is nice for a soft start in the morning

Also - a slim pull out drawer under the oven. I keep all my oven trays in it.
If I’d had the space I would have had a narrow gap between cupboards to store chopping boards upright.
And as someone who regularly moved rental properties on average every 2 years, in 3 different countries I can also state that wood bench tops around a sink never work. Personally I wouldn’t have them anywhere although I love the look of wood.

Yet another vote for drawers instead of cupboards in base units.
Plenty of lighting. The under wall cupboard lighting we had installed was a game changer.

Have a cupboard/drawer with plugs for charging phones. Most used.

Our drawer for stuff like this was called the Random Shit Drawer by DD, and the name has stuck.

Make sure the drawers aren't too shallow.

I wish I had never bought under cabinet lighting - I never used them once!

I'm now aiming for a jewel kitchen in this home. I want ceiling high cupboards and a larder cupboard. I'm not a big cook so I don't need alot of space but I'm getting an induction hob. I'm keeping my bin in a cupboard. I've already got lots of sockets and I agree you need loads!

Just done our kitchen/family room extension. Love love my 50cm width cupboard/larder with x 5 pull out drawers for veg, tins, breakfast cereals, pasta and rice. Then x 3 shelves (higher up) for condiments, baking and naughty biscuits, crusps etc. love that it’s all in one cupboard. We do however have an overflow shelf in our utility room.
Freestanding not integrated fridge freezer as much bigger and then you save on the expense of the cupboard.
Put spices in a smaller storage basket, much cheaper and very easy to bring basket out to look for your spice.
Pull out drawers for crockery, pots and pans etc.

Also only have an island if it truly will work in your space. We w3 t fir a peninsular instead as it suited the space better. Also didn’t go for bar stools as dinning table next to peninsular so had extra cupboards instead.

We love our under cupboard lightening, lovely soft light for when you just want to make a cuppa or get a glass of wine.

This is so valuable advice as currently in my plan I have the sink in an end corner with no worktop at the left hand side. I never thought about dirty dishes just where to keep the clean ones to drain

Anyone have Dekton worktops please? They used to be super expensive but now they have come down in price and almost same as granite.

I couldn't be without our under cupboard lighting. Our kitchen would be too dark if it isn't a sunny day, and I have crap eyesight and need good light to work in.

I wish I had never bought under cabinet lighting - I never used them once!

I love mine. They give good light for when I'm preparing food, and a lovely soft glow in winter when we're in the dining part of the room.

A small mistake we made that irritates me every day: when the dishwasher door is open (such as when you might be loading it) it opens in front of the cupboard under the sink to the right where we keep the rubbish and food scraps bins. So it often goes loading dishwasher, find food scraps on a plate or bowl or a used napkin, close dishwasher door, open door to rubbish bin cupboard, throw away food scraps, close cupboard door, open dishwasher door and carry on loading.

I agree with others- as many sockets as you can fit and drawers in every cupboard
We had the space, but went for a peninsular instead. The room looks more spacious and its still as useful as an island. Another option my in laws have, is an island on wheels. https://www.johnlewis.com/eddingtons-leverton-beech-wood-kitchen-butchers-trolley-85-5cm-natural/p3126058?srsltid=AfmBOoqV-f_-15Fu8lkAUf1Y4CXDvpZzCKrGPKYE63yAokCEXI3GDqFFiB0

We have cupboards up to the ceiling- no dust to clean off the top and more storage. I keep things up the top which I don't use often and have a fold away step ladder when I need it.

Check the size of the plug hole in the sink. We have a butler sink, but it never occurred to me that the plug hole comes in different sizes- and ours is woefully small, only 4cm across. We can't use the basket to catch food debris because its clogs within seconds and is a PITA. Get a plug hole at least twice this size for your own sanity!

If space is a premium, you can get a drawer which goes within the plinth. You do need absolutely flat flooring though.

We have lighting on different circuits- so we can have one over the cooker, sink, all on, some on etc. Also, ensure they are positioned well. In a previous property, there was 1 light in the centre of the room, so whenever I was washing in the sink- it was in my shadow. Now we have a downlight positioned above the sink- so I can see my woefully small sink hole!

I read a similar thread before we did our kitchen and someone mentioned having an 'appliance garage'. I love the idea of a kitchen or utility so large, you have a dedicated area for ALL those plug in appliances- blenders, mixers, choppers etc 😆