Where would you put a fridge in this kitchen?

[Dinnerplease]

We've seen a house we're interested in buying, but the kitchen doesn't currently have the fridge in it- instead it's been sort of incongrously wedged into some wooden housing in the chimney breast which means it sticks out into the room (and you'd have to walk around the table to get to it). Options seem to be either a) house it in one of the alcove cupboards or b) lose cupboard space in the kitchen to have it under the counter (but there's not loads of cupboards anyway).

Because of the layout I'm not sure what else would work. Otherwise the house is perfect (period townhouse, so more living space on the other floors) so don't want one thing to scupper it! It's really putting DP off.

We'd probably do the kitchen in time but it's in reasonable condition if not to my taste.

Any ideas?! Have attached screenshot.

I wouldn't get an undercounter fridge if I had a choice. Secondly, I'd have the fridge near the cooker. At the moment I have the fridge behind me, almost opposite the cooker, it's amazing to just reach behind and take stuff out of the fridge to chop on the counter.

@Dinnerplease

the hob "return" looks a waste of space.

If it's electric/induction it may be easily moved on to the back wall between kitchen/hallway (if it is the hallway)? iykwim 🙂

then the fridge could go at the end.

Are there 2 sets of stairs within the house? One off the kitchen saying 'down' and another in the left to the left of the living room? Where are the stairs from the kitchen going? Could that door be moved and the fridge go where the door currently is?

Is there a washing machine in the kitchen? Could the washing machine move elsewhere? Garage? This space could then be used for a fridge.

You also need to honestly think if this is the right house for your needs.

I would get rid of the units that back onto the hall way and create a galley kitchen. You can then put a fridge freezer at the end. Are there cupboards on the back of the hob? If not I would add some, opening into dining space. Or add shelving on that side. You have cupboards in the alcoves that can be used for things you don't use as often.

I might even block the kitchen door off, seems silly to have the lounge and kitchen doors so close. Then you could create more storage in that corner if needed.

Is there a garage? Id put a fridge in one of the under the counter cupboard spaces. And a freezer in the garage. Any additional cupboard space required (having pinched it for the fridge) I would do what I already do........ larder of tinned goods in our basement (or maybe a cupboard under the stairs if there is one) Or just have less kitchen gadgets etc. Downsize your kitchen stuff to fit the available space.

I'd remove the counter next to the sink, get rid of that window and put a fridge freezer where the counter was.

Oooh, some good ideas, thanks- no garage (London!); there's a utility space on the lower ground floor already (there is a fridge down there- but we'd be looking to move that area around and obviously dont want to go downstairs all the time).

I think the galley kitchen and additional storage in the island thing, and then using the big cupboard in the alcove as overflow storage or a pantry might be the way to go. Or moving the sink a bit and having it at the end.

Not so worried about the amount of stuff, we don't have a massive kitchen now, but would rather not lose too much prep space.

The house is good value so perhaps there would be budget to do the whole thing anyway.

Not ideal but could you put it in front of the door into the dining room from the hallway and just use the bottom door?

Is there space at the top of the stairs going down? Round here a lot of houses have their fridge freezer at the top of the cellar stairs and it works well as the cellar stairs go off the kitchen

For now could you remove a cupboard (by the door/oven?) and put the fridge there, and put a less obtrusive cupboard by the side of the fireplace where the fridge is now (and put things you don’t use every day in it)?

I would block off the doorway into the living room and have a wall of units to include a fridge.

I’d move the hob / oven to the middle section of kitchen worktops and put the fridge in its place at the end

With a solid backing at its back to hang utensils or noticeboard from, depending on which way it faces , in towards sink or on the end facing the door / window

I would have budged the sink along a bit and moved the fridge into the gap. You could put in one of the alcoves. Use the alcove doors you removed to make a shallow pantry across the chimney breast, you'll fit masses in it.

Actually as pp says, move the sink further along and put the fridge in that corner

Would it fit in the corner beside the sink? It’s such a small amount of counter space it wouldn’t be a loss.

I’d place a fridge near the entrance to a kitchen to minimise traffic. Everyone in the family, and even guests will get things out, put things away in the fridge, and you’ll constantly have people under your feet if you put it in the middle of the kitchen.

Ok we're going back tomorrow with a tape measure! Thanks for all the ideas.

Sorry I meant door/sink

I’d put it in the corner by the stairs to the lower ground in line with the sink and move the sink along abit if needed. It’s easier to find more small storage space elsewhere I think for things you rarely use