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What puts you off in a kitchen?

101 replies

Gingka · 29/11/2025 11:40

Just this really. Is there anything you particularly dislike or wouldn’t choose again? Thank you!

OP posts:
coolmum123 · 30/11/2025 12:09

Kwamitiki · 29/11/2025 12:23

Badly designed kitchens. We have just replaced on which had things in completely random places, eg you had to walk around the kitchen to get between the sink and hob, doors wouldn't open fully as too close to the wall, tap kept hittibg against the wall.

This. I know someone who has a kitchen like this, hob on the island and then you have to walk around it to get to the sink. Then 2 ovens that are closer to the sink then the hob. Island is so wide only one person can stand in that space. Awful. Worse thing is it cost £40k!

MN2025 · 30/11/2025 12:12

Gingka · 29/11/2025 11:40

Just this really. Is there anything you particularly dislike or wouldn’t choose again? Thank you!

As in a kitchen already fitted into a house? It wouldn’t really have an impact because I know I can rip it out and change it… but space would be a factor for me. If it’s a small galley type or square etc then that would be off putting as limited space to work with…. And the cost will increase to extend or knock into other rooms!

Userengage · 30/11/2025 12:14

Traceysgoingtobelivid · 29/11/2025 18:57

I don’t need a window above a sink, mine isn’t, we have a dishwasher, I spend barely anytime at a sink so don’t need a window to look out of to ease the monotony of doing the washing up.

Same here. Mine is against a wall because I’m only there briefly, what with having a dishwasher. I put my window space to better use.

FuzzyPuffling · 30/11/2025 13:16

My neighbour has just had a new kitchen installed.
The kitchen is 25' long.
The sink is at one end, the hob in the middle and the fridge and oven right at the other end.
Work triangle? I hope she enjoys walking.

MonGrainDeSel · 30/11/2025 14:46

Traceysgoingtobelivid · 30/11/2025 02:34

But what if you have space for table, island and sofas? It makes for a really well balanced kitchen, the cook of the house doesn’t always have to have their back to their family or guests if there is an island.

Honestly, I'd rather have the space in the room!

LibertyLily · 30/11/2025 15:52

Washing machine in kitchen, non-integrated dishwasher, gloss cabinets, handleless cabinets, non-integrated bins, exposed boiler, pull-out larder cupboard, open shelving, corner cupboards/carousels/magic corners, hob/sink in island, not enough drawers.

I like a large kitchen island and miss the one we fitted at our last house (the kitchen had sufficient space for a table too, although after a while we swapped the table for a sofa by the fireplace). It did have stools where we often sat to eat breakfast/lunch. No hob or sink, but sockets for small appliances which was great.

Sadly, although partially open to the dining room our new kitchen is too small for an island, so we just have our vintage butcher's block as I prefer not to prep on the perimeter worktops with my back to the room/guests if possible.

Despite lack of space, we're managing to fit a (slimline) integrated dishwasher, cupboard with bins, pan drawers and massive Belfast sink. Our washing machine and boiler are in our small lootility.

When we bought this house last year, the kitchen was actually in a different room. We knew immediately we wanted to relocate it and as it was very dated (mid 1960s), we had no qualms about doing so. Apart from its bad position in the property, the worst thing about that kitchen was the tap which couldn't be turned on without trapping your fingers between tap and sink upstand!

None of that deterred us from the purchase.

kittywittyandpretty · 30/11/2025 15:55

CoastalCalm · 29/11/2025 12:39

High gloss cupboards

I love those easy to clean

twiddleit · 30/11/2025 16:05

Enormous window. Wall cupboards that are 1/2 depth. Doors in stupid places. Enormous triangle. My dad’s kitchen is like this and it’s awful. It is big, but somehow has no work surface and the cupboards are worse than useless.

CardigansOfTheGalaxy · 30/11/2025 16:08

I hate corner base units too, but I can't see a way to design my kitchen without at least one. Argh.

parietal · 30/11/2025 16:20

Hate gas hobs. Induction is better and easier to clean.

not a big fan of an island- we have a table for 10 instead.

cheap range cookers with narrow ovens and poor controls are also a bugbear.

Didntask · 30/11/2025 16:51

CardigansOfTheGalaxy · 30/11/2025 16:08

I hate corner base units too, but I can't see a way to design my kitchen without at least one. Argh.

I couldn't either, so I had pull out shelves put in, similar to these

What puts you off in a kitchen?
Crikeyalmighty · 30/11/2025 16:53

IceIceSlippyIce · 29/11/2025 12:53

Looking at newbuilds round us - lack of work surface!! I actually want to be able to cook in my kitchen, not just shove stuff in the microwave.

That’s what I would say

GooseyGandalf · 30/11/2025 17:18

This one is just me, and IABU, but because I’m usually the only person cooking in my kitchen, I like to be able to step or pivot to reach things. Kitchens are usually designed now on the assumption that two people are in there, and the standard distance is a step and a half step.

Two steps would be fine, no issue. Not quite as efficient for little old me but that half step is just annoying. I always feel like I’m the wrong foot.

My other pet hate is people in my kitchen, so I put my fridge at the end of the run, as that’s what people are generally reaching for.

None of that matters of course if you’re a normal person.

floppybit · 30/11/2025 17:30

Things I dislike - gloss doors, grey doors, too many larders leaving too little worktop space, no worktop and trivet next to tall oven housing so can’t put roasting tray down to baste chicken etc, bowl and a half sink (unnecessary unless no dishwasher), no dishwasher, gas hob (prefer induction as easier to clean), glass fronted wall cabinets.

OwlReader · 30/11/2025 18:24

I am not a fan of fitted kitchens. I get they can be practical but they can look naff. So standing units, preferably with wheels even better - you are however at the mercy of straight walls and level floors. I don't mind simple fits like galley style or shelved pantries. Loud fan units are a 'mare. Open plan where your house ends up stinking of food are a bit annoying. It is nice to be able to close off and also fully aerate a kitchen after an incident. Solid rock tops scare me. I don't want to brain myself after a slip. Wooden tops are great if away from water. Kitchens without drainers - this seems to be a trend as dishwasher assumed, but it's so annoying. As is inadequate drainage areas. Dishwashers are too low for comfort for me. Items on sides are a pain, and your main work areas need to be near the sink for easy cleaning. That said I cook daily in about 1/4 m2 work area, ours is an overcrowded mess and I need a better kitchen!

unsevered67 · 30/11/2025 18:38

We moved into a new build. It had a kitchen/ sitting room open plan area. There was a peninsula with a bit of worktop jutting out and bar stools at it for eating. It was never used. Our sofas got greasy and dirty because they were in the kitchen space and everything looked cluttered.
We now have an island which I love. The hob is on it ( just opposite the sink/ dishwasher ) and there’s lots more food prep space. We have lots of drawers and cupboards in the Island so it’s easy to tidy the kitchen and store everything. And instead of a sofa and tv we have a large wooden table, sideboard and shelving unit .
Best kitchen I have ever had ( and I’m old )

Winter2020 · 30/11/2025 18:39

Traceysgoingtobelivid · 30/11/2025 02:34

But what if you have space for table, island and sofas? It makes for a really well balanced kitchen, the cook of the house doesn’t always have to have their back to their family or guests if there is an island.

I think both of those rooms would look really lovely without the islands. Spacious rather than cluttered.

Fleur405 · 30/11/2025 18:57

I am surprised by the strength of the anti island sentiment. We have a largish island ( no hob/sink - just a big quartz worktop). It’s very sociable and when we have guests, people congregate around there, can stand or sit and have a drink/some cake/whatever. I can cook/ prep things while facing the room. Great when baking also. My daughter likes to sit there and snack on fruit or veg while I’m making dinner. But we do also have a proper dining table which we sit at for all meals (when I’m WFH and it’s just me I sometimes sit at the island with my laptop). I agree I wouldn’t like an island if it meant no room for a table.

Otherwise , I love our pan drawers (so much better than cupboards) and hate the induction hob (it was the Which top rated one when we got it but honestly it’s just the worst and I wish we got a proper gas hob).

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 30/11/2025 19:00

Open shelving, especially close to the hob. Bins in cupboards. Cupboards where drawers would be much more sensible. Curtains instead of doors. Tiled worktops. Completely tiled walls. Bistro curtains. Butler sinks.

BashfulClam · 30/11/2025 19:03

Lack of Sockets. MIL can’t use her kettle and toaster and washing machine at the same time. Each room has 1 socket with loads of those cube adapters. Her washing machine isn’t wire. I tk the wall so she has to pull the power cable up and plug it in above the worktop. It needs gutted as it was installed by her father in 1987. she won’t replace it as she’s almost 80 and says whoever Dh sells it to can do what they like. No dishwasher..actual fuck that!

Papricat · 30/11/2025 19:14

IKEA kitchen.

Femalefootyfan · 30/11/2025 19:18

Brown or beige kitchens
Tiled worktops
A kitchen so small that it’s crowded with two people in it
Poor lighting
Electric hob

suburburban · 30/11/2025 20:50

FuzzyPuffling · 30/11/2025 09:08

I don't like cooking. My worst nightmare is having people watch me and " be social" while I cook.
If I've asked you round for a meal, it will all be prepared in advance, andcreadybto served to you.
Even DH knows better than to watch me while I'm cooking.

So, bar stools and their ilk, no thank you.

Likewise

i would rather have a kitchen I could shut door on even though mine is open plan

i hate shallow top cupboards that you can’t put a dinner plate it

new builds tend to do this

OwlReader · 30/11/2025 21:01

I like shallow cupboards/shelving, otherwise there is such a fumble to find anything if you end up putting items in front of items.

Gymbunny2025 · 30/11/2025 22:44

Gas hob/oven
integrated bin
integrated appliances (except dishwasher)
wall cupboards
not enough worktop (I love islands for this reason!)
washing machine in kitchen
wine fridge
sink not under window
wooden worktops
not enough sockets

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