Where to start? planning a small kitchen refurb and storage layout

[mustwashmycurtains]

I have a tiny kitchen as part of a small open plan combined kitchen/living room. We badly need more cupboard space built and various bits need replaced. I've never done a kitchen and I don't know where to start

I have half an idea of what I want but I don't want to miss a trick when it comes to making best use of the small space so am after early stages advice. I've looked on a couple of the kitchen planners online but they seem to need more knowledge than I have. I think I need a professional to see the space in person and make suggestions.

If I get a consultant from one of the kitchen companies (eg Wickes) will they send someone out? Do I pay for the plan?

I know I can get the kitchen itself fitted separately but not sure if I can get just a plan done? and if so - do I get more than one plan from various suppliers?

What we need: floor to ceiling cupboards built along one wall (2 metres long), plus replacing all cabinet doors, countertops, hob/oven, fridge and removing extractor fan. Also need the floor tiles replaced. I have some money aside for the project and potentially also enough for some additional upgrades if I can understand better what would make the space work. I also want some examples of colour options and tiles vs marble vs granite - again so I don't miss the opportunity to do something really clever/pretty/functional.

I feel like I'm going around in circles and could do with some advice on where to start. Please guide me wise DIYers

We hate our wide kitchen drawers they don't hold as much as our cupboards!

We have added extra shelves to some of our cupboards which has made a huge difference to our use of the spaces.

What do you use the cabinet next to the kitchen for? I'm wondering if you could put a row of wall units on the floor there? We have used wall units in the floor to help make the most of narrow spaces before in previous kitchens. We had a narrow space. Behind the kitchen door in our last house which fitted a 600mm wall unit and we could get 100 tins into it. Wall units are half the depth of floor units and wouldn't be as imposing and you could keep the mirror above it.

How are you on length of the kitchen diner? Could you add wall units on the other side of your peninsula for extra storage?

I think the idea of using that tricky corner for storage is a good one, would a walk in type of corner unit/pantry fit?

Where is your fridge?

I would keep the dishwasher near the sink.

A a slimline dishwasher might help reduce the peninsula. We have one for a family of 4, it is big enough though I wash baking/roasting trays by hand.

It already is a slimline dishwasher - it’s the only thing I had to replace when I first moved in. I could free up space in the peninsula by moving it to the other side of the sink perhaps, as the corner cupboard is pretty useless for storage anyway.

I’ve also thought about putting cupboard in on the other side of the peninsula and might do. The main thing is that I dont have much use for the type of cupboards that are less easy to access. I know that’s where you can store less-used items but I use the cellar for that so it doesn’t really help me much. All storage useful I guess!
I did think that I could shave a couple of inches off the depth of the counter top when I replace it. I would like to reduce the overall footprint of the kitchen. It’s only a two person household (and I’m not really interested in cooking 😬)

one other option is that I make the wall where the oven is into largely floor to ceiling cupboards . They might tuck away a bit there and be less visually intrusive.

Thanks to PP who suggested lower height cupboards along the mirror wall - that’s an option

And technically it might not fit, no.

the fridge is next to that tricky corner - it’s offset into a space indented so the front of the fridge door is in line with the mirror wall

It looks like you have 2 corners with units. Look for a company that does a French opening corner cupboard, two small doors so you can see inside it properly. Don't waste time with the spinny shelves, you just lose storage space.

Would a sink (or maybe even an oven) mounted one of the corners help make better use of the space? In the case of a sink it'd give some space to keep washing up liquid, soap, etc 😊

https://nelsonkb.com/how-to-make-a-corner-sink-work-in-your-kitchen-layout/?srsltid=AfmBOoqAbu8-f5eo2-7XZeDvqpzU69MYujg4DoIDGj8sGZarWntEvgjo

DIY Kitchens do a corner walk in larder which looks amazing. I follow someone who had one in a kitchen renovation & had sockets in it so they had the toaster, microwave & coffee machine in it, they had the middle shelves done in the same marble as their work surfaces.