Kitchen layout

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Discussion

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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Not sure how many are still following my build thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... so I thought I would start a separate kitchen thread.

Style is subjective so I'm really looking for layout suggestions, but here are two mock-ups we have received:





A bit modern for my liking.

This one on the other hand is my firm favorite (although wife thinks we won't be able to afford it:







This is the general layout plan as it currently stands with my terrible Paint job to include dining table (orange) and sofa (green):



Reflecting on, it I think it is an ungainly and cluttered layout (furniture wise anyway) and a PHer on my build thread questioned the empty spaces it creates either side of the island.

Any thoughts / suggestions / comments?

tomsugden

2,235 posts

228 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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I like your second option, but I wouldn't mix up cream, blue and white units.

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
quotequote all
tomsugden said:
I like your second option, but I wouldn't mix up cream, blue and white units.
Yeah, I think the designer did that just to give examples of some of the unit colours available - I think we will play it safe with Antique White and use the range cooker and tiling to give some offsetting colour.

singlecoil

33,580 posts

246 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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Legend83 said:
Any thoughts / suggestions / comments?
Yes

How deep (front to rear) is the island, are there units on both sides?

On the first option, no comment bar don't let them run the end panel on the tall unit to the right of the cooker unit all the way to the ground, it can be cut to finish in line with the bottom of the units. If left as in the picture it will interfere with cleaning and possibly feet.

On the second option, in your other thread you say it is hand made, it won't actually be hand made, they are probably calling it that if the machines are fed by hand.

There's a lot of fussy detail, and lots of double units with narrow doors which means that, especially for the wall units either side of the range, you will be reaching round one of the doors. The open unit will be a dust trap. Do you really want framed units? Costs more and loses storage space.

Are the legs at the front adjustable in any way? If not, is your floor dead flat?



fatandwheezing

415 posts

158 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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I'd be concerned as to how you replace the washing machine without ripping shelving out. Quite like the second layout as I'm not keen on island hobs, could do with a bit more of an overhang for the breakfast bar.

Neil - YVM

1,310 posts

199 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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I quite like both designs.

The first although modern in layout will be softened by the use of painted shaker doors, the mix of painted and timber will work well also.
I knew S.coil would mention the End panels, and agree regarding the tall unit mid run.

The second is maybe 'prettier' . Again I would prefer a single colour.
Also agree, the inframe looks nice, but reduces the access to the cupboards, makes cleaning harder and adds considerably to the cost.
Lastly with a very tradional design, I'm not sure a wine cooler really fits in with the aesthetics ?

JonV8V

7,219 posts

124 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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The cupboards over the sink might make the sink a little awkward. I can't think of anyone I know with that layout but maybe it's fine.

We have a washing machine in a cupboard and I wish we'd made the cupboard deeper (it was custom built to the size our our washer at the time which I didn't realise was quite shallow).

RevHappy

1,838 posts

162 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
quotequote all
First design could do with another oven housing and put the ovens side by side no the optimal height as you have the space. Second design remove range cooker and prevent back ache, see first design comment.

Don't more companies have extended visable sides available than just sticking in a panel?

dmsims

6,516 posts

267 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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Pan drawers ?

NorthDave

2,366 posts

232 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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I like the second option but the lack of symmetry is interfering with my OCD. I'd rather have the cooker bang in the middle and idential larder units either end than the current approach. It looks to jumbled to me.

Actually - the first option is way better to my eyes!

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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Thanks all for taking the time to reply, apologies for slow response I have been on the road the last couple of days.

singlecoil said:
Yes

How deep (front to rear) is the island, are there units on both sides?
In all honesty I don't have dimensions to hand yet but the intention is to have units on both sides.

singlecoil said:
On the first option, no comment bar don't let them run the end panel on the tall unit to the right of the cooker unit all the way to the ground, it can be cut to finish in line with the bottom of the units. If left as in the picture it will interfere with cleaning and possibly feet.
Yes, I had spotted this already but knew you would say that!

singlecoil said:
On the second option, in your other thread you say it is hand made, it won't actually be hand made, they are probably calling it that if the machines are fed by hand.
Yes agreed.

singlecoil said:
There's a lot of fussy detail, and lots of double units with narrow doors which means that, especially for the wall units either side of the range, you will be reaching round one of the doors. The open unit will be a dust trap. Do you really want framed units? Costs more and loses storage space.
I see what you mean about the double units - they would be much better just a single door similar to the first option. Re: the open unit - my wife likes it and has promised to keep it clean....

Re: framed units - I understand the concern here. We like the look, but will discuss the practicalities.

singlecoil said:
Are the legs at the front adjustable in any way? If not, is your floor dead flat?
Not sure, good point, but I would hope the floor will be dead flat as it will be newly installed.

Any comments on layout within the large rectangular room we will be creating? Do you think the kitchen is in the right place?

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
Neil - YVM said:
I quite like both designs.

The first although modern in layout will be softened by the use of painted shaker doors, the mix of painted and timber will work well also.
I knew S.coil would mention the End panels, and agree regarding the tall unit mid run.
This is OH's least favorite of all designs we have seen so far so I fully expect it to be vetoed despite the possibilities you raise...

Neil - YVM said:
The second is maybe 'prettier' . Again I would prefer a single colour.
Also agree, the inframe looks nice, but reduces the access to the cupboards, makes cleaning harder and adds considerably to the cost.
Lastly with a very tradional design, I'm not sure a wine cooler really fits in with the aesthetics ?
Tough call on the wine cooler - on the one hand we really want one but on the other I tend to agree with you!

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
RevHappy said:
First design could do with another oven housing and put the ovens side by side no the optimal height as you have the space. Second design remove range cooker and prevent back ache, see first design comment.

Don't more companies have extended visable sides available than just sticking in a panel?
Agreed on the oven housings for first design BUT we are more keen on the range cooker concept - we are only early 30s and back trouble has not set in just yet!

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
dmsims said:
Pan drawers ?
In option 1 they are in the other side of the island.

In option 2 I am not 100% sure but could feasibly be the two larger pull out drawers second from the right.

RobinOakapple

2,802 posts

112 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
Legend83 said:
dmsims said:
Pan drawers ?
In option 1 they are in the other side of the island.

In option 2 I am not 100% sure but could feasibly be the two larger pull out drawers second from the right.
I'm sure you are right, but perhaps he meant drawers that could take more than one saucepan each smile

singlecoil

33,580 posts

246 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
Legend83 said:
singlecoil said:
Are the legs at the front adjustable in any way? If not, is your floor dead flat?
Not sure, good point, but I would hope the floor will be dead flat as it will be newly installed.

Any comments on layout within the large rectangular room we will be creating? Do you think the kitchen is in the right place?
Well, one would certainly hope that the floor would be level. I think I recognise the style of units, are they from handmade kitchens direct? I believe their solution to floors that are not level is plinth boards similar to skirting boards, which are applied to the fronts of the units.

I think the best people to decide on layout is the people who will be using the kitchen, they will know how they like to work and how much room they need much better than anyone else can. I think you are right to not place the sink on the island. That's ok for a second sink in a large kitchen, but I like to see a sink not too far from the hob and don't like to see people having to cross an open space with hot pans.


RevHappy

1,838 posts

162 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
Legend83 said:
RevHappy said:
First design could do with another oven housing and put the ovens side by side no the optimal height as you have the space. Second design remove range cooker and prevent back ache, see first design comment.

Don't more companies have extended visable sides available than just sticking in a panel?
Agreed on the oven housings for first design BUT we are more keen on the range cooker concept - we are only early 30s and back trouble has not set in just yet!
Kids and pets are also not great with range cookers, you really need to love the concept and ideally have had one before so you know what your in for.

Legend83

Original Poster:

9,977 posts

222 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
RevHappy said:
Kids and pets are also not great with range cookers, you really need to love the concept and ideally have had one before so you know what your in for.
What is your experience?

Wozy68

5,390 posts

170 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
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OP, do you mind I ask what the general cost was for the different designs, and does the prices include install. Not trying to pry but more from a proffesional point of view. If you prefer not too, no probs. It was just an interest. smile

Personally. I absolutly hate kitchen designs where a S/steel chimney extractor has wall cabinets virtually butting up to it. (I'd assume this isnt a bespoke kitchen company?) Sometimes it can't be helped, but generally I feel its a design no no, there are far better options, and if they have to be like that, its better to keep some distance from the extractor to the cabinets.

Something like this can suit a range cooker better for some, as an example, though it does use up some worktop space, it just looks more in keeping with the design IMO.... Allowing for dodgy finger in pic Iphone snap smile



I also believe there is no problem installing a wine fridge in a more traditional designed kitchen, just dont go too bling with it.



Edited by Wozy68 on Thursday 30th July 16:20

Harry Flashman

19,345 posts

242 months

Thursday 30th July 2015
quotequote all
I'm going with the second layout (pretty much) for the kitchen plan in our potential refurb project, but:

- shaker but frameless design rather than your in-frame design, so a bit less ornate, but still not super-slick modern (which I think will age fast). Framed cabinets look lovely but are pricey and restrict space

- different colours, most likely some sort of green-grey

- sink in island, so conveniently behind you when cooking. I didn't like the idea of a hob on an island, nor the intrusive (chimney) or expensive (pop-up) extraction that requires.

- fridge drawers also in island for easy access to ingredients

- pan drawers somewhere near the induction range cooker

Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 30th July 18:55