Need help with new kitchen design

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We are beginning to build an open plan extension to the back of the house and need help with the kitchen design. We have been using easy planner3D software to play about with the positioning of appliances (mainly fridge, ovens and sink) but I'm still not happy with it.

Are american style fridges still a good choice?

Should the sink be on the end with no worktop to its left?

Pull down extractor or push up on the island for the hob?

Is it better to get upper cupboards that hit the ceiling?

(FYI Half the island looks like it's in mid air as we have yet to work out how to get raised level seating :-)

The kitchen (if I can find a suitable one) will be white handleless with quartz tops (maybe grey) with a wood floor to warm the place up. Hard to imagine now.

Any ideas gratefully received!

Featured Answer

minnie101

7 years ago

Hi Colette. I agree with Noel Dempsey and would have a wall of appliances where your ff is. I'm struggling to find good pics but something similar to this. I'd personally just go for base units on the other wall (with the sink!) assuming this gives you enough storage as I just think it will give a nicer view from the dining table and island. You could always add a shelf/s if wanted. I love the floating island :) Is it just for socialising etc or eating? Is you're struggling with your suppliers you could consider using an independent designer so they plan it exactly according to your needs/lifestyle and then you take the plan along to a supplier.

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Comments (8)

PRO
Arq-A Interiors Limited
7 years ago
Hi Colette, in answer to your questions;

American fridges are great if you have a family and need to refrigerate a lot of produce however they are quite bulky and tend to stand proud of the depth of the worktops and cabinets. An integrated fridge freezer may be enough in terms of storage and this will free up some space for you.

The sink looks great where you have it. If you have the drainer on the left then it will give you some elbow room.

Downdraft extractors are great for islands as they as so discreet. Personally I don't like large canopy extractors, they're a fairly ugly feature.

The run of skinny wall units above the sink looks a little odd, especially with the one longer unit to the right. Also, the units above the fridge freezer will be very hard to access. If you can bear to lose this storage space I think it would look better without the cupboards and maybe have some bespoke shelves instead, something a little different....there's plenty of inspiration on Houzz.

Happy to help again if you're stuck, I know how tricky some kitchens are to plan as there's a lot to consider.

Best regards

Caroline
Jonathan
7 years ago
I think your choice of handless kitchen and quartz worktop are great. I think integrated appliances compliment this look so perhaps not an American fridge.
Perhaps someone can suggest a good kitchen studio near you.
Could you state your approx budget and location?
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Ok, first of all I think we have very similar tastes because I looked at the pics you tagged in your idea books, but this layout is not efficient at all. your working triangle is non existent and I think there is way too much crowded in one corner. The island is staring out into nothing, and definitely needs to be rotated 90 degrees and I think the shape looks like something you would see in a bar. I am currently doing my own kitchen in two shades of painted cabinetry and will post my drawings and actual images, and then some images that you might like. I think the sink and DW need to be in the island. The fridge needs to be integrated to avoid this much stainless steel since you clearly like a more eclectic, non modern look, and the hood can be more elaborate. I personally think a 48" range with a dramatic hood on that back will with the island turned the correct way will be a nice focal point for your kitchen. You could also do a microwave drawer in your island, that way you only see the range from the front. Also, where is your pantry? Where are you storing food? The second image is a range hood you will probably like The third and fourth are drawings of my kitchen, and the first is a painted on painted kitchen with whimsy you might like. I will attach photos of my project on an additional feed since 4 photos is the limit.
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PRO
Simon Fink Kitchens
7 years ago
Some good points from Caroline.

I'd add.

Go for a single oven and combination microwave oven rather than what looks like a double oven and free-standing microwave.

Open shelves/wine racks are dust collectors and you seem to have planned for lots of them!

Down-draft extractors are hopelessly inefficient unless you spend thousands on one. I'd consider swapping the hob and sink positions around if you can't install a flush-mounted ceiling extractor.

If you install very tall wall cabinets the room will look smaller and you'll lose the minimalist modern look.

The way you've designed the eating area, you'll need a very tall stool to sit at it comfortably. Stools are designed to work at worktop height. You don't need to raise the eating area.

Can't your potential supplier help with the kitchen design?
PRO
Noel Dempsey Design
7 years ago
Hi Colette,

From a design point of view I would lose the American Fridge and replace with a tall 60m integrated. Try keep all of your tall units in one area - So from the left - larder, fridge, tall ovens (preferably a single oven with combi micro above).

Keep all you wall units the same height, 800 to 1000mm high depending on your ceiling height, with led lighting below. If the ceiling is higher than 2.4m then consider a plastered bulk head to frame the units.

For a clean looking design keep your island surface all the one level and consider a BORA extractor.

You should really talk to a kitchen designer who can meet you at your house to advise better.

Best of luck!
PRO
Artichoke
7 years ago
Hi Collette

Regarding the fridge, a family with 5 youngish children will keep a 60cm fridge full but manageable. You don't really need an American F/F unless you regularly entertain and need the storage.

I would get taller cupboards or run a bulkhead in stud for them to butt into from underneath.

The sink is fine. Think about where to put the drainer grooves, but with a smaller F/F you will be fine.

Pop up extraction is not as effective, so if you do alot of hob top cooking I'd run with a ceiling mounted extractor. If you have void in the ceiling, ask the builder to hide it. You don't need a big stainless steel box hanging from the ceiling.

The island bar looks very high....

Do you need that much wine storage? I don't know about you, but wine in my house doesn't last that long! It's a common mistake to over do the wine storage.

Good luck!
Colette
Original Author
7 years ago
These comments are very helpful. Thank you all. We have been in contact with some kitchen designers but ones associated to specific kitchen brands. Below are 2. They both leave me feeling uninspired! It seems our attempt at using the software above to start things off has maybe hindered their designers, despite me pointing out that we are open to ideas they have pretty much done exactly the same as us. Any comments are gratefully received :-)
Rose Williams
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I'll just add to the fridge debate here. I have a 60cm tall free standing fridge, and a 30cm under counter wine fridge. We are a 2 adult, 1 child family.
The fridge serves us well, but can be tight when family is here at Christmas, and we couldnt live with the 60cm fridge at all without the wine fridge taking the job of beer, wine, and pop. If I could fit an american fridge in I would, but failing that, the 60cm is fine, just a larger second fridge would be perfect, you know, for drinks and the occasional (usually very large) home baked cake!
Looking at your layout, I can see what people are saying about all the different levels in the cabinets, perhaps the ovens could be integrated into the central island under the hob (like the great british bake-off). You could have a large clear surface with the sink behind you, and then a straight tall larder run along the short wall with the american fridge with a smaller fridge, but also a cool tall glass drinks fridge in it

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