Kitchen Design - units next to ovens

4 years ago

We have designed a beautiful (I hope!) kitchen to be installed later this year. It’s been a long time in the planning and I have walked around and worked in this kitchen in my head for months! However we still have a couple of minor concerns...
The units to the left and right of the ovens - following other comments on similar kitchen design posts here (I am trying to learn from the collective wealth of knowledge!) - it would be desirable to have a worktop directly next to the oven - hot dish out of oven straight onto flat surface without taking a step type thing. However that kills the symmetry of the oven ‘block’ if we take out the (albeit shortened) narrow pull out shelves. I wonder instead about open shelves that wrap around from the right of the window to the left of the ovens. But then what to do on the right of the ovens? It might look odd either with or without a unit.

My ideal kitchen style is clear surfaces and everything in its place. The reality is clutterlicious! And in fact I don’t want it to look too clinical.

The design software doesn’t show the slab doors we have chosen - so the images aren’t perfect.

#scratchinghead #brainfug

Thanks in advance for any smart ideas!

Featured Answer

Jonathan

4 years ago

I think you also need to consider if there is enough room to open the fridge and stand in front of it.
Personally I would swap the fridge and oven positions.
There are a few things that I would do differently if it were mine.
I would choose an integrated fridge and integrated freezer- it looks nicer and has more filler space.
I would get rid of the 300 wide tall units- in my opinion they sit uncomfortably next to all the other wide cabinets which look more contemporary.
In the island I would have all drawer units- the thin ones are not as useful as you think and visually long wide drawers look better.
I would consider if the sink unit drawers are as useful as you think- you might decide to have a wider drawer unit or a cheaper cupboard instead.
I think you might find the corner a little tight and it might be better to have room around the corner so that you can use the space- it seems the obvious space for tea and coffee making in which case a wall cupboard would be useful too

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Comments (23)

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OnePlan
4 years ago
Hi - just a quick one - the 300mm space between oven and worktop is fine for put down space - putting people behind a hot hob while you cook however isn’t ! So I would rethink the seating area so that you don’t end up splashing people and causing burns. Maybe seat people at the end of the island not the rear ?
wheezy11 thanked OnePlan
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Why don't you have an L shape and use the area under the window also for your sink and a couple of extra units? you could add shelves on either side of the window? Not sure why your fridge has to go at that end? might be best at the other end? As Sarah, suggests, get full height cupboards, and put the microwave in one of those, so that you're not losing so much space. Extra storage is probably more useful than having the microwave on display? It can easily be put on a shelf within a cupboard. (Our isn't even in our kitchen, but then we only use it once a week or so... so really depends) I'd also suggest drawers to the bottom of your units instead of cupboards.
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Jonathan
4 years ago
Alternative
wheezy11 thanked Jonathan
wheezy11
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks @OnePlan - the island seating point is good, and I think that may happen naturally

@Jonathan - also lots of good points to think about, thank you. I was avoiding moving the larder - and wanted to keep all the food storage on the left hand side which is the end of the kitchen where we will come into. But I think you are right about the 300mm units - they don't sit right with the rest. In the island the narrow units are fancy pancy chopping board units and I had decided to just have one anyway as the wider drawers are more useful. The loss of symmetry there will be hidden from view. And I know you are not a fan of the american fridge freezers but I will consider built in style... The proposed open shelf unit is next to double doors into a conservatory / dining room. Lots to think about. Many thanks both!
kwg kwg
4 years ago
Hi wheezy11, love the kitchen colour!

Some very valid points made above with regards to seating at the island and the fridge opening space and yes you are right in considering that there should be a worktop next to or nearby to put hot cooking down especially when you are cooking and checking how your huge roast dinner is doing :-)!

I know you only asked for oven advice but I have some more comments to confuse you a bit more :-).

1) Agree with changing drawers under sink to cupboard door as easier for storing cleaning products and will be cheaper than drawers

2) If you have the 300mm tall cupboard and it's only 300mm in depth, I don't think you require a pull out function, change it to a cupboard with shelves instead, it will save you money as well. I have the same size cupboard about 600mm away from my sink and this was orginally added to act as a 'filler' cupboard between the base units and steel beam but this is now my favourite cupboard because I put all the cups, teabag, coffee, sauces, condiments in there and it has allowed my kids to be more independent, they can get their own drinks, sauces etc, everything they need is reachable :-).

3) If space and budget allows, how about adding a 300mm overhang at the end of the island to create more seating?

4) I'm not a fan of American fridge freezers either as they are quite bulky but it depends on your requirements, whether you require a water/ ice dispenser or not. I decided to go for a tall integrated fridge and an under the counter freezer as I don't use freeze much food. If you are set on the American fridge freezer, thoroughly recommend going to look at some at the shops, they vary so much in looks unless you have thousands to spend, they don't look that slick.

5) Would it make sense to switch the bin and dishwasher? People using the bin would not have to walk behind you if you are at the sink or hob? Then it would depend where you have your cutlery and pot drawers, if currently next to dishwasher, could be good for unloading dishwasher
wheezy11 thanked kwg kwg
Daisy England
4 years ago
I’ll throw my two pen’orth in ...

I’m another person who doesn’t like American style fridge freezers. They just don’t gel with a modern design for me.

I quite like the 2 x 300 tall units either side of the oven. Relating to the above post these will be 600mm deep not 300. Wall units are 300 deep, base units 600. Having had a 600 larder unit installed in my kitchen complete with pull out chrome works inside I was amazed just how much they hold. Wonderful storage.

I would stick to all doors and no drawers on the sink run.

Have your drawers in the island. You could have a drawer in a drawer. So a deep drawer 355mm high and then another drawer inside. This is what I have and it saves loss of space inside but looks nicer outside.

As for Magic Corners, nah. Expensive space wasting contraptions in my opinion. Chrome works in a tall larder type unit yes, but some of the Magic Corners don’t create the magic space issue some people think they may be getting.
Daisy England
4 years ago
Here’s what I mean regarding 355mm high drawer fascias and the ‘hidden’ drawer inside
wheezy11
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks all. Some great ideas... so will go back to the drawing board and have a play. I can see some cost saving options which is great too.
Ribena Drinker
4 years ago
Is that the microwave above the oven? Is so, I feel it's a little too high to be safe to use with hot liquids etc.
Tracey Metcalfe
4 years ago
Hi, agree with the double drawers’ suggested by daisy. We have them and they are great. We have the contemporary look we wanted and a practical use of space. The fridge freezer is a dilemma - we installed a built-in one, b ut after 3 years we have had to get rid of it as it runs too warm, despite plenty of ventilation. We are in the process of making some changes to our kitchen to incorporate a large or American ff. Good luck with your project
wheezy11
Original Author
4 years ago
@daisy I love the drawer within drawer and think these are specced on my island and the other wide drawers by the d/w.

The fridge freezer thing is definitely polarising opinion. But I like them and am looking forward to an ice dispenser, filtered water etc. First world problems and all that. We’ve actually chosen a French style with wider freezer drawers at the bottom, but will ensure the door opening space is adequate.

And re microwave / oven heights - I’m assuming that double oven installation is something our kitchen designers are familiar with but I’m going to remind them that the main user doesn’t want to be standing on a stool to retrieve my reheated peas.

Thanks again kitchen gurus... you’ve helped refine my thoughts.

Now I just need to decide door colour and worktops!
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
@DaisyEngland. I can see that kwg kwg is correct saying the cabinet to left of oven is drawn to be 300deep - if you look at the original post you can see a pillar behind that cabinet ?! So a pullout wouldn’t be possible in such a shallow cabinet .

@wheezy11 Please make sure they provide a kitchen that’s safe for you and your family to use - heights of appliances and setting of hob in relation to seats behind are both pointing to a lack of thought for this important element of good design.
wheezy11 thanked OnePlan
obobble
4 years ago
I think you will find the pull out larder position frustrating in that corner. For a 600 wide pull out it is useful to be able to access the baskets from both sides in order to get at stuff in the middle, and you won’t be able to do that below worktop on the R hand side height, plus it will be awkward above worktop height.
The corner cupboard will have compromised storage with or without the magic insert. Have you thought about if you have room to insert a 30 cm wide return to the worktop height cupboard before the tall units to enable you to have an L shaped cupboard which would be much more useful/ accessible? If you get bespoke shelves fitted it can be even better.
wheezy11 thanked obobble
Ribena Drinker
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Bloomin' heck, I've posted this once and it's not here.

We have drawers within drawers. A skinny one above stacked crockery in a deep fronted drawer.

We also have slim drawers behind wide drawers - brilliant as you get multi use without spoiling the visual line of the drawers from the front.

Excuse the stuff on the floor, the OH is repainting the built in cupboard doors from the sitting room and has found out it's raining....
wheezy11 thanked Ribena Drinker
wheezy11
Original Author
4 years ago
@obobble - that's a good point, and I had wondered about having a small return. We're restricted to the wall length on that full height side so I would have to lose some of the pull out larder - but potentially could go to a 30cm pull out, and a 20cm return. I'm chatting with them later and will pose the question - it's bespoke so a definite possibility.

@Ribena Drinker I love those drawers - and particularly like the glass storage which is something I have struggled with since we are not having wall units.
kwg kwg
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
@Ribena Drinker, those drawers look so organised!

@wheezy11, another thought on the 600mm pull out larder - when it's full up it's going to require some muscle power to pull it out. I have tall cupboard with 4 pull out drawers and 2 shelves, much easier to pull out individual drawers rather than the whole pull out. I was originally going to go for a pull out too but then changed my mind to drawers as I liked the look better and it also saved me some money too.

Similar to link below...

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/523754631661199895/

It works for me because I use the drawers to mainly put the snacks in there and the top shelves for storing things I don't use much.
obobble
4 years ago
I could be wrong, but I can’t see an extractor fan anywhere?
wheezy11
Original Author
4 years ago
it's in the hob. Please don't weigh in and tell me that it's a bad idea too - I feel bruised already ;-)
obobble
4 years ago
Please don’t feel bruised. There is so much to think about. I wondered if the extractor was in the island but wasn’t sure. I’m sure many people would do something slightly different if they had their chance again, or if they had engaged someone like Karen at one plan to help. I wonder if I might have chosen not to have my second sink in my island for example and my lighting could be improved in parts. There are always compromises and there’s always someone around on Houzz who’s been there and done that so take advantage, but in the end it’s your kitchen and you’re the one whose preferences matter.
Jonathan
4 years ago
Actually a cooktop extractor is a great choice- it’s the quietest and most effective way of keeping your kitchen smells and vapour at bay
wheezy11 thanked Jonathan
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
Oh sorry you are feeling bruised . That was totally not my intention, so if my comments added to or caused this, please accept my utmost apologies.
wheezy11 thanked OnePlan
Gabby Wong
4 years ago
So exciting to be planning a new kitchen (or is that just me?) but don’t worry, I remember making suggestions and being told I was crazy.. just take it as different view points to consider and then work out what works best for you! :-)

Do you definitely want the hob central on the island? I’m putting ours closer to one end, and having a narrow cupboard behind it, so the overhang is only at the other end of the island to avoid people sitting opposite and gives me more storage (but I realise this may not work aesthetically for you!)

Have you used a microwave at that height before? I considered having it in a wall unit above a worktop, and then staying at a friend’s who has one at that height, I realised for me(5’3-5’4) it was really awkward and I was going on tiptoes to get stuff out.. so that’s now moved under a worktop instead.

We’re sticking with the American FF... I do think aesthetically built in would look better but OH has apparently always wanted one.. and considering how little say (and how few opinions) he’s had in the kitchen, I let him have it. Lol
wheezy11 thanked Gabby Wong
wheezy11
Original Author
4 years ago
@Gabby Wong @obobble @OnePlan

Thanks all! Bruises subsiding ;-) It's just so overwhelming - the number of decisions to make, and the desire to make it just perfect. Having lived with a kitchen that we installed 19 years ago that has most definitely NOT worked for us I am beyond excited about a new and practical space. This is part of a much bigger ground floor remodel and I have spent many many hours thinking and discussing options with different and unbiased kitchen designers, friends with perfect and imperfect kitchens, and friends who know our kitchen and how I use it. There are many restrictions in the space - as there are in all kitchens but we are getting something close to ideal now. I have written down everything I use in the kitchen that stored everything - on paper - in the new one - considering carefully how and where it is and will be used. So silly things like where do I hang tea towels to dry when there isn't a radiator in the kitchen area shouldn't give me worry lines - I know when it is installed there will be an end of unit where I can do this. but that doesn't stop me thinking about it! The image that the designer sent is not perfect we both know - software limitations - and I will definitely ask them to install either the combi oven or single oven at low or under counter height - that's what our current oven is, so bending down to take out my turkey isn't a big deal - as you say, safer than standing on the dusty IKEA toddler stool. And the top of that unit can hold the glasses - my other worry line creator. Anyway, your thoughts and ideas are helping hone the design. But for now, we're sticking with the american F/F - impractical, over-priced, sticky outy - but I rather like the industrial look and lines to break up the fitted kitchen-ness.

Kitchen Design - units next to ovens

Jonathan

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