Kitchen question - high line or drawer line?

preciosa

This may be a dumb question but I'm a kitchen novice so what is the difference between highline, drawerline or standard base units? Been looking at kitchens online and still unclear which would be best for my kitchen.

bevc_2

Highline have full height cupboards in the base units, i.e. there aren't any drawers except for in dedicated drawer units. Drawerline units have smaller/'shorter' cupboards in the base units with drawers over the top. The units are the same height for each (from what I recall approx 870mm high from the floor to the top of the unit) and the worktop sits on top (usually about 30mm thick bringing the overall height to around 900mm). Not sure what you mean by 'standard' units.

Both drawerline and highline units come in the same sized carcasses (cabinets). They are generally all the same height and depth (something like 870mm high and 590mm deep). The difference is only whether or not you have drawers and therefore shorter doors (overall they will still fill the 870mm height of the unit).

If you want lots of drawers, then drawerline is the better option, but that means the cupboards are that bit smaller. If you don't think you need that many drawers, then highline will give you slightly larger cupboards and you can have separate drawer units to match.

Hope that helps.

preciosa

Thanks for clearing that up. I've got another novice question - if I get an eye level oven in a tall housing can I position it anywhere in the kitchen? Does it have to have a special power socket?

bevc_2

Electric cookers have their own socket on a separate circuit because of the current rating. You can get your electrician to put the socket anywhere you like (as long as it's not in a dangerous place obviously). Ask him/her for advice. I am hoping you are getting an electrician to do any necessary wiring because as far as I know that's now a legal requirement!

toffeegirl

There is also be a BIG difference in the cost of different types of cupboards within a range. High-line (no drawers) are, if I remember, the cheapest, draw-line (one drawer) the next cheapest, and multi-drawer cupboards more expensive.

Across the whole kitchen, the type of cupboard selected can make a big difference to the overall price. Modern deep or 'pan-drawers' are also more expensive than a basic high-line cabinet and when you start adding things like 'magic corners' (corner cabinets where the inside shelves swing out when you open them), the cost of your kitchen can start to escalate.

You may even find that a 60cm wide cupboard is actually cheaper than one that is only 45 or 50cm.... (I guess because 60cm is more standard).

And all this before you even start the ...'is it really worth the cost to have granite...' debate!

I will soon be making the Big Decision myself.. so good luck with your research....

dander

I would say, though, don't skimp on drawers for the sake of a cheap kitchen - it gets really annoying having a kitchen without enough drawers.

ic

bevc wrote: »

Electric cookers have their own socket on a separate circuit because of the current rating. You can get your electrician to put the socket anywhere you like (as long as it's not in a dangerous place obviously). Ask him/her for advice. I am hoping you are getting an electrician to do any necessary wiring because as far as I know that's now a legal requirement!

Modern ovens are actually very low powered - my new oven will be approx 850W, which is fine for installation to a normal ring of sockets, or better on a fused spur (compare to a 3kW kettle or 2kW fan heater for example). Older ovens used to hog power, 4kW upwards I believe. Hobs on the other hand require far more power, and definitely will need a dedicated 32A or 45A circuit from the fuse box.

toffeegirl

dander wrote: »

I would say, though, don't skimp on drawers for the sake of a cheap kitchen - it gets really annoying having a kitchen without enough drawers.

Absolutely agree with you on that one .... and good drawers are must. In my old kitchen, they were all strangely shallow and I couldn't even get my medium sized plastic funnel in them!

Its the deep pan drawers and magic corners which you can be seduced into but can maybe live without. (Or maybe not!)

Bungarm2001

Tell you what I can't live without and thats my pull out larder unit! It's full height

Bungarm2001

Tell you what I can't live without and thats my pull out larder unit! It's

S.Barrett_Home_Services

I am a Kitchen and Bedroom fitter by trade. If you need any more advice or help then please don't hesitate to ask.
Stu