Opinions please on midi kitchen unit

TomsMom

I'm really in two minds about this.

When we refit the kitchen in the new house I would prefer to have my oven built-in rather than built-under. Firstly because I'm used to one being built into a tall unit and secondly because I'm getting older and can envisage bending down to use the oven becoming more difficult in years to come.

The kitchen is long and narrow and could possibly be a bit dark I suppose. Take a look and tell me what you think.

On Wednesday, 22 October, the 4th picture shows where I'm thinking of having the midi unit - on the left hand side at the nearest end of the run of cabinets (where the pack of toilet rolls are). The hob will be a bit further along, set into the worktop with an extractor of some description over it. The opposite side run will not have the fridge freezer (that's the builders), it will be base cupboards and wall cupboards, no tall units/appliances, so plenty of light will get in on that side and there's a small window next to where the fridge/freezer is. Where I stood to take the photo, where you can't see, is to be the dining area.

If you then go to Wednesday, 24 September on the first page, pictures 2 and 3 show the room viewed from the other end so the midi unit would be on the right hand side. We are changing the kitchen cabinets for lighter ones. The dining table will be where the gas fire and corner units are shown. The right hand run of units don't go quite as far as the left hand run and we're happy to leave it at that.

We know that a full height unit will block out some light coming in from the large window at the sink unit end hence thinking about a midi unit. I'm thinking about having no wall cupboards that side, just an extractor. We would put wall units on the opposite wall.

Would really appreciate anyone's thoughts, we've been chewing this over all weekend.

TomsMom

No-one about tonight???????????

Please, someone, help me out. Tell me what you think.

flissh

I prefer built in to built under, fwiw. I would always try to go for that in my kitchen. I can't stand bending down to look in/get things out of a hot oven.

From your pictures it looks like you have enough room.

I am enjoying your blog, it's good to watch the work being done.

lagi

I would go for built in personally.

A quick and easy way to check light would be to grab some cardboard boxes, bend them to unit shape/size and place or stick them to the wall. This will give you an instant view on how it will look and the light factor.

Great blog by the way.

andrew-b

If you can fit it in and your worried about having to bend down to the oven later on in life then i'd go for built-in . We have a built-under double oven but only because space was very limited and so there simply wasn't the room for a tower unit.
Looking at the current kitchen i'm doubtful if an oven tower will make much difference to the light levels as it's quite a long room for natural light to fill - but i'd try to avoid letting it dominate the room if you can.

Your house is coming along very nicely by the looks of it! Makes me feel downright lazy spending months on planning the bathroom - too much time spent on here and not enough getting my hands dirty!! I need to catch up on your blog that i've been following with interest from the beginning. Looks like you're past the worst of the mess though. I hope to see it all done for Christmas - 8 weeks to go so keep pushing those builders!

Andy

TomsMom

Thanks Andy. My head is telling me that built-in is the obvious choice for us and I would definitely limit it to the midi unit as it's about 1500mm high rather than a full height one. There would be plenty of worktop space to the right of it. Built-under would look more streamlined but practicality has to come into it too.

We've done the cardboard box bit as a test and it does cut out a bit of light but possibly not enough to worry about. There are 3 spotlights going each side in that section of the kitchen, angled so no shadow will be cast when working and under cabinet lights where we'll have wall units. My only worry was the dining end might be a bit dark but a pendant light over the table and part glazed door should make that OK. You can see I'm working hard to convince myself here :rotfl:

Thanks for your interest in my blog. We're seeing great progress every day and are lucky to have found such dedicated builders who just get on with it, and they make useful suggestions where we might not have thought or known about certain things, and they cheerfully accept our changes of mind on occasions.

Things might be slowing down soon as nothing more can be done in the loft until the planning department has made their decision and the plans have only just been submitted (and we have a very cautious architect). All the tiling and bathroom/kitchen fitting will be done by our son, we keep asking him to fit us in around his other jobs (which he keeps taking on) but we're not pencilled in yet. When I suggested the builders could do it he said NO WAY!, he obviously wants to have some input into mom and dad's house although we're hoping for mates rates (can't expect a freebie when it's his job and it will take some time, utility, cloakroom, kitchen, bathroom, en-suite).

Christmas??? Not sure. We certainly wont be in but I wonder if we'll be decorating by then? Not sure how long new plaster has to be left before painting. The roof also needs renewing so unless we have a dry winter (not known for that here in Wales) then they may be coming back in the spring!

Sorry to ramble on, got carried away there!

andrew-b

You've definitely taken on a big project there.. i have a theory that it's something to do with having worked in a surveyor's valuation department that makes you less phased by taking it on when it would puts the frighteners on most!

I think i need to get a decent digital camera and start a picture blog ....then i have to get on with the renovations so i have something to write about and take pictures of! There's at least 4 of you here with blogs now - i found helping_hubby's one via yours too! Got to keep up with the Jones' (who generally come from Wales lol) after all!

I really want to get on with our bathroom but trying to take things easy and let my foot recover. A few weeks ago i was in the kitchen and turned suddenly when the pup came running in behind me. My legs just disappeared from under me and i ended up in a heap on the floor. I bent all the toes right back on one foot (ouch!) as well as nearly knocking myself unconscious on the door frame! I think most of the street heard me yell in pain! I've not broken anything yet - or at least not that i'm aware of! When i fall it's usually when i'm tired from overdoing things and when i'm not concentrating what i'm doing. The pup always comes to my rescue to check i'm ok and then he lays on any injuries to make them better (no idea how he knows exactly where an injury is but he does!).

Andy

TomsMom

andrew-b wrote: »

i have a theory that it's something to do with having worked in a surveyor's valuation department that makes you less phased by taking it on when it would puts the frighteners on most!

Very true. Plus I like a challenge

I think i need to get a decent digital camera and start a picture blog ....then i have to get on with the renovations so i have something to write about and take pictures of!

Ooh yes, go on, do it! We all love to see other people's ideas. I'm amazed at some of the things I have in mind for when decorating time comes around but it's all from seeing ideas on property programmes, it's lifted me out of a rut and given me much more modern ideas. Going out is the medium/dark oak dresser and dining set, coming in is a light, modern, ash dining suite with dark brown leather seat pads and low sideboard. The tiles and suite for the downstairs loo are much more contemporary than we've had before, lovely little rectangular basin.

I really want to get on with our bathroom but trying to take things easy and let my foot recover. A few weeks ago i was in the kitchen and turned suddenly when the pup came running in behind me. My legs just disappeared from under me and i ended up in a heap on the floor. I bent all the toes right back on one foot (ouch!) as well as nearly knocking myself unconscious on the door frame! I think most of the street heard me yell in pain! I've not broken anything yet - or at least not that i'm aware of!

Ouch! Hope you're recovery is swift.

When i fall it's usually when i'm tired from overdoing things and when i'm not concentrating what i'm doing. The pup always comes to my rescue to check i'm ok and then he lays on any injuries to make them better (no idea how he knows exactly where an injury is but he does!).

Clever pup! Perhaps he has healing powers! Not sure what your condition is but don't overdo it.

PS - whilst recovering from your fall, get onto google and get that blog started, you can always add pictures later