My New Ikea Kitchen Design - Critique Appreciated

keepthegreen

Here is the layout I have come up with for my new kitchen I'm planning. I'd love to hear people's thoughts opinions on the design and layout. Also for a room this size what would be the best way to light it? I'd like recessed GU10 230v mains downlighters as I intend to replace with GU10 compatible LED units in the future but how many should I fit? Also any recommended retailers for the lighting?

Lots of questions I know, thanks in advance for any help.





- Andy

jennifernil

Unless you are left-handed, I would have the drainer to the left of the sink bowls. That also keeps it away from the corner.

The position of your cooker hood seems very high.

Are you not having a dishwasher? Or are those appliances a dishwasher and combined washer/drier?

What is on the wall between the washer and the radiator since you have no units on it?

Personally, I would want more wall units than you have put in. I would have wall units rather than the big TV screen over the far side!

christineperseus

would the cooker hood look better if it was at the same level as the cupboards?
what about a plinth fan heater for days when the heating isn't on?
Have you seen that IKEA do pull out drawers in the plinth?

WestonDave

On the lights - its a bit tricky without room dimensions, however I'm guesstimating yours is about the same size as ours (13ft square). We've got 7 12volt halogen spots - however 6 are on one switch and the final one (in the centre of the room) is on a separate switch so if we are just popping in to grab something or put a coffee mug on the sink, you don't need to switch the whole lot on.

donnaessex

Have I missed where the fridge and freezer is going?

keepthegreen

jennifernil wrote: »

Unless you are left-handed, I would have the drainer to the left of the sink bowls. That also keeps it away from the corner.

Hadn't thought about that, thanks my only problemk with the sink is that it is offset from the window slightly. This looks even more pronounced when the drainer is flipped the other way.

The position of your cooker hood seems very high.

That's where the design tool dropped it, presumably the length of the top of the hood is changeable so I can lower it?

Are you not having a dishwasher? Or are those appliances a dishwasher and combined washer/drier?

I already have a seperate washer and drier, I think a dishwasher as well would take up quite a bit of space. If the washer or drier breaks at any time in the future though I could consider replacing it with a combined unit and putting a dishwasher in.

What is on the wall between the washer and the radiator since you have no units on it?

I was going to have a table and chairs in that space. There's nothing on the walls.

Personally, I would want more wall units than you have put in. I would have wall units rather than the big TV screen over the far side!

The TV isn't to scale

keepthegreen

christineperseus wrote: »

would the cooker hood look better if it was at the same level as the cupboards?

I think so yes. Thanks.

what about a plinth fan heater for days when the heating isn't on?
Have you seen that IKEA do pull out drawers in the plinth?

The old gas fire and back boiler is soon to be replaced so I was going to hang an electric fire on that wall instead. I hadn't noticed the plinth drawers but they sound like a good idea for bin bags and things.

WestonDave wrote: »

On the lights - its a bit tricky without room dimensions,

Room dimensions are approx 5m x 3.6m but the alcove takes about half a metre off the room length

donnaessex wrote: »

Have I missed where the fridge and freezer is going?

The fridge freezer is a built in tall end unit by the door.

WestonDave

In which case I'd stick by recommending 6 (plus one on a seperate switch if you want to do that). GU10's tend to give quite a focussed spot so if you have them too far apart you get areas of shadow in between. Also if you are thinking of going LED, you may need slightly more fittings to get the right light output until the technology improves.

Haddock

I'd agree about the drainer being on the wrong side unless you are left-handed. It'll drive you nuts.

If your switched sockets for the washer/dryer are below worktop height, how will you isolate the machines in an emergency? They can't be remotely switched above the worktop due to proximity to the water supply unless they are way over to the left edge.

One of your other switched socket outlets is also too close to the water supply. The others are very jammed close up together and would make tiling etc round them messy. Had you thought of a multiple socket below the worktop that you tap to make it rise up for use? They look like a little cylinder.

The sink cabinet needs a side fascia panel on the LHS as the plain melamine will show next to the washer.

Sorry, it sounds a wee bit critical...
You have an awkward space/shape and I bet it was a difficult job to make it all fit

danielfulshaw

My two pence... I don't know how accurate the drawing is or whether it is feasible but you should always aim to align the two windows top height which will sit easily withe the eye. I have also specified for a client on a budget that the extractor fan is housed in a cupboard so has the same surface as the units rather than break it up with a different, alien object like the stainless steel extractor fan. It makes it look very bitty otherwise. And if you can I would always go for intergrated appliances to imrpove the look as you are continuing to use the same surface materials for the rest of the kitchen and fool the brain into beleiveing it is bigger than it is. I would think about above waist height storage. Can you add some more cupboards if you hav a lot of pots and pans that won't sit under counter? Can you add a storgae shelf on the wall between the two windows that matches the rest of the kitchen? As to lighting, make sure you have good overhead lighting where you will undertake most food preperation but also consider LED plinth lights that run round the kitchen just above the floor. These will wash the floor in light; led's are good for the environment as they last longer, use less energy and you can attach them to the under counter lights and just have them on a separate switch' perfect to have on on a summer evening as twilight sets in. And if you have them on with the main ceiling light you have light at all levels; head hight from above, undercounter for waist height and floor lighting to get rid of those dark areas that most people neglect to consider. Your kitchen will never look gloomy I promise!

pimento

I'd scrap the telly in the kitchen (never felt the need myself) and have some shallow frosted glassfronted units for glass storage.