Tips for using DIY kitchens, and also some (basic) designs

MissGivings_2

You're right about BB's -they are a magnet for stuff and that makes the place seem crowded, especially if the only person that notices is you!

Yes, I think you're right about the DW because the door is larger and needs space in front to fill and empty.
The WM needs space in front too but the door's smaller so less likely to hit anything at right angles.

About the sink in front of the window-do go for that because it looks and feels right and solves the problem of the 2 appliances side by side-much nicer

I agree with you about getting used to the way things are already-we get used to adapting ourselves to it.
But it's so exciting to be able to start from scratch!

Looking forward to more pics of plans when you can

sugarwalsh

Kids and kittens always look cute in pictures... the reality is just a mess all the time!!

We have a sink in the breakfast bar to look directly out of the window.... Just to really confuse matters!

Be flexible - out kitchen is made up of the following - ikea base units, magnet work surface, ikea sink, magnet tap, b and q doors fitted to old cupboards and finished in ikea trim on wall units.... 2nd hand range style oven... £1.50 Lauras Ashley Wallpaper.... £1 metal lamp shade - Funnily my initial plan had to keep evolving to incooperate all the different bits I keep finding! Tiles are next on the hit list. If you are in no rush then really keep an eye open - I have seen kitchens like ours in magazines for £10,000 +. Ours cost £1000 so far.

Megan

penguingirl

Ok, definitely have to start this with an apology about the lack of worktop in an entire corner of the plan! Wish I could figure out how to do that on the planner... but anyway I have swapped the sink and WM and I am much happier with it and it seems to line up under the window pretty well. I've also added in a corner cupboard for the boiler. Obviously there will be a nice end panel next to DW and some kind of corner post next to WM (and I imagine something hideen on the wall under that unit to support the worktop).

Just a note that those cupboards next to the boiler will actually be wider as will the ones below it (and actually the doors are the same size as the one on the corner base unit next to oven)- I know at the moment it looks like some cupboard doors are undersized and some are oversized- they are much more uniform on my shopping list!



Thanks for the tips about shopping around- no idea where we will get anything other than the units from! Really can't decide on things like wall tiles, but I'm not overly worried about it. We had to buy new FF, WM, DW and oven when we moved in here so appliance wise we aren't going to be too bad, it's just going to be hob and hood that we need which will help cost-wise (not that we have a proper budget yet!)

penguingirl

Right I've had another play and this picture is slightly closer to the scale of the cupboards



I am only planning on having 2 different cupboard door sizes- on the wall cupboards the run off 5 together in the corner will all be 45cm doors, as will the door next to the drawers on the FF wall and the door on the sink unit. The base cupboards either side of the oven will have 40cm doors as will the cupboard next to the boiler. I think the boiler cupboard will need a 50cm door.

MissGivings_2

I love the new sink placement etc! Feels and looks very balanced as a design.

(just gone back to the first one to compare and it looks downright weird now!) ha ha!

Are the drawers to the right of the FF for pots and pans?
If they are, wouldn't they be better to the left of the oven?

I like plenty of drawers, rather than all cupboards. Drawers keep clutter down better.

I'll just have a look at the other one...

penguingirl

Have re-done the sink picture with the new better proportion-ed (but still not perfectly to scale) cupboards

MissGivings wrote: »

I love the new sink placement etc! Feels and looks very balanced as a design.

(just gone back to the first one to compare and it looks downright weird now!) ha ha!

Are the drawers to the right of the FF for pots and pans?
If they are, wouldn't they be better to the left of the oven?

I like plenty of drawers, rather than all cupboards. Drawers keep clutter down better.

I'll just have a look at the other one...

I know I think it looks weird too! And I much prefer it without the open shelves. It looks cleaner and smarter without. The drawers aren't for pots- tried using them for that in our rented place and they annoyed me getting them in and out, I prefer them in a cupboard (they're in the one to the left of the oven at the mo). Will probably use the top drawer for cutlery, second one for tea towels, bin bags and useless junk that's get tidied away and the bottom one for baking trays, roasting tin etc.

sugarwalsh

What a difference that has made! It looks much tidier and well thought out now.

Megan

MissGivings_2

penguingirl wrote: »

Right I've had another play and this picture is slightly closer to the scale of the cupboards



I am only planning on having 2 different cupboard door sizes- on the wall cupboards the run off 5 together in the corner will all be 45cm doors, as will the door next to the drawers on the FF wall and the door on the sink unit. The base cupboards either side of the oven will have 40cm doors as will the cupboard next to the boiler. I think the boiler cupboard will need a 50cm door.

I'm wondering about the run of wall cupboards on the cooker hood wall.The one's to the left and right of the cooker hood look diff sizes-is that right or just the pic?
Are they all 45cm with a 50cm at the end?

Someone mentioned earlier that it looks better if cupboard widths look better if they match above and below. If it can be done, it would be good.

Lovely individual touches and flashes of colour genius can all be added later to a good, simple design.

It's getting there, do you feel?:)

tpt

i've used diy kitchens 4 times now, they are great.

things i've learned on the journey?

units that come up to walls, make sure they are off the wall by about 30mm and cut an infill panel to fill the gap, then the doors open without the handles banging on the wall. same goes for corners, buy their corner panels - they come as 2x50-60mm bits in door material.

remember the end panels - if your using them they are 30odd mm thick and so need space (especially near your extractor)

integrated dishwasher - line all the other doors\drawers before you fit the d\washer door. then line this up with them as there is no adjustment at all on the d\washer door.
also as its on the end dont forget you'll need an end panel if its integrated

Extractors need to be at least 750mm above gas hobs, make sure you have the height.

go for the softclose hinges - they are worth every penny.

Fitting it:

remove the doors - they just clip off.

start from the worst corner and work your way out. fit th high units first but allow for end panels and spacers on the bottom units (dry lay them out first)

tpt

just noticed your comment about hingejig - DONT!

they do a delivery plus option where they drill and fit all the doors and drawers for you. then the units come made up, rigid with doors fitted. its about 15% extra i think but worth every penny.

P.s. i also noticed the comment about tiles -i can help with that :-)