Planning a family kitchen?

Chakani

If you were given a blank space to design your perfect family kitchen, what would be on your priority list?

The space isn't huge, but is big enough to fit most of the things a family needs, with the exception of a proper table. (there is a dining table in the next room, with the possibility of either knocking through, or reinstating an old serving hatch perhaps)

Tiddlywinks

Space for a dishwasher - have only had one since my last move BUT it is a revelation and you will have to drag me screaming to live in a house without one now.

Table - I like a table in a kitchen for breakfast and for chats over coffee and tea time beans on toast etc (with a formal table in the dining room).

Oven - I prefer an eye level or waist level fitted oven as it saves bending down all the time to see what's going on in there.

Fridge freezer space - used to only have a freezer in the garage and this was a pain as I didn't have an internal door so had to go out into the cold for my ice cream.

Above all... storage, storage, storage - those pull out shelves are fab as you can get to everything without having to virtually climb into cupboards for the last tin of beans.

IHateDida

I have actually been given this opportunity - although the space isn't huge - we've just bought a new (small) property and are turning the lounge/diner into a kitchen/diner. I would definitely knock through to the dining room as I love kitchen/diners - dining rooms have hardly been used where I have had them seperately.

Our kitchen has been ordered - we are having a table and chairs at one end, and at the other end a window seat (we have a extended window area) - with belfast sink units being the seat! Obviously a dishwasher, gas hob, extractor and integrated double fan oven- but having made the mistake of all integrated appliances in a previous property (where I had to leave them for the buyers) - I now have a free standing fridge/freezer and also a free standing washing machine.

Slate is going on the floor - it shows less dirt! I had granite previously and it was a nightmare as showed every little smudge!

I wouldn't have a serving hatch - this could put off potential buyers - the kitchen/diner will add value as it provides a flexible family space. It also depends on your budget and how long you intend on living somewhere - as you have to way these things up in deciding how much to spend.

sweaty_betty

We're about to start an extension and I'm doing this very thing!

My wish-list is:
- wall cupboards up to the ceiling to maximise storage
- an eye-height oven to save lots of bending (I have a dodgy back)
- as big a fridge-freezer as I can fit into the kitchen
- a decent, powerful extractor fan over the hob
- a separate utility space to separate food from laundry
- a tea/coffee station - the thing we do most in the kitchen is to make hot drinks, so having everything needed for this (kettle, fridge for milk nearby, cups, teabags etc) in the same place would be really convenient
- a breakfast bar with stools (especially if no table)
- a one and a half bowl sink (I love the look of belfast sinks, but I think I'm too tall for them - they give me back ache!)
- I like the idea of having an "island" if the room is big enough
- oven with cool-to-touch door
- induction hob
- large pull-out cupboards
- strong drawers that take a lot of weight so you can use them instead of losing stuff down the back of cupboards!
- a walk-in pantry for food storage (in my dreams...)
- dishwasher
- easy clean floor (!)

Good luck!

fashionlover10

I would love more wall cupboards as we only have one double unit right now. I'd also install more sockets! Not sure who designed our kitchen but all the sockets are very near each other meaning I have to fight for space to put mixer/slow cooker/fryer etc.

I'd also include room for a dishwasher and like sweaty betty I'd love a walk in pantry but I'll have to make do with my floor to ceiling larder for now.

suki1964

I just done mine

Knocked out the utility room as it was tiny and a waste of space, put in a narrow floor to ceiling cupboard for the brooms, mop cleaning stuff and bird and dog food

A larder, with pull out shelves so everything is to hand

Double eye level oven

Induction hob - well worth having to buy new pans for

Big drawers for plates and pans - no more reaching up to lift out heavy plates - ESP as mum has arthritis in her hands

Bin storage under the sink, recycling, compost and general waste bin,all pull out so no messy near misses

Carousels and pull outs in the corner cupboards so all space used and everything easily reached

And double sockets every few feet

Kitchen table , if the kitchen is the heart it needs somewhere for people to gather and chat and work

lika_86

My wish list:
- Island with integrated breakfast bar
- Double oven - so handy if you want to cook things at different temperatures
- Pantry
- Dish warming drawer
- Gas hob - induction is useless for wok cooking etc
- Boiling water tap
- Waste disposal in-sink unit
- Big double fridge with ice water dispenser on the front
- Underfloor heating
- Wine fridge
- Lots of storage for red wine, cookbooks, pans, crockery etc
- Enough counterspace for a Magimix, breadmaker etc.
- Enough plug sockets around the space - people in house magazines always say they wished they'd thought more about sockets and placement

meritaten

your thread title says 'planning a family kitchen'. to me that means you want a big kitchen where there is a table which people can sit around and chat, do homework, crafts or whatever while others cook.
no brainer - knock two rooms into one and have a big table in there!

alwaysbrassic

Definitely a dishwasher! We have only just invested in one and its great!
We are the same as you, we have a separate dining room just off the kitchen, I would have preferred open plan but the budget is tight. We do use the dining room for every meal though, and sometimes I think having it separate makes it more sociable as no one is distracted with other things - you are all sat together.

If I could change anything about my kitchen I would wish for more base units - we have lots of wall units but they are narrower, and you have to be selective what you put in them.

Tiddlywinks

alwaysbrassic wrote: »

we have a separate dining room just off the kitchen, I would have preferred open plan but the budget is tight. We do use the dining room for every meal though, and sometimes I think having it separate makes it more sociable as no one is distracted with other things - you are all sat together.

I rented a cottage as a stop gap a few years ago and it was the first time I had a kitchen / diner with no other dining area.

I hated it... having to eat with the chaos left from all the cooking... pots / pans etc in the sink plus any nightmares are obvious to your guests... like having to carve off the burnt bits from the crumble whilst trying to appear calm... definitely not for me.

skintchick

Gotta have a table in there for me, and if there's a room, a sofa too!

Good working triangle

My personal wishlist covers:
hob set in a corner (across the corner)
oven set off the floor
lots of drawers including pan drawers
drawers instead of kick boards
lots of plugs
freestanding massive fridge/freezer
at least one area of worksurface that is big and clear
lots of natural light
doors out to garden
pantry style cupboard
separate utility (if possible)
as many cupboards as possible