Given a second hand kitchen - how do I make it fit my space?

DSmiffy

I have been given a kitchen by my sister as she is having a new one installed my kitchen is old and broken doors so I am thrilled to be getting a new one.
The "new" kitchen is complete with various units, smeg oven, extractor, sink etc and metres of star galaxy granite worktop.

I'm just lost as to the best way to make it fit my space. The range is still available so I can buy extra doors and handles and I plan to use some of my existing carcasses with new doors to make the most of storage cupboards, but my main concern is making the best use of the granite worktops and making it fit with as few cuts as possible.

Basically the new design will have to take into consideration the best use of the granite, also whilst I am able to redesign and change things around I still need to be mindful of costs so that a free kitchen doesn't become a huge expense.

I just have no idea where to start with planning and making it fit in the best use of units etc has anyone had any experience or any tips or ideas in this type of project?
Thanks

whoschuffed

I'd say the first thing you need to do is work out exactly what units you are going to be getting along with their sizes.

Then draw up a plan of your current kitchen space and try to "fit" the units that you're being given into the space on paper.

Not sure how you're going to tackle the granite worktop though, you'll have a better idea once you have a plan of your kitchen drawn out and you know the full lengths of work top you'll be getting.

Doozergirl

Does whoever supplies the kitchen have a free online design program?

Magnet have one that you could use, and Ikea do, but they don't sell 500mm units.

I'd plan it out as if you were buying a new one essentially, but make the room bigger on the screen and plonk all the units you know you have to one side and then fiddle with them.

You can get people in to recut the worktops and I would think that this is where you'll end up spending some money - as you'd be very lucky to have the actual kitchen fit in the same arrangement.

GwylimT

Draw a scaled diagram of your kitchen, then draw each unit to scale and cut them out, that way they are the correct size and you can move them around to see which arrangement is best. Take a photo each time as you will forgot what went where.

phill99

Granite cutting is very specialist. You will need to get a granite worktop supplier to template your worktops and cut/polish for you and then reinstall it. Don't understimate how much this could cost.

WillowCat

Obviously do some research and get a granite worktop specialist to quote for the granite, but you may find it cheaper to start again with the worktops and go for normal chipboard, or if you can stretch to it say a solid oak or beech which can be DIY fitted.

JournalGirl

Granite is lovely - why not approach a granite cutter for a quote but also to have a look at what you could do with the granite?

Doozergirl

IIRC I paid £360 to granite installers to rejig some that I'd acquired.

hels234

Diy kitchens do a kitchen planner that you print out, grid paper and units that you can cut out to plan your kitchen. I know it sounds old school but we found it much quicker and easier than ikea/magnet computer programmes and they had tonnes of unit types unlike the programmes. Hope that helps x

Gastines3

As GwylimT suggested... Draw a scale plan of your kitchen showing existing door openings and windows. Bear in mind where existing gas/water/electricity supplies are. Then draw to scale the cabinet box sizes on a piece og card and cut them out BUT the thing worth noting is which way the cabinet doors open. These can obviously be changed with other cabinets the same size to change direction of opening . Many top box units are the same height as base units. The most important thing in your case seems to be the positioning of the sink, it will be easier if you configure the base units to suit the existing cut-outs for the sink etc.Make sure you get any alterations to sockets etc done before attempting to fit anything.

jc808

IMO:

Get the basic kitchen (units, appliances) bodged in best as you can.

Then if its a good enough job, and its worth it, pay someone to fit the granite
If its not great, just buy some cheap worktop and sclap it on, sell the granite on ebay