New kitchen: must haves or what to avoid?

LameWolf

lessonlearned wrote: »

I have two metal trivets for hot items, always use chopping blocks - so far so good.

When we had our kitchen redone, there were some wall tiles left over; I bought a roll of cork sheeting from H0bbycraft and attached some to the back of the spare tiles, and use these to stand hot dishes on.

I haven't noticed anyone mention flooring yet? We opted for carpet tiles - I always go barefoot indoors, so stone tiles or lino would be too cold; with carpet tiles, if something gets spilled, you can lift the affected tile, clean it, and put it back down. As we are a host family for a dog-sitting service, this is useful for dealing with any little canine "accidents".

deborah007

Hi all

this is a really helpful post so thank you for all your contributions. We are in the process of designing our kitchen re-fit for later in the year and this has made me consider lots of things that we hadn't previously thought about.

We are trying to keep it simple with cream units and pull out larder cupboards/drawers but now I am having second thought about the larder cupboards. My sister has one and has no complaints so hopefully we will be as lucky.

I am concerned about the worktops as we had settled on wood - we do tend to do a far amount of cooking in the cast iron cookware so we will need to consider this.

Much food for thought :-D

Thanks all

D x

Andypandyboy

We have a larder cupboard and it has been great. They hold a lot of stuff. The only thing I would say is that if you have a spillage through the shelves from an open packet it is hell to clean up as you can't get to the back of the unit without taking everything out and removing it.

Every time it happens to us we say will put a liner on the shelves, inevitably, we forget!

DigForVictory

Um, no disrespect but how old are you - as what you set up may be what your senile mind remembers? So make sure it's reasonably logical/easy to mimic elsewhere?

Cupboard doors need to be slab or switchable for curtains - either way they're *loads* easier to clean! Handles - pick for ease of cleaning alongside ease of use & if they look 'odd', They're a Feature...

+1 for carousel things for corner cupboards - just buy the heavy rated kit.

THICK wood worktops, oiled & sanded as needed, but with slate/granite either side of the cooker. Saves playing "hunt the trivet" with a hot pan in one hand. Yes, not 100% fuss free but lovely wood repays the work. Or collect trivets?!

Rig storage to suit arm length/reach, so you may find the pull out larder handier than full worktop depth drawers? Although caveat about being hell to sort if they come unstuck utterly reasonable!

To ease dusting high shelves & unit tops? Line/paper with greaseproof paper At Once. Whenever your conscience moves, replace the greaseproof... In fact, if in any doubt, slap layer of greaseproof down first & review a month later.

More plug sockets than you have so far thought reasonable. Incorporate them in any tile design, perhaps? Need not look gruesome, mean you can use gadgets Anywhere around worksurfaces.

Plan somewhere to chuck squelchy rubbish Immediately - do a mental walkthrough of that nice cup of tea & *where* does the teabag go? Then decide it you empty it daily (small undersink size bucket) or not & if you recycle & if so How & Where? Bins will stink. How easy is the inside of that cupboard going to be to clean?

+1 for a radio plinth (and socket!)

+1 a chair (one minimum - it is nice to Sit to Chop...)

+1 for laundry & animal food/watering out of main path if possible. (Teenage sons desperate for a fried egg sandwich can inadvertently bump/step into Everything they ought not.)

+1 for a God Help Us cupboard into which the meters, mop bucket, mop, and Awkward Long Things get stuffed. We have the boiler in ours, and a healthy collection of bags we use for kitchen rubbish which are not bags for life!

All the best!

janb5

What are` magic corners`please?

springdreams

janb5 wrote: »

What are` magic corners`please?

I Googled them and found these

https://www.betterkitchens.co.uk/online-store/appliance-store/browse/type/Corner-Unit-Storage/category/Magic-Corner-Storage/collection/Storage-Ideas/

http://www.diy.com/departments/kessebhmer-rh-magic-corner-cabinet-storage-900-1000mm/1119978_BQ.prd?gclid=COnZxLPc4csCFUORGwodKnYNpw&ppc_type=shopping&ecamp=SEAPLA1119978_BQ&ef_id=Vn2pjAAABVdxRU28:20160327203814:s


https://www.bullerltd.co.uk/kitchen/corner-cabinets/?gclid=CKj_1tPb4csCFUs6Gwodsx4JSQ

CathA

Another vote for wooden worktops here. We've got walnut. we have had to oil it quite a few times but you know when it's right as it has a shine like it's varnished. Beautiful. We have trivets/mats etc by the side of the cooker, mats by the kettle, chopping board on the island but we got them to match the kitchen and they look fab. We have to oil them about once every 3 months or so, very therapeutic. I'd have them over laminate ant time.

Also, have a 'cr4p' drawer, for string, batteries, elastic bands etc, invaluable.

Slinky

Arggh, I've just been through my misc receipts file trying to find anything relating to our kitchen installation, but I can't find them. We have very hardwearing laminate worktop, it's been in 18 years and apart from 1 chip on an edge (done by a lodger 15 years ago, I've no idea how, must have dropped something cast iron on it), it's absolutely perfect still. I'll continue to wrack my brain and see if I can remember what it's called.

My avoids are stainless steel appliances unless they've improved since the lot we had in another house 15 years ago (whilst our lodger was chipping this kitchen), scratched really easily and always looked scruffy. I also loathe gas hobs from the cleaning point of view.

We have a hardwearing tile effect vinyl on the floor, picks up the colours of the units really nicely, is warm underfoot, and very forgiving if you drop things on it - not every plate, mug or bottle has broken. May not be as trendy as laminate, woods or tiles, but suits us.

rosie383

Morning!
Bumping this as we are now even closer to having to make decisions as building work may be starting this week!

Loads of great ideas which have really helped. A couple more questions if I may.

We wanted a gas job as it has always been cheaper to cook with than electric. However we have been told by every single kitchen place that induction jobs are the way to go as Gas prices have risen so much in comparison to electricity. I'm convinced, Dh isn't. Very tempting especially as regards being so easy to clean but does anyone have one? I have already tested all of my pans and apart from one, they will all be fine.

Still can't decide on a worktop. Would like granite but the cost of templating and fitting is prohibitive.


Definitely going for the grey high gloss cabinets from IKEA which we are going to fit ourselves and pay experts to fit the worktop.

Floor...still can't decide. Are having underfloor heating in the extension. Plywood is my choice to cover the downstairs as the floorboards are freezing in winter but not sure if it is waterproof enough for the kitchen.

Let me know your thoughts on these bits please. We are under a bit of time pressure now.

suki1964

Love my induction hob, much more responsive then gas. I've not used my slow cooker since I got the hob super fast boil ( faster then the kettle) and turn right down to barely a simmer in a blink

Oh and so easy to clean


As for floor I have porcelain. Sounds could but it's not really. I don't have underfloor heating but I can feel the warmth of the central heating pipes through it no bother. Plus it looks really good with the high gloss cabinets