Kitchen layout preferences? input needed!

casper_g

Where will you put the kettle, coffee machine, microwave, food processor, massive Kitchen Aid stand mixer (if that's your thing)? In option C, most of the work surface is on the island, but you don't want to be leaving a load of small appliances there.

phil_b_2

SalsaDanca wrote: »

My first thought was that it's a good idea to put all the fridge freezer, washing machine, and dishwasher under the stairs to make a utility area. But do you really want the dishwasher so far from the work surfaces and the cupboards? You'll be carrying everything across the room when you load the dishwasher, and back when you unload it.

Will the island only have cupboards in it, or could you run power to it and put some of the appliances there? It might be convenient to have a small fridge closer to the cooking area, as well as the main fridge freezer.

The chimney is the natural place for the hob. If you put it in the peninsular as shown in picture A, have you remembered that you'll need an extractor hood above it?

The alienated dishwasher is a downside to that one yea. We could put it in the island though so that may be a solution. We will have a wine cooler in the island, which could store milk and creams etc for cooking too.
Extraction at the peninsula woudn't be a major issue. A ceiling extractor could go above and extract at either side.

Doozergirl wrote: »

For me it's a no brainer. Big island.

I hate corner units, they're useless.

Peninsular will reduce flexibility in the dining room too.

I thought that the peninsula kinda defines the spaces, but know what you mean about limiting the dining space. especially the flow through it.

ic wrote: »

I'd agree to go with the island, and avoid corner units. Try and put your dishwasher close to where you will store pots/pans/plates/bowls/cutlery/etc - after all you want to be able to open the dishwasher and easily transfer everything to where they have to go without putting in the miles.

Could the hob go on the island with a hood above? I assume yes given you put it on the peninsular.

That'd free up space in the chimney to have more cupboards - or perhaps have wall mounted ovens (you haven't indicated where your oven is - is it a range in the diagrams?).

The hob could go on the peninsula yea, with eye-level ovens behind. I'd considered this and shall mock it up!
Original plan is a range cooker in the chimney.

System

EssexExile wrote: »

And there's me thinking a practical workspace was the main idea.

what's not practical about it? you've got loads of room for prep on the island right where you want it close to the cooker and the sink - no point in putting in loads of units to make the space over crowded and feel cramped, if anything option c has the most practical space as noting is tied into corners

phil_b_2

jonnygee2 wrote: »

A) For me is out, especially if there are kids - I'd worry that moving hot pans in between the hobs and the sink (e.g. to drain them) I'd likely collide with someone.

Is better. Lots of cupboard space, but

C) Looks like the best kitchen for me. The sink is right by the cooker - where I like it as often need to move between the two. The area behind on the island can be used for prep work, giving you one long working space to use. Plus, bigger island and a more open look through from lounge to dining room.

So another vote for C.

Transporting water across the traffic area is certainly a concern. I'm not a fan of that part either. My main draw towards A) is that the hob is more in the dining zone than the lounge zone.

casper_g wrote: »

Where will you put the kettle, coffee machine, microwave, food processor, massive Kitchen Aid stand mixer (if that's your thing)? In option C, most of the work surface is on the island, but you don't want to be leaving a load of small appliances there.

All fair points.

Microwave will be at eye level next to the fridge freezer. We only really zap microwave meals, which would come straight out of the fridge/freezer and make their way to the island to eat.

The kettle could easily go over there too. We don't have coffee machines and use an espresso maker or cafetiere quite a lot.

Processors and mixers etc would be in cupboards and come out every now and then, but make their way back to cupboards after.

phil_b_2

Ok, how about this one. Dishwasher moved over to sink for better functionality with washing, draining, putting away etc.

The kitchen work zone becomes the upper-left area which seems practical.

That corner unit should be fairly easily accessible with a double hinged door on the 400mm + 300mm units, opening it right up when needed.

Typhoon2000

Definately big island. So useful to have a large work space where every thing is at hand when cooking or laying out food. I would put the dishwasher under the Island next to pan drawers for stacking plates/ pots and pans. Full height cupboard ( or what ever fits under the stairs) where the dishwasher in the plan with an appliance garage from toaster as other small appliances.

phoebe1989seb

Not a fan of peninsulas and definitely not plan A, so another vote for the big island. We much prefer prepping food centrally as opposed to around the perimeter so a big island has worked for our requirements in several kitchens we've installed, including the one we're fitting currently which has a 2.6 x 1.2m island. Our dishwasher is on the perimeter, close to the sink which has a plate rack over so plates can go straight from washing to putting away.

pinklady21

Why make the main kitchen a U shape, with another peninsula between the kitchen and lounge? Would divide up the space, which you may regard as a good thing, or may not!
Let us see a pic when it is all finished.

dharm999

This may be completely stupid, but have you thought about changing the layout completely so instead of lounge, kitchen, dining, it is kitchen, dining, lounge, so the lounge looks on to the garden ( I assume). That would give you more of a regular space for your kitchen.

You could put a sink under the window, and as the current kitchen area has a bit of a problem area under the stairs, you could have built in storage there in the new dining area, make the most of the awkward space.

I like the idea of a big island and you could still have that.

missile

It has to be 3 for me :beer:

Lets see some photos