Kitchen Planning Advice

Danny30

Hi all, I am planning a kitchen using a 3D planner on DIY kitchens and have 2 options and can't decide on which one looks better. It is a very small kitchen so trying to get the most out of it. Had to add a double oven as need it. I can't decide which side to put the hob. Any advice would be appreciated as I am absolutely fed up with trying to get things right.
This is first option with cooker on the window side wall.
https://ibb.co/fqmYWWJ
https://ibb.co/CwJLKVd

I am worried that with a small kitchen the second option where the hob is next to the double oven will make the kitchen look cramped as there would be no surface space on that side.
https://ibb.co/x3NHgQD
https://ibb.co/wgSLbk4

Wkmg

I don’t think there’s much in it. Go with your gut. 

Silvertabby

I  prefer the second option.  There's room next to the hob for the kettle/toaster etc,  leaving the longer worktop next to the sink for food preparation. 

The first option looks 'bitty'.  And putting the washing machine next to the hob isn't good. 

blue_max_3

A deciding factor may be where the existing services are if you've not got a blank canvas. Also, I personally prefer to vent to an outside wall above a cooker. Though to be fair, I rarely use it anyway.

FreeBear

A hob should be fitted so that there is a minimum of 300mm each side, 500mm is better - This gives you space to turn the pans so that the handles are not sticking out to the front (important consideration with small children around). Having the hob on the window side gives you that room. It also leaves the work surface next to the ovens free to put hot dishes down (with a trivet or cork mat underneath).

On the other hand, you appear to have the window side worktop encroaching on the doorway - If you may have to get creative to allow the use of a full width worktop or go with slimmer base units. If you can get rid of the wall units, it will make the space feel much bigger.. It is what I did in my kitchen, but then I have an additional utility room for storage & washing machine.

[Deleted User]

Make sure that you can open the doors of all cupboards/white goods as much as you need to.  I had a kitchen installed and designed by people that were bothered about H&S rules but not useability.  Left me with a nightmare with one corner cupboard that will only open 1/3 of the way and a tumble dryer I have to contort to use.  Its social housing so nothing I can do about it.  But check the plan before you decide anything.  I've learned a lot about how not to design a kitchen from this experience.

Danny30

Thanks everyone. We have opted for the 1st option with the hob on the window side as we think the empty space near tehillim oven and when we walk in will be nice instead of having 1 side of the kitchen cramped. 

Danny30

One more question before ordering. Is it better to align all of the wall and base units so they are level and it looks tidy?
Also, because the kitchen is small I have had to use some 500mm units as well as 600mm to make it work, Would it look okay to use different size widths units side by side?. 

Silvertabby

Danny30 said:

One more question before ordering. Is it better to align all of the wall and base units so they are level and it looks tidy?
Also, because the kitchen is small I have had to use some 500mm units as well as 600mm to make it work, Would it look okay to use different size widths units side by side?. 

Do you mean depth or width?  If depth, then the wall units need to be shallower than the base units, or you'll feel that they are about to drop on your head.

Our kitchen is bigger than yours, but we have a combination of base unit widths.  Some align with the top units, some don't.  It's what works best for you. 

FreeBear

Fit the same width wall units over the base units (i.e. 500mm base, 500mm wall). Looks a little neater in my opinion.

Also try balance the layout. In my kitchen, most of the units are 600mm with just one 900mm. So on one wall, I have 600-600-900-600-600, So much better than a mix of 600mm, 500mm, and 400mm that one "designer" threw together. The 900mm unit is fitted with three pan drawers, and all other units are draw line - You can never have enough drawers, but one has to compromise for cupboard space.

AdrianC

Danny30 said:

Hi all, I am planning a kitchen using a 3D planner on DIY kitchens and have 2 options and can't decide on which one looks better. It is a very small kitchen so trying to get the most out of it. Had to add a double oven as need it. I can't decide which side to put the hob. Any advice would be appreciated as I am absolutely fed up with trying to get things right.
This is first option with cooker on the window side wall.



I am worried that with a small kitchen the second option where the hob is next to the double oven will make the kitchen look cramped as there would be no surface space on that side.

I think a lot of it's going to come down to personal preference.

Have to admit, I much prefer 2d floorplans for seeing how a kitchen's going to work. 3d is all very lovely for seeing what it'll look like -  but that's not your question here, is it? Form follows function.

One thing I don't see in either of those illustrations - the oven or fridge. Think about your workflow while you're cooking. You want to be able to move smoothly between hob, work surface, sink. You also don't want the oven right next to the fridge, for temperature reasons.