Kitchen / Diner design advice

ic

In terms of circulation space, you should ideally aim for 120 cm between opposing work surfaces - anything less and open doors and drawers may clash (consider when you're emptying the dishwasher for example - you'll want to be able to walk around it).  90 cm is dooable where cupboards are on one side.  Personally I'd put the dishwasher and washing machine with the sink, it'll make plumbing far far easier.  Placing lots of pan drawers under your island will be useful for plates, cutlery and utensils.  The dishwasher should be central to ease emptying into near by cupboards and drawers, whereas the washing machine can be pushed to the edge of the kitchen somewhere.  If somebody is sat at your island on those chairs, it'll be tight to get around - what about reducing the units on that side to half size, and narrowing the depth of the island, or perhaps relocating the seating to either the left or right side?  What are you planning to put in the metre wide drawers under the sink?  You could put more usefully sized 60 cm units under the sink and either side - plus they'd be uniform in size.

Ballymoney

Thanks ic, you raise some really good issues with my design, especially the clearing required to access the dishwasher (having just tested it in my existing kitchen). 

I’ve come to the conclusion that that design with the central island just has too many issues with it.

SO...I’ve come up with 2 new ones. I like them both and they appear to be more practical than my original design. I’ve attached photos of both. 

The peninsula has the most storage (20% more) but both have far more than my current kitchen. 

Thoughts are most welcome 👍

Ballymoney

I really like the cleanness of the island design but I'd also like to keep the american fridge freezer which i've struggled to fit in. And I'm not sure 1000mm is enough worktop space for the sink and surround?

Crikey, I can see why kitchen designers earn their money! 

scottishblondie

I would go for the peninsula over the island in the 2 new designs.  The space between the wall and the island seems (to me) like useless circulation space.  It doesn't really add anything, as it's not an essential route through the space.

Ballymoney

Thanks Scottishblondie, I think you’re absolutely right regarding the island in terms of wasted space and clearance. I’ve focused on the peninsula design and made a few tweaks.

I think this will be the final design (for now). Knocking through to make the pantry adds so much storage space compared to what we have now and the peninsula allows us to face the garden / socialise with friends whilst cooking. Plus the American fridge freezer can stay. Big ticks all round!



Thanks to everyone for their feedback. It’s been invaluable!

ic

I'd be inclined to put the washing machine by the wall, push the hob up to be central, and then the dishwasher by the sink.  With no worktop to the side of the sink, you may find yourself mopping splashes of water from the floor a lot.  Could the washing machine not go under the stairs?

Ballymoney

The pantry takes up all usable space under the stairs unfortunately. It was a toss-up between a pantry and a utility and the pantry just gives us so much storage space (inspired by the picture doozergirl posted). Regarding the sink, I wanted a decent amount of space between the hob and the sink for food prep but I certainly see where you're coming from.

SootySweep1

Hi
I have to be honest & say I'd hate having the dishwasher and or the washing machine in the island. I personally dislike the noise, washing machines also vibrate alot on their spin cycle. How will you get the water to them?  Are the floors suspended? 
What do you use the living room next door for ? Is there any chance of knocking through & it becoming a living / dining room ?
Could you move the access into that storage into the garage ? and move the washing machine in there and get it out of the kitchen? It looks like you've got internal access into the garage ?
You've got a 90 wide hob that suggests someone enjoys cooking / entertaining ? You ask is 1.9m enough worksurface for sink, kettle toaster etc. Physically probably but think about the flow of people depending on where you put things. You want the fridge with the milk etc near the kettle & the kettle near to water, mugs etc. Otherwise you have people squeezing past when you're trying to cook !
Cheers Jen

Ballymoney

Thank you Jen for taking the time to make all of your points. They’re all valid.

I’m on about my 10th design (now settled on a peninsula, no island) and come to the conclusion that I’ll have to make sacrifices unless we extend.

We use the living room as our main reception (big U shaped sofa, tv, bifolds to garden/patio). Knocking through isn’t an option, we like to keep the kitchen (mess & smells) separate.

I absolutely love my cooking. The hob will likely be the 700 NEFF induction with downward extractor housed in a 800 base unit with pan drawers. In terms of water supply, we’re actually moving our kitchen back to the end it was originally in before the previous owners extended and moved the kitchen. The floor at that end is suspended and moving the water/electricity to the peninsula should be doable. Having the DW, WM, and sink in one section of peninsula should also help with the plumbing.

Sadly we don’t have internal access to the garage. And the boiler is situated on the wall right behind what will be the pantry so we can’t knock through further without considerable cost of moving the boiler. It’s a nice idea but just not viable unfortunately.

I’ll keep playing around with ideas but, all things considered, the design I posted at 11:32am today is the most functional I’ve come up with so far. It’s not easy though 😊

Thanks again for your suggestions, it’s greatly appreciated.

Cash-Cows

I'm one for keeping things simple. I think you've got far too much going on and it's a cramped design. I would get rid of the pantry and create a simple L shape. That will allow much more room for the table.