Thoughts on best kitchen layout

bargainhunter121

We have been to several places to get ideas on the layout of our new kitchen. Must haves for the layout include an eye level oven and if possible a freestanding fridge freezer (small American style). The layouts we have been given are; 



and 

In the second layout the hob is on the island and oven/fridge on the wall behind. We think the second layout is neater but I’m not sure if there’ll be enough worktop space. Opinions appreciated.

goldfinches

How many people are you catering for on a regular basis and do you prepare and cook food from scratch?
What total food preparation area do you have now compared to suggested new areas?
Is the amount of storage suggested above the same as or more or less than your existing layout? If it's less have you worked out what you will be either doing without or stowing elsewhere?
I assume the new fridge you want to have will increase your fridge volume so can you comment on how much additional fridge and freezer space you'll be getting as that needs to be considered too. 
Where are you going to put your washing up? I don't see anywhere but in the sink which means you really need a second sink for when you're trying to wash salad/veg etc. and the first one is full of dirty crocks.
I've found that when I got a new fridge freezer at the beginning of this year that I increased the variety and type of dishes that I could make because I was able to store both more raw ingredients and more finished portions.
The other big difference I have made to my kitchen this year is to clear and keep clear the work surface space by rejigging storage, windowsill herbs, shelving etc.
I would go so far as to say that additional work surface is the best thing you can do to help yourself in the kitchen, life is so much easier when you are not always juggling for somewhere to put a dish or pan down.
Anyway those are my preliminary thoughts and others will be along soon.

EssexExile

It's personal choice but we've always preferred a peninsula/breakfast bar to an island, plenty of room to move around each other. Hob on or near an outside wall for extraction, dishwasher under or near the draining board. No 1 looks great!

We found last time we did it that some designers listen to what you want and work around that, others work around getting as many flash ideas in as possible.

bargainhunter121

We are soon to be a family of four, and the odd time our parents would come round, we’re not big into entertaining to be honest. Recently with the baby I have been preparing food from scratch a good bit more and expect I will do so for the considerable future. 

The new fridge would have a capacity of around 300l. Both designs include an integrated slimline dishwasher. The left side near the window is where our gas boiler will be (inside a cupboard). Initially I liked the island design As I thought it looked neater in the room, all appliances on one wall, but now I’m thinking workspace wise it may not be enough. 

At the moment our kitchen is u shaped but not a great layout as there’s an integrated fridge against the right hand wall, the washing machine is beside it and currently the door is beside the window (the new kitchen will be in a new extension) so currently it’s difficult to open the back door due to the location of the washing machine. There are few sockets which limits the workspace a bit and we have quite a few appliances on the worktop (toaster, microwave, air fryer, coffee machine and Tommy tippee prep) which doesn’t leave much space. 

Rosa_Damascena

EssexExile said:

It's personal choice but we've always preferred a peninsula/breakfast bar to an island, plenty of room to move around each other. Hob on or near an outside wall for extraction, dishwasher under or near the draining board. No 1 looks great!

We found last time we did it that some designers listen to what you want and work around that, others work around getting as many flash ideas in as possible.

I was going to suggest the opposite - I thought peninsulas were discouraged for cutting the room in half? Can be far more flexible with tables in the space if there isn't one jutting out.

bargainhunter121

Also forgot to mention the kettle too, lol. The island design includes a larder on the left hand wall which may help with storage a bit. 

getmore4less

Slimline integrated dishwasher more expensive and less choice, better with a full size.

3 corners on layout 1, difficult spaces to use without expensive internal fittings. 

Marmaduke123

I see the point about the corners. There are good internal fittings now though, even if expensive. I agree the dishwasher needs to be full size. I don't  like the island design. Difficult for two people to move around and pass each other, and it slightly obstructs the garden access.

Looking ahead a couple of years, you will have two small children possibly chasing each other round the island, and wanting to go in and out of the garden through the back door!

bargainhunter121

We only thought of a slimline one as we were told by one designer we wouldn’t have the space for a full size one. I get what you are saying though about the garden access with the island layout. We were also told by 2 designers that in the right hand corner (of design 1) the cupboard would be difficult to access with the oven or fridge there. The only reason I wanted an eye level oven was because I have arthritis in my spine and neck so to future proof things I thought an eye level would be easier accessed for me. 

B & Q had initially suggested for the oven to be beside the breakfast bar on design 1 and the fridge to be in the top right corner, but two other designers said it wasn’t viable/ a bad idea. Google reviews have also suggested that the B&q designer in my local store had got the measurements wrong so I lost faith in their design after reading that. 

Doozergirl

What's happening in the empty part of the room?  If there is a dining table, I'd say it was essential to keep it in the design with correct dimensions so that you know you can move around it.   We can't actually see how big it is and you need to deal with the whole room, if not the whole ground floor when designing a kitchen!  

The peninsular design doesn't leave decent room for a table.   It's also absurd to have a room like that and to be told you only have room for a slimline dishwasher, which is a lie. That design is awful.  Just to look at, there's zero symmetry and it's just cupboards put in a room.   It uses zero design knowledge or skill.  Go somewhere else, please, because that design belongs in a bin.  

The other isn't ideal - I think people
worry about hobs being too close to people sat at an island and so 1200m is the acceptable depth of an island with hob.  I can see what they've done to mitigate, but it's a little awkward.    The hob could move to the wall, perhaps.  

You could also consider an L shaped kitchen with a great big central dining table.   

It's important, in my view, to minimise corner units - they cost an absolute fortune, they start to dictate everything that is able to happen between them and they make a kitchen look old fashioned - look at all those mismatched wall
units!

If you're going to go with lots of corners, at least let the units on the long wall have symmetry in between the corner units.  That run should be smaller to accommodate a dining table, but the peninsular can also be longer.  

Can't we just move the back door?!

bargainhunter121

Hi doozergirl. I will attach another image for clarity. Yes there will be a dining table which will be where the current kitchen is and a wall knocked down in between our existing kitchen and living area. I’m not sure if the door can be moved unfortunately because there will be a retaining wall along the back of the kitchen as our garden is on a bit of a hill. If I get a minute today, I’ll measure the front living space also.