Thoughts on best kitchen layout

bargainhunter121

The living space is 3.33m from the existing wall and 3.3m across. Although if you include the bay window it’s an extra 0.6m. 

Silvertabby

As you already have a decent sized living area, how about moving the dining table and chairs into the 'new' living area - then you'll have room to expand the kitchen into part of the 'new' dining area?  You'll still have room for a family area between the two.

bargainhunter121

We did mention to the kitchen designers each time, we were content to move the kitchen into the dining space a bit more to accommodate. Each time we go somewhere, they don’t seem to deviate much from the architects suggestion of a peninsula design, they say there’s little other options in a room that shape. We’ve been to b&q, ikea, a local independent (the island idea), howdens have yet to get back to us but seem to be thinking along the lines of the first design but did ask if it was possible to move the door and Homebase, which were really bad. Unfortunately we are now running g out of time for a layout decision as they will be starting to dig next week and will need to have a design in place within a month. Showrooms are now closed here and I’m not sure where else we can go. 

davilown

bargainhunter121 said:

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. 

 

Okay, so having a kitchen at the back of the house is great but I think you're missing a trick - that back window should be doors into the garden.
I would block up the new back door and utilise all of the he wall on the left hand side as you look at the plan.  Put an island (with sink and FULL Size D/W on) opposite the new radiator. Don't open up all of the front living room, then there is room for the F/F.  If you do this, it would increase your storage space.  Something like this?

bargainhunter121

Davilown, thanks for taking the time to sketch this out. It does seem to make more sense this way. I’m not sure though if at this stage it’s possible to change the plans, they have been approved by the council but the building control application is ongoing. I’ll speak to the architect once the holidays are over. Just to clarify, you think it would be best to keep the existing living room separate? Do you think there would be much of an increase in cost to have french doors instead?

Doozergirl

bargainhunter121 said:

Davilown, thanks for taking the time to sketch this out. It does seem to make more sense this way. I’m not sure though if at this stage it’s possible to change the plans, they have been approved by the council but the building control application is ongoing. I’ll speak to the architect once the holidays are over. Just to clarify, you think it would be best to keep the existing living room separate? Do you think there would be much of an increase in cost to have french doors instead.

The new doors would be a minor non-material amendment.  You already have permission for the opening so there's no issue turning it into a door.   Asking for the permission is a formality.  

Building Control couldn't care less as long as the components are built correctly.  

You need to get this design right and you have the benefit of doing it before the extension goes up.  The whole purpose of this extension is a new kitchen, so get it right! 

davilown is talking about leaving enough of the lounge wall in just to retain the run of tall units.  You'll have to leave some in for building control anyway so just cut it to accommodate the kitchen unit depth of 60cm.     It's likely that you will have to retain 60cm at the original back wall as well though.  

Don't put french doors in to the lounge - you either open up or you don't.   

davilown

bargainhunter121 said:

Davilown, thanks for taking the time to sketch this out. It does seem to make more sense this way. I’m not sure though if at this stage it’s possible to change the plans, they have been approved by the council but the building control application is ongoing. I’ll speak to the architect once the holidays are over. Just to clarify, you think it would be best to keep the existing living room separate? Do you think there would be much of an increase in cost to have french doors instead?

Anything is possible at this stage provided you're not changing the structural work.  The lintel/steel over the new back window can still be used, and you'll save by not having to buy a new back door as well.  Internal changes i.e. kitchen won't make any cost differences as you haven't ordered it yet.
Where is the boiler currently? you may also save on rerouting the gas if if can be incorporated in the full heigh cupboards.
The french/sliding doors will cost a bit more but you'll save that from not putting in the back door.
Look at the space, and how it's going to work for you (and sorry I don't like wall cabinets!) 

davilown

As for the living room, I'm not entirely convinced it needs to be opened up (at least not fully).  If you're going to have young children, you'll want somewhere where you can see them but they cannot get out of (stair-gate needed of course).  You can get larger ones that span a bigger gap.
Plus having a door/s allows you to shut them when you don't want to tidy it when people are visiting.

Doozergirl

I have a bit of a thing about islands facing blank walls.  If you're going in davilown's direction, I'd consider turning the single door from the hall into double, glass doors so you can at least see through into the house.   

A room of the size probably deserves a grander entrance
anyway and you'll open up the view from the hallway too.  

Oh, and think hard about the boiler position.   Where is it now? Does it really need moving out there of it's going to be a dining area? 

bargainhunter121

The boiler is currently in the right corner of the existing kitchen. I think they wanted to put it in the left corner due to the gas meter being on that wall but I’m not sure.