German Kitchen For A Small Space

SisterMichael

I would really appreciate your experience and opinions on the following:

We have a tiny kitchen in a large(ish) flat. It is currently a 20 year old galley shaker-style in a 4.2m x 1.9m space. I care for my mum in the flat but we used to have carers who did the bulk while I was at work. I am trying to get back to work so we will need to get carers back in again to share the care work.

Trouble is, the carers we had before essentially destroyed the kitchen, so we are trying to put something in that will be bomb-proof and durable.

We had been thinking gloss handleless (so that it is easier to clean) in light colours (lighting is an issue) with wall units to the ceiling (storage is an issue) and with clever smart storage solutions to make it extremely functional.

DIYK were our first pick, but then someone sold me the idea of a German Kitchen as more robust, clever storage solutions, customisable etc.

I have since gone down a bit of a rabbit hole and am now confused as many on the internet suggest there is no difference in quality and that a German Kitchen would be wasted on a space as small as ours???

Would be very grateful for your thoughts and opinions, particularly if you have a small space with a German Kitchen in it!

FreeBear

SisterMichael said: Trouble is, the carers we had before essentially destroyed the kitchen, so we are trying to put something in that will be bomb-proof and durable.

If you want bomb proof, then industrial stainless steel is the way to go. Expensive !

Not sure a handleless will be any advantage - If anything, more likely to suffer from abuse. If you used a plain & simple handle, the doors/drawers would still be easy to wipe down.

travis-powers

We have gloss handleless and finger marks are a nightmare and that’s with us being careful!
 

tacpot12

I'm not even sure what a German Kitchen is. I've googled it, and it doesn't look like anything other than regular kitchen units. Can you point me to a website that explains the "German Kitchen" concept? 

Ultimately, the longevity of the kitchen will come down to quality and hardness of the materials. I've had a gloss kitchen with chrome (plastic) handles and while fingerprints and other marks were a problem, the material was very hardwearing and cleaned easily. 

I am inclined to think that handleless will be as much of a problem as the other commenters. It might drive the carers mad though - I find it less easy to grip the pull channel on handleless styles.

Galley-style kitchens don't offer a lot of choice about layout, so looking to maximise the space used on the two long walls is a good approach. I would not invest in any solution that is too clever. The carers might just be frustrated with it, unless they are already used to such a solution.   

BarelySentientAI

As far as I remember - and my parents chose a "German" kitchen last time around (from Kutchenhaus, but I think they're only the supplier) - it's just perceived as a higher quality of build and finish, with more clean/functional designs than traditional aesthetic.

The same thing happens in bedroom furniture - "German wardrobes", which are just IKEA flatpack but stronger and double the price (Rauch and Wiemann as examples).

Unless someone knows different of course, I could have misunderstood.

MysteryMe

Be interesting to get the views of landlords as to what route they go down when it comes to kitchens that are likely to be "abused"  especially in short term let or student type accommodation.

Or possibly think about units that are less fitted so if one does get trashed you can easily take it out and replace. Instead of wall cupboards have open shelving, that kind of thing.  Maybe something like the IKEA Enhet range.  

FreeBear

MysteryMe said:

Be interesting to get the views of landlords as to what route they go down when it comes to kitchens that are likely to be "abused"  especially in short term let or student type accommodation.

A lot go for Howdens along with cheap & nasty Lamona hobs/ovens.

travis-powers

MysteryMe said:

Be interesting to get the views of landlords as to what route they go down when it comes to kitchens that are likely to be "abused"  especially in short term let or student type accommodation.

Or possibly think about units that are less fitted so if one does get trashed you can easily take it out and replace. Instead of wall cupboards have open shelving, that kind of thing.  Maybe something like the IKEA Enhet range.  

Used to fit kitchens for housing associations was always good quality units, cheap doors and worktop with salmonella joints so could be changed cost effectively.

FreeBear

travis-powers said:

MysteryMe said:

Be interesting to get the views of landlords as to what route they go down when it comes to kitchens that are likely to be "abused"  especially in short term let or student type accommodation.

Or possibly think about units that are less fitted so if one does get trashed you can easily take it out and replace. Instead of wall cupboards have open shelving, that kind of thing.  Maybe something like the IKEA Enhet range.  

Used to fit kitchens for housing associations was always good quality units, cheap doors and worktop with salmonella joints so could be changed cost effectively.

By salmonella joints, I take it you mean those nasty plastic or aluminium strips. With a decent router & jig, it takes very little time to do a proper mitred joint, and looks a world better. There really isn't an excuse nowadays except for a landlord trying to save a few pennies (and what else has he skimped on).

Eldi_Dos

I always think long narrow kitchens look better if all the units, with the exception of oven are kept below worktop level, gives a better appearance of space and if need be a couple of matching shelves can be put up for things you like to keep to hand.

ka7e

I have a matt painted kitchen from DIY and it is very easy to cleanwith a quick wipe over with a soapy cloth. Go for deep drawers rather than cabinets. I have a great tall unit that has 4 deep drawers with 2 shelves above - it stores all my crockery, serving dishes etc and is also a pantry https://www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/tall/internal-drawer/600mm-1970mm-x-600mm---tall-larder-with-internal-pan-drawer---1-door/wp2031633/