urgent kitchen and bathroom layout suggestions needed

8 years ago

Hi guys,

Sorry to add on to the cries for design help, but since i've been hearing so much about the houzz community, I know that this is the right place for me to ask for some much needed help and guidance.

We've recently bought a flat that needs some refurb (by some, I mean a new kitchen and new bathroom).

Having never owned a place before, and definitely not renovated one, I am daunted by the task of deciding upon the final functional layout for the bathroom and kitchen which I will instruct the builders with.

Bathroom:

I just want ideas/suggestions/recommendation of how to plan the bathroom layout, as I know there is a more functional way to use the space unlike how its currently laid out. Everything in the bathroom is going to be removed (tiles, basin, toilet, shower) and new ones will be installed. We would like to keep the cost as low as possible, and hope to come up with ideas which do not require too much plumbing work - however, this might be dismissed if a absolutely brilliant idea comes up :)

I'm hoping you guys can help me with a layout that works, and which can also accommodate space for a washing machine, which cannot fit into the kitchen.

I've attached the floor plan of the flat that we've bought and also the pictures of the bathroom as it currently is (apologies for the offensive red paint- it was like that before i got there!).

There is a storage that is currently accessed via the bathroom, but we plan to put in sliding doors in the hallway instead, and seal off the storage door in the bathroom.

Kitchen:

There isn't a lot that can be changed, but we would like to fit a fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and of course an oven, in the tiny space that we have - any creative solutions for the kitchen will be much appreciated. To make the planning more difficult, there is a boiler that also needs to fit somewhere, and I have pointed out where in the picture it is currently hidden.

The kitchen is also being completely stripped out, and boiler being moved to wherever is more functional, but again i am in desperate need of some ideas/recommendation/referrals to whom can help.

We have the builders ready to do stuff (planning to start next week), but I am very unsure as to what to instruct them in regards to where the stuff should go!

Please help me! :(

(floor plan with measurements, in case anyone is interested)

Thank you for reading my long essay, and I hope someone can help- like I mentioned, we have the builders ready, but no plan to provide them with (once they're done with the basic plastering etc.).

Featured Answer

PRO

Amber Jeavons Ltd

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hello `Sarah, I think the kitchen is fantastic!!! Please keep it!!! So I have some suggestions.. I think it has some great elements.. The design and colour of the cupboards plus those tiles are really fabulous, also love the floor too.. I'd keep it all!!! The top cupboards are gr8 without glass and your image is very different and dare I say not nearly so interesting.. Maybe you can celebrate the uniqueness of it! Minnie is right to suggest moving the cabinets closer to the ceiling (it has been lowered in part but I would leave it as is) easily done without damage and you can move the boiler in line with them.. .. This is a gr8 idea as it will feel a little more open and spacious.. you could then paint above the tiles a lovely warm chalky white or off white.. and any other wall areas.. It will balance the units out and I would definitely keep the colour the same here top and bottom...

If you don't want to change the current configuration too much and keep costs down, I would buy a free standing chrome range oven like Smeg dual fuel and extractor Aeg angled hood and fit in same place as current oven.. Dualit toaster and kettle Bugatti Vera in chrome.. Angled extractor hood Aeg and a smeg 50's white fridge would be nice here too! With the fridge I feel it could stand at the end of the counter top..

Leave the sink exactly as it is and the boiler too, all you then need to do is put a cabinet shell and door on the front of the opening where fridge was and paint it and the bits of cabinet that are white to the shade of yellow and voila! Anther storage space for the dishwasher. I would move that metal shelf or add another if you like it.. .. Add a polycarbonate pendant Creatures by Nigel Coates which would look amazing with the kitchen.. Also the kitchen is definitely not past it!!! (added that bit after reading the comment further down) : ))

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Comments (9)

Jonathan
8 years ago
unless you are planning on extending the kitchen into the living room you will probably end up with a similar layout. With this in mind is it worth moving the boiler or even ripping out the whole kitchen. Could you get away with changing the worktop and painting the cabinets?

If budget isn't a problem what about moving the shower room? it looks like you have a soil pipe on the left hand wall meaning that you will likely be able to relocate the shower room to next to the bedroom door. The benefit in my mind is that you can then see the main reception and windows from your entrance door.
Sarah Kahn thanked Jonathan
minnie101
8 years ago
I'd go for a U shape kitchen so move the sink under the window. I'd also move the boiler to above the existing sink. Gas hob with hood in the centre of the back ŵall with dishwasher where the space is now. Floor to ceiling units on the right hand side looking at the pic with built in oven where it is now and integrated fridge freezer at the end. I'd go for white units on the floor to ceiling and ŵall units so they're not too imposing with a contrast for remaining base units. I think the ŵall units would also look better at ceiling height. Hopefully that would work and all appliance doors open safely :)
Sarah Kahn thanked minnie101
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Sarah Kahn
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the response!

jonathanb172- I do agree that it should be just a simple job of changing the countertop and painting the cabinets- that's what I thought when we initially bought the place! However, looking at the kitchen now- there are cabinets that are uneven in size, one cabinet (the corner one) is solely used to cover up some old pipes that should be changed anyway. And then there is the dilemma of fitting in a separate freezer (in addition to the fridge and the dishwasher). For the bathroom, I do see your point about a separate shower room, but unfortunately our budget does not allow it- we are willing to spend a bit in order to fit in a washing machine (which was currently in the kitchen- where the empty space is), but would like to squeeze in a freezer there, instead.

minnie101- I did consider a u-shape kitchen, but the windows are currently rather large (ceiling is 2.95 m high and windows roughly 2 m) so that would require a lot more work in order to add an additional cabinet. I've already planned to have higher cabinet (normal functional ones, with a little decoration glass section at the top - like the photo below, so I'm glad I'm getting something right! :)

Custom Cabinet Refacing, Maplewood, NJ · More Info

For the bathroom, I was thinking about refreshing the current layout a bit, like the picture below- and adding a new door right opposite the main entrance door, and covering up the existing one- so that I can fit a washing machine in there instead.

Do you guys think that is a good idea??

Filbert Street · More Info
Jonathan
8 years ago
It seems like your problem is that the kitchen is not big enough rather than the boiler being in a strange place.
If you didn't move the boiler could you afford to move the shower room and therefore create more room for the kitchen?
Ps the look you are going for looks great
Sarah Kahn thanked Jonathan
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello Sarah, Moving on to the bathroom.. I would create a fantastic wet room or shower room.. Wet rooms depend on location and require a lot of waterproofing.. but you can still create a fantastic shower room with the right tray and style.. Fantastic stone tiles... Back to wall/ wall hung loo and sink so they are not touching the floor, and really minimal style of shower..

If you can possibly look at moving the sink to opposite wall and loo round to join it.... Then the other side is all shower.. I like the use of tiles here and you could continue that throughout.. Subway tiles are really hot right now and with a dark grout... look amazing.. Sleek rectangular back to wall sink and back to wall loo... So flooring is free and gives the eye the feeling of space.. Also really clean.. The top is for style of tray and clean shelf idea and the bottom is to show the tiles... 1 plain sheet of glass with minimal metal fixtures is also a nice sleek and stylish look.. :))
Sarah Kahn thanked Amber Jeavons Ltd
PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
Drop mezz ceiling in kitchen to 2.3m then have boiler and extra storage on mezzanine above - will give you extra space below and added long term storage for luggage ski stuff etc etc !
The kitchen looks past it - so agree you should rip it out !
A basic layout can be done at any kitchen supplier or invest in specific design, just to suit you, if this is your forever home !
Agree with your idea about WM and possibly condenser TD stacked in that space off bathroom - doors might clash a bit if you open into hall - so suggest either open into old bathroom space but change bathroom space by adding a wall and new door so it opens after the lobby with laundry appliance . Sorry it's only a brief look in - but I'm really busy this month !!!
Hope it's helped a bit !
Sarah Kahn thanked OnePlan
Sarah Kahn
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you so much for all your suggestions- it has really helped a lot! We've decided to go with an IKEA kitchen, and funnily enough the guy helping us with the layout absolutely loved the kitchen as it is as well! I guess its a matter of taste, but I personally do agree with OnePlan (sorry AJ Interior Styling!).

However I have taken AJ Styling's suggestion on board about moving the sink next to the toilet.

I will keep you all posted with the before and after pictures when all the work is done :)

Thanks a lot for all your help guys!!!
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Welcome Sarah, and don't be sorry.. It's your kitchen, you must do what you feel is right for you! .. I'm just sorry it isn't mine.. It would have made a fantastic magazine feature. : ) )