Need help with kitchen planning in our Victorian terrace flat

7 years ago

Hi!

So - we've just bought a flat and the kitchen is in great need of an overhaul - we've decided to go for an IKEA kitchen because of our budget - the issue is the layout!

So the main caveats are:

Very low sash window!
Chimney breast
Boiler to be moved onto adjacent wall (and boxed in)

The problems I'm having:

Do I run a worktop across the window but not have anything underneath it - and possibly a shallow worktop 400mm instead of the usual 635mm.
Either side of the chimney breast is very shallow 350mm so a fridge freezer would protrude too much if placed there.

The position of the sink, slimline dishwasher (on the left of the sink) & washing machine are fixed and can't really be moved. The induction hob we plan to get can pretty much go anywhere as well as the fridge etc.

Attached are some pictures in it's current state (that door is a "larder" - most likely leaving that there for storage):

IKEA draft design:

Magnet draft design with an integrated fridge freezer by the door which kind of limits worktop space:

Let me know if you've got any suggestions or comments!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Daisy England
7 years ago
My thoughts...
I wouldn't put the washing machine next to the oven. By doing that it leaves you with a straight corner base (in which you have the sink) which means the right hand door will provide you with access to the corner only by crawling on your hands and knees. In this corner try to replan using a 900 L shaped base which means both doors can be opened to allow full and easy access.
A definite no no to the microwave in the wall unit for me. Dangerous to lift hot liquids out of. A sure hazard. Don't forget you'll also be stretching over the worktop to reach this.
Is there any way you can make a window seat in front of the low sash window? It would be nice to see the view while dining. Perhaps a window seat for 2 people a square table and then 2 chairs on the other side? Where the table currently is would you have room for a couple of tall units ..... this could be fridge/freezer, single oven and integrated microwave over or larder unit (that's if you're happy with the window seat idea).
From the outside on the Ikea and Magnet plan you will be able to see the worktop so you could have the bottom of the sash windows with frosted glass. You can buy a film to do this yourself.
Most worktops are only 600mm deep. I know Ikea's are deeper but that's taking up essential space and providing a bigger hangover at the front.
ja3h thanked Daisy England
Jonathan
7 years ago
I have guessed at the measurements but personally I would not go to the expense of moving the boiler but would make a cupboard in that alcove and put the washing machine in there. I would put a fridge freezer in the other alcove and then have reduced depth cabinets against the chimney for much needed storage.
On the door wall I would have a straight run with the sink, oven and dishwasher.
This way nothing obstructs the window.
I have prioritised storage but of course you could have a table against the chimney breast if there is no room in the lounge.
ja3h thanked Jonathan
Related Discussions
Help! Struggling to uniform front of our Victorian terrace.
Q
Comments (24)
I'm thinking off white or a very light grey for the brickwork including the bricked up porch. Slate roof on the porch and wooden door to save money. Dark grey on the fence. And use planting to disguise the current render around the window and to add colour. Pub side, pleaching trees look like a great idea though would need to ensure they don't grow roots into the house. I feel so much more confident now. Thank you all.
...See More
Awkward kitchen and bathroom layout - victorian terrace
Q
Comments (6)
Hiya, Sounds like you could be perfect for out show. Sarah Beeny “Renovate Don’t Relocate” is on the lookout for people who want to transform their homes! Our experts will help someone transform their homes, and the way they use them. Filming is taking place in the Greater London and South area. We are looking for people who have a budget to renovate, update or change their home but want to be sure they get it right by getting advice from a professional. If you would like more details, please email the team now: apply@outlineproductions.co.uk All applicants must be over the age of 18 and be a UK resident.
...See More
Need advice on damp coming through floor on our Victorian terrace!
Q
Comments (4)
If its a solid floor (assuming it is which is probably where the moisture is coming from) then yeah lifting the flooring and some kind of DPC (there are various kinds) will be the solution, and then some kind of barrier behind skirting I think is a technique to help anything not propagate up walls. But an independent damp surveyor is the way to go, if you get a company round who apply solutions they may say you need more done than you actually do.
...See More
Victorian Mid Terrace Extension Advice & Creative Ideas Needed
Q
Comments (6)
Thank you for your comments @drpepe101 and @rosemonde. The kitchen on the new plan is how our kitchen is now, the new plan only includes a small extension to the rear. The kitchen is not actually that dark, the back of the house and garden is SW facing so luckily we do get a good amount of light. It also does not feel cramped but that is due to the fact that it has been badly designed with hardly any cupboards - the fridge/freezer and our food is currently in the 'office' behind the kitchen! So I definitely agree that in order to create a kitchen in that space with all the cupboards we need - it will end feeling cramped. I did really want to take out the wall and chimney stack that separates the current kitchen from the office room behind it. We have had three different architects to view the property and they all felt that whilst not impossible it would be a very difficult job. The wall (which is the original exterior wall) is 2 feet thick and is built from large blocks of local stone, as well as having the chimney stack running through the centre all the way up to the roof. I am now thinking the best solution would be a side return extension either for just the width of the kitchen (sketch attached) which would not require planning i believe as it would be under 6m or possibly a longer side return. I wouldn't necessarily need a separate utility if we are widening the kitchen as i could incorporate a washing machine etc in to the kitchen. I would like a downstairs WC somewhere though. Currently our shoes/costs are stored in the cupboard under the stairs. If we went with this layout i would like to create a better opening between the kitchen and existing dining area and put pocket doors or similar in between the lounge and dining room so we can close off the lounge to make it feel cosier when we want to. Will check out the George Clarke shows! Thank you for the recommendation.
...See More
ja3h
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Daisy,

Thanks for your comment - my thoughts about your thoughts:

I wouldn't put the washing machine next to the oven. By doing that it leaves you with a straight corner base (in which you have the sink) which means the right hand door will provide you with access to the corner only by crawling on your hands and knees. In this corner try to replan using a 900 L shaped base which means both doors can be opened to allow full and easy access.

How far away can the plumbing stretch for a washing machine? Would you recommend to put it in any particular place instead? I understand that the corner cabinet would be wasted space but I can't really think of anywhere else to put it - the plumbing is directly behind the sink.

A definite no no to the microwave in the wall unit for me. Dangerous to lift hot liquids out of. A sure hazard. Don't forget you'll also be stretching over the worktop to reach this.

Good point! My partner isn't happy with that either, she's sure she'll end up spilling something! It's likely we'll get a freestanding microwave.

Is there any way you can make a window seat in front of the low sash window? It would be nice to see the view while dining. Perhaps a window seat for 2 people a square table and then 2 chairs on the other side?

That sounds good - it would not obstruct the window and kind of be like a low bench, I've mocked it up using the kitchen planner (obviously need to rethink the table and doors).

Where the table currently is would you have room for a couple of tall units ..... this could be fridge/freezer, single oven and integrated microwave over or larder unit (that's if you're happy with the window seat idea).

I think if we did the window seat idea - there still wouldn't be enough room on that chimney breast unfortunately.

From the outside on the Ikea and Magnet plan you will be able to see the worktop so you could have the bottom of the sash windows with frosted glass. You can buy a film to do this yourself. Most worktops are only 600mm deep. I know Ikea's are deeper but that's taking up essential space and providing a bigger hangover at the front.

Thanks for that, if we go with the breakfast bar idea - then we will look into frosting the glass. We're on the 1 & 2nd floor so it's not really overlooked.
0
ja3h
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your response - what tool did you use to create that blueprint?

I have guessed at the measurements but personally I would not go to the expense of moving the boiler but would make a cupboard in that alcove and put the washing machine in there.

Unfortunately the room is not that large, the corner where the boiler is (the wall where the window is) only 47cm before it meets the window. The chimney breast sticks out 37cm and the wall between the chimney breast and the external wall is 124cm.

I would put a fridge freezer in the other alcove and then have reduced depth cabinets against the chimney for much needed storage.

I'm thinking of getting rid of the larder and putting the fridge freezer there, although if the fridge freezer goes in the corner it leaves an awkward gap next to it, unless we buy a huge American style fridge freezer, which may be overkill!

I have prioritised storage but of course you could have a table against the chimney breast if there is no room in the lounge.

Our living room isn't huge and wouldn't be able to squeeze in a dining table comfortably - so we'd ideally like to keep this room as a kitchen/diner.
0
Daisy England
7 years ago
If there's room to fit a 900L into the corner and then the washing machine to the left of it like in your last picture that would be better. You'd be next to the sink then for plumbing.
0

Need help with kitchen planning in our Victorian terrace flat

Comments (5)

Daisy England

Jonathan

Related Discussions

ja3h
Original Author

ja3h
Original Author

Daisy England

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Need help with kitchen planning in our Victorian terrace flat

Comments (5)

Daisy England

Jonathan

Related Discussions

ja3hOriginal Author

ja3hOriginal Author

Daisy England

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ja3h
Original Author

ja3h
Original Author