Help in Brighton! totally fed up trying to design our kitchen

6 years ago

(excuse the crappy photos and the mess in the kitchen!)

Last year we opened up our dining room and breakfast room into one large space that links to the kitchen. We now have enough money to sort out a new kitchen.
The kitchen is a big space, approx 6.3m long x 3m wide. I've tried every which way to get a layout that works for our busy family but there is always some kind of compromise that doesn't work for us. I must have drawn 30-40 options.
We've had kitchen designers come over, an interior designer and an architect and non of them seem to be able to come up with a layout that functions how we want it to.
I've piles of kitchen brochures lying around, I've read endless articles on how to design a kitchen, but I still can't get the layout sorted.

Do I keep searching out local designers and keep paying their fee's? Do I continue inviting kitchen companies round to try and sell me cabinets?

What I really need is a bright young designer with creative solutions and an eye for detail - is that too much to ask?

We have what I consider to be a healthy budget - £20k all in (£5k cabinets, £5k work top, £5k appliances and £5k for extras such as splash back, lighting etc).

Are there any exciting kitchen experts based near to Brighton that might be up for a challenge?
I'd be grateful for any leads.

Thanks in advance

Featured Answer

Claire Nicholson

6 years ago

Hi Richard,

Sounds like you’ve got some great recommendations for OnePlan already but as you mentioned above ‘happy for other suggestions’, I thought I’d pop another recommendation up, as always nice to get a couple of quotes as with anything.

Having been through a very similar process and challenge in the last 12 months, whilst I did also contact OnePlan, in the end we decided to go with Gina from Create Perfect on here.

https://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/create-perfect/createperfect

I can’t recommend her highly enough, she was amazing from start to finish, offering a really personal service and lots of ideas we hadn’t heard from all the other designers we’d spoke with!

Having won several interior design awards in the last 12 months and being one of the ‘experts’ at this year’s Grand Designs she may well also fit your ‘bright young thing’ request.

Hope it helps and good luck :)

Best wishes,

Claire

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Comments (35)

Laura Thomas
6 years ago
I'd suggest contacting One Plan on here. Not local to you, but she works online. Her work looks really good, and lots of people have used her design/planning services.
Laura Thomas
6 years ago
https://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/oneplan/oneplan
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I think you're being way to hard on yourself. The design is a good one, it just has a couple of little flaws. I think the biggest, is that the front of the cabinetry on the left does not match in width with the new wall, and has more potential with a little amendment. If you make the cabinet match the width of the nib wall, all will have more symmetry and I don't think you will notice as much that the kitchen unit on the right is not in the middle of the wall. Make the amendments by measuring the width of the nib wall and bringing the cabinet on the left to the same width. You can also hang the doors from this frame making the cupboard larger and also hiding all contents making it a neater finish. The two ends will now match in width and you can finish the look with a little skirting to make it look more like it was always there. I also think this will cure the cabinet issue in the hall where it butts up to the architrave of the door,. The thin edge of the conti-board looks a little weird going to the ceiling. To finish completely, silicone the ceiling edge and left hand edge of the new cabinet in the kitchen and paint, the gaps are unsightly. I'd see if you notice the kitchen cabinet issue on the right quite so much once this has been finished, i'm guessing not so much. You could, if you are still bothered by it try and centralise the cabinet to the wall, but getting the glass back splash off without breaking it could be an issue. In essence, i think it was a great idea, just needs a little tweak and i think you'll achieve a great amount of storage with a good look. Keep going!
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Hi Veronika. I do think this style of kitchen would suit your room or a pared back version anyway. Rockett st George would be the place for accessories, in fact the disco art is from there as is I think the bar trolley! I like the other design too which would look somewhat different once accessorised. I'm struggling to read the measurements but it looks as if you have the minimum clearance for the island? I've attached this article which may be of some help. Although I like islands that morph into tables I wonder I find the room is wide enough for it to be practical? I think I agree with Carolina and would separate it and add a banquette seat (try angel and boho). Depending on kitchen design I might also integrate the fridge freezer, you should be able to find one which has as much storage https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/10-essential-kitchen-dimensions-you-need-to-know-stsetivw-vs~77166332
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Carolina
6 years ago
I second that suggestion.
belindakor
6 years ago
Don't despair and don't compromise. You have a good space and a healthy budget. I have been planning my kitchen for 3 years and it is finally being fitted now. It's from Handmade Kitchens in Dorset and is really solid. Fingers crossed it works as well as I hope it will.
whizzywig
6 years ago
Any chance of a floor plan with dimensions inc doors, windows, openings and the adjacent rooms? And a wish list. I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice!
Victoria
6 years ago
I third OnePlan. She'd love to be called bright and young ;-)
Monica
6 years ago
This might be seen like a One Plan advert thread, but I am just another very happy customer of their design service. I was like you, fed up trying to make kitchen sellers understand what I wanted and constantly got what they wanted Ie maximum kitchen units badly fitted into the space. She showed us possibilities that none of us thought possible, and because she provides you with a comprehensive shopping list you save more than the money paid for the service by shopping around every kitchen manufacturer. Good luck :)
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
Ahhh thanks peeps !!!

Richard, do get in touch if you'd like me to give you some prices ... it's Friday - so up early and in the office doing renders and creating item lists all day for this week's projects. So will be about until 5pm.

(Bright and young eh ? If you are happy to swap 'young' for late 40's I might be in with a shot ! )
richard1731
Original Author
6 years ago
Wow - glowing endorsements for OnePlan!! Are you all on commission :)

I'll drop her a line - thanks for the lead.

Obviously happy for other suggestions etc
avena001
6 years ago
I’ve never used OnePlan, and have no connection with them...... BUT based off the things I’ve read & seen in Houzz it is definitely my first port of call too.
Laura Thomas
6 years ago
I've never used One Plan myself, but seen her work on here, and great advice given to others.
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
#blushing now !!
PRO
DIY Kitchens
6 years ago
Why not download our PDF kitchen planner and have a go yourself. It really is fun and very rewarding! We also have 100s of Q&As on there that can help you with many aspects of planning your new kitchen.

http://advice.diy-kitchens.com/downloads/
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
If you are doing it yourself. Please get your plans safety checked before you order anything! Stay safe peeps !
LTS
6 years ago
I used OnePlan & absolutely love my (nearly finished) kitchen :)
richard1731
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thanks all for the input so far. I have added a few design options and I'd welcome any feedback.

The kitchen is in a single story extension, measure approx 3m wide by 6.3m long. It currently has a window at the end which we plan to turn into sliding patio doors to give a view of the garden. There is a single door on the side near the end which we might turn into 2.4m wide sliding doors.

Option 1 is probably our preferred option but we are concerned that the breakfast bar will cause a bottle neck at the entrance to the kitchen.

Option 2 is similar but we'd loose the table at the end of the kitchen.

Option 3 allows us to have an island, which we'd like but we are concerned that there isn't enough width in the kitchen to accommodate this layout.

Ignore the windows shown on the south side, they are only slit windows and we're going to move these.

We are a relatively social bunch and often have friends around, options 1 & 2 don't give us anywhere to put friends whilst we work in the kitchen, there's nowhere for them to stand other than to lean against the units.

We're not opposed to funky ideas with the layout.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3
PRO
Grove Design London
6 years ago
Hello Richard,

Sounds like you have a few leads now for help but if you are still looking I can offer you a free initial consultation. I offer a fully online design service and given you have done a lot of the hard work already this would be a good candidate project for online design.

Good luck with it all!

Anna-Marie
PRO
The Kitchen Lady UK
6 years ago
I know how frustrating it can be. But the sad truth is that very few kitchen designers are actually trained. It’s lovely to hear someone who actually wants decent design to get their kitchen to work “for them”. It sounds like you’ve already spent money on design so it must be disheartening that you still haven’t found the perfect layout. However, you do sound like you are so close to finding the right design.

I am a trained designer and offer remote design with as much or as little help as you would like so as to help you control your budget. I tell my clients that I’m like their “magic fairy” because I love making kitchen dreams come true. Have a look at my website and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Www.coveykitchens.co.uk
Victoria
6 years ago
It is a shame you aren't blown away by the design options you have been presented with; I take it you didn't go with OnePlan but chose an alternative instead?
Diminishing Returns
6 years ago
Sounds stressful when it should be so much fun! Just a few thoughts on the plans (in no particular order..)
- I agree the breakfast bar at the entrance to the kitchen wouldn't be ideal.
- There seem to be a lot of cupboards and storage in the kitchen - do you need this much?
- I think the 3rd option could be lovely if there were floor to ceiling windows opposite the island as it would make the space feel wider
- Have you tried putting down sheets of newspaper on the floor where the cabinets/island etc would go as this would give you a better idea yourself of widths and space.
- What about utilising the room in front of the kitchen where the sofa is - Maybe put the table there and a sofa at the end of the kitchen? Or start the kitchen cupboards run in this smaller room and build them around the arch to hide it- would make the rooms feel more like one larger room (though you may prefer to keep them feeling separate)

Good luck with it all and do post the final design!
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
The island one doesn't have enough walk way around - and none of the designs work in harmony with the architectural elements of the room. I too can see why you aren't filled with glee looking at these. :-(
minnie101
6 years ago
I don't know how it would alter the appearance on the exterior but have you considered losing 1 or both of those windows on the right? They don't appear to be adding much in terms of light and could help with the design enormously allowing for tall cabinets on the right. Could you also just opt for 6ft wide doors at the end and perhaps widen the window on the left? Perhaps a small banquette seat could work with a pedestal table and a couple of chairs for socialising (assume you have a formal dining table in the dining room) as obviously they can be moved. This is the architect Joseph Dirand's kitchen, I'm not sure if this is your style but you may be able to find more images
whizzywig
6 years ago
I wonder if you’re trying to get your kitchen to function on too many levels - there’s quite a lot going on. Is there any chance of carving out a small utility area to take the washing maching and some storage out of the equation - maybe where the sofa is on your plans above...? How does the kitchen relate to that room attached, what is that used for?

Try to get back to first principles: the main priority will be prepping and cooking meals - once that’s covered, everything else should follow. I think something along the liines of the kitchen in the photo Minnie101 posted could be a great solution. Good luck!
Lauren
6 years ago
I agree with Whizzywig above, I would want to see the full floorplan and see if theres a way to maximise the space and flow better. Perhaps a separate pantry/utility or moving doorways could help. This is such a narrow space I don't think it's going to fulfil all the criteria you want at the moment.
richard1731
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the continued interest in my conundrum! I'm away working at the moment but will draw a plan that shows how the rest of the space on the plan is being used. Much as we'd love to carve out a utility room its just not possible. Give me a few days until I'm back.

Thanks everyone!!
Lauren
6 years ago
How about this for example? You get an L shaped kitchen, peninsula island for seating, pantry space behind the island for washer/dryer/tall storage. Leaving the other space as the kitchen, leaving the rest as dining/living/office etc space?
Lauren
6 years ago
Sorry that last bit didn’t make sense. Meant this layout would leave the rest of the space as a dining room/snug/office/whatever you need. Hope the illustration showed what I meant.
belindakor
6 years ago
Hi Richard

It would be very useful to see a plan of the total ground floor so that we can see how the rooms relate. When you say you combined 2 rooms does that mean you still have a dining room elsewhere? I like Lauren's idea of extending floor to ceiling cupboards into the eating area if you do have a separate dining room. Don't have a galley kitchen if you don't have to. You will
find your guests resting against the worktops and always in the way. You would have loads of additional storage up the eating end so could have a sofa or a couple of armchairs down the garden end. Now all you need is some extra worktop -maybe you could have an 'L' shaped run of base cupboards so that you would face your friends but at right angles to the other units, providing a bit of worktop so that you would have preparation space for cooking. If you have a galley and your guests are in there chatting they will constantly get in your way. It's hard to describe what I mean, sorry.
Lauren
6 years ago
Roughed up my earlier sketch in the IKEA planner. It should be pretty close to the correct scale.

You could easily fit a much larger kitchen island in but I can't figure out how to do that in their planner. You also have enough space in this scheme that you could make the island a fully floating one and would have the option of rotating it 90 degrees too if you preferred.

The fridge freezer is in the tall cabinet to the right of the sink. I actually think I'd want to swap the sink and hob position round now but can't be bothered to change it again this evening lol. I think in reality you'd want to just box off the awkward bit of wall sticking out by the kitchen island. Or possibly fit some shallow shelves in.

You'd have buckets of cupboard and counter space and given the wall of floor to ceiling units you could get away with a much more open devol-esque scheme in the kitchen itself if you wanted.

Have no idea what sort of style kitchen you were after so just defaulted to my favourite scheme (sorry!).
Lauren
6 years ago
An idea of what it would look like with a fully floating island-
Lauren
6 years ago
Hi Richard, did you make any headway with your kitchen plans?
belindakor
6 years ago
You did a lot of work on Richard's kitchen plan Lauren, with a great result. Agree hob and sink should be switched. Unfortunately it's not my kitchen, but what does Richard think??
Sam Potter
4 years ago
I fourth Oneplan. I'm sure she'll comment on here when she sees this. But do also post a floor plan and youre likely to have Rinq, Jonathan, Carolina, Colourhappy, Sonia and a load of other awesome types offering their ideas. Houzzers are a talented, generous, creative lot. I call my place the house that Houzz built!
Sam Potter
4 years ago
Doh. Two year old post.