Kitchen Dilemma

6 years ago

In the Spring I am looking to have a new kitchen - I have been to quite a few different kitchen companies but no one has come up with a design which I love or I feel works!!

I feel I have gone through every possible layout with moving doors, blocking up windows and making windows bigger, I am about loosing the will!!

We are s family of four with two young boys, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I do a lot of cooking so it’s got to be practical and hardworking but also got to look great!!!

The first pic is how it is now - we are removing the wall through to the dining room and blocking up the doors to the lounge (in time we are planning on removing the conservatory and have a garden room so in time a large L shape area).

We are also removing the wall in the utility which has the door (into the utility) so opening it up to one larger utility, with access to garden and garage. This will enable the door from the kitchen to the utility to be moved (if needed) I have had this door moved to many different points along this wall (I feel it’s this area in particular that is my biggest bug bear - wish I could block it up but it’s my only access to the utility and then garage and outside)!!

I would love an island for breakfast and children doing homework and general hangout while cooking is happening (please tell me if you think it’s not possible)??

Second pic shows the dimensions
If you need any other info/pics let me know??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Featured Answer

Monica

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hannah I was in the same boat as you, I knew what I wanted ( basically the Earth LOL) but no kitchen company out there that provided plans managed to come close. In the end I enlisted the help of One Plan and I can honestly say it was the best thing we did. Not only Karen looks at your space she gets to know how you and your family use the space. She came up with genius solutions for our tricky kitchen that I would have never have though up myself and I cannot wait to start building work in a few months time so we can see the dream come reality. What I love most about the process was that you get a set of plans and a shopping list, so you can literally email every single company out there with your shopping list and get them to give you a quote. Its amazing how easy it is once you've sorted out the layout and have that shopping list. I need to mention that I am in no way affiliated with One Plan just a happy satisfied customer that will definitely use her services again in the future. Good luck

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

hannahwelman
Original Author
6 years ago
Pics have come up the opposite way around
Pic 1 dimensions
Pic 2 how it is now
A B
6 years ago
That is a tricky space with so many windows and doors. It might be worth working with a concept planner to look at the whole ground floor and see if they can create a better room to then start planning your kitchen in. Could the lounge wall move back or the hall door move position for example? Good luck! I’m sure your dream kitchen is out there :)
Related Discussions
Cottage kitchen dilemma: Red quarry tiles & exposed stone
Q
Comments (11)
I would think about how to make best use of earthy materials, I'm not convinced the strong blue is the right thing. Is it possible to post lots of picture that show different views of the room? I agree about pale worktops, essential for reflecting light. The other thing to consider is that the floor tiles are quite a strong colour and therefore I wouldn't put too strong a blue in there, rather a duller dark blue/black or softer warm greys.The bottom image with warm greys and small amounts of dark blue/black is lovely. I like Sonia's images, they feel right for the materials you are working with. Here are some more.
...See More
Mum's kitchen dilemma!
Q
Comments (10)
I think the kitchen could be the basis for any style. Your mum could add the style she prefers via a big island, statement breakfast stools/chairs, and open shelf brackets to the left of the window (with objects/books/plants). For example: Island .https://www.maisonsdumonde.com/UK/en/p/white-metal-and-solid-mango-wood-4-door-kitchen-island-cezanne-200120.htm Statement stools .https://www.cultfurniture.com/furniture-c10/stools-c8 Shelf brackets . https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/508012629/reclaimed-wood-made-to-measure-chunky?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_a-home_and_living-furniture-other&utm_custom1=k_CjwKCAjwkvWKBhB4EiwA-GHjFhcT0NKK4VcOFS8nXrM-j8mAUcLRaTZ5gr3-MqjQxOf2IsnCxx_WxxoCle4QAvD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_6479345238_84553837624_380837972544_aud-1184048147899:pla-302633558307_c__508012629engb_117317547&utm_custom2=6479345238&gclid=CjwKCAjwkvWKBhB4EiwA-GHjFhcT0NKK4VcOFS8nXrM-j8mAUcLRaTZ5gr3-MqjQxOf2IsnCxx_WxxoCle4QAvD_BwE
...See More
Where should we place the fridge-freezer? And other kitchen dilemmas.
Q
Comments (6)
@Marina Drobot thank you so much for the thoughtful redesign! It's looks fantastic and we're very tempted to follow it with the masses of storage and kitchen space - however we really want the additional living space. We love the idea of the whole overall space being a communal area, and the living space is a big part of that. Your design is very creative and not something we would have thought of ourselves. Thank you.
...See More
natural colour kitchen dilemma
Q
Comments (11)
We're just doing our kitchen in the same theme, Nordic oak island and possibly stone grey colour cabinets for the run. Have you looked at DIY kitchens? They do bespoke colours but without the massive price tag. We're doing this so then we can afford the Nordic oak island which is a silly amount of money but absolutely love it! We had quote from magnet but DIY kitchens was a third of the price!
...See More
Tani H-S
6 years ago
What's the triangle section between the kitchens and the utility room? Is it a chimney breast? If the door could be moved there instead and left open so that when the kitchen units are either side, it is perfect for taking dishes into. That way you have a full L shape to work with ie units across the utility/kitchen adjoining wall - open door to the dishwasher area (and ultimately the washing area and back door)

The island can go in the centre of the room then with the casual dining space in the current dining area.

We have bi folds on our old adjoining living room which could work better than blocking it off?
Tani H-S
6 years ago
You also use the dining area as the main kitchen body so the back door (via the utility) stays the same.
Solves the issue of all the doors in the way and gives you good wall space.
It depends really what the utility is for ie if you want to put the dishwasher in there or not
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
Sounds like you would benefit from working with the designer - like we do with our clients ! We start with a comprehensive questionnaire and then offer up some suggestions which we then hone into your dream space - keeping you in the loop at all stages.we don’t sell product, just design. Click on my name or icon to see some past projects and reviews on my pro page if you like !
PRO
User
6 years ago
I think a good Concept planner could help you enormously, and they're worth their weight in gold for helping you visualise the space.

I must confess, I couldn't work out your window placements from the plan above, I worked out the doors, but I moved the kitchen window and had one.

Firstly, I don't think the door at the top to the Utility is a problem. I'd keep it, it's a great Utility area and, as you say, leads to the garage.

I think you can fit in a good bank of units to house Fridge, Freezer, ovens, Microwave etc top right.

You can fit in a healthy length of units on the left, including the hob and Sink. You can also fit in a breakfast bar width ( 90cm ) Island and have your stools, without impeding the movement around the kitchen and the entrance in to it.

Longer term - I don't think i'd like the light in the dining area. I wouldn't knock down the conservatory ..........see if it can be amended in to a proper room. You could even consider a sky light?

I'd put a window at the end and bi-fold's on to the garden, this creates a lovely area for a snug. It doesn't change the kitchen or dining area and is just a bonus.
Jonathan
6 years ago
I think you need to explore this further. Great independent kitchen showrooms have great designers or you can employ a concept planner/designer to help you explore the options.
If it were me I would move the kitchen to the former dining area as I feel that when you replace the conservatory the kitchen will be in the heart of the space.
Furthermore I feel that the original kitchen may appear larger but since the doors intrude into the space there is more than uninterrupted wall space in the dining area.
hannahwelman
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for all your comments so far
The triangle in the corner is where the hob is at presents (it’s on an angle).
Yes bifold may be a better option to block off the lounge/dining room or I was thinking pocket doors - not sure how easy these are to install etc?? It’s just we don’t have much wall space in the lounge as have a huge inglenook (which I am hoping to remove (next project)) sometime!

And if I was to keep access from the lounge to the dining area I wouldn’t want to move the kitchen to the dining area and if I did I am not really sure what is the kitchen would suit a dining area?? We use the door to the utility a lot - and I just can’t imagine always walking past the dining area??

I do find it a very difficult space to get everything in with so many doors and windows to contend with - and I thought getting a new kitchen would be an exciting and enjoyable time!!!!
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
Hi Hannah - if the room is only 3800 wide - then the walkways won’t be wide enough to have full depth perimeter cabinetry on both sides and a 900mm wide island. (sorry MATH)
PRO
Zenvida kitchens and joinery
6 years ago
Hey Hannah, if you are based in London I might be able to help. I could come over and measure up your space and provide you with detailed schematics and 3D render, this always helps my clients see the true potential of what kitchen they can have. we also manufacture bespoke kitchens ourselves, so anything you want designed we can make, including bespoke islands with lots of functional peripherals i.e charging dock, hidden drawers.

please see my 3D renders I have designed for my client with the island as a feature piece due to be completed in Feb 2018.

please feel free to drop me an email if you have any questions or need any help.

harriett@zenvida.co.uk

warmest regards

Harriett
PRO
Create Perfect
6 years ago
Hi Hannah,

There are lots of options with your space but I think as mentioned above, you would benefit from seeing a few options. I too would consider a concept planner or designer.

My clients love being able to see their layout in a 3D format with walk around video. It allows them to see how the space actually works and what it feels like to be in the space (how tight walkways may be or tall units look in certain positions). It really does help you to avoid costly mistakes and gives you confidence in your design.

There are a number of pro's on here that offer layout planning (concept planning) so I would recommend getting a few quotes and asking what is included in the package - to see example works. You can then work out if this would benefit you. I think MATHs plan would be tight in places but works well as an option.. it also is a real benefit in completing the in depth brief (questionnaire) which One Plan mentions above, with your concept planner. You know then the plans are created bespoke to you and your needs.

All the best with your project, Gina
PRO
User
6 years ago
Hi Hannah

You have mentioned visits to many companies already. I assume you have chosen one or two of those designs which are the closest to your perfect kitchen. If you share them with us and tell us what you do not like, we may have some additional ideas. If you expect we create something from scratch to match your taste and needs we can spend months and will not be closer to the solution. I can only suggest looking for professional help. I can only provide proper designs for customers the places I have seen or at least I have architectural plans and pictures from the site. Whatever you decide I hope you will find your dream kitchen design.