Kitchen Design Dilemma

6 years ago

I have recently received two designs for my new kitchen, plan 1 is very similar to what I already have, except the addition of the peninsular so feel I am not gaining much from this design. Second design is an island which whilst probably suits the shape of the kitchen better (and in all honestly is my preferred design), I am worried that the width of the kitchen is too narrow and I will ultimately regret going with this design because I wont have the 1m distance around all sides of the island. The room measures 7.13m x 3.13m. One end of the room is very dark due to little natural light. There is no table required in this room due to the dining room being attached. Any ideas on the design would be gratefully appreciated.

Featured Answer

Jonathan

6 years ago

I would investigate taking the dining room wall out to allow for a slightly deeper island.

If removing the wall is not possible I would have the island design, swap the American style fridge for an integrated larder fridge and an integrated freezer plus one larder cupboard (or two 70/30 fridge freezers) in my opinion this not only looks better but gives you more space.

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Comments (11)

bookworm987
6 years ago
I think the island makes better use of the space available. You don't really need a metre space behind it when there's no units on the opposite side. The wider end for seating is a lovely feature.

However I'm really puzzled by the distance between oven and hob, with the sink in between. Logistically, shouldn't all cooking happen in one area? I would look at swapping the oven with the fridge/larder- it would give an easier flow to food prep and cooking.
ShonaR thanked bookworm987
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Hi Doron, The design works well and usability is great, with the island serving as a work point from fridge, oven, hob and sink. If you are worried about walking into the view of the side panel to the left, is there option to move the door further into the room? you could then think about an open shelf unit next to the fridge freezer. If budget would allow, you should consider adding end panels to the sink run, otherwise you will see down the side of the handle trim. You could use either door material or wrap the worktop around. Also there is a comment on the plan which reads, 'Future oven position' what is this in reference too? Hope this helps, Daniel
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Hi Thank you for the lengthly post with lots of inspiration...I'm yet to look at everything in detail, but I've skimmed through and taken a look at the images... I just haven't got round to creating ideasbook ; I must admit, when I first started using houzz, I didn't realise ideasbook was where I could store all the images I liked so I was screenshotting the images to save onto my gallery for future reference... which is only useful for myself, not others who would like to give advice, unfortunately. I quite like the copper-bronze kettle, I'd been deliberating a while as to what kettle to get and I think the copper may be the way to go... I like the use of plants and bold colours as you've suggested. For someone taking a dab, you've got a lot of stuff on there to my taste, (all the wooden elements) but I feel that the space already has an overpowering sense of wooden colours textures with the flooring, splashback and work surface so want to add something different to create a slight contrast, hence thinking of bold bright colours. I have considered a breakfast bar on the window wall, opposite to the kitchen with colourful stools (I'll attach an inspiration image, which again, I unfortunately screenshotted in place of saving to ideas book). I think I will start an ideas book so I can get advice more suited to my style instead of making people guess. For blinds, I was thinking either horizontal or vertical blinds... I'm not a keen fan of roller blinds as they don't give that in between stage where you want light to be coming in but you also want that privacy factor. I do quite like the light fitting, it's sort of contemporary, industrial but does it hang low...we are a tall family and wouldn't like to knock in to it. Thank you for all your help Minnie...highly appreciate it A x
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Why not have an oven under hob and One under microwave too ?
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The 2 windows are they same or being replaced by patio doors to garden? If so, which is a door? If not doors, I'd want the windows to be the same for cohesion in the space. Maybe a layout like this, banquet bench type dining area could maybe work?
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PRO
Caldicot Kitchen & Bathroom Centre
6 years ago
Hi Shona,

To be honest, I'm not that impressed by either design. The first is rather bland, and the peninsula seems awkward and wastes a large amount of space. And while (when pushed by clients) I have designed/installed kitchens with islands with less than 900mm space around, the overall layouts have still worked ok. When I look at the John Lewis design, it just doesn't gel for me - oven & hob separated by the sink; American F/F jutting out and liable to be awkward when people are sitting at the island; and an island which is so narrow and long, it'll seem, I think, weird and make the space feel long and narrow.

My initial suggestion would be to start with the broad outline of the first option, but ditch the peninsula and end the units in line with the tall units opposite. This will then leave a lovely, large, squarish space in which to put a more substantial island while still having plenty of room to move around it and, if desired, incorporate seating - up to 4 places could be comfortably achieved. This will keep the main prt of the kitchen open & easy to move around, provide more of a "feature" from the island, and overall give the impression of it being less of a long narrow space.

Given the dimensions, I'd want to play with this a little before making final decisions, as the width is just a hint narrower than I'd like, but a good designer should be able to give you lots of options more inspiring than the current 2.

Caldicot Kitchens
PRO
PWJ Architects Ltd
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Good morning Shona,

The distances between the hob and tower appliances on the second plan (oven, microwave and warming drawer) are particularly large and we'd suggest these items be closer together so that cooking isn't as much of a task.

Where is the dishwasher situated in this design as well?

We see that each unit has been referenceed with a number, would you be able to upload a photo of the notes or an indication as to what each number represents?
ShonaR thanked PWJ Architects Ltd
ShonaR
Original Author
6 years ago
Many thanks for your response, it is much appreciated. The dishwasher is number 7 on the plan.

2&3. Tall Housing for oven and compact appliance

4. L shaped corner unit drawers

5.Bin unit

6.Sink

7. integrated dishwasher

8,9,10,11. drawer units

11. Drawers

14 Larder Unit

15, 16 integrated fridge and freezer

17. Larder unit

19. worktop standing roller shutter unit

21,22,23,24. wall units folding doors

Any numbers I have not mentioned are down as matching sides required.

Once again many thanks for any advice you can give. This exercise has convinced me that both designs are not quite right and I need to spend more time on this to get the best possible design.
Joshua Simpson
6 years ago
If you can't/won't get rid of the wall, there are ways to make it seem less 'dissecting'... This case study is a good example. It might blend the areas more, if that's something you want. I don't know, I'm just an amateur.
ShonaR thanked Joshua Simpson
ShonaR
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you, our kitchen used to be a kitchen diner, but with the addition of an extension which now houses the dining room and sitting area, this area of the kitchen just feels like wasted space. I think by trying to make it into just a kitchen is whats causing the issue, it just feels too long and thin. Your example of blending the areas more has me thinking. I liked Caldicots Kitchens advice earlier of starting with plan one and ditching the peninsula and ending the units in line with the tall units opposite. However I don't think I would put an island in the remaining area as I do not think it would be used enough. So now I am trying to think of what I could in this area instead and bring the two areas together.
A B
6 years ago
I would go more for the John Lewis design, with an island, possibly movable, but consider ending it a bit earlier then having a couple of armchairs instead overlooking the garden
ShonaR thanked A B
ShonaR
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thanks Jen, I like the idea of the moveable island, as the room would only just fit having an island being able to move it might be a good option if I want to push it up again the wall sometimes.
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
I don’t like to critique another’s designers work - I will if I see something dangerous.
With kitchen furniture there are always lots and lots of options - never just two or three*- keep exploring until you find the design that suits you completely, as not only is it an expensive investment - you will need to live with it for a long time !

* we usually supply an initial sketch PDF of 3-5 sketch layouts for most of our independent designs with an A service
PRO
Lumen Designers Limited
6 years ago
How are you going to light this new space? I can see 3 x pendants maybe? Nowhere near in the right place or enough light? Have they done you a lighting plan based on under-cabinet lighting, illuminated shelving, downlights and pendants? Just asking but you need this for your first fix stage...

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