Design help for open plan kitchen layout
Hope someone can help! We've been playing around with designs at home and recently got a couple of kitchen companies involved but we're going around in circles and are most probably over thinking everything. I feel overwhelmed and looking for some clarity.
So some of the dilemma’s we’re having are:
1. Whether to have the two ovens side by side or on top of each other?
2. If the kitchen island should be one flush surface or should we try and separate the breakfast bar element from the food preparation area? Where the seating is best given the kitchen is open plan.
3. Where to locate the microwave, in the kitchen island or a wall unit?
4. Whether to have the bank of units on the main wall or the right hand side?
Any advice on things we should change / layout would be welcome.
We're looking to create a contemporary kitchen design which provides plenty of storage and worktop space. I’m not keen on extractors so looking to hide within a cupboard. I’d like 2 single ovens and a microwave, plus dishwasher and fridge freezer.
We want a kitchen island but steering away from having a hob or sink on it, instead we’d like to use it for storage, casual seating for 3 people and for food preparation. Problem is we can’t decide on the best configuration (for the kitchen or the island) so any help would be appreciated!!
I’ve attached the proposed extension with kitchen dimensions, plus some designs which we’re considering. Ignore the flooring and colour scheme on the kitchen designs - that will be the next dilemma! My designs are quite crude and obviously will need to be checked to ensure they meet safety requirements.
Here are some of the ideas we're considering.
Design 1: I like this layout but think I should remove the larder to the right of the oven to create more space around the hob for kettle, toaster etc. Microwave in the island, What do you think?
Not sure about the island design the wood feels too harsh
Design 2: Same as above but with the larder removed and taller cabinet (where allowed). Does this look odd?
What do you think to the island configuration (ignore the hob in centre it shouldn’t be there). . Would one material type look better?
Design 3: With the bank on the right?
Design 4: With microwave housed into a wall unit.
Design 5: Ovens above each other, microwave in island. Quite like this island configuration.
Floor plan
Comments (11)
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Help with open plan living room/kitchen layout
Comments (1)Congratulations on your new Spanish property purchase! Two suggestions to help you plan your space: 1. mark on your plan exactly where ALL water and gas supplies are, to help with planning your kitchen. It can also be useful to mark the positions of other key services - electrics, boiler / heating, etc. 2. cut out pieces of paper to the same scale and shape as all the items of furniture and kitchen units that you want, and play around with them - take photos each time you reach a result that you like. From my experience of working as an architect in Spain the building regulations and permit requirements are quite different to the UK. Things like gas runs are controlled differently and water, especially drainage, are also dealt with differently. Speak with a local arquitecto or arquitecto tecnico, to help you assess what can and can't be repositioned. It looks to me as though moving your kitchen to the right hand side of the plan where you have "dining room area?" marked may use the space better, but this might not work in relation to the services needed....See MoreOpen plan or semi open plan? Floor plan / furniture layout help please
Comments (5)Hi all, Thank you for your comments; I appreciate them! Natasha - the units you have suggested are very much what I had in mind. We will have a shaker kitchen and the media unit would also be shaker style and would have 4-6 cupboards with the TV in the middle with book shelves either side. Part of the reason we kept a partial wall was to make the space more usable. I can’t envision how the fully open plan room will be able to meet all our needs, but I am open to ideas! I feel that open plan would be more impressive, but potentially less usable. With regards to the doors. I do plan to reverse the doors both into the kitchen and family room part, but couldn’t work out how to do it on the app I used for the floor plan. It is a 1920s house and we have the original doors which we are planning to keep. We are also keeping a lot of floor space as when the table is not extended, we still have young children with lots of Lego and trains etc. I plan for these to be hidden in the cupboards at bedtime. J - we haven’t installed the kitchen but we have ordered it and paid a big deposit. Some of the units are bespoke/irregular sizes and I don’t think we would be willing to change this. I have attached a photo of our rendered kitchen plan. Thanks again for your comments. It is good to have other people’s opinions and ideas....See MoreHelp - Open plan layout design dilemma
Comments (2)How about something like this? I would definitely put pocket doors across to separate the front section, it’s so useful to have a room that can be separate. It could be a TV snug or a playroom etc. The middle section I would have shallow storage on one wall and maybe a desk for home admin and just a place to dump mail etc so it doesn’t clutter the kitchen. Or even just a shelf or console there if there isn’t space for a desk....See MoreKitchen Open Plan Layout Help
Comments (6)Also agree with Cannoja, not really space for an island. Maybe replace the table for a round one, easier to manoeuvre around and squeeze in extra chairs. Could even get an extending one. Personally, I’d take cabinets up to the ceiling and box in the extractor for a cleaner look and ease of cleaning....See More- 8 years ago
Just to confuse matters, it appears i missed the image for design 1! Here it is.....
- 8 years ago
- 8 years ago
Exciting and a little bit frightening too as i really want to get this right and have a habit of over thinking everything!
Jonathan as ever your comments are really helpful and thorough.
I really want side by side ovens however the location of the microwave is causing 'friction', I want it in the island other half doesn't. Trying to line up with the other ovens seems impossible and having one above a double oven seems too much visually - aargh! Latest thinking is to hide within the 600 cupboard to the left??
Under mounted sink is a great suggestion, I'll have to investigate what worktops allow for this.
Will also look at wider extractor unit too, suppose that then depends on how that then balances with the other wall units.
We're actually planning to have a full height freezer in the utility, so the kitchen can either be a 70/30 fridge or full height (decision still to be made).
Agree with everything you say about the kitchen island, although would like it large enough so the chairs don't run the full length of the island so that I can get some storage at the back. Something like these for 3.
Essex Townhouse · More InfoIs it design 1 and 5 that you say you favour? (without the glass).
I slowly feel we're getting there it's just the larder oven configuration that the sticking point. Sadly we don't drink coffee otherwise we could line up all 4 appliances beautifully! Any thoughts on these options?
Daisy England