Final Kitchen Layout - Can this be improved?

6 years ago

So this is the latest kitchen layout for our open plan kitchen/Lounge diner. Apart from changing the configuration of the 300m units either side of the ovens so that they line up with the worktop this is what we're looking to take forward and get priced up. I'd have liked the units to be lower but I'm informed this would not be legal as 760m needs to be allowed above a hob. They'll be 1m around the island

What do you think does this look okay, can it be improved, any glaring functional mistakes?

We've been looking at handless options or possibly a gloss slab with integrated handle. I'd love a quartz top but judging by initial quotes we may have to rethink that.

The colour & style of the units & worktop still has to be decided but we want it to fit with our ideas for the overall colour scheme (below) and light oak engineered flooring which will suit the family needs. Overall, I'd like to create classy contemporary feel which won't date in a couple of years.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

Featured Answer

PRO

PWJ Architects Ltd

6 years ago

Good morning,

Looks like a well planned kitchen. You are correct in saying that there needs to be a minimum clearance between the hob and wall units above. You could have larger wall units either side of the hob and on the other wall, but this depends if you think you'll need the extra space and whether you can fit this into your budget.

With regards to worktops, quartz itself is a good material as it is highly scratch resistant and it isn't porous, meaning it won't let liquid or air pass through and potentially stain. When compared with two other popular worktops such as granite and corian (acrylic) in regards to price, quartz is within the middle range, however that's not to say you can't get a good deal if you look around.

We think the material/texture mood board you have is excellent and you should have fun with implementing it!

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Comments (15)

minnie101
6 years ago
Have you tried the design with a 600mm tall unit rather than the 2x300 and also the upper and lower cabinet widths lining up? I should say I’m useless at kitchen design though and like yours! I’d also personally prefer an L shaped seating arrangement as it’s more sociable
keswing thanked minnie101
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Thanks for all the comments so far. It's a small 2 bedroom "house", approx 700sqft. -Fridge: yes this is one of my concerns too, just unsure how to fit in a full size. -Microwave: I never knew there were corner versions! That could change things! -Glazed doors: very good point, I had thought it might make the kitchen feel bigger and less claustrophic, but actually as you say, could look dated and less tidy. And agreed, sounds good going for one clean style of cupboard doors styles. -Angled cupboard: was thinking of making the most of the storage, but actually gives very little extra, and as you say will look dated, so good point! -Free standing counter: I think that would be a push, but it's food for thought, and potentially a small mobile butchers block might fit.. my main concern is that the front door is right there, so would be a bit hectic/cramped with people coming in and out if there was something in the middle. @Jonathan I think it probably would fit, and I like the idea, but we'd lose the dishwasher, I definitely have a think about rejigging the layout a bit, thanks.
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keswing
Original Author
6 years ago
PWJ architects, thank you for your comments and pleased you think the design and colour scheme will work. I had considered having larger units flank the hob and sink but when i saw it mocked up i preferred the flow that the same height gave.

I need to do research worktops options more but as with everything price is going to be the issue, I've seen some pretty nice luxury laminate but have no experience regarding durability etc, plus i wanted a undermounted sink which limits my options

Minnie101 - I did try your suggestion of replacing the 2 x 300 with a 600 but i like how they frame the ovens and provide different storage options (one will be a pull out, the other a basic cupboard). The configuration of the island has been a source of much debate in our house, and i tend to agree that having one seat at the top end would feel more sociable.

Sunstudio - those worktops look amazing, who does't need a bit of sparkle in theirs lives!
Jonathan
6 years ago
I like this design. Like you I noticed the doors on the 300 cabinets but you are already aware. Like Minnie I also wondered about swapping the two 300 cabinets for a single 600 cabinet which would represent a cost saving. If you did swap these cabinets you could have a larder at the end, two oven towers then swap the cupboard to the left of the hob for drawers so that the horizontal lines flow. I would likely then swap the drawers on the island for a cupboard so that the doors there all matched.

I also noticed that the designer has shown boxing above the cabinets. Obviously there is a cost implication with having this installed- would it be better to have taller units and possibly a small gap?

I was pleased to see the microwave has moved from eye level. Since you have added a warming drawer below consider if it would be better to have one single oven in the island and the microwave/warming drawer at eye level next to an oven....It come down to convenience for you. Personally I think that you will use the microwave and warming drawer more than the second full oven and it would be more convenient at eye level.

The plan shows a slight overhang on one end on the island that seems odd but is probably just an oversight.

The plan shows dummy cabinet fronts at the ends of the island. Is this available? if not you may need to find alternatives.

The plan shows directional spotlights but I worry that you will always be working in your shadow so suggest additional under counter lighting.

Your moodboard is nice. It looks like you have chosen a dark cabinet- perhaps a light cabinet would be better with dark wall cabinets or tall units. In my opinion a matt finish is more contemporary than gloss and more practical for a family. I noticed that the quartz on the moodboard is heavily patterned- in general plainer quartz is cheaper. To help make the worksurface more cost effective you could put the quartz around the heavy work areas of the sink and hob and put a quality laminate on the island. This may mean that wrapping the sides of the island with a worktop may be more cost effective than the dummy cabinet doors shown.

You have shown honey coloured wood floor- in my opinion this is slightly at odds with the contemporary kitchen and a cooler colour may fit better.

Lastly have you already got the dining table? I ask because you will likely buy an additional piece of furniture like a side board and it may be difficult to match that to an existing table and it may be easier to have units that match the kitchen. I would be thinking about a long wide wall hung cabinet at buffet height and then open or glass cabinets above. Try an image search for "wall hung buffet" for inspiration.
keswing thanked Jonathan
keswing
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you Jonathan for your cost saving ideas, and glad you like the design. It's reassuring to know that we're nearly there with our kitchen design, I've been close to pulling my hair out some days!!

I'd heard that a matt finish showed up finger prints more than gloss???

I like your suggestion of switching the drawers and cupboards around. As you say i think that would flow better. The kitchen island will house the additional oven as you suggest, but thanks for pointing it out as the designer should have changed that and I hadn't spotted it!

I hope the dummy units are available as it was the Magnet kitchen designer who suggested them, although i'm liking your idea to run the worktop down the side. I'll check how it compares cost wise.

I actually like the boxing in as reduces the opportunity for dust to gather, plus I thought it framed the kitchen nicely especially if some down-spots were incorporated. I'll check with the builder how much this is likely to add. I'll not be having directional spots as i think they look dated, the designer just added them for some reason.

Yep, dining table and accessories etc are also on the 'to buy' list. I found this design which i quite like if the colour of the unit and floor were different.

Thanks again, lots of great suggestions to consider! Just got to make sure i get a good deal on the kitchen and worktops now.
Daisy England
6 years ago
One thing I picked up on was the fact you have a 400 base into the corner and a 1000 base on the adjoining corner. I'd swap these and jiggle the corresponding units around to accommodate a 900L x 900 L in the corner. By having this it will give you full access to the whole corner area when both doors are open. In your current plan I guess you'll be opening a door on the 1000 base to access the corner which will mean you scrambling on your knees to reach the items stored in the corner. Below are images showing a 900L with the doors closed and open so you can see what I mean. I had these in both of my corners for full and easy access.
keswing thanked Daisy England
Jonathan
6 years ago
If you are shopping at Magnet then you have a budget for a German engineered kitchen and they do handleless well. Consider finding an independent kitchen showroom. Personally I like a Leicht as a brand.
keswing thanked Jonathan
Kenny Miller
6 years ago
Nice. Personally I’d move the hob to the island. Cooking becomes a much more sociable experience when the cook is in the centre of the kitchen rather than facing into a wall. My wife insisted on this when we replaced our kitchen last year and it works so well that I even find myself cooking more often. Admittedly this may not be so child friendly (not an issue for us) and it becomes more difficult and therefore expensive to get extraction in place (we actually dropped the whole kitchen ceiling to give a void into which the extractor could be fitted flush and for external ducting).
keswing thanked Kenny Miller
keswing
Original Author
6 years ago
Daisy England - I like your suggestion for the corner. If i understand correctly if I made this change then the length of units where the hob is would remain unchanged (or would i need to find an extra 5mm?) and along the sink run I would have a 45mm unit and a further 55mm to use somehow. Just trying to imagine how this would work with the above units. I'm loathe to ask magnet to amend the plan again particularly based on Jonathan's latest comment.

Jonathan - I'd feel a bit of a traitor going elsewhere especially as the designer i have been working with has been so helpful. As it stands (which is far too much) i have been quoted just over £16,500 for the kitchen and utility using in the kitchen their highest spec units ID3 and planar doors and in the utility lower spec Luna units and ready built cabinets. Worktops are the top end luxury laminate with splash backs for wall area, or if I were to have quartz it would be about £21,500. We spec'd high knowing we could make cost savings by changing cabinet types. It also includes an AEG integrated hood, Electrolux Integrated hood, Warming drawer, Full Height Fridge, Full Height Freezer, Dishwasher, 5 Ceramic Hob, Combi Microwave and 2 Single ovens. Franke sinks and taps.

I have no idea if this is a reasonable price but nevertheless it needs to be cheaper. In view of this would German engineered kitchen still be an option in your opinion?

The other issue (which I've only really just realised as we had been concentrating on the layout) is that their colour choice for handless is limited.
Daisy England
6 years ago
You'd need to allow 900 on the hob wall in the corner and 900 on the sink wall in the corner. Are you having a ceramic hob or an induction hob? You really need induction for speed, economy and ease of cleaning.
keswing thanked Daisy England
Daisy England
6 years ago
As a thought perhaps if you do go with a 900L you might want to correspond on the wall and that'll be a 600L.
keswing thanked Daisy England
keswing
Original Author
6 years ago
This is the utility room which is included in the above mentioned pricing. Shelves are now cupboards.
Jonathan
6 years ago
I think it is great you have found a designer you want to work with. Don’t worry about pre order changes. Also if you want to add interest you could mix in cabinets from another range perhaps for the wall cabinets.
If you decide that Magnet will never be in budget despite your loyalty to this designer you may still need to go elsewhere. Independent kitchen showrooms have access to a lot of products and can steer you in the right direction. German brands may well be possible but lots of manufacturers make a Jhandled door.
keswing thanked Jonathan
PRO
Haus12 Interiors
6 years ago

Kingswood · More Info

Kingswood · More Info

Hi Keswing,

Just thought I'd share the above two images - it seems to be of similar colour and material to what you have chosen for your palette - your mood board is fab!

As said by others maybe make the 300mm units into a 600mm unit - you will find it easier to use. Another thought is, do you really need all those wall units above the hob? There is the option of not having units above the hob and go with a feature extractor, then maybe increase the height of the units above the sink (if you are concerned about storage) then make a design feature on this wall. Finally, adding glass splashback can bring colour, but also practicality - it's so easy to clean!

Best of Luck
keswing thanked Haus12 Interiors