Kitchen layout plan

[Chojin]

I'm planning a side return extension for my house and thinking about how the kitchen is going to be arranged. The kitchen will be about 3.8m x 5.2m.

The divide between the dining room and kitchen is still a bit up in the air. It can either be made open plan (at greater expense) or have it so that half is structural wall and half open.

This is a layout of the open plan arrangement. It has an island in the centre for preparation and seating. My thinking was that a lot of time in cooking is preparation, so being able to see people in the room would be good, and avoid any of the compromises involved with having a sink or hob located there.

The triangle is laid out so that the fridge is 1.2m from the sink (minimum distance allowed), so can wash things easily and then take to the island.

A few things I'm not sure about are that my fridge is about 2m high, so having that in the middle of the sink and hob might look weird. Also where to put the kettle, and whether the tall units at the bottom are effective use of space. It probably makes sense to have the dishes near the sink and dishwasher, but it's already looking a bit congested at the top end.

As mentioned the alternative is to have the kitchen and dining room less open plan and possibly a u-shaped kitchen at the top with informal seating at the bottom.

I'd welcome any thoughts on this layout if you have any.

 

[glitch]

There are so many different things you could do with that space I'm not sure where to start. But the easiest tweak would be to put the washer and dryer in the garage and stick your fridge/freezer in that space.

Where are you locating the oven(s) - underneath the hob, or is that meant to depict a range? Where are the windows?

 

[glitch]

Just to expand on my previous comments, I've of the mind that the more non-essential items you can keep out of a kitchen space, the better. And for me, washing machines and tumble dryers should, where possible, be relegated to a garage or utility room where they can make as much noise as they want and not get in the way.

Have you settled on your appliances, yet? What sort of job are you going for? Is your heart set on a range? What are your priorities when it comes to storage space? Do you have a lot of crockery? What small appliances do you own/plan to buy and which of them need to be kept on a worktop and which can be stored away and brought out when they are used?

 

[Chojin]

Fridge in the washing machine position seems like a good call. Personally I'm not a fan of washing machines and dryers in the kitchen either, or at least in plain sight, as I think it spoils the aesthetics. I had thought about putting them in a cupboard in the bathroom directly upstairs, although space is a bit tight there. I don't know how practical it would be in the garage, with it being unheated, and how I'd get stuff in and out without making a mess (white sheets especially). Have you done it yourself?

For cooking I was thinking an induction hob with a gas burner. Ideally I'd like a double oven at eye level to see things cooking.

The windows are the dotted lines at the bottom on the sloped roof extension.

Appliances wise I have a kettle, toaster, large countertop berkey water filter, microwave, blender, slow cooker. These would all be kept on the work surface except for the slow cooker. In the future I might get a fancy coffee machine and a food mixer (which would be hidden away). I don't have much crockery at the moment as my current kitchen is basically a cubbyhole. I'd like to have storage space for a pan set, casserole dishes, baking tins etc.

 

[glitch]

Fridge in the washing machine position seems like a good call. Personally I'm not a fan of washing machines and dryers in the kitchen either, or at least in plain sight, as I think it spoils the aesthetics. I had thought about putting them in a cupboard in the bathroom directly upstairs, although space is a bit tight there. I don't know how practical it would be in the garage, with it being unheated, and how I'd get stuff in and out without making a mess (white sheets especially). Have you done it yourself?

My washing machine is in the garage where I am currently living and has been for as long as I can remember. The garage is not that dissimilar to yours in terms of where it is located with regards to the kitchen and is neither heated nor insulated, but with appropriate pipe lagging and suchlike it has never been a problem.

Providing you can get decent access to the units and have sufficient outlets for energy, water, etc it won't be an issue. And with all the extra space a garage affords you, getting washing in and out is never a problem.

For cooking I was thinking an induction hob with a gas burner. Ideally I'd like a double oven at eye level to see things cooking.

If you can live with induction and have suitable cookware, I wouldn't even think about anything else. I've cooked in kitchens that have a gas burner alongside the main hob and, well, have never really understood it.

Perhaps I just don't cook the type of food that requires a gas burner to be effective, but I really don't see the point. YMMV however!

Double ovens are a godsend though - especially when they are raised off the floor as you're describing. I'm going for a similar arrangement in my new place.

The windows are the dotted lines at the bottom on the sloped roof extension.

The two rectangular boxes, one partially over the island?

If they are going to be your only source of light, consider swapping the location of your sink and tall units around. You'll spend a lot more time at the sink that you might think and having natural light overhead will be far more beneficial than it will be over your tall units.

Appliances wise I have a kettle, toaster, large countertop berkey water filter, microwave, blender, slow cooker. These would all be kept on the work surface except for the slow cooker. In the future I might get a fancy coffee machine and a food mixer (which would be hidden away). I don't have much crockery at the moment as my current kitchen is basically a cubbyhole. I'd like to have storage space for a pan set, casserole dishes, baking tins etc.

I spend enough time cooking in different kitchens to realise what is most important to me - worktop space. The more of it you can have and the closer it is to the hob, the better a kitchen works.

Position your fridge/freezer somewhere it is easily accessible at all times but not such that it compromises on your worktop sphttps://forums.overclockers.co.uk/images/icons/icon3.giface. You really won't spend much time getting stuff in and out of it while you're cooking as you think - or at least you shouldn't, if you're organised.

As for the rest of your appliances, consider an in-built microwave unit to save space and that ought to afford you plenty of options for keeping the other things within reach but not compromising counter space.

For storage, think about what you'll need easy access to and what you'll put away and only occasionally need to get at. I'd go for pan drawers underneath your induction hob and a similar arrangement under the island. Cutlery/utensil drawers will usually fit in nicely above those.

 

[Chojin]

My washing machine is in the garage where I am currently living and has been for as long as I can remember. The garage is not that dissimilar to yours in terms of where it is located with regards to the kitchen and is neither heated nor insulated, but with appropriate pipe lagging and suchlike it has never been a problem.

Providing you can get decent access to the units and have sufficient outlets for energy, water, etc it won't be an issue. And with all the extra space a garage affords you, getting washing in and out is never a problem.

I've definitely warmed to the idea of having the washer and dryer in the garage. I only use it around twice a week, so it makes sense to have it out of the way. I could dedicate the top-left corner of the garage for that purpose. With a car in the garage, I would need to keep the path between the door and washing machine clear, so that would mean a bit less storage.

If you can live with induction and have suitable cookware, I wouldn't even think about anything else. I've cooked in kitchens that have a gas burner alongside the main hob and, well, have never really understood it.

Perhaps I just don't cook the type of food that requires a gas burner to be effective, but I really don't see the point. YMMV however!

Double ovens are a godsend though - especially when they are raised off the floor as you're describing. I'm going for a similar arrangement in my new place.

I've never cooked with induction before but have heard good things. I figured it would work well for precise boiling and steaming, but wasn't sure how it would fare for stir fries, which I do make regularly.

Are you going for an electric or gas oven?

The two rectangular boxes, one partially over the island?

If they are going to be your only source of light, consider swapping the location of your sink and tall units around. You'll spend a lot more time at the sink that you might think and having natural light overhead will be far more beneficial than it will be over your tall units.

I spend enough time cooking in different kitchens to realise what is most important to me - worktop space. The more of it you can have and the closer it is to the hob, the better a kitchen works.

That's right the two dotted rectangles are the windows. They could be shifted along, or perhaps get three narrower windows in there. I'll look into the practicalities of relocating the sink to the bottom as I think the drainage will be leading to the top end of the garage. It would be ideal though, as I might even be able to get two dishwashers in there too.

Any thoughts on how deep the worktops should be? The standard size seems to be about 600mm.

Position your fridge/freezer somewhere it is easily accessible at all times but not such that it compromises on your worktop sphttps://forums.overclockers.co.uk/images/icons/icon3.giface. You really won't spend much time getting stuff in and out of it while you're cooking as you think - or at least you shouldn't, if you're organised.

As for the rest of your appliances, consider an in-built microwave unit to save space and that ought to afford you plenty of options for keeping the other things within reach but not compromising counter space.

For storage, think about what you'll need easy access to and what you'll put away and only occasionally need to get at. I'd go for pan drawers underneath your induction hob and a similar arrangement under the island. Cutlery/utensil drawers will usually fit in nicely above those.

Great advice, thanks. In reality I don't walk to the fridge that often (it's currently located in the dining room) and I get on fine, so anything will be better than that.

I think a new integrated microwave would be a good idea, as I can't see my white countertop fitting in with the decor of a new kitchen.

For storage there seems to be some nice tricks rather than having huge cupboards and everything inside stacked on top of each other. Vertical drawers for storing spices, and plinth drawers for less frequently used items seem like a good idea.

 

[glitch]

I've definitely warmed to the idea of having the washer and dryer in the garage. I only use it around twice a week, so it makes sense to have it out of the way. I could dedicate the top-left corner of the garage for that purpose. With a car in the garage, I would need to keep the path between the door and washing machine clear, so that would mean a bit less storage.

That's exactly my take on it - I'd rather keep the space in the kitchen for things I'll make use of far more regularly than a washing machine and a dryer. And it also cuts down on noise pollution as well.

I've never cooked with induction before but have heard good things. I figured it would work well for precise boiling and steaming, but wasn't sure how it would fare for stir fries, which I do make regularly.

Are you going for an electric or gas oven?

Induction can be great, but you need a good unit and good cookware to get the best from it. I wouldn't consider anything else, but it's a case of working out what suits your style best.

If you're someone who cooks a lot of Asian cuisine and utilises a wok, then a gas burner will probably be an essential item for you. It's not an area of cuisine I'm overly familiar with or spend much time cooking, so I can't really be very objective!

I'll be going for electric ovens - never considered anything else. At the moment I'm enjoying the Neff range with the slideaway door but I'm yet to make a final decision.

That's right the two dotted rectangles are the windows. They could be shifted along, or perhaps get three narrower windows in there. I'll look into the practicalities of relocating the sink to the bottom as I think the drainage will be leading to the top end of the garage. It would be ideal though, as I might even be able to get two dishwashers in there too.

Any thoughts on how deep the worktops should be? The standard size seems to be about 600mm.

Would one larger window work? The more light you can get flooding in the better.

Worktops are typically 600mm deep for most kitchens, although they can be deeper for certain brands. Any idea where you'll be buying your kitchen from?

For storage there seems to be some nice tricks rather than having huge cupboards and everything inside stacked on top of each other. Vertical drawers for storing spices, and plinth drawers for less frequently used items seem like a good idea.

I think that's the key with getting the most out of a kitchen - clever storage solutions which maximise available space but make life as easy as possible at the same time. Like you, I hate things just being stacked on top of each other - makes it so hard to get your hands on what you need!

Are you fitting an extractor hood or a recirculating one? If the latter, do you have plans on how you'll get heat and smells out of the kitchen?

 

[Chojin]

Would one larger window work? The more light you can get flooding in the better.

Worktops are typically 600mm deep for most kitchens, although they can be deeper for certain brands. Any idea where you'll be buying your kitchen from?

I think that's the key with getting the most out of a kitchen - clever storage solutions which maximise available space but make life as easy as possible at the same time. Like you, I hate things just being stacked on top of each other - makes it so hard to get your hands on what you need!

Are you fitting an extractor hood or a recirculating one? If the latter, do you have plans on how you'll get heat and smells out of the kitchen?

My initial thought for natural light was to have velux windows fitted, but I actually don't think I would ever open them except to clean. I should perhaps go for a larger fixed window instead, and then ensure the room can be ventilated by some means. I'll definitely be going for a ducted extractor hood, so if there are ones that can operate in reverse to bring fresh air in that might kill two birds.

I haven't really looked at specific brands of kitchen units yet. In terms of work surface I was considering quartz, which seems to be a step above laminate in quality. If I have the island and clear work surface either side of the hob and sink then 600mm deep would probably be fine. I would probably just end up cluttering the place up with anything more.

 

[glitch]

Velux seem like a great idea, but I think the reality of how often you'd actually use them comes into the equation. I'm considering an extension for my new place and a sky window is an option which I'm heavily leaning towards.

Quartz is certainly a considerable step-up from laminate, both in terms of price and quality, but bear in mind you can get some superb laminate which will look fantastic and prove quite hard-wearing for a fraction of the cost. I'd love polished concrete worktops but the price is eye-watering, so I'm now looking at laminate which is almost the same in terms of looks but far more affordable!

And what I save on the worktops I can put in to the rest of the kitchen. Have you thought about a waste disposal unit in the sink? For me, that's an essential item having lived with one for as long as I can remember. Wouldn't be without it.