Kitchen design - putting our design out there for comments...

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

We haven't posted this on social media, but the BH hive mind feels like a trusted group, so here are some of the design configuration options and a plan layout of our kitchen / living area.

 

We're pretty happy with it, and it's great to have some renders to look at (starting to feel like we're getting close to moving beyond paper plans), but we're trying to think through the details that we may only realise once we move in and live with it. Hence sharing to this community - we'd welcome any comments (or questions) as you may prompt something we haven't considered.

Any thoughts/opinions? 

[Conor]

Your room shape is quite similar to ours but design very different.

 

Why is the hob (or sink) not on the island? Your oven is too far from the hob. You want to keep the main working areas (sink, hob, oven) close together in a triangle shape.

 

The tall corner unit on its own looks wrong in that option. A lovely 3m island with no functionality is just getting in the way. It's too big if it's just for prep.

 

I'd move the hob to the island, replace that entire run where the hob was with full height units and put the oven there, bringing it in closer to the action. You just then need 600-800mm workspace either side of the sink.

 

I'm also not a fan of overhead units in working areas. Only put them in if you really need the storage space.

Edited Friday at 21:05 by Conor

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

9 minutes ago, Conor said:

Why is the hob (or sink) not on the island? Your oven is too far from the hob. The tall corner unit on ita own looks wrong. A 3m island with no functionality is just getting in the way. It's too big if it's just for prep.

 

I'd move the hob to the island, replace that entire run where the hob was with full height units and put the oven there, bringing it in closer to the action.

@Conor thanks for your input - making me think more about the end tall unit indeed.

 

Size of the island is one aspect we're thinking of reducing a little (shortening by one chair and slightly narrower). We were clear in our minds about not wanting it to house either the hob or sink on it so it was more of a work surface than anything else.

 

We've been playing with the idea of the tall unit being at the other end, next to the door, but felt it may enclose the entrance. The sink instinctively went in front of the window.

[Conor]

21 minutes ago, Great_scot_selfbuild said:

@Conor thanks for your input - making me think more about the end tall unit indeed.

 

Size of the island is one aspect we're thinking of reducing a little (shortening by one chair and slightly narrower). We were clear in our minds about not wanting it to house either the hob or sink on it so it was more of a work surface than anything else.

 

We've been playing with the idea of the tall unit being at the other end, next to the door, but felt it may enclose the entrance. The sink instinctively went in front of the window.

I made some edits. I was interrupted by a puking child on my first attempt.

 

Keep the big island. Just make it the focus of the design, not an afterthought. Ours is 3.2m long and 1m deep and it's fantastic. I've the hob at one end, all pots and pans under it, oven directly behind, bins, chopping boards, knives etc just a step away. Sink almost directly behind as well.

 

Keep the sink at the window for sure. Try to picture using the kitchen day to day. What happens when somebody is cooking at the hob and transferring food to the oven while somebody else is making a cup of tea? Do they ever occupy the same space? The answer should be no. That's how we designed ours, designated zones by activity type.

 

A rendering of ours. The door on the LHS past the fridge is in to our boot room / pantry.

 

Edited Friday at 21:21 by Conor

[JamesP]

I agree with @Conor and would put the oven and all the other tall units where the hob is . Move the hob to island and keep the sink in front of the window.

Ventilation for the hob is the challenge but doable.

I prefer no mid height wall cupboards.

You have a plenty of drawers and a pantry. 

Otherwise option C.

Enclosed is a photo of when we just moved in. The island is 2.2m X 1.2m. (just large enough for prep and cooking). The sink work top by the window is 3.6m. We have a pantry 1.6m x 2m through the doorway on the right of the tall cupboards.

1 hour ago, Conor said:

You want to keep the main working areas (sink, hob, oven) close together in a triangle shape.

 

The tall corner unit on its own looks wrong in that option. A lovely 3m island with no functionality is just getting in the way. It's too big if it's just for prep.

 

I'd move the hob to the island, replace that entire run where the hob was with full height units and put the oven there, bringing it in closer to the action. You just then need 600-800mm workspace either side of the sink.

 

I'm also not a fan of overhead units in working areas. Only put them in if you really need the storage space.

 

 

Edited Friday at 22:17 by JamesP
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