Feedback on kitchen design

MizMix

We met with our kitchen designer this weekend and we were delighted with the end result! originally we had a long/straight kitchen designed (all on back wall) with island in front. But the measurements of the window were wrong so we had to rework as not everything was fitting well. I'm not sure why but I ideally don't want an L shaped kitchen. I really wanted the window at the back to be a feature with units framing it, worktop running right into it. All in all, delighted with how the plan looked.

BUT our architect thinks it's not working- mentioned bottleneck, wasted space (not sure we need more?). She mentioned the island being in the way and not to try and focus on making it line up with the back window- as the back window and sliding doors don't line up anyway. As a compromise I was thinking maybe we reduce the island width.

I guess what I'm asking is - is it completely subjective? Are we making a mistake focusing on a 'look' I have it mind and being set on that as opposed to having more cabinets. Is her opinion, just that- an opinion or are there big design/layout issues here? She mentioned the corner- leaving a gap was silly. I loved the idea of the units being framed. I'm second guessing myself and would love other opinions before going back to the drawing board.

Apologies sizes probably won't show well. island is 2.4m x 1.5m.

mrsWhippy

Ultimately, it's you that needs to be happy with the kitchen layout, it's you that has to live with it!

Personally, I'm not gone on the design and I can't put my finger on why. I think there is a lot of focus on symmetry even though the room is very quirky itself. I think the window is always going to be a feature whether or not it's framed, and I could see an L shape with an island working quite well there too. Do you have plans for that original layout?

BryanF

Show us the arch design?

MizMix

Attached is the floor layout with shows the architects suggestion. He also originally suggested the straight design earlier in the process- it was actually him who said early in the process that I'd be best avoiding an l shape but then put this in the detailed drawings.

Mrs whippy- thanks for your feedback. We know our tastes are probably different to most. I liked the modern modular look but don't want to be silly either and end up with something that isn't as practical as it should be.

MizMix

This was the earlier concept but the kitchen guy moved and changed the size of the window which the architect wasn't happy with. We have less width between the two windows to fit the tall units (which we thought we needed but maybe not). And maybe I'm a little too hung up on symmetry.

Any advice welcome! I tend to get attached to a particular kitchen design and find it hard to let go and see it from a different perspective

mrsWhippy

You know, I actually really like the L layout ... I think it sits in the space a bit better and will be more usable, with more work surfaces and a better flow.

I don't think the straight line works, it looks too long for the room.

You could actually go with the L, and use colour to differentiate the space with the window, sort of like this?

MizMix

Thanks Mrs Whippy I really like that actually! I don't think we can run the units to ceiling height but I came across some nice ideas last night also wherby we could recess one side (cooker side) and run a stud wall feature like the attached across the other side. This exact idea may not work but just some ideas to play around with. Our kitchen guy is going to love us

Tefral

Just make sure when you are buying those high gloss doors they are not foil backed laminate. They will peel eventually!!

Look for a sprayed acrylic finish.

sydthebeat

on the first design....

is the hob in the island and the sink along the back wall??
it looks like that, and if so, they should be swapped.
the cooking area (hob) has no splash protection to anyone sitting at the breakfast bar. and id consider that unacceptable risk.
the sink is an area which is used more often than a hob, so you'll be spending more time with your back to the room and the people there.

im not quite sure why its design as 3 separate individual systems, and not an L connection the fridge section with the rear part.

mrsWhippy

Just to counter your opinions syd, I'd actually prefer the hob on the island. However I would make sure it's at least 120 deep and preferably no seats directly across from it.

I also hate the idea of dishes piled up on the island drying etc effectively sitting in the centre of the room!

db

My hob is on the island but there is a breakfast bar on the island about 12" above the hob so no issue with splashes. I prefer to be looking out into the room when cooking as it tends to be more sociable than cleaning up. The problem with this layout is getting the right extractor.

MizMix

Yes hob on the island is non negotiable for us! It's 1.5m (we may reduce it to 1.2) deep and there will also be a breakfast bar a bit higher. I definitely don't want a sink there.

But yes...on the overall layout we're back to the drawing board and most likely L shape.

Lumen

This is very subjective but I think breakfast bars are fundamentally weird and awkward. There's too much symmetry and the height of the stools is not ergonomic.

The most restful space is one that's partially enclosed. Think of how a pub is structured. If you walked into an empty pub where would you sit? I'd go for the snug.

spurscormac

Lumen wrote: »

This is very subjective but I think breakfast bars are fundamentally weird and awkward. There's too much symmetry and the height of the stools is not ergonomic.

The most restful space is one that's partially enclosed. Think of how a pub is structured. If you walked into an empty pub where would you sit? I'd go for the snug.

Interesting point - we're thinking of making a booth as our dining space. In saying that, we're still going to have a few high stools, but the island will be just counter space, sink and hob along the wall.