Do you have a floor plan of your house available?

Kiwimills, where do you have your dishwasher?

Here is our floor plan that we are proposing

see..dishes!! Arggh...always dishes !!

Girlguides, I need kids who know how to put them in a dishwasher !!

a plan of the adjoining rooms and any alfresco (with measurements) would help answer your questions

Kiwimills, dishes on the sink is my pet hate! I’m defiantly thinking a black single deep sink for the kitchen. We have the 1 1/2 sink at the moment and never use the smaller side. It pointless if you have a dishwasher I think.

Dreamer, thanks for your suggestions, I was thinking I could do something with this space so might look into that. I would prefer to have more storage in the island. Seems like such a waste having it in the island. I was considering having the fridge on the wall closest to the entrance of the kitchen but I do like the look of the overhead cupboards & splashback the full length of the wall.

Oklouise, can you read that plan I posted or is it too small?

It was very light and hard to read but I think I might be close. I was looking at you master as well as the side entrance and added a Mudroom. I would have 1 1/2 deep square sinks as it can save water, pots etc can fit into half, it's also good when you're cooking for draining if you have clean water in the other. Small appliances behind benchtop bi fold cabinets. cheers

can't quite read the measurements but based on approximate dimensions you could have the sink against the wall

Thanks everyone for your comments and help. I think more and more I’m wanting the sink on the same side as the stove against the wall if I can somehow fit the dishwasher on that side. With very little time to clean I hate the thought of ppl dropping in and sitting at the bench with a dirty sink and plates in full view. So I’m thinking in order from kitchen entrance - dishwasher, sink, stovetop & overhead cupboards all along back wall, appliances cupboard at the end and wall to ceiling cupboards along short wall with fridge. Island bench drawers & bin, opposite side drinks fridge and seating area. Let me know if you think this configuration will work assuming it all fits. I’m really set on the longest wall having the full length of overhead cupboards

Well I have just re figured your kitchen and put the sink in the Island, which is where I prefer to have the cook top, works for me.

The drinks fridge, I have faced back into the kitchen this time but it can face which ever way on the same end, if it faces out into the room you could add a 30cm cook book shelf facing back into the kitchen so that the fridge sits flush to the over hang.

Seeing that you have planned an Alfresco area opposite could this fridge be installed along that wall with BBQ etc, this would give you another 600 cabinet space?

Our rubbish is kept in a 60cm 2 drawer cabinet with open plastic tubs inserted and lined with garbage bags, simple and tidy, it also means you can change where you might like your rubbish.

Love a mirrored splash back but would go with normal silver mirror, lights and opens up the room when you have your back to it cheers

Now with both cook top sink and DW on back wall, Small appliances behind bi fold doors in the corner, stacked ovens and 1m wide x 60cm deep pantry with draws.

Island now has Trash draws with a single smaller sink for prepping veggies from the fridge, drinks fridge and 60cm wide x 30m deep cook book shelf behind it

so many choices...my own sink and stove are on either side of a corner and work perfectly for me and your sink along the back wall keeps views of most of the temporary mess out of sight as you arrive...NB unable to see the exact dimensions of the kitchen space so please confirm sizes

She may change her mind here's with the long wall with cook top and sink and small appliance cupboard with full height bi fold doors. Other wall fridge stacked ovens and 1400 corner pantry cheers

That's the same principal as the small appliance cabinet except you don't need a full height door, it can be used for either, depends on the space and how much you would like somewhere to store and use small appliances including toasters etc.

Wow thanks guys, you have all given me so much to think about. And yes oklouise, I did post under my husband’s name with our floor plan advice but thought I should just start up my account since it’s me posting. Siriuskey, I like your last design, I think it could work. Only thing I’m thinking is if someone is cooking while you are cleaning up will it be enough room between workstations. Something to think about. Thanks so much.

Sorry thinking out loud again, what if I put the oven underneath stove and removed the oven tower all together. So going by siriuskey’s last design but swap around the dishwasher so it’s at the end then sink then stove and oven underneath. The smallest wall can then be fridge & decent pantry. Do u think this is a working triangle. Not sure where to fit a bin though to scrap plates etc. I have really tried to take everyone’s comments on board especially the one about when the kids get older. Something I didn’t really think about

The bin can go under the sink if u don't want a free standing one . if you have an oven stack you got to keep it clean..underneath no one sees the dirt!

If you want two ovens, or 1 1/2 u need a stack if happy with one then under bench works OK. U got to bend..but thems the sacrifices!!

We had all 5 kids back in January, 15-27 yrs. Trust me...no one was up before 11 and then never in the house to help with dinner. ( out with friends, back sleeping, outside kicking a ball etc )

So yes...if they are around when older their schedules will be all over the show except maybe a Sunday night when u get them off their beds/ phones to help u. Otherwise plan for two min in kitchen at one time

IMO

See at 19 dreamer..mine get kicked out !! 2 to go.

If you look at re arranging the left side of the house, ie: ensuite/WIR/Laundry/Side entrance you could easily have a WIP off the kitchen which will give you the extra space you need to make your kitchen work better, I would most likely swap the cook top and sink over. Please consider using a 2 drawer cabinet with plastic bin inserts to take any rubbish. If you and your council are and should be into re cycling you need one for trash and another for re cycling bottles and cans etc, you could have a small vege bin sitting in the 1/2 basin while you use it and then move it into the PANTRY. cheers

Hi Mel,

In order to free up the island, I would suggest placing the sink next to the stove and rearranging the dishwasher to the other side of the bench as it will be a lot more ergonomically friendly.

Cheers,

Richard

Mel how do you feel about siris walk in pantry. I have one opp my sink and absolutely LOVE IT. Toaster plugged in ALWAYS! Jug, fruit bowl, phone..yes a land line, pen jar. Plates, drink bottles, food. I absolutely recommend one. If u can squeeze one in.

Don't need doors, just an opening.. don't need cupboard doors, just shelves and a bench .

I have been very undecided as to whether I have a walk in pantry as there is potential there to have one. Only thing is I don’t like how the fridge is just sitting out there between two walls. Defiantly something to consider. I figured with the current design there would be heaps of space and wouldn’t need a walk in pantry (coming from one two door very small cupboard). Being my first Reno tho I’m a little unsure on exactly how much space I will have. I’m yet to draw it all up with the kitchen designer so maybe this will give me more of an idea. I do like the idea of the small sink in the island and large one on back wall. Do u think this is an overkill?

Depends how you live. There was talk of a wine fridge near..so a small sink might be good. We have 5 kids ( had...three have left ) so didn't have a lot of " veg prep' we used frozen!

So for me a 1 /1/4 sink works fine. I have no butlers sink in pantry.

Just one sink...

But we have a water / ice fridge door ( Bosch) so that is brilliant

That is used more for drinks than the sink tap.

We don't drink alcohol so the whole " preparing a drink" doesn't happen !!

Ice and water is on fridge, washing hands / rinsing dishes in sink.

How do you live.....!?

Well I have been trying to take more notice lately on how much I actually use the sink and have realised that I use it a lot. I’m constantly washing my hands, cleaning up the tables, benches and general clean up between meals. What I hate the most when I’m cleaning up using the sink is the fact that I feel really boxed in by the window. Currently the sink is in front of the window and I really can’t wait for the wall to come down to join with the extension and it to feel more open. I started to wonder whether I would be happier with the sink in the island or a sink so I could still be a part of what’s going on while cleaning up. Yes we do like a drink or two so we would make a drink here or there but not enough to arrange the kitchen around it I don’t think. Apart from that we have lived here for the past 8 years with no overhead cupboards, very little bench space and a minnature pantry. I think any improvement would be amazing at this stage lol. Currently our laundry which is adjacent to our dining area and kitchen is where we store our appliances which we could possibly leave there when we have the new kitchen if we needed the extra space.

Ha ha, yes...washing hands seems to be non stop!

U have a dishwasher now ?

U will use your breakfast bar for chopping/ making school lunches/ plating up/ getting cutlery/ making cereal/ making a cake etc

Trust me...with a breakfast bar you are always part of the goings on.

You will go to the sink to have time out looking out the window !!

As you wash your hands for 12 mins so you don't have to chop another apple/ make toast / get someone a drink/ put some raisins in a bowl. / or cling wrap something.

can't be done at a sink....:)

Very true. YEs we do have a dishwasher thank god! With the new design if I have the sink against the wall where the stove is I will be looking at a blank wall, something I need think about. Having another small sink would be nice , though not if it’s going to cost a lot more in plumbing & Stone mason etc costs because I would probably want Undermount for both

Late to this exchange but here’s our comments: first, dont have the ovens right next to the fridge. Think about opening doors esp when youre cooking! we have microwave under bench in the island and 2 other ovens in a stack at the end of a run of cupboards. This would finish off the end of the cupboard run as you have expressed concern about how it finishes. Also think about having some open shelves in the upper row of cupboards for cookbooks and the odd decorative ornament. Helps break up the cupboard expanse. Definitely keep the sink on the island bench with the dishwasher to one side. if you have an undermount sink try a Blanco double bowl black one. Will match with your black glass oven and induction top if you have one in mind. If you have timber floors like us we kept the cupboards all white, otherwise too overpowering when the timber fad disappears and all white timeless kitchen cupboards return. Ours is a big kitchen and we had to work around structural poles but the pics might help you with new ideas.

Hi Mel,

Kitchens are an integral part of any home and particularly a busy family, so much to consider. I personally think an Island clear of any sinks or utilities makes for a more workable space. It lends itself to food prep, kids homework, meals, guests perched on a bench whilst you prep. Sinks always accumulate mess so I think a sink put to the side works better. Gone are the days where you will stand at a sink hours at a time. Think about how you like to cook and use a kitchen a cooktop not far from the sink works best think straining pasta pots, vegies etc..

As for butler's pantry's I'm not a fan, why spend money on a lovely kitchen only to be cooped up in a small kitchen off to the side, very unsociable. Houses are made to be lived in and sometimes that comes with a little mess particularly in the kitchen. Don't hide away in a butlers pantry embrace your home and kitchen and all that it entails.

I recently completed a kitchen with a similar colour scheme to what you are suggesting black, white and timber, I anchored the kitchen with the black Island and used white cabinets for the rest of the kitchen. Matt surfaces are on trend at the moment as opposed to gloss or semi gloss, matt finishes hide finger prints and children's hand marks better, dust will show up on darker surfaces so be mindful of this. I adore natural materials and feel that a timber floor really adds warmth. Take a look at the kitchen I recently designed for my clients, would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy to assist you any way - Good luck with your renos. Thanks Collaborative Interiors