Kitchen run / window

2 years ago

Hi there,

I'm designing a one wall kitchen for an open plan living room where space is at a premium. I have a a window to the left hand side of the run. My architect suggests that we need to lower the kitchen run so that the window isn't obstructed (see drawings), but I think this is a little pointless, especially because space is at such a premium for me. I think we should continue the kitchen run and obstruct a little portion of the window - what do you think?

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Paul
Original Author

9 months ago

finished product! i went with full height and it was fine

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Comments (18)

Daisy England
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I think that’s down to personal preference. What size is the base unit next to it? If it’s narrow (150-200mm) the storeage inside will be minimal in which case you might want to include the dropped unit width onto the adjoining narrow unit to make it wider.

If you are short on storeage I would opt for the extra height wall units at 900mm high which will have the base and 2 additional shelves as opposed to what you currently have on the plan which will be 720mm high with the base shelf and only one other. Get the larder unit in the extra height too. That is wasted space above them.

An induction hob looks slicker than a gas hob too. If that’s a single oven instead of having a filler use the space for a drawer.
Paul
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Daisy - thanks that's useful feedback. I might ask the architect to mock up a visual of maintaining the run at full height to see how it looks against the window. The 'dropped unit' as displayed isn't especially narrow - 450mm. Re wall units - thanks for this, I'll check what height she's planned them at - agree I should max out on that.
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Simonne Lister
2 years ago
I agree re the hob. Despite having had gas for years I wouldn't swap my induction hob for the world. Mine's a De Dietrich with 4 well spaced rings which also have a fast-boiling setting to challenge the speed of gas any day. I recommend buying the biggest you can afford that will fit your space because it doubles as benchtop when not cooking, looks slick and is infinitely the easiest to clean in seconds- unlike gas hobs.
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Paul
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Simonne - thanks for this! Yeah I'm definitely going for induction, the architect just didn't update that part of the drawing for some reason :)
PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
2 years ago
You could just not have a lower height unit and save the money and use the space to place your waste bin. Any pipe work for waste etc can be boxed in. Also architects aren't kitchen designers and they're not going to come up with the best design and with the best options for you. I'd suggest finding a local independant kitchen supplier with a wide choice of doors including made to measure sizes (not as expensive as it sounds) so you can make the best use of the space you have.
Isla Cherry
2 years ago
Architects are in a different league to kitchen designers. They study for 7 years + and are experts with space and light. I would much rather have an architect design my kitchen than some unqualified ex-salesperson who has zero training in space planning and has done a couple of weeks crash course in "kitchen design". This is usually how to sell as many cabinets as possible. As I used to work in this environment, I am more than qualified to comment.
PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
2 years ago
@Isla Cherry, architects do indeed spend years to qualify, I work with them and I still have to advise them where to put a window or door in kitchens and bedrooms to allow for the depth of cabinets. Their skill set encompasses far more than dealing with interior design. Qualifications TBF aren't everything, experience, common sense and current product knowledge are important and I've had plenty of experience as an installer correcting the designs of some wet behind the ears salesperson/designer for the national sheds who has only ever seen his/hers mums kitchen and hasn't got a clue, hence pointing out seeing a 'local independant' who has the experience and desire to produce a well thought out, working and practical design and sell a quality product as opposed to selling as many cabinets as possible to a crap design without listening to the needs of the customer, may be thats the environment you were in but its certainly not how all independant kitchen, bedroom and bathroom designers work.
Isla Cherry
2 years ago
I am a structural designer. I worked for a luxury high end kitchen brand so I beg to differ. The environment I was in was supposed to be high end but was full of chancers. Upwards of £25000 for cabinets alone is hardly where you would expect to find incompetent kitchen designers. As you rightly point out there is no substitute for experience. I was shocked to learn that high end just means high prices not more professional and well trained staff. Apologies for tarring all kitchen designers with the same brush.
Daisy England
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I’m going to have to agree with Lifestyle Kitchens on this one. I have done site visits to huge homes designed by architects and they always seem to forget about functional and spacious kitchens.

My friend bought one. Massive house, poorly designed and a kitchen you couldn’t swing a cat around in. Both hubby and I said we would have designed it completely different. The only sensible thing was to have the lounge upstairs for the beautiful views.

Correctly said by Isa … there is no substitute for experience and that’s where hubby comes into his own with 50 years experience.
PRO
Pennine Kitchen Designs
2 years ago
It's obviously a bit of a tricky one. There are a few options I could suggest, but no ideal solution. We might be biased lol but we would always recommend speaking to a qualified kitchen designer to ensure the best design is created as even an expensive kitchen can be ruined by poor design. Feel free to call for some advice 01535 282021. :)
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CWD
2 years ago
Can you change the window to make it shorter to allow the worktop to continue? I assume not, in which case I would do what the architect suggests as it'll look better and you're not losing that much space. But I think I would make that final unit much narrower so that you do get a bit more worktop space. Or leave a space instead of a stupidly narrow unit, and just accept the space - sometimes if there's a space it gives the feeling of more space, whereas if you cover up part of the window it will look like you were so desperate for space that you made a sacrifice. Another option would be to build out the windowsill to cover the space and build some custom shelves or a storage unit underneath it - would be a nice spot for a cushion (to give the illusion of it being a little seating spot) or to have a collection of plants/herbs or something.
Jonathan
2 years ago
@Isla Cherry I also have to disagree. Architects don’t know what innovation are available in kitchen, they don’t get involved with their ordering or fitting so don’t know the pitfalls, they don’t specialise in kitchens and work on kitchen plans day in day out so an experienced kitchen designer will run rings around them for planning.

The only thing we can agree on is that not all kitchen designers are experts at what they do but generally the independents are pretty good.
PRO
Londonfatcat
2 years ago
Hi Paul,

A lower unit on the end is, for lack of better word, strange. I really do not recommend it for functional or aesthetic reasons.

Might I ask if you could adjust your window? I would request an amendment of either raising it or preferably moving it along so to increase the distance to 650-750mm to the corner wall. This will allow you to have a full height unit.

All the best,

Faten from londonfatcat.com
Paul
Original Author
9 months ago
thanks all for their opinions and help ;)
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Mary Mary
9 months ago
Hi Paul can I ask the make and name of the kitchen cupboard paint it’s gorgeous.
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Paul
Original Author
9 months ago
it’s a diykitchens colour match of farrow and ball - bancha
Mary Mary
9 months ago
Thank you Paul
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