Opinions and suggestions on Howdens Kitchen Design
Terry Bradbrook
10 days ago
Hi, we are looking to rip out and fit a new kitchen. Have had the attached designed by Howdens but would be keen to get some different eyes on the design to give any ideas or suggestions :)
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PROHinton House Interiors
10 days agolast modified: 10 days agoTerry Bradbrook
10 days agoRelated Discussions
Wren v Howdens and wood v mdf
Comments (47)If its a choice between Wren and any other kitchen provider in the universe go with the other! I had nothing but trouble dealing with Wren. They were much more expensive, expected me to organise the individual contractors (tiler, plumber), the quotes from their nominated contractors came in AFTER I had the work completed by a Howdens specialist and had to chase them for months to get my 'fully refundable' deposit back. The Howdens contractor did everything from the design (picking up major design flaw in the Wren design) to the aftercare. I got solid wood doors and solid wood bench tops for less than what Wren quoted for cheaper options. He even came back and did some extra decorating work to finish the job off nicely. Dealing with Wren was a total nightmare....See MoreMicrowave to fit Howdens wall unit
Comments (46)Adding a new comment to this thread, as I spend days of my life trying to find an integrated microwave that would fit a Howdens 290mm deep wall unit. This was the main thread on Google for info on this problem. I don't want anyway else to waste their life in the same way, so here's what you need to know: -The Howdens 290mm wall unit only officially houses the Lamona integrated microwave, which is 320mm deep. The middle of the Lamona microwave sticks out about 2cm from the wall unit. It looks.. a bit ugly. -HOWEVER, it is possible to get a third party shallow (300mm depth or so) microwave that does fit. -The current model I found that fits the standard Howdens slot is the NEFF HLAWD23N0B_BK. By the time you read this they might have updated the range with a new model number. It's the shallowest integrated microwave they do. -Officially the NEFF needs 320mm depth BUT just ask your electrician and kitchen installer to cut a slot for the power cable to run through the back wall of the unit to the power supply in a separate bit of the units. (We put the power switch in the cupboard above it) -The front of the microwave is about 1mm proud of the units but you wouldn't know it wasn't supposed to fit if you hadn't obsessed over it. Finished photo attached:...See MoreSmall kitchen design advice
Comments (7)Hi India, first of all I feel your pain! My first flat's kitchen was even smaller than yours, but once I'd had it refitted it was brilliant for just me, so don't worry you will find a way to do it that you will love. Secondly I recommend that you approach a local independent kitchen designer/shop - your choice isn't just big shed (cheap)/bespoke (expensive): local independents should be able to help you design a kitchen using off-the-shelf units, so not necessarily any more expensive than Ikea/Howdens/etc, and you'll get a more personal service. Your Ikea design looks ok actually. The adjustments I'd make would be: - Have an inset sink without drainer (you can get dish drainers which have a lip to drain into your sink, which means when it's not in use you can put it away somewhere, sitting on end, so it doesn't take up much space). I have this one https://www.josephjoseph.com/collections/dish-racks-drainers/products/extend-dishrack-grey?variant=36470412181576. This will look much neater and will give you all that worktop space over the washing machine, when you're not drying dishes. Fixed draining boards are ugly things - I still don't have one even now I have a substantially bigger kitchen - still love my Joseph Joseph drainer which is quick to pack away when it's not in use. - I'd also change the 600mm door on the sink unit for 2x300mm doors - smaller doors make sense in a small kitchen. Or you might also consider deep drawers instead of a cupboard under the sink. - For extra storage, you could consider a top box over the fridge-freezer too. - Personally in the drawer unit, I'd have two deep drawers (with a hidden internal drawer at the top for cutlery etc) - lots of shallow drawers are frustrating as you can't get much in them other than the sort of c**p which shouldn't be in a kitchen anyway, whereas you can put pans or stack plates in a deep one. I have an Ikea kitchen at the moment, and love my deep pan drawers. I've actually had two Ikea kitchens so far. If you choose your finishes carefully, get a good fitter and really think hard about your design to make it work for you - ie don't rely on their expertise alone - they are fab kitchens, good quality with good internal organisation bits and pieces Your "dead" corner is tricky. I'm not sure whether the Howdens unit will actually open/pull out, as less than half of it is accessible - but I've never had a corner unit so not sure how they work. But they'll be able to advise you on that and again I think this is where a local independent might be able to take a creative eye to it. Worth looking whether Howdens or someone else does a 500mm sink cupboard too - in my tiny kitchen that's what I had and the round inset sink I had was plenty big enough for washing up for one person. Means you can have wider drawers next to it. Good luck!...See MoreHowdens Elmbridge/Chilcomb quality worth it?
Comments (2)For a utility room I would go for the cheaper option, just depends on your budget. My sister had a beautiful kitchen fitted but the utility was a budget option. Do look at reviews as they can be an eye opener....See More- PRO
Hinton House Interiors
10 days ago Terry Bradbrook
10 days ago- PRO
Hinton House Interiors
10 days agolast modified: 10 days agoPeninsula coming out from the 'shallow' wall side but incorporate deeper units along that wall. Move the hob to that wall also.
Move the FF over to the other wall, on the end near the door, then just have a run of units, top as well if you like but maybe consider some shelving to open things up.
Very rough idea. You would probably need a worktop space in that corner or perhaps they can add a cupboard and go round the pipe.I would also consider moving the sink but I've left it on the peninsula as you had it.
Consider if you need wall units - the space feels more open without them. Could you have some shelves instead?
Lisa D
10 days ago
Daisy England
9 days ago
rinked
9 days agorinked
9 days agoVariations, where the traffic line from door to table is open (and no shallow units were used), all with tall units and a 'coffee corner' on the bottom wall:
1. peninsula with drawers instead of seats,
2. and 3. are almost similar, both without peninsula as that would allow an extra dining chair.
Terry Bradbrook
9 days agoTerry Bradbrook
9 days agorinked
9 days ago
Sonia
9 days agoSonia
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