kitchen layout ... whats recommended?

[Aangelique1611]

Just wondering if any of the experts out there can tell me if im headed in the right area in terms of design/layout of my 'kitchen-to-be'. See the images attached ... its a small area a=175cm x b=380cm with a large window and door area and a need for a fridge, oven and cooktop, washer dryer and sink .... wondering if i have committed any resolvable cardinal kitchen design sins ar if anyone has any better ideas? Thanks!

[silentC]

I don't think you have a lot to work with. Kitchens are usually designed around the 'work triangle' which is drawn between the sink, fridge and stove. You normally want that to be as small as possible, but it's limited by the bench space. I think in your first drawing, the fridge and pantry are isolated and a long way from where the action takes place. On the other hand, you lose a lot of bench space and storage in your second design.

Any reason why you can't put the washer and dryer in the other corner (where fridge and pantry are in the first drawing)? Are the windows floor to ceiling?

[RufflyRustic]

Um, a sink in the corner??? Are you just rough-blocking in areas to get an initial idea of the layout?

thanks
Wendy

[Aangelique1611]

yeah ... i wasnt sure about the sink in the corner as it is next to the stove ... is that allowed?

the reason for the washer dryer near the sink is that i wanted to avoid changing the plumbing around ... thought this might get expensive ... and if not may even be a strata issue ... either way i thought it sounded like a lot more work and would prefer to avoid if possible.

[Aangelique1611]

i was initially planning on doing an ikea kitchen so was using the kitchen planner online to have a play with configuration ... still may do an ikea kitchen if i go with the kitchen being further away as the option ... i thought it was too far away at first also but some of the kitchen guidelines suggest 7m as being the maximum ... i thought that sounded huge but mine is only half of that ...

[silentC]

OK, well I take it the oven is a floor standing cooker?

I would put the washer dryer where you have the sink. The sink would be a 900 or 1200mm with the draining board to the right and that would sit over the cupboard that has the dryer. This gives you a bit of bench in the corner between the stove and the sink to use for preparation and a place to put dirty dishes before you wash them.

Then I would either have the fridge over in that corner where you have it in drawing 1, or I would get a small bar fridge under the bench where you have it in drawing 2 and go shopping more often. Fresh food is better for you anyway

[silentC]

And maybe think about a small island bench or butcher's block on the right so you have a bit more bench space and can look out your windows while you peel the spuds...

[Aangelique1611]

If i were to put sink above dryer wouldnt i need to increase the bench height then to cater for the extra height i would need above the dryer to cater for the sink depth?

whats the maximum recommended bench height (as the dryer is approx 86cm high)

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I think he means to swap the positions of sink & dryer.

Not only would it be more practical in terms of use, but then you'd also be able to use under the bench in the corner (next to the stove) for "long-term storage." Otherwise it's wasted space.

[silentC]

I think he means to swap the positions of sink & dryer.

Yup.

But you still have a drastic lack of cupboard space. You'll need plenty of wall cupboards (another argument for having a small fridge).

So what about the windows? Are they full height? Could you put benches under them?

[Aangelique1611]

firstly, thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated. ok, so sink in the corner, i like that better also but will there be an issue of door opening/oven clash? i guess i just ahve to have a right sided door handle? will this be anough for them not to be disfunctional? yup, lots of cupboard space, will need a full sized fridge though so will need to decide on if it is far side of next to oven ... are there any rules on fridges next to ovens? seems weird, the hot next to the cold ... suppose there is some thermo panel there or something to stop the interference.

re. window height sorry, they are somewhere between 70 and 82 underneath making them not high enough to be consistent with the height i need to get my dryer under ... doh!

[Aangelique1611]

one other thing ... can you put a drawer cabinet under a sink? or does it have to be a door cabinet?

[celeste]

Hi Aangelique1611

1st - it is illegal to have the washing machine in the kitchen - but we won't dob! Needs to be in a seperate room, direct from health dept.

2nd - ikea have a range of base cabinets that are only 37cm deep - perfect for small kitchens - also check out their cnr units with carousels etc perfect for hard to access cnrs. Also, you need to go in to ikea they do not have everything in the cat. or on the web.

3rd - can you mount the washing machine on the wall ? is it front loading? and then have the sink under it - you could get away with 400-500mm clearance above the sink.

4th - Ikea have those combi cupboards maybe washing machine on bottom and the oven in the middle - as long as machine is front loader.

5th - There is no regulation re oven next to fridge. I just installed an upright gas next to a fridge, everyone said it OK.

6th - lose the normal oven and get one of those new convention/micro - they are both a normal oven and a micro - there are standard ones and ones with fancy heating tech that cooks real fast $700 - 1000 and they are smaller and can be plugged into normal socket as they are only 10amp, a normal oven is 15amps and need it own power/circuit.

If you use one of these mico ovens, IKea have a wall mount cupboard with a space for a microwave = more bench space.

7th - the pantry is good in the far corner.

Well I can not remember any more of your lay out etc. So, that my ideas for now, I will have another look a post further if I think of anything else.
Celeste

[celeste]

one other thing ... can you put a drawer cabinet under a sink? or does it have to be a door cabinet?

Hi me again

In regards to above depends where your plumbing is, if its from the floor - no. If it coming out of the wall maybe - I think ikea have a sink cabinet with draws - you need to check the clearance behind the draw for the waste pipe.

Also, further to other replies - Ikea have a little round sink with will fit on a 40 - 45mm bench top. Pop it under the washer and mount one of those SS dish racks from ikea on the wall behind it.

Ikea also have a neat little butchers block on wheels - perfect.

Sorry, can you tell I really like ikea - I think I know their range by heart. L.O.L

Celeste

[celeste]

Hi me again

Here's a picture of one of my IKEA kitchen reno's in a small 1 bed apartment.

I used the normal 60mm deep cabinets - they did not have the 37cm ones then.

Celeste