Kitchen

I wish I had read what you have just said Pammiel.
In the house I left I had an independent firm plan with me our kitchen lay out, eye level microwave away from the main cooker, a wok burner on the cooker and work surfaces and sink under natural light.
The kitchen I have now was planned and fitted by WICKES. They did seem very loath to change any plumbing or the layout of the kitchen and one in particular implied I was a fussy woman .I had to really hold out for what I got and they did not seem to have the range of cupboard sizes that other companies have. We were in a hurry and they were the only company who could start when we wanted maybe a sign they are not being used as much as others.

Whatever you do, don’t go to Wickes. Their adverts look lovely, and their kitchens are good quality but their after sales services is appalling and the so called 10 year guarantee isn’t worth the paper it’ written on. I had a kitchen from them two years ago and 12 months after installation I had to threaten them with small claims court to get them to admit responsibility for an issue and rectify it. It took six months of phone calls with a frankly incompetent customer services team before it was rectified. You live and learn.

We inherited an oil fuelled AGA and a ceramic tiled floor. I would have it taken out if I could, now after using it for quite a few years so I wouldn't be seduced by an AGA unless you are used to them. First we had to have an electric oven fitted for summer, there just seems to be a wall of cookers.Also I have never mastered moving shelves which you have to do . I would have a different floor covering probably wood like the rest of the house.
At first we used the AGA for boiling the kettle but it took an age so now the summer electric one stays all year.
I stuck with the eoriginal layout and wish I had insisted on changes, the sink is too near a door.
I do have a run of deep drawers which I find better than cupboards and swivel out cupboard for pans.I also had wall cupboards fitted which are ideal for cups and mugs etc. A spice rack fitted on the back of a door where I prepare food. A pull out narrow cupboard for bottles.
I would say look at what you like about your original kitchen and consider changes to make your life easier not harder.

Regarding sockets - replace each single with a double. Have under cupboard lighting otherwise you’re chopping/prepping in your own shadow.

Thank you everyone

I second both of MOnica’s good points. I would also say don’t be seduced by a Qooker type boiling water tap. There was one fitted here when we moved in and we quickly disconnected it. Like burning £10 notes! Better to boil a kettle on the odd occasion that you actually need boiling water rather than have it at boiling point 24/7.

We had a midi height dishwasher installed. Best thing we did. No bending to unload it

Have an eye-level oven fitted so you don't have to bend down to lift hot dishes.

A halogen hob is easy to keep clean.

You can't have too many cupboards.

A base unit of two metal wire drawers for tins and jars. Ideal as I am small.
Also swing out shelves for pots and pans.
Also no regrets on what I planned.

I had a new kitchen fitted just over a year ago

Number one Good Idea: My base units all have big pullout drawers rather than cupboards. They are absolute bliss, no kneeling on the floor trying to get things out of the back of the cupboard. I can see everything that is in them. I have all my Denby stoneware everyday pottery in one drawer and the drawer can take the weight.

Number two Good Idea. A pull out waste unit with multiple waste bins so that I can automatically make sure that everything goes in the right place. Food waste in one, black bin rubbish in another and recycling in the third and I just take them out and empty them into the relevant dustbin as they fill.

I cannot think of anything I regret doing in any way.