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House and home

Empty space

(22 Posts)
watermeadow Sun 28-Dec-25 12:25:03

My dishwasher has died and I shan’t replace it. It stands beside my huge old Belfast sink and I have a wooden board on top of it which is almost my only worktop. It’s in front of the window.
What shall I put in its place? I don’t need anymore cupboards but I must have another work top.
My kitchen is not built-in, it’s basically a big old dresser,,table and chairs, sink and cooker plus 2 cupboards with a worktop and 2 wall cupboards.

Dylis Sun 28-Dec-25 12:34:52

Sounds like my ideal kitchen! How about a butcher block unit. I have one on wheels with a marble top and storage underneath.
Its very handy and versatile.

Astitchintime Sun 28-Dec-25 12:39:35

👆What Dylis suggests. And a butcher block on castors can be moved about……ideal to keep that space clean etc.

CariadAgain Sun 28-Dec-25 12:45:48

yep...another vote for butchers block. Where I've got a similar empty space I put one of those vegetable racks on wheels and my kitchen bin. It's just about wide enough bit of shelving to do that (as it's right by my kitchen door). So handy for that - though my kitchen is fitted.

MayBee70 Sun 28-Dec-25 18:14:01

I rarely use my dishwasher so I store plates etc in it. Or use it as a drying rack.

Oreo Sun 28-Dec-25 18:18:03

Why not buy another dishwasher? You can buy smaller and more narrow ones.
If you really don’t want one then yes, a butchers block is a good idea.

Charleygirl5 Mon 29-Dec-25 13:22:02

I can't live without my dishwasher. My water is metered, it uses less water and does a much better job than me. Otherwise as others have said, a butcher's block would be ideal.

CocoPops Mon 29-Dec-25 19:53:25

Why not leave it and use it for storage.

Nicolenet Tue 30-Dec-25 13:41:00

I used space for a shoe rack for all my trainers. Fits just right.

Stillness Tue 30-Dec-25 13:58:36

Do you have a washing machine in your kitchen? Or what about a tumble dryer which can be useful during the winter.

Silvertwigs Tue 30-Dec-25 14:06:02

MayBee70 Me too! My daughter goes on about how dish washers save money, but as a single dweller who eats twice a day, I would have to see the data? 🤔😃

crazyH Tue 30-Dec-25 14:17:49

Silvertwigs
I am single too. I am on a water meter. So I reckon, I save money on my water bills and my electric, because I use the dishwasher once a week.
I give the dishes etc a quick rinse and place them in the dishwasher. I turn it on once a week at the weekend, because I have opted for cheap-rate weekend electricity.

KKOB Tue 30-Dec-25 14:18:59

Dylis

Sounds like my ideal kitchen! How about a butcher block unit. I have one on wheels with a marble top and storage underneath.
Its very handy and versatile.

Get a second-hand fridge or freezer from a charity shop. Most have worktop type tops to them these days or you could put a cutting board on them, and, when switched off, they can be used as extra storage space.

aanncc Tue 30-Dec-25 14:31:39

I’d get a suitable height stool to put under then you can sit while you prepare food or have a nice cup of coffee.

Bazza Tue 30-Dec-25 14:32:33

I’d love a wine cooler!

Mojack26 Tue 30-Dec-25 20:09:09

Why not another dishwasher? I could not do without mine....find washing dishes such a waste of time......as for theother lady that uses it fir storing dishes????? Sell it or give it away and get a cupboard put it.

TiggyW Wed 31-Dec-25 11:55:25

I hate washing up! Waste of valuable time! I’d get a brand new kitchen with shiny new worktops and a small dishwasher. It’ll increase the value of your house. I envy you if you have a kitchen big enough to accommodate a table and chairs. 😎

Davida1968 Wed 31-Dec-25 16:27:26

I agree fully with Mojack26 and other GNs here. Wouldn't be without our dishwasher. Oh, when I think of the Christmases when we spent hours & hours, washing up late at night.... Then we bought a dishwasher around 1990. Bliss! These days it's so easy, by comparison!

Ziplok Thu 01-Jan-26 16:14:31

I have to say that I wouldn’t want to be without my dishwasher. It gets used every day. A few things don’t get washed in it - glasses , wooden utensils and aluminium pans; but otherwise, most things go in.

petra Thu 01-Jan-26 16:25:11

Watermeadow
Are you still reading?
What do you think of the ideas so far? 😉

FranP Sat 03-Jan-26 00:13:09

Nobody has yet suggested a wine fridge

Bazza Sat 03-Jan-26 07:30:52

I have Fran!