Hello,
I have been planning the kitchen for our new build for quite some time now.
Since I want floor-to-ceiling windows in the kitchen and also want an island, it’s not that easy.
But yesterday I received a design from the kitchen studio that I really like.
In the tall cabinets, there is a compartment above the oven for the microwave. To the left and right of that are a large refrigerator and a large freezer.
The island is about 2 m long and 1.20 m deep (6 ft 7 in long and 3 ft 11 in deep). There is 1 m (3 ft 3 in) of space to the tall cabinets. And to the wall, we thought about 40 cm (16 inches). It shouldn’t be a passage, just enough space to clean behind it.
If the distance to the wall is larger, the island would feel too small to me.
What do you think of the design? Any ideas or suggestions for improvements?
And especially, do you think the distance between the island and the wall is okay? Or does it look strange from the outside when you look at the island? (Even though, for example, we currently have our sofa right in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, which is directly by the terrace and garden table, and it has never bothered me.)
On the floor plan, south is at the bottom, and that is also where the terrace is located.
And please don’t be confused by the kitchen drawing on the floor plan. That was added by the architect and is not the current plan.
According to the kitchen studio, the price for the kitchen (Häcker) should be about 13,000€ (approximately 13,000 euros). All appliances are Siemens. Can anyone tell me if that is reasonable? I always find it difficult to judge.
Thanks in advance!
I have been planning the kitchen for our new build for quite some time now.
Since I want floor-to-ceiling windows in the kitchen and also want an island, it’s not that easy.
But yesterday I received a design from the kitchen studio that I really like.
In the tall cabinets, there is a compartment above the oven for the microwave. To the left and right of that are a large refrigerator and a large freezer.
The island is about 2 m long and 1.20 m deep (6 ft 7 in long and 3 ft 11 in deep). There is 1 m (3 ft 3 in) of space to the tall cabinets. And to the wall, we thought about 40 cm (16 inches). It shouldn’t be a passage, just enough space to clean behind it.
If the distance to the wall is larger, the island would feel too small to me.
What do you think of the design? Any ideas or suggestions for improvements?
And especially, do you think the distance between the island and the wall is okay? Or does it look strange from the outside when you look at the island? (Even though, for example, we currently have our sofa right in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, which is directly by the terrace and garden table, and it has never bothered me.)
On the floor plan, south is at the bottom, and that is also where the terrace is located.
And please don’t be confused by the kitchen drawing on the floor plan. That was added by the architect and is not the current plan.
According to the kitchen studio, the price for the kitchen (Häcker) should be about 13,000€ (approximately 13,000 euros). All appliances are Siemens. Can anyone tell me if that is reasonable? I always find it difficult to judge.
Thanks in advance!
I don’t have any definite information yet. The consultant wanted to first draw the kitchen exactly as we want it, and then discuss all the details in one appointment.
So unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the appliances yet, nor whether it will be Systemat or Classic.
But it’s good that I already know there are Systemat and Classic options—I just looked up what the differences are ; )
I only know that the fronts are laminated. I wasn’t really keen on that, but I was told that solid wood fronts would exceed the budget…
So unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the appliances yet, nor whether it will be Systemat or Classic.
But it’s good that I already know there are Systemat and Classic options—I just looked up what the differences are ; )
I only know that the fronts are laminated. I wasn’t really keen on that, but I was told that solid wood fronts would exceed the budget…
Tip: Do not disclose your budget and consistently avoid answering budget questions. Visit several kitchen showrooms and compare options.
Without specific appliances, it’s all guessing – cooktops range from 200 euros to 1000 euros, even with Siemens.
A laminated kitchen for 13,000 euros feels expensive. We had an offer from Nolte for a country-style lacquer kitchen with Siemens appliances (good mid-range) for 11,000 euros. Unfortunately, for Häcker Systemat, we only planned a smooth matte lacquer finish. If you add about 10% more to the Systemat price compared to Nolte, lacquer fronts might be possible for 13,000 euros, depending on the configuration.
Without specific appliances, it’s all guessing – cooktops range from 200 euros to 1000 euros, even with Siemens.
A laminated kitchen for 13,000 euros feels expensive. We had an offer from Nolte for a country-style lacquer kitchen with Siemens appliances (good mid-range) for 11,000 euros. Unfortunately, for Häcker Systemat, we only planned a smooth matte lacquer finish. If you add about 10% more to the Systemat price compared to Nolte, lacquer fronts might be possible for 13,000 euros, depending on the configuration.
Looks good.
At first, I thought that 40cm (15.7 inches) would be too narrow. My wife, the slender one, wouldn’t have any problems with that—whereas I would need to suck in my stomach a bit. However, there is usually a bit more space in the window reveal, which also makes it easier to clean from there.
How often do you use your microwave?
If you use it regularly, I would skip the flap door on the compartment. It usually ends up left open anyway or becomes annoying over time.
If you use it only occasionally, take the flap so you can hide the microwave when it’s not in use.
PS: If you use the microwave regularly, check how high it is positioned in the cabinet. Make sure it suits your height (and possibly your children’s height, if they use it independently).
A small example: My wife and I are both taller than 1.80m (5 ft 11 in). Because of that, the raised position of the microwave isn’t a problem for us. Our babysitter is somewhat shorter and needs the children’s step stool to reach the microwave.
At first, I thought that 40cm (15.7 inches) would be too narrow. My wife, the slender one, wouldn’t have any problems with that—whereas I would need to suck in my stomach a bit. However, there is usually a bit more space in the window reveal, which also makes it easier to clean from there.
How often do you use your microwave?
If you use it regularly, I would skip the flap door on the compartment. It usually ends up left open anyway or becomes annoying over time.
If you use it only occasionally, take the flap so you can hide the microwave when it’s not in use.
PS: If you use the microwave regularly, check how high it is positioned in the cabinet. Make sure it suits your height (and possibly your children’s height, if they use it independently).
A small example: My wife and I are both taller than 1.80m (5 ft 11 in). Because of that, the raised position of the microwave isn’t a problem for us. Our babysitter is somewhat shorter and needs the children’s step stool to reach the microwave.
BeHaElJa schrieb:
Tip: Don’t mention your budget and consistently avoid the question.Or give a budget low enough to leave some room for upward negotiation.
We played two kitchen studios against each other (I know – I’m a bit ashamed), which worked well since they were located in different cities. We gave both a budget (with a silent buffer of about 2,000 euros) and then shared the other studio’s (slightly lower) offer with each competitor—both offers were always above the budget.
When they could no longer move on price, the studios started upgrading the appliance offers. If studio 1 offered a nice appliance (e.g., a stove), we’d then ask studio 2 for the same. Either they matched it or upgraded to an even better appliance. Then we’d mention that to studio 1 again. This way, in the end, our appliances were roughly on the same level but much better than at the start of negotiations.
Our negotiations took several months (we had the time, and kitchen studio 2—which ultimately got the contract—was about 600 km (370 miles) away from our home, in the old hometown). They won the contract because my wife preferred the countertop from studio 2, which studio 1 couldn’t provide. So, Dad had to pay 850 euros more than in studio 1, just for the countertop.
These kinds of things can completely undermine the entire negotiation strategy. But what can you do—if it makes the wife happy.
Hello,
if the area is not intended for walking through, I would install a narrower floor-to-ceiling window (just a single pane – it’s bright enough anyway) there and attach the island to the wall (making it a peninsula). We did the same and are happy with it. Otherwise, you end up with wasted space that you will never really use and will always have to keep clean.
But of course, it’s all a matter of personal preference.
if the area is not intended for walking through, I would install a narrower floor-to-ceiling window (just a single pane – it’s bright enough anyway) there and attach the island to the wall (making it a peninsula). We did the same and are happy with it. Otherwise, you end up with wasted space that you will never really use and will always have to keep clean.
But of course, it’s all a matter of personal preference.
Thanks for all the information. Regarding the price, next time I will definitely handle it differently and either not specify one or state a lower amount.
We have the microwave like that in our current kitchen as well, and it hasn’t been an issue so far ; )
I initially considered a peninsula too. But from the outside, this layout fits better. Also, since there will be a sliding door, I need the second element anyway to slide the first one in front of it ; )
We have the microwave like that in our current kitchen as well, and it hasn’t been an issue so far ; )
I initially considered a peninsula too. But from the outside, this layout fits better. Also, since there will be a sliding door, I need the second element anyway to slide the first one in front of it ; )