ᐅ Kitchen Planning for Renovation: Question About Window and Appliances

Created on: 10 Sep 2023 01:47
M
Mal Bauen
Hello everyone,
as part of our house building planning (see: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-neubau-auf-bungalow-bestandskeller-1-5-geschossige.44686/) we are currently focusing on the kitchen.

On the ground floor (see floor plans https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/grundriss-neubau-auf-bungalow-bestandskeller-1-5-geschossige.44686/post-631246) we are planning a kitchen wall unit plus a cooking island. We already received a quote from a kitchen studio for this. We removed 3-4 wall cabinets in our subsequent SH3D self-planning (see attachment), but the offer still roughly fits:

- induction cooktop + recirculation hood: Bora PURU (~2300€)
- oven: AEG BPK435060M (~850€)
- dishwasher: Siemens SX63H800BE (720€)
- side-by-side refrigerator, chairs, dining table not included
- base cabinets with drawers/pull-outs
- cooking island 2.1 x 1.2m (7ft x 4ft) with cutout for a column (structurally necessary)
- including installation, 5-year warranty
- 23,000€ (estimated about 21,500€ with the current design and fewer wall cabinets)

Overall, we are happy with the design: We have plenty of space, lots of storage, and easy workflows ...
Nevertheless, we have a few questions and would appreciate if anyone could support us here:
  • Does anyone have experience (positive or negative) with the mentioned electrical appliances?
  • Could it make sense to remove the appliances from the offer? The installation of appliances purchased separately by the kitchen studio costs 85€ per appliance, but then the 5-year warranty is lost. The advantage: I have a wider selection of brands (for example, cooktops are only offered by Bora and Neff) and if lucky, you might get a good deal.
  • We would like a large window above the sink (1km (0.62 miles) clear view of greenery in that direction). Ideally, this window would be uninterrupted by a mullion. With the size we have in mind, it will be difficult to realize such a window with an opening tilt or swivel function. So it will probably be fixed glazing. Do you see the missing ventilation function as a critical issue? Although a controlled ventilation system is planned, there is still quite a bit of steam generated right at the sink. Additionally, the seating window at the top left of the plan will also be fixed glazed...
  • For ergonomic reasons, we have placed the dishwasher at a raised height. Because of this, it is very close to the bench/seating window area. We fear that loading the dishwasher will cause a lot of dripping (for example, when placing not completely empty coffee cups upside down in the upper rack) and that the upholstery/cushions/surfaces of the bench below will suffer. Does anyone have experience with the “dripping” risk around raised dishwashers?
  • Do you consider the quoted price reasonable?
  • Are there any general tips or suggestions for improvement regarding room layout, ergonomics, or design...?

Thank you very much!
Modern kitchen with cooking island, three orange bar stools, wooden column and table in the foreground.

Open floor plan: kitchen with island and dining table, adjacent living room in the plan

3D kitchen with island, cooktop and bar stools next to dining area in open floor plan
M
Mal Bauen
12 Sep 2023 23:17
ypg schrieb:

So, it is not meant to replace the wash window. That could be planned for the south side.
Is the utility room door fixed there? Is there no alternative?
Yes, that’s exactly how I understood it.
The utility room is structurally positioned that way (building on an existing structure, adjacent basement stairs remain unchanged). The door therefore must be on this side and can only be moved a few centimeters (inches) to the right or left at most.
Y
ypg
13 Sep 2023 22:02
I implemented this with a window seat on the east side. Here is a "3D visualization" of how it could be done.
Elevated dishwasher, appliance cabinet in the corner on the right
Modern kitchen view with island, refrigerator, oven, and window on the right.
M
Mal Bauen
14 Sep 2023 21:35
Thank you very much for your efforts, @ypg!

To the right of the window is the sink area, and the stove remains in the island.

What I like:
  • Raised dishwasher with space above for the coffee machine
  • Efficient workflow when clearing the table after meals: dining table -> sink -> dishwasher
  • Calmer overall look by reducing the number of different height levels

What I like less:
  • Since we want to keep the island "clean," there is quite little counter space without a window behind it. On the higher countertop, we will only place the coffee machine and microwave at most.
  • Slightly longer workflow for dishwashing after cooking due to the greater distance between stove and sink
  • The seating window looks somewhat cramped between the kitchen cabinets (which, of course, double as a good backrest)

Overall, I am still leaning more toward the original plan with the "panoramic window" in the kitchen run, even though you get almost the best out of the "seating window integration" concept. I hadn’t expected a centered seating window to actually "work" relatively well.

Here is the version with the row to the right of the window on one level. This creates a somewhat calmer look. The seating window on the right still needs some refinement. We’ll be back at the kitchen showroom this weekend to discuss the various ideas again.

Modern gray kitchen with island and three brown stools; sink, cooktop, window.
Y
ypg
14 Sep 2023 22:16
Mal Bauen schrieb:

Overall, I still tend to prefer the original plan.
Me too 🙂
However, I didn’t want to withhold my option from you, which is to try it out.
Mal Bauen schrieb:

The window seat looks a bit cramped between the kitchen cabinets.
Yes, it’s only about 1.50 meters (5 feet) or so. It looks better if it tapers off to the side.
Mal Bauen schrieb:

On the high countertop, we’ll only put the coffee machine and microwave.
The appliance cabinet would have been suitable for that. Then the clutter wouldn’t be so visible and would be hidden behind a roller shutter.
kati133714 Sep 2023 23:24
I can imagine having the espresso machine on top, but the coffee maker? You’d have to get a step ladder every time you want to refill the beans. That would drive me crazy.
Y
ypg
14 Sep 2023 23:27
kati1337 schrieb:

but the coffee machine? You have to refill the beans there
Exactly, refilling the beans might still be doable, but emptying the water tray is completely out of the question.