Large Kitchens - are they all useless?

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've been housesitting now for just over 3 weeks, with just under another 2 weeks to go. During this time I have had the 'delight' of using someone else's kitchen which is ten times the size of my own (I kid not!). I had thought I would enjoy a larger kitchen, but it's useless. There is less work surface space; what work surface space there is, is nowhere near to the aga and that aga is useless (it hasn't apparently ever been serviced talking with the cleaner!) I can't get the temperature hot enough to even fry potatoes brown on the hot ring, the hot oven is probably no hotter than 180C and my scones need 230C and even turning the (gas) temperature gauge up to max does nothing!

Sadly I can't go back to my own kitchen because that is being ripped out and redone... a new one is being put in, but at least the size won't change and the work surface space will still be next to the cooker and I will have a gas rings that get hot and an oven that works! I can't wait!

My mother also has a large kitchen and it is also useless for cooking in, but at least her gas cooker range thingy actually works even if she has no work surface space and nothing near to the cooker!

Come back, tiny kitchens all is forgiven!

 

[missbishi]

I think it's easier to work in a smaller kitchen. Having work surfaces right by the cooker is more convenient for a start, especially when you have heavy pans and red hot casserole dishes to deal with. Everything you need is closer to hand and I agree that smaller kitchens tend to have more workspace. My kitchen is tiny, but having everything within close reach is much easier.

 

[DIna00]

Congratulations on getting your kitchen redone! I can not wait to get a new kitchen.

On kitchen size I think it depends. I've never cooked in a large kitchen, but I used to have a medium sized kitchen and it was perfect. I had 4 different counter spaces, all interspersed between the sink, oven, and fridge. That was the perfect kitchen, I miss it so much. Now we are in a temporary residence and I only have one counter space, about as large as a butcher block. It is horrible. I do not make anything that requires too many steps or different ingredients because I just don't have anywhere to put everything. Even making sugar cookies and rolling out the dough requires too much space. So a small kitchen where everything in reach is good, but if you don't have enough counter space it can be extremely miserable!

 

[Caribbean girl]

My kitchen is a fairly large-sized one and I tend to like it this way. There is more room to maneuver and if there is more than 1 person in the kitchen at a time, every one has more space to move around. I cook as well as eat in the kitchen, since there is a table located in the kitchen where we can eat. I also use this table as work space where I do all my food preparations like cutting and chopping, etc. I think the smaller the kitchen, the closer you would be to the heat that is coming off the stove and I prefer to keep a safe distance from the heat. I also think a smaller kitchen would be too cluttered except there is enough cupboard space to hold all the various items that pertain to the kitchen.

 

[Night Train]

My kitchen is all along one wall and 16' long. The rest of the room will be the dining space.

I must admit that the layout looked good, with everything symmetrical around the range cooker, but in practice it is hard work. It is a long walk back and forth between the sink, cooker and fridge, and the worktop is split by the cooker, as are the cupboards and drawers.

My previous kitchen was a little too small as it was in a room 6' x 9' but it meant that I could reach everything from one spot.

Maybe one day I will redesign the kitchen to be more effective, and to put the cupboards within reach of Arch!

 

[ChanellG]

Well, to say all large kitchens are useless is a gross overstatement. Small or large any kitchen is useless without proper storage, adequate prep space, a functioning cooking surface, and the appropriate appliances. Big isn't always better, but I was recently in an enormous kitchen that could have hosted a professional cooking show. The best thing about this kitchen was the amazing amount of storage.

 

[Rosyrain]

Right now I honestly have the biggest kitchen I have ever had to work in and I love it. The kitchen is still small, but it has so much workspace that I am in heaven. I do not like huge kitchens for the fact that you have to literally run around to get everything done in a timely manner. I am a multi tasker in the kitchen and so I have to be able to get to each space quickly. I can't wait until I can own my own home someday and can do with my kithchen what I would like to do.

 

[Lullabelle]

I think it depends on the lay out, we replaced our kitchen last year. The only structural change was to block up the serving hatch, this has given more room for cupboards and we can lay it out to our needs. The things we use most when cooking are now close to the cooker instead of scattered about.

 

[Arch]

Until know I've always had a small (or tiny) kitchen, and coped well. Although our kitchen is big as a room, it doesn't feel like it, as all the kitchen part is along one edge. Now that I've moved in and organised the cupboards my way (a new wife's perogative!) it works fine.

We do have the benefit of extra cupboards in our pantry/utility room, where all the tinned and bulk food is kept.

 

[isabbbela]

I think big kitchens are great for people with large families and that cook a lot. Also, it would be nice to have a cleaning lady if you have a large kitchen! However for a regular family/person a smaller kitchen is probably a best bet. Kitchens get dirty too fast, and if you have a large kitchen it gets oily and sticky really fast - it is a nightmare to clean.

 

[Lullabelle]

I think big kitchens are great for people with large families and that cook a lot. Also, it would be nice to have a cleaning lady if you have a large kitchen! However for a regular family/person a smaller kitchen is probably a best bet. Kitchens get dirty too fast, and if you have a large kitchen it gets oily and sticky really fast - it is a nightmare to clean.

Our unit doors are white but we don't have kids so keeping the place clean isn't a problem.

 

[winterybella]

Big is relative so my idea of big might seem as rather small through the eyes of another person. That said, I've had access to a much bigger kitchen than the one I have at home. While I love the idea of the kitchen being able to seat more than mine when it came to actually cooking in it, I was not particularly impressed. As a cook, I think you want things to flow when it comes to you working in the kitchen area. For me it's all about the lay out and how easy it is to navigate in the space.

I am mostly rushing and I don't know I want my kitchen to be my gym. I don't want to be running here and there and perspiring like crazy. That's the one problem I have with most bigger kitchens I have come across. I think my kitchen is a decent size and I quite comfortable in it. I must confess being in a very small kitchen can be quite stifling. That said, a good cook can work just about anywhere.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

This is the kitchen I am currently 'in'....

It is huge in space but as you can see there is very little work surface space near to the aga. It's hard to convey the size especially give the fact the Irish wolf hound decided to come and see what I was doing.... But I find it is really difficult to cook in even after having been in it nearly 4 weeks now. There is a 6 seater table behind my by the way!

The 'work surface' on the left is about 8 inches deep because of the wall cabinets and is useless for preparation. The one at the back is better and full depth but littered with things that live there! To the right there is a space about 2½ wide between the sink and the aga where the dishwasher is and is generally the dirty dishes area...

This picture shows that area in more detail...

It looks great, but it doesn't work for someone who actually cooks food rather than simply reheats it!

I don't think I have a photo of my old kitchen but I'll have a dig around and see if I can find one. It is tiny and works so much better!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

OK this was my old kitchen when we moved in 2 1/2 years ago.... before we put food and appliances into it.

they really were the best I could do! You can't swing a mouse in it, let alone a cat!



yet ironically, it worked better as a kitchen than the one above! and I was standing at the front/kitchen door when that first photo was taken! @Arch and @Night Train may well remember how small it is. Hopefully the new design will give me a touch more space!

 

[Lullabelle]

I think big kitchens are great for people with large families and that cook a lot. Also, it would be nice to have a cleaning lady if you have a large kitchen! However for a regular family/person a smaller kitchen is probably a best bet. Kitchens get dirty too fast, and if you have a large kitchen it gets oily and sticky really fast - it is a nightmare to clean.

Our unit doors are white but we don't have kids so keeping the place clean isn't a problem.

This is the kitchen I am currently 'in'....

It is huge in space but as you can see there is very little work surface space near to the aga. It's hard to convey the size especially give the fact the Irish wolf hound decided to come and see what I was doing.... But I find it is really difficult to cook in even after having been in it nearly 4 weeks now. There is a 6 seater table behind my by the way!

View attachment 567

The 'work surface' on the left is about 8 inches deep because of the wall cabinets and is useless for preparation. The one at the back is better and full depth but littered with things that live there! To the right there is a space about 2½ wide between the sink and the aga where the dishwasher is and is generally the dirty dishes area...

This picture shows that area in more detail...

View attachment 568

It looks great, but it doesn't work for someone who actually cooks food rather than simply reheats it!

I don't think I have a photo of my old kitchen but I'll have a dig around and see if I can find one. It is tiny and works so much better!

That does look a bit jumbled, not very workable.

I will take the dog if you need more room