The best stand mixer can take all of the tricky stuff out of home baking, leaving you with the delicious results. In our top 10 best stand mixer guide we’ve featured models from KitchenAid, Russell Hobbs, Kenwood, and Bosch, with reviews of every attachment for making cake, bread, cookies, and a lot more.

Any home baker will love the way a stand mixer speeds up all of their favourite recipes. It will cream your butter and sugar together to make your cakes light and fluffy, and leave you to prepare your decorations while your cake batter mixes with the use of flat beaters of whisks. Or, switch your stand mixer into high gear and you can knead some delicious sourdough or fresh brioche buns with none of the muscle word you’d usually need to bake fresh bread.

Plus, there’s no denying that a KitchenAid or Smeg mixer will take the pride of place in any kitchen counter, which is why you’ll find them adorning the counters designers who merely dabble in baking. When you’ve chosen your mixer, you can also pair it with one of the best blenders to coordinate your appliances by brand and color.

What is the best stand mixer?

Of all the stand mixers we’ve tried, the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer is our top pick. It comes in a range of classic colours and the glass bowl offers great value for money when you consider the quality of the design.

If you want a value stand mixer, or you have a small space to work with, the Morphy Richards MixStar really punches above its weight in both power and price.

Best stand mixers 2022

1. Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 6
Capacity: 5 litre mixing bowl
Reasons to buy:

• Its fold function means you can make delicate mixes like brioche
• Very powerful motor
• Newly available in a range of fun colours
• Everything is dishwasher-safe

Reasons to avoid:

• It weighs over 10kg, so it’s pretty heavy for a mixer

Whether you’re a beginner, a casual baker or more experienced, the kMix stand mixer offers something for everyone. Not only is it incredibly easy to control with six speeds and a fold option, but its five-litre heatproof glass bowl also allows you to see exactly what’s going on inside. This puts paid to pesky flour lumps. It also features a 1,000W motor designed to handle up to 1.35kg of difficult dough. On the downside, thanks to its metal body, it’s another heavy mixer at 10.9kg.

During testing, the kMix stand mixer was fuss-free to use, staying reassuringly steady on the worktop even at high speeds. It produced everything from light, fluffy doughnuts to crisp meringue and thick whipped cream for pavlovas perfectly.

Another plus is the sheer range of compatible attachments, which include a pasta cutter, grinding mill, dicer and spaghetti maker. It comes in four colours and all the parts are dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our full Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer review

2. Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker

Best stand mixer for smart modern features

Power: 1200 watts
Speed settings: 10
Capacity: 5 litre stainless steel bowl
Reasons to buy: 

• In-built scales
• Premium, but value-for-money
• Assisted tilt-head
• Timer display

Reasons to avoid: 

• Slight gap in the splash guard

The Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker is an expensive choice, but with in-built scales and a timer, it’s the ticket to perfectly precise bakes. We really enjoyed how accurate the scales were, as they allowed us to add all of our flour, butter, sugar, and eggs to the bowl without the need to put them in a separate measuring device beforehand. Less cleanup, and a lot less faff! The assisted tilt-head means you can prop up the attachments with minimal effort, because it springs up when you press the lever.

It comes in only one colour, which is a shame, but you can switch out the colour of the top panel. This also has a port to add up to 25 attachments: a blender, even a pasta maker. Best part, these will also pair with the scales on the base! The mixer comes with three attachments, and we particularly enjoyed the flat beater. We did find that the splash guard had a slight cap above the bowl, because it’s attached to the assisted tilt-head, and this let a little flour and icing sugar escape from the bowl when cooking.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker review

3. KitchenAid 4.8L Artisan Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for baking cake

Power: 300 watts
Speed settings: 6
Capacity: 4.8 litre bowl
Reasons to buy:

• Looks great
• A classic for a reason
• A mid-price option
• Comes in countless colours

Reasons to avoid:

• Its motor is a little lacking compared to other options

We know you recognise this one. From the Great British Bake Off to Nigella’s home kitchen, the KitchenAid Artisan is a classic. We put it to the test to see if it’s still the cream of the crop. The verdict? This stand mixer is stunning and sturdy, but the motor is a little lacking compared to some of the others in our guide. You can make up to two batches of bread at a time in this mixer, so it’s a good balance between size and capacity. The bowl also screws on easily and has a handle. Attachments are dishwasher-safe, which we love.

We found that the Artisan mixer is both quiet and efficient. There’s also an optional pouring shield to prevent splashes, and it comes with a wire whisk, flat beater and dough hook as default. The classic tilt-head design will fit under your kitchen cabinets, and because there’s so many colours to choose from (not to mention countless custom bowls and other matching appliances such as the best food processors) we know it will look the part too.

It’s also one of the heaviest stand mixers available, at a knee-bending 11kg with accessories. It did make some delicious cake though, and you can buy plenty of additional attachments to make pasta, ice cream, and even stuff sausages if you so wish.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full KitchenAid 4.8L Artisan Stand Mixer review

4. Bosch MUM59340GB

Best value stand mixer 

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 7
Capacity: 3.9 litre mixing bowl
Reasons to buy:

• Comes with shredding discs, a mincer, a citrus press and a blender
• Very reasonably priced
• Almost all accessories go in the dishwasher

Reasons to avoid: 

• The sheer amount of kit means you’ll need space to store it all

This is a stand mixer for cooks who want to progress from making a springy Victoria sandwich to baking the sort of things the Great British Bake Off judges would be wowed by. The reason is that it’s more than a stand mixer. Not only does it come with shredding discs, a mincer, a citrus press and a blender (and swivels into three positions for you to use them), in its stand mixer mode it beats, mixes, whisks and kneads like a pro.

Inside the mixer’s 3.9-litre bowl, there’s enough room to mix up to 2kg of dough with the kneading hook. This even has a ‘dough deflector’ to stop any mixture from escaping. During testing, dough wrapped around the hook but was easy to remove. The blender also performed well with no lack of power – a common problem with attachments.

When you’re finished baking up a storm, the MUM5 stand mixer’s cord automatically retracts. All the accessories except the mincer can be popped in the dishwasher and there’s a storage bag. The obvious downside of this mixer is the sheer amount of kit to store, but if you’re willing to make some room you’ll be rewarded.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our full Bosch MUM59340GB Stand Mixer review

5. Morphy Richards MixStar

Best stand mixer for smaller kitchens

Image credit: Morphy Richards

Power: 650 watts
Speed settings: 6
Capacity: 4 litre bowl
Reasons to buy:

• It’s a real space saver
• It’s a very capable machine given its low power
• There’s a timer in-built
• It sped along the cooking process thanks to double attachments

Reasons to avoid:

• It lacks that classic stand mixer look

In testing, we loved how easily it was able to knead bread and make cakes and whipped cream with the Morphy Richards MixStar. The mixer is noiser than some, and it’s also lacking that classic tilt-head design that many find so appealing about a stand mixer. If it’s not the look you’re after though, this is an immensely capable model. It comes with an in-built timer that allows you to plan your baking exploits perfectly, and its six-point speed dial is variable which gives you complete control of your mixing.

The MixStar is powered through a central column that stems from its base. To this you can attach the whisk, dough hook, or flat beater attachments which work on a cog to rotate around the bowl. Unlike many stand mixers which have only one overhead attachment, this mixer has two, which means it can power through tasks as quickly as you’ll need. All the attachments store easily in an insert that sits in the bowl itself, which means this stand mixer is incredibly easy to store, and significantly less space-intensive as other options.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Morphy Richards MixStar review

6. Sage The Bakery Boss Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for easy controls

Power: 1200 watts
Speed settings: 12
Capacity: 4.7 litre mixing bowl
Reasons to buy: 

• Two mixing bowls included
• LCD timer
• LED lights on tilt-head
Reasons to avoid: 

• Glass bowl is hefty to lift

The Sage The Bakery Boss Stand Mixer wowed us with its smart LCD timer and the illuminated controls. If you struggle to know which speed to knead, cream, and mix with, the side of the mixer has zones which illuminate when you’re at the right speed.

Because it has two interchangeable bowls you won’t need to worry about rinsing out your cake bowl to beat your frosting, and while the glass one is very heavy, it is great for watching your mixture as it works. The steel bowl has a handle that makes pouring easy, too.

To get a better view as your cake mixes, there’s an LED light that shines down from the tilt-head into the mixing bowl. The machine itself has a handle that makes it easy to move around your kitchen, and other great touches include the flat beater, which as a scraper attachment that makes sure there’s no butter or sugar left at the side of the bowl. This meant we didn’t have to go around the outside of the bowl with a spatula to make sure that all of our ingredients were well incorporated. Our only gripe? The whisk can’t go in the dishwasher.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our full Sage The Bakery Boss Stand Mixer review

7. Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer on a budget

Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 5
Capacity: 4.3 litre bowl
Reasons to buy:

• This value choice has heaps of attachments and a powerful motor
• Powerful 1000 watt motor
• Planetary mixing motion

Reasons to avoid:

• Hand-wash only

The Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer has 1000 watts of power, which is impressive for a mixer of this price. It’s affordable when you buy it purely for mixing, but spend a little more and you’ll find attachments for blending, food processing, and even meat grinding.

While the design is a little unusual, we found that it did a great job of incorporating all of our ingredients thanks to the planetary mixing motion that reaches all edges of the bowl. The dough hook is also great for making springy loaves with well-kneaded dough. The 1000-watt motor comes in handy here, too, but with only five speed settings, it lacks some more specific speeds.

None of the attachments can go in the dishwasher, which is a bit of a pain, but we did find that they are easy enough to clean by hand. The mixer is great for smaller kitchen counters, because it’s lightweight and can slot under kitchen cabinets with ease.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer review

8. KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Best KitchenAid stand mixer for classic kitchens

Image credit: KitchenAid

Power: 250 watts
Speed settings: 10
Capacity: 3.3 litre bowl
Reasons to buy: 

• Small and lightweight
• Has the iconic KitchenAid Artisan design
• Has all the attachments you need

Reasons to avoid:

• It’s not the most powerful, and still quite pricey

25% lighter and 20% smaller than the Kitchenaid Artisan mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini is great for those who want the charm of a KitchenAid mixer but with a smaller profile. It has a flat beater, wire whisk, and dough hook for all your baking needs, and you can also wash all of these (apart from the whisk) in the dishwasher.

Despite its limited motor size, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini was powerful enough to make smooth and fluffy cake mixes and well-worked cookie dough. When making bread it was able to knead a regular sized loaf, but we did find that the dough worked its way up the hook.

If you enjoy baking but don’t need the best stand mixer for batch bakes, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini is a great choice for you. It has a great range of colour options too, and it looks a real treat when placed on the kitchen counter.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full KitchenAid Artisan Mini stand mixer review

9. Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for quirky design

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 10
Capacity: 5 litre bowl 
Reasons to buy:

• We love the style
• Ten speeds and a pulse mode
• It’s got a very generous sized working bowl

Reasons to avoid:

• The bowl and whisk has a plastic base, which isn’t too durable

A more traditional boxy exterior might have you swiping left on the Go Create Stand Mixer. But beneath the no-nonsense plastic lies a good yet affordable helper. There are noticeable differences between this and a more premium model – the stainless-steel bowl has a plastic base as does the whisk, for example – but beyond that everything you need for baking is here.

Three tools, a slide-on splashguard with a pouring spout, a powerful 1000W motor and 10 speeds. There’s even a pulse on the dial, which provides a burst of top speed for finishing off mixes.

The benefit of fewer metal elements (even the beater is made from fibreglass) is that all the parts are dishwasher-safe. This makes it invaluable in a busy family household, plus it’s lighter than die-cast models. So you can move it around without straining under the weight. Another plus is the mixer’s generously sized five-litre bowl, which easily accommodated bread dough, cake batter or egg whites without throwing anything out.

There are a couple of quirks. The mixer was very noisy on the top speeds, and the spring from new was strong, so you’ll need to hold the head as you raise it or it jerks. However, the performance was surprisingly efficient for a machine at this price point.

It whisked our egg whites to firm peaks in about four minutes. It mixed and kneaded bread dough around the bowl without it wrapping around the hook (which resulted in a well-risen loaf), and blended butter and sugar to a pale creamy consistency.

We noticed a few streaks of butter in the sponge batter after mixing and scraping down, but the baked cake rounds were light with golden, springy tops.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Stand Mixer review

10. Precision Stand Mixer by Cuisinart

Best stand mixer for a large capacity

Power: 500 watts
Speed settings: 12
Capacity: 5.2 litre stainless steel bowl
Reasons to buy:

• With 12 speeds it’s perfect for mixing dough
• Worked very well on bread dough
• Very robust and sturdy

Reasons to avoid:

• The lever to lift felt a little clunky

Great for batch bakers and big families, the 500W Precision Stand Mixer is surprisingly roomy. While its footprint is standard, its 5.2-litre, stainless-steel bowl provides more capacity than you’d expect in a model of this size. This means that you can knead up to 1.2kg of dough, whip 1.4 litres of cream or whisk 12 egg whites in a single load.

There are 12 speeds, from a gentle stir (which we found invaluable for starting to mix dough) to a rapid whisk that took the effort out of making meringues. The mixer shook a little on the highest settings but stayed steady on the worktop.

Its tools are the usual three of whisk (the only part not dishwasher-safe), beater and dough hook. This last one was especially good in that our bread dough didn’t wrap itself around the hook, but moved and kneaded it around the bowl efficiently.

Our loaf rose well without any manual kneading. The two-part splashguard and spout, while a handy option, was something that was awkward to have in use most of the time. It slid on easily enough but every time the mixer head was raised, both sections had to be removed, making scraping down the bowl more of a chore.

Its performance couldn’t be faulted – our sugar and butter creamed together quickly, and the batter looked well aerated. The finished sponge wasn’t as fluffy as we’d hoped though. Where it delivers less is on aesthetics – the Precision Stand Mixer is only available in black or white, the pedal to raise the mixer head protrudes oddly and the dial feels like a clunky way to move up or down through the speeds.

However, if you’re looking for a robust workhorse of a mixer and don’t mind not having a colourful appliance, it’s a smart choice.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Why do I need a stand mixer?

Stand mixers look the part, but they are also essential for taking the muscle work out of even the toughest recipes. Anyone who’s spent ten minutes kneading bread dough or hand-beating cake mix will know that it’s a lot of arm work. Not only will the best stand mixer do it a lot faster, but it will often do a better job thanks to the range of speeds available, as well as the assortment of attachments that are custom made for baking.

You can opt for the iconic mixers from KitchenAid and Kenwood, but our guide also features some options from Cuisinart and Bosch. There’s even a mixer from Morphy Richards, which isn’t technically a stand mixer, but really wowed us in testing thanks to its smart and compact design.

What to consider when buying a stand mixer

Image credit: Oliver Gordon

How much should I spend on a mixer?

This depends on whether you’re buying a stand mixer with a view to keeping it long-term. Basic mixers can be picked up as cheaply as £50. But for one that will last, budget for a minimum of £100. Beyond £150, most of what you’ll be paying for is a greater choice of colours and styling, extra features or accessories. More expensive mixers tend to have a sturdier build quality to ensure they’ll be whisking and beating for decades to come.

What kind of stand mixer attachments are available?

Stand mixers often feature more than one outlet – the main outlet being using to rotate the tool in the bowl. Additional ones are usually located at the front of the machine or on the top of the lever arm. These allow you to power attachments, turning your simple stand mixer into a multifunctional kitchen helper. Standard mixer attachments include a blender jug for making smoothies and soups, or crushing ice, and sometimes a food processor for slicing, grating and chopping.

Most manufacturers offer a range of stand mixer attachments to buy. These include rollers for making pasta and specialised ravioli makers. There are also mincers or grinders for processing meat, slicers, pre-freeze ice cream bowls, millers, spiralisers and juicers. Accessories and attachments can take up a fair amount of room in your kitchen. Look for models that can store accessories inside the bowl or come with a storage box. That way, you won’t lose kit at the back of a cupboard.

What are the main features of a stand mixer?

Image credit: Simon Whitmore

• Bowl capacity: Unlike some small appliances, where wattage can be a rough guide to how powerful a machine is, when it comes to stand mixers, it’s better to buy on more tangible features. Bowl capacity is a good place to start. Some can be as low as 3.3 litres, but average is between 4-5 litres. Larger six-litre-plus bowls are ideal for batch bakers. Bowls are usually made from stainless steel (cheaper models may have a plastic base). But they can be made from glass, too, which enables you to keep an eye on the ingredients as they mix.
• Tools: Most mixers will have three tools as standard. A balloon whisk for whipping cream, eggs and light mixtures, a dough hook for kneading bread and a beater for batters, biscuit dough and general mixing. This could also be a flexi or scraper beater – a tool with a silicone rim that helps to scrape down the bowl as it mixes. Another accessory that’s common is a splashguard – essential for stopping the contents of the bowl escaping during vigorous mixing.
• Speed: The majority of stand mixers use planetary mixing action. This means the tool orbits while the arm moves around the bowl. This action should mean that the mixture is moved towards the middle of the bowl rather than being flung out to the sides. Each mixer will have a range of speeds, controlled by a slider or a dial. This allows you to build up to the speed you want gradually.
• Slow start and pause functions: There may also be a ‘soft start’ slow speed to prevent fine ingredients, such as flour, puffing out before the speed ramps up. Another useful feature is a pause function. This stops the machine mixing so you can add ingredients, before returning to the same speed. Some mixers may also have preset programmes for food types such as cake or gentle ‘fold’ options.
• More extras: Other stand mixer extras include integral lighting, so you have a better view inside the bowl. A countdown timer that helps prevent over-mixing, and sensors that help maintain the mixer’s speed when tackling heavier loads. 

What other key questions do I need to ask about stand mixers?

1. Are the mixer parts dishwasher safe?

While a dishwasher-safe bowl is usually standard, check that accessories are too before you pop them in alongside. Whisk attachments often have to be washed by hand. Hot temperatures can cause plastic to be damaged.

2. What about spare parts?

Spares can be handy if you’re having a full-on baking day. So look for manufacturers that offer additional bowls and attachments.

3. Where can I store my mixer?

Think about where your stand mixer will live. If it’s out on the worktop, find a design that comes in a shade to suit your kitchen and will fit below wall units. If it’s destined for a cupboard, opt for a machine that’s light enough to lift in and out. Some cast-metal stand mixers can be heavy and bulky.

4. How can I tidy away wires?

Trying to avoid too many trailing wires across your worktop? Look out for machines with handy cable storage.

The post Best stand mixers 2022: reviews of KitchenAid, Kenwood and more appeared first on Ideal Home.

If you’re planning a new kitchen and an island is on the wish list, then it’s certainly worth considering kitchen island sink ideas too. While a kitchen island will provide useful extra storage and countertop space, working a sink into the mix will boost an island’s functionality and make kitchen prep and cleaning tasks a breeze.

Installing a kitchen island idea is a great way of improving the ergonomics of an open-plan kitchen space and will help the layout to flow more freely, having the essentials within easy reach.

So if your kitchen sink is currently in an awkward spot or you’d like a more sociable outward-facing layout so you can chat to family while doing the washing up, then re-positioning the sink into a kitchen island might be the perfect solution.

Kitchen island sink ideas

‘An island can fill any of the five purposes – storage, prep, cooking, serving, and washing up,’ says Darren Watts Design Director at Wren Kitchens, ‘so you need to decide which role (or roles) your island will fill. This will have an effect on the width and depth of your island, especially if you need room for a sink or major appliances.’

‘Many people also forget that there needs to be an adequate source of plumbing for a kitchen island sink. As well as electrics for appliances, such as a hob, dishwasher or fridge, so these will need to be factored in at the planning stage too.’

1. Consider the kitchen work triangle

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

The positioning of a freestanding island in an open-plan kitchen layout often creates a galley-style layout, with units and appliances on one side and a longline island running centrally. It’s a layout much-loved by chefs, as it’s compact, ergonomic and efficient, with everything within easy reach.

Try arranging the ‘work triangle’ of hob, sink and fridge with two working areas on one side of the kitchen, and the third on the other, roughly centred between the two. Having the sink positioned centrally on the island helps keep the work triangle fairly compact and reduces too much back and forth, for a more efficient use of space.

2. Position the sink close to a dishwasher

Image credit: Future PLC/Richard Gadsby

Having a sink that’s separate from the dishwasher might mean lots of dripping dishes and sopping saucepans that could make the kitchen floor wet and slippery. So factoring an island sink with a dishwasher alongside it, rather than across the kitchen, makes good practical sense.

Both will require plumbing work, plus additional electrics for any appliances, so these will need to be factored in too at the planning stage.

3. Opt for a second sink for prep work

Image credit: Future PLC/Richard Gadsby

If space allows, installing two kitchen sinks is worth considering, one large and one small, each with designated purposes. Allocate the larger one as the dedicated clean-up sink, with washing-up kit and detergents stored close by, with the second smaller sink to be reserved purely for kitchen prep.

Having a small prep sink set into a kitchen island, with ample work surface space around it makes for easier and more sociable food preparation. Utensils, bowls, boards and prep kit can be left out on the work surface or stored within easy reach. Make sure that the sink is large enough to accommodate your largest items of cookware, such as a large bowl, colander or saucepan for easy rinsing and draining.

4. Double-up with an extra-large sink

Image credit: Future PLC/David Parmiter

The space underneath a window often provides the ideal location for a kitchen sink, with views to look out on while doing the dishes. But if there isn’t a suitable window, positioning the sink centrally in an island is a good option. With no overhead cabinets to obstruct you. It also enables you to look out across the room or chat to guests when you’re stood at the sink.

If the island sink is going to be the kitchen’s only sink, then it’s worth making it bigger rather than on the compact side. A double-bowled sink is a good option as it will give space for washing and space for draining, meaning that a draining board isn’t necessary. Even for a small kitchen island idea go as large as you can for the sink, to maximise functionality.

Regardless of sink size, you’ll need to make sure that there is ample work surface space either side of a sink. Allow a minimum of 24in on one side and 18in on the other.

5. Install a sink-side drainer

Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith

While not strictly necessary, drainage grooves help to demarcate the drainer area of a solid worktop and create an aesthetically-pleasing finishing touch next to an under-mounted sink.

Without drainage, water spilt onto a flat kitchen surface will just sit there and make the area wet. A worktop with drainage grooves will help liquids to escape, channelling them towards the sink so they can drain safely away.

6. Go for standout style with a stainless steel sink

Image credit: Future PLC/Darren Chung

Under-mounted sinks look sleek and seamless and are a great choice if you want a discreet look, though they will require a solid worktop such as composite, granite, quartz or timber. A lay-on sink with built-in drainage is another option, but it won’t sit flush, so can ruin the sleek lines of an island worktop.

Ceramic Belfast or Butler sinks are a good option if you want to make more of a focal point, and while not as discreet as an under-mounted sink, they look striking in a traditional or country style kitchen. Alternatively, opt for an industrial stainless steel sink as a contemporary-look alternative.

If you have the space think about positioning your kitchen island seating idea at the far end, away from your sink – to prevent any splash-back potential soakings for guests.

7. Make a statement with a super-sized tap

Image credit: Future PLC/Tom Meadows

Choice of tap can play a key part in the aesthetics of a kitchen island sink set-up. A tap is often the only fitting on show (especially with under-mounted sinks), so the eye will naturally be drawn towards it.

Keep it neat and understated, by opting for a sleek, discreet design that will blend in, or go big and bold with a standout statement tap, the choice is yours. Taps in contrast finishes can look super-stylish, from copper and brushed brass finishes to polished chrome or accent black.

Spring-loaded taps with pull-out sprays are another popular choice for kitchen islands and are guaranteed to stand out. Plus the extendable hose and aerated spray flow makes rinsing veg or blasting away stubborn stains a doddle.

8. Consider an angled island set up

Image credit: Used Kitchen Exchange

If lack of kitchen space isn’t a problem, why not consider a unique asymmetrical island? An angled or corner-shaped kitchen island can be a clever way of zoning a large open-plan kitchen-diner, creating a dividing line between the kitchen prep areas and the dining section.

Setting a kitchen sink into an angled section of work top allows maximum prep space around the sink area and leaves space on the other side for a couple of high stools for sitting.

9. Separate the sink and seating area

Image credit: Wren Kitchens

While a freestanding island may make the perfect location for a kitchen sink, be careful not to overcrowd the island with too many other functions (prepping, cooking, cleaning, eating, seating), especially if it’s on the small side.

Extras and appliances, like dishwashers, hobs and under-counter fridges, all take up space that could be used for seating, so consider what function is most valuable to you when you’re at the planning stage.

10. Hide away dirty dishes

Image credit: Future PLC/Lu Jeffery

A kitchen island sink can be a fabulous focal point, but often the sink area can be a bit of a dumping ground and become a magnet for dirty crockery and glassware. Raising a section of island so that the sink area is discreetly concealed from view is a clever trick that will help keep the washing up and any other undesirables hidden out of sight in an open-plan space.

11. Illuminate the sink-side area

Image credit: Future PLC

Working out the right kitchen island lighting idea is an essential thing to think about for any kitchen island. It should be low-level and intimate for seating areas where you want to feel relaxed or bright and directional above islands where you’ll be working so that task work is well-illuminated.

Above a kitchen island sink, opt for fittings that are open at the bottom so that light is directed downwards over the sink. Hang so that they won’t block the view across the kitchen and allow for a clearance of roughly 75-90cm above the work surface and the bottom of the pendant.

12. Install a fridge under your kitchen island

Image credit: Future PLC/Brian Harrison

A great accompaniment for a kitchen island sink, an under-counter fridge will come in handy for chilling fresh food to be prepped on the island or stocked up with cold drinks and supplies for cocktail-making sessions.

A super-useful addition if space is plentiful, but do bear in mind that any under-counter appliances might take up valuable space that could be used for seating. So weigh up what’s more valuable before deciding.

Should you put a sink in a kitchen island?

Ultimately, this depends on how much space you have. The size of your kitchen island and whether it’s going to incorporate any other elements, such as a hob or seating area. It’s never a good idea to overcrowd a kitchen island, so deciding what features are more important for your needs is key to this decision.

An outward-facing sink (or hob) can be quite sociable, allowing the cook to look out across the kitchen or open-plan dining area while at work and chat to family or guests at the same time.

Having the sink in a kitchen island with the hob and fridge on the units behind creates a neat working triangle. Meaning everything is within easy reach and just a step or two away, rather than having everything positioned in one long line or on opposite sides of the kitchen to each other.

How big should an island sink be?

The size of the island sink you opt for depends on whether you have one sink or two. Often a small prep sink is incorporated into the island unit, while a larger, utility-style sink dedicated to cleaning is positioned in the main bank of kitchen units.

Having a small prep sink set into the island is useful for food preparation and cooking as everything food-related can be done in one place. And being smaller than a regular-sized sink, it leaves more space on the island for other features, such as a hob.

If having two sinks is not an option and the island sink is to be the only sink available, then it’s sensible to opt for a larger design that can incorporate all needs, from food prep to cleaning. Double-bowl sinks are a good option as both can be used independently, so if one is being used for washing-up duties, the other can still be used for rinsing fruit and veg if needed.

The post Kitchen island sink ideas to create a multi-functional workspace appeared first on Ideal Home.

Switching to a cheaper mortgage deal is one of the best ways to reduce your monthly household outgoings, but beware of early repayment charges, which could wipe out your savings.

If you move to another lender to ensure the best mortgage rate or repay your mortgage before your current deal ends, you may trigger an early repayment charge, or ERC, which can run into thousands of pounds.

What are early repayment charges?

An early repayment charge is a penalty for ending your mortgage deal before its tie-in period expires. For example, if you’ve signed up to a five-year fixed rate, and you want to move to a cheaper deal a few years later, chances are, you’ll have to pay an ERC.

You might also have to pay an ERC if you’re paying off a chunk of your mortgage early, or if you’re fortunate enough, your entire balance.

The reason that lenders charge an ERC is because when they lend you money, they’re expecting to make a certain amount of interest from the deal. By repaying your mortgage early, they end up out of pocket.

Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, says: ‘An ERC enables the lender to offer a particular rate; it’s banking on you paying a certain amount of interest during the period where ERCs apply. So if you early the mortgage early, it imposes the charge to compensate for the lost interest.’

The charge can be significant. For example, if there’s £150,000 left on your mortgage balance you’d pay an eye-watering £4,500 to leave a deal early with a 3% ERC.

Do all mortgages have early repayment charges?

Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme

No. An ERC doesn’t always apply. Whether you might face this fee depends on the type of mortgage you have. You won’t have to pay an ERC if you’re on your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR), and you want to move away from this. You’ll usually only be charged a small admin fee of, say, a few hundred pounds.

Some tracker and fixed rates mortgages also don’t carry an ERC. ‘But the rates are usually a little higher, particularly in the case of a fixed rate without an ERC,’ says David Hollingworth, associate director of broker L&C.

A mortgage broker can help you to find mortgage deals that have no, or low, ERCs, if they’re a concern for you. ‘Finding a deal without an ERC gives borrowers more flexibility. It’s suitable for those in receipt of a bonus, for example, or expecting an inheritance who might repay their mortgage early,’ says Harris.

What is a typical repayment charge?

ERCs vary dramatically, and usually range from 1% to 5% of your remaining mortgage balance. While a 1% ERC might not sound a lot, it can still amount to a fair sum – £2,000 on a mortgage balance of £200,000, for example.

The percentage charge for an ERC may gradually reduce on some deals from, for example, 5% in year one of a five-year fix to 1% the final year. In this scenario, if you had £150,000 outstanding on your mortgage, you’d pay an ERC of £7,500 in year one, which would gradually reduce to £1,500 in the final year of the deal.

How can I avoid an ERC?

Most lenders offer some leeway for borrowers to make overpayments of up to 10% of their mortgage balance without paying an ERC. ‘This allows for regular monthly overpayments or for lump sum payments to be made without a penalty, which is often enough for borrowers,’ says Hollingworth.

Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole

You may also avoid an ERC by choosing a shorter deal. This way, if your circumstances change such as selling up after a divorce or to move for work, you’ll hopefully be out of the tie-in period. ‘It’s probably not wise to choose a 10-year fix with penalties if there’s a chance you’ll move during that time – a shorter fix of, say, two years, may be more sensible,’ says Harris.

Bear in mind, though, that it’s always a good idea to do the sums to see if it’s worth paying an ERC. It may be worth paying a penalty to ultimately save more money on your mortgage repayments over the long term if you’re on an expensive standard variable rate (SVR). You’ll usually slip onto your lender’s SVR when your current mortgage deal ends, and the rate can hugely increase your monthly repayments. In this case, the interest you’re paying may outweigh the ERC, making it more sensible to pay the fee to switch rates.

What about when I remortgage or move house, do I have to pay an ERC?

Possibly, yes, if you’re not careful. If you’re remortgaging, check that your new deal doesn’t kick in until the end of your current deal to avoid paying an ERC. If you’re on your lender’s SVR, though, you won’t pay an ERC to remortgage.

As part of your moving house checklist, you might pay an ERC if you’re moving to a cheaper property. You’ll probably want to use the money released from the sale of your old home to reduce the size of your mortgage. But this may trigger an early repayment charge.

However, you might have a flexible mortgage that you can take with you when you move house. This is known as porting your mortgage, and most lenders allow you to avoid an ERC this way, provided you’re not repaying a large chunk of your mortgage in the process.

But if you’re borrowing more to move house, you’ll need to go through the mortgage affordability assessment process, and you may not be able to port your mortgage. If you cannot borrow enough, you may face an ERC if you have to take a mortgage from another lender.

‘It can make sense to tailor the ERC period in line with when you may need to review your rate, or move – so you keep your options open to shop around when the time comes,’ says Hollingworth.

The post Early repayment charges: what every homeowner should know appeared first on Ideal Home.

“Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.”

No doubt the L.A. restaurant scene now rivals every major city in the world. We are in no shortage of fancy dining experiences begging you to drop $300 for two on any given night. Don’t get me wrong, I love a tasting menu, an impossible-to-get reservation, a celebrity chef, an $18 craft cocktail. Who doesn’t? But I also like a date night spot that doesn’t make me break out into a sweat when the bill arrives. A place that isn’t a dive, has great food and allows two people to get out the door for under $100*. If that sounds absurd, it is! Let me tell you, L.A. is severely lacking in cool, affordable restaurants we want to return to over and over (R.I.P Canele) Sadly during the pandemic we lost so many of my favorites that were on this list. For that reason, I have updated my list of the best affordable restaurants in Los Angeles that are good enough for a date night.

And please, I beg of you, share your favorite places with me in the comments! It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, especially in your own neighborhood. What are your favorite affordable L.A. date night restaurants? You get extra points if it’s not Italian!

Top 10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Los Angeles—Even for a Date Night

1. Osteria La Buca (Korea Town/Hancock Park + Sherman Oaks (new!)): This has been our saving grace during the pandemic because it’s oozing with cozy ambience and actually survived! The pork chop will blow your mind and so will the Carbonara and pizza.
2. Osteria Mamma (South East Hollywood/Hancock Park): From the bufala mozzarella pizza to the grilled chicken to the linguine al vongole, you’ll be hard pressed to find better Italian, especially at this price. They expanded their outdoor seating with a tent in the back.
3. Mercado (multiple locations, but we love 3rd street): While maybe not the most romantic place, the food is great and so are the margaritas. We are regulars at the 3rd street location. They have one of the best happy hours in town—don’t miss the beef or potato tacos!
4. Black Cat (Silver Lake): I love that there is no small plate concept, and it’s great for a date or even with a group. This is a hot spot on the weekends, so reservations are needed.
5. Zinqué (Weho): I love having wine and charcuterie on the outdoor patio any time of day. The Le Bowl is a must-try, but there is definitely something for everyone.
6. The Henry (Hollywood): We have been frequenting this West Hollywood spot that’s great for brunch, cocktails and dinner. Quite possibly the best tortilla soup I’ve had in LA and my husband is obsessed with their Harvest Bowl. They closed in 2020, but are finally back.
7. Barbrix (Silver Lake): This is owned by the same group as our old favorite Market Provisions, which sadly closed in 2020. While the indoor ambience won’t blow your mind, they have ample outdoor seating. For the price to food quality, it’s a really great option especially since the menu has something for everyone.
8. Pura Vita (Weho): This is the restaurant that has most surprised me in 2019. It is a vegetarian Italian restaurant, and I was shocked that I didn’t miss having meat at all. They have a wonderful wine list and cozy ambience. Highly recommend!
9. La Pizza at Eataly (Century City): We love going to Eataly to shop for ingredients to make pizzas at home, but we discovered the bar over the pandemic and it’s such a fun date night or date lunch. You can order food too, so we always get a pizza—no clean up involved! They are currently having a Negroni bar pop up—Saluti!
10. Everson Royce (DTLA): Technically this is an upscale cocktail bar with food, but the food is really good! They have a large outdoor area perfect for larger parties or cozy up to the bar with your hot date. Get the burger!

*The under $100 price is based on getting one drink each and not going crazy with how many dishes you order.

PS. Even MORE Affordable Resturants in Los Angeles

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The post 10 Affordable Date Night Restaurants in Los Angeles – UPDATED February 2022 appeared first on The Sought After.