New Kitchen layout opinions really needed :(

[RandomMess]

So we are having a basement conversion the room will be approx 11.5" x 22.5" so would really like a kitchen diner family room (well a sofa or couple of comfy chairs).

One of the short walls will be french doors & window no other natural light is possible.

My instinct is to have the kitchen area nearest the natural light but in terms of kitchen planing that is so tricky in terms of practical usage.

So would have the kitchen at the back be a huge no?

I also don't like corner cupboards because they're just not good use of space.

Going slightly crazy but need to make a decision before the basement work starts as it will affect where the plumbing, extractor fan goes etc.

Do I just put the kitchen at the back and accept we'll use the lights a lot?

We have kitchen diner with kitchen in the house, diner in the extension. All the natural light is from French doors and roof lights at the diner end. We have a cream kitchen, light floor and walls so kitchen is reasonably bright but I guess being a basement yours may be that bit darker?

We do have a unit which goes about two thirds of the way across the width of the room between kitchen and diner. This helps split the areas but it is also the lightest bit of the kitchen.

I think it's just so deep and no roof lights IFYSWIM

I suppose if you have kitchen in the dark bit you can plan very good task lights under cupboards, in cookerhood etc.

Could you be radical and have kitchen all down one side so some gets more light? Not sure you have width to get table etc in then though...

It's that work triangle thing...

Going around in circles!!!

I think L shaped kitchen at the back and down one side then space for table and chairs towards the front. I guess it's white or cream gloss again!

I'd always opt to sit in the daylight bit. If the kitchen is dark, under cabinet lighting will sort it. What about an island so that you're facing the light for some of your kitchen work?

I visited friends recently with a similar layout (light only from big windows by living area, kitchen in dark middle). They had daylight bulb up-lighters on top of the cabinets as well as task lights and it did not seem dark at all.

You've convinced me

Think we should def go for solar electricity though at this rate!!!

That's a very long room. I'd put a walk in larder at the very end or utility perhaps so shorten and square off the area you'll use day to day. Then put the kitchen at the back - you could put units along the back making full use of height and then place an island facing the dining area and french windows.

Task lighting and leds for the kitchen. You'll appreciate the natural light in your living/dining space.

Hmm there is space to have the utility to the side and a bathroom and of course the stairs...

I need to talk to the builder - cost is becoming an issue and of course I'm not sure doing what - like where the plumbing goes has what affect on prices .

We almost have too many option!

What about a light well and/or light tubes to bring natural light into the basement room? I can't tell from your posts whether you have explored these.

My DM's cooking part of the kitchen is at the far end of a long rectangle IYSWIM. Don't like it at all.

Everyone I know has the seating down by the French doors and cooking near the main part of the house IYSWIM.

Corner cupboards are fine - you can get all sorts of pull-out shelves in them. A tall larder cupboard is the best cupboard of all

No option for light well or light tubes unfortunately!

I've had corner cupboards before - don't like them!!!

Tall larder no good because I'm a short arse even limited to which fridge and freezer we get so I can see what is on the top shelf AND reach it - LOL

I'm going to get a scale floor plan and literally cut things out and discuss all options with the builder and see if we can use the bit at the side where there is an additional window. It's a bit of weird layout.

play with the Ikea online planner : the new corner cupboard carousels are fab nowadays
lighting : natural is best but there are groovy new LED bar strips that go under units that use stuff all electric and make the working space lovely and bright

if its a dark space, make use of reflection : pale / reflective units and reflective tiles

my kitchen has lots of light but I make the utmost of it

I nearly threw my laptop through the window last night with the Ikea online planner, it was NOT co-operating!!!

I only did the kitchen in our previous home 3 years ago...

We always end up needing to do things to a tight budget which limits what gadgets you can afford

LOL
what about google sketchup (I designed my conservatory on that)