Please help me choose between these kitchen designs

[PapaLazarousWife]

We're getting a new kitchen soon and are struggling to decide on the colour. The choices are a silver grey or graphite grey. DH and I prefer the graphite as it is a bit different. We are conscious we don't want to put potential buyers off in the future as we are hoping to add value to our home when we eventually upsize and move on. I am also slightly worried it may appear too dark.

Our kitchen is very light, there is an external door with a window in it not shown. There will be spot lights in the ceiling, under the counters and plinth lighting. We hope to have splash back in "dusted fondant" which is a sort of lilac/light plum colour (shown on the pics with the graphite units), white or off white walls and a nice blind - Not the officey one in the pic.

The worktops will be a white quartz possibly with a glittery flec with the graphite units or a black sparkly quartz with the silver grey lighter units. Undecided on the flooring, but something light like in the pictures.

Thanks in advance for any comments

Sorry it wouldn't let me put all the pictures up at once, here is the graphite...

I think the 2nd one is much better. It looks more high end too.

1st. The space is too small imo to take such a dark colour. I actually don't think the dark is that different (speaking as the owner of a kitchen that's charcoal / light grey). The silver grey is much more unusual (and lovely in the space you have).

Thank you Blooms, we agree I have seen people on mumsnet making negative comments about the dark grey trend recently though which is one of the reasons I asked. Hopefully others will agree too

Ps don't have black worktop though!

Namechanged, the size of the kitchen was one of reasons for my doubts about the dark grey

Why not black? Aesthetics, or practical reasons?

Yes its the size and design (you have lots of tall units which are very practical but will dominate the space). As for the worktop, personally I think you want light and bright and black wouldn't suit that. I also think black granite is a bit dated now - there are also lots of posts on threads like this saying don't have black granite as the smears show up and you end having to polish it all the time.

Thanks namechanged, that's helpful.

I’d go paler kitchen with a dark wall then you’re not stuck. I love my grey sparkly work top. Not too light not too dark. I don’t think grey is going anywhere soon though and it does look nice but isn’t as classic.

What about graphite lower units and white/silver eye-level ones? Draws the eye up and looks less heavy, but you still get that nice graphite look. White worktop.

I'd go for the first option too -I think the dark grey will be too dark for the size of the room though I like the actual colour -good suggestion to go for a grey wall if poss?

Plausible - that's a nice idea and something I suggested but my DH has absolutely vetoed it. I've chosen most things for the kitchen so I don't want him to feel like he doesn't have a say.

Dark lower, lighter top and look also at matt

White looks better. The dark looks too gloomy and will date more (already even). And no to black worktop.

Stay away from light, bright worktops, completely disagree with namechanged- sorry- but they are hideous, mark fast and look terrible. Experience speaking.

Could you find a colour in between? The first looks very clinical and cold and the second too dark. Agree with avoid black worktops, unless very high quality.

The first one. The second one looks very dated.

I’ve got the light grey uniits as in one, with a white sparkly work top. Looks light and airy.

The first one

What type have you got Shifty? I had a very very pale light grey Compac quartz worktop for 3 years in a previous kitchen and sold it on for about 80% of what I paid when we changed the kitchen as it still looks brand new (and with 3 primary age children and a clumsy parent it had been through the mill!).

I now have a very pale marble effect quartz, mostly white with a grey grain running through it). It's been in 2 years and hasn't marked at all.

The way they've presented the black and white one isn't great. The picture is poor.
I'd go for white cupboards and a thick wooden work surface.
The black and white is too much of a contrast. Cream gloss cupboards look light and less stark than white.
The grey will absorb the light, the tall cupboards will dominate and you will get fed up of it being the main colour in five years.
It's a small kitchen you need light retracting colours.

I much prefer the first, second is too dark for me.

Much prefer the graphite, it’s definitely more love it or hate it, the first one is fine but I would rather someone loved or hated my kitchen rather than think it’s “nice” but if your looking to sell you are probably better going for the safe option and save the statement kitchen for your permanent home.

Shifty - would a light coloured quartz worktop mark? I was under the impression they were pretty durable. I wouldn't go for granite as I have heard from mumsnet that they mark easily and are more porous.

The photos of the lighter silver grey aren't great because I took them on my phone from the design booklet they made up but the dark graphite was sent to me by email which is why it looks better quality.

Most of you are confirming what I was worrying about - the kitchen may be too small for the dark units. I'll share this thread with my DH. All the comments have been very helpful