How can I change my new kitchen?

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In the process of buying a new build but we're too late in the process to pick the kitchen, and I really don't like it at all. I can live with the high gloss doors but ideally I'd have an oak wooden worktop which just won't work with what the sales staff have chosen as the carcass and sides are all black. Does anyone know if there's a fairly easy/cheapish fix to get them the same colour as the doors so we can brighten it up a bit? I was wondering if the sides could be added on and maybe a strip to the front of the carcass so it's white when the cupboards are closed, or would that be too tacky? Plinths I'm assuming would be fairly straightforward to replace?

Any ideas appreciated, would ideally not be replacing the entire kitchen if we can help it!

If you take the worktops off then it would be easy to change the end panels? Like these.

www.diy-kitchens.com/showproducts.asp?id=7128#.W9Njp5NKhPY

The strip on the front of the carcasses is the kickboard and will be easy to change too. Have a search on DIY Kitchens.

I don't think it's end panels - looking at the shape it looks like they've used black carcasses?

If so, you could put end panels on and swap the plinths but you'll still see the black at the bottom of the wall units and around the extractor unless you replace these units entirely.

Could you go the opposite way and have dark doors? there's a few coming up on image search with black/dark kitchens and oak worktops and it's quite effective

I had fantastic success using the modern version of Fablon in my kitchen. It comes in worktop widths - no need to remove worktops. I was amazed at the results.

Thanks for your replies, yes the carcass themselves are black inside and out. I've looked at getting a side panel and kickboards which would be a cheap fix with a new worktop but that's a really good point about the top cupboards being black. Sounds pricey to have to replace the entire units at the top, seems there's no easy fix. Damn!

I‘d replace the white cupboard doors with black ones and the countertop and side panels with wooden ones. Similar to the pic.

Get a quote for waterfall countertops, would look like mother of 3 dragons above.

Thanks mother and Chats, really don't want black doors as it won't be the brightest kitchen anyway being south east facing, the waterfall worktop wouldn't work with the top cupboards showing black carcass 🤷🏻‍♀️ Can't afford to replace it all after moving costs either. Think I'm out of options!

Perhaps your next best option is to think about how you could turn the 'foundations' you are stuck with into the kitchen that you like.

Would you like to warm it up with wood? see eg photo 9 here www.idealhome.co.uk/kitchen/kitchen-ideas/black-and-white-kitchens-10-of-the-best-64502

Or maybe there is a colour or artist you like which you could add to the foundations to make it more you? eg through curtains/blinds, storage jars, framed prints, a table and chairs, statement lighting. Give us some leads, and maybe we could help? Houzz is great for on-line tips too.

You could be surprised how much you can 'warm up' a kitchen with the final touches.

And over time, you might be happier to have something other than an oak worktop. They require more maintenance and tend to get manky around the taps no matter how much you care for them.

See also photo 5 here:
mydecor.org/37-farmhouse-kitchen-cabinet-ideas-to-create-a-warm-and-welcoming-kitchen-design-in-your-home/

Don't know if it's your style but a similar foundation has been made very country-vintage and 'warm'.

Wooden worktops are really high maintenance. I'm constantly oiling mine, and they have still gone rotten around the sink and taps. I can't wait to change our kitchen, but it will probably be in another 10 years or so.

I think you could style it nicely and massively improve it, can you choose a floor?

I was looking at the floor too. If you can get the floor to look like wood that could be enough to warm it up. Then get everything on your countertops to be wood, wicker or rattan, plus some plants (herbs?) in terracotta pots on that windowsill.

Taking off a work top can seriously damage walls and the cabinets underneath. What is the work top made from? Is it laminate?

I think it’s better to leave it in situ and add accessories. Definitely a lovely blind and some storage jars!

I don't see why you can't use end panels on the base and wall units. Units would still be black inside but could you live with that as a 'feature'? The cupboards should be designed so that the carcasses are not normally visible, as long as you use end panels in the right places.

I'd leave it as it is for the first few months. Putting add on end panels won't really cover up the black front edges and edging tape comes off too easily . You might find you'll not mind it so much when you have all your other bits and bobs in the room.

Good luck with the move !

Thank you so much for all the replies, definitely a lot to think about. If I'm honest I'm not too sure what my taste is and that may be half the problem, it's not modern, trendy or classic.

I love texture, plants, natural materials, but clean lines and bright and airy, different shapes, after looking through the links I'm toying with getting a marble like worktop or light granite, that way it tones down the black but I can still tie it in with black shades in the dining area and some accessories like utensils and so on. Is that a bit naff?

It's laminate on just now, and will be leaving it a good while until we're unpacked and kids settled, totally agree about living with it a while first!

Based on that picture, get some white plinth and a couple of white base end panels would brighten it a bit.