Kitchen design advice

[niairin]

Hi there, I'm just looking for some advice for a kitchen. I'm attaching the rough plan I've done up. The right wall has fridge freezer and high cabinets (small pantry and broom cupboard). The L-shape has a mix of wall units and open shelves.

The kitchen has a diagonal door at one end and a window (left) and patio door (right) on far end. The left and rear (patio door) walls are both exterior walls so I need to locate plumbing etc there.

Currently the kitchen runs along the left wall and under the window. I'm hoping to move the kitchen into a u around the door, to free up space at the patio door end of the kitchen and make the dining space feel more spacious.

Style wise I was hoping to go for something like the burbidge fenton attached.

However my questions are;
(1) when you enter the room, you'll have high cabinets right in front of you. Is this very off putting, especially in a deep colour do you think? Any work around?

(2) am I mad to go for a dark shade so far from the window? The room isn't terribly dark overall even though it is north facing but I'm worried itll just look dull.

(3) any inspiration for similar kitchens welcome, really want to get this right!

I would be wary of having full height units right in front of you when you enter the kitchen. I think you’re right and they could look a bit obtrusive.

To be honest I also wouldn’t put a dark colour in a room you describe as “not terribly dark”. I think for dark units you really need a bright well lit room. Perhaps a compromise is two tone with dark units at the bottom and paler wall units?

Sorry not to have better suggestions but this will hopefully bump your post too and others will comment.

This would be nice IMO

Thanks for the feedback! Sometimes you just need to hear what you already know :-)

Out of curiosity, if I was to go with the layout @121hugsneeded suggests, could I opt for the high units where the hob currently is, and have the hob etc. on the long run? This would have an added bonus of requiring less "moving work" of plumbing, extractor fans etc :-)

I'm thinking of switching to a lighter green, maybe F&B Green Smoke or something similar or else, yeah, going for as much open shelving / paler upper cabinets as possible.

Are you having a visit from whoever is fitting it before you commit? I had an IKEA kitchen fitted and went for one of their fitters. Having fitted so many kitchens he provided invaluable advice and I moved the position of a couple of overhead cabinets.

Yeah having a carpenter do it which is weirdly cheaper than many other options, and he will visit to advise, but just want to be able to make my own ideas clear.

Here's a revised plan.

I’ve been looking at Katie Ellison videos on youtube, she’s renovating a house and she’s just done a full kitchen revamp and has very tall units on one wall, it looks amazing.

Can I ask - what are you using to map out your design please?

I would find a way to have your sink on a different wall to your job. Putting them on the same long run chops up your work surface into small annoying spaces.

Let’s say you’re cooking and have a few pans on the go, when you’re done with them the workspace next to the hob is the only place to put them and when you’re getting stuff out of the oven you only have one small space to put roasting trays.

My kitchen has a similar format and it does my head in.

As for colour I actually would go for the darker green, it’s gorgeous and will be mostly base units anyway.
Go for pale walls with a satin paint finish to help light bounce, or the Dulux light and space paint is great

@SkeletonSkins Using the IKEA kitchen planner, which isn't perfect but good for getting a sense of what you can fit!

@Monkeypeas I'd agree with you but I can't see a way around it. The current layout has the sink under the window but that means no counter space either side of the sink as there's a boiler in the corner and a patio door. The alternative, of the hob on the wall where the fridge is now, would require moving the fridge/pantry up beyond the sink and then I wouldn't have enough space for appliances (have washer in kitchen). This is where insta/pinterest fail - all huge kitchens!!

In terms of colour, good to know you like the dark! I can't find a shade similar enough to the one in the photo above, all seem to be a bit darker (Studio Green etc.), I'm limited to F&B or Dulux shades as that's what my carpenter can colour match. For all of dulux's shades I just can't see one that's quite the same. Any suggestions welcome :-)

I'm thinking of going for F&B Green Smoke now.

Hmm yes that is a tricky workaround. I’d go to Wickes or similar and see what layout they come up with and then see if there is s as better solution.

My friend had a tricky kitchen shape that wasn’t too dissimilar and she said the layout Wickes gave her was one they’d never have thought of and included having less cupboards but more storage (they have s big pantry one line you want) which she was a bit nervous of at first.

Colour wise, if I’ve googled the right one, it looks less tealon this image and more grey / blue based so assuming that is the colour you like. Consider Inchyra Blue (F&B) it’s a bit less ‘green’ than green smoke
And I’d go for shiny drawer handles to lift it or if possible order a sample from that kitchen company and go through every paint in b&q.

Thanks a million! Actually what I really want is a very dark green/teal - I find Inchyra a bit too blue. I think Little Greene have a few shades similar.

I'm in Ireland unfortunately. I might see if I can get an online consultation with Wickes though :-)