Internal window in new kitchen?

[Houseystuff876]

We are in the middle of an extension and designing the kitchen this week ready to order.

I wanted mostly open plan to bring in light to the middle (dark cave like) dining room to kitchen as there are no windows in the dining room. However because of floor height the steel beam to the kitchen would be too low. So we opened up one side of the wall instead as a compromise. There is a steel beam in the middle. I must admit I'm not loving it ATM but it was the compromise option.

I can either:
A. On the left of the steel beam have an internal window opening to the kitchen (no glass) to bring in more light and so I can see from the kitchen to the dining room table.

Or

B. Block the space and have like a pantry style larder or taller units there.

I've added the design but the space is actually a window 500cm wide.

Please help wise folk🙏

My parents kept an external window between their original house and double storey attached garage conversion. It looked great (added interest) and allowed light into what would have been a dark corridor otherwise. I'd make a window where that door is.

How have the builders filled the gap where the door was? Is the lintel still there? Did they brick it up or just put a stud wall there?

Just thinking that you could actually leave it as it is and see how it feels when everything is completed. You could always put the window in afterwards if you feel like it needs it. More expense and hassle but easily doable without too much disruption?

I actually live that shelf idea and personally would go for light above pretty much anything @Houseystuff876

I'm not so keen on the shelf idea. If you are going to have an opening to increase light then it doesn't make sense to then block it up with objects on shelves. An opening is a good idea, but I would use it as a serving hatch, and, as you say, it means you could see / chat to guests at the dining table.

I like the shelf idea too. I think if you have glass, even if there are things in front of it it will feel lighter.

If you feel it's dark it will bug you forever.

Have you considered coving lighting? Something like this

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.nz3kwUEIhGLe-NgAll2rJwHaEh%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=221fdded01e303a86844eb8eb13388c8b5500a988fa87d4ce497d64d5ed5f1a3&ipo=images

Having the ceiling be brighter can really help with the cave like feeling.

I was thinking an opening with no glass really so less of a window

I will loose that spot for a larder but if the window is not tall and thin I can add a cupboard underneath.

I can put a larder style narrow cupboard by the free wall at the entrance to the kitchen. It will just be less handy

@Houseystuff876 wouldn't a larder unit by the entrance to the kitchen clutter it up? It's a nice big wall you can clearly see from the back room (which is no longer the back room...!)

Why not a narrow larder unit 40cm wide and low units in the alcoves you've created with the opening/window above?

Hi @Houseystuff876 I realise this is an old thread but I am having the same dilemma. Just wondering what your final decision was and how it worked out? 🙏