Kitchen design

[Jadefairy]

Please help with this kitchen design. I’ve got a standard size kitchen ( more on the small side though) with enough space for a table. Had my kitchen designed today but not too sure about the layout or the colour. Any suggestions?

A few questions. Is it a kitchen for a single person/couple or is it for a family. Is your kitchen bright and sunny? Do you like to cook and prepare food ? Do you have need for lots kitchen storage ?

Is the kitchen just on 2 walls? What is in the space where the camera is positioned? Open planned kitchen/diner or a wall? Where are the windows? Is the floor to ceiling cupboard on the far left the fridge/freezer?

We recently finishing renovation which started 5yrs ago. I'm far from in the 'know' about fashions/house designs, but even then, grey was already on its way out. It might make a smallish kitchen look even smaller.

@Fortysix it’s for a family of 3 and there’s not much natural light if I’m honest. To be fair I was thinking with going with a more neutral colour like cashmere or a cream. Storage is important to me but I’m not a massive cook no.

I too have a small kitchen and I don't like cooking. I've got a white gloss really plain kitchen and I love it. I've got a larder cupboard which is brilliant. If you had a standard oven you would have space for one?

I wouldn't go for grey or for doors where dust/dirt can collect.

@5289843DM i have the integrated fridge freezer next to the oven tower, and the window is the right. I think I may just go back to the designer to look at another layout. Thanks guys

@user1471538283 I really wanted a larder too but was trying to decide between an oven tower or a pantry/ larder. It’s so hard doing a full renovation

This is very very similar to my kitchen except my sink is probably 500mm to the right.

I find that there isn't enough usable kitchen surface so I would think about that. The sink is very big for the size of the kitchen and the butler style can be inconvenient as it has high sides.

You could get additional surfacing with a standalone island on wheels so you can move around as needed or get and island style table with stools instead of a dining table.

There are options for surface that can sit over a hob or sink which could be a good option.

Colour wise I think the anthracite is rather dark. I would so with a lighter grey or find another colour in the room you like. Sagey green usually looks good too but it's very taste dependent.

Why not drop the picture into AI and try a few colours?

What is the actual floor plan? You can’t tell much from that picture but the balance is off, it looks out of scale with each part and the colour is quite dated.

Here's a mid grey. I would go even lighter then this.

@Luckydog7 thats a good idea about the island, thanks. I’ve got 1.1 metre of unbroken work surface on one side but it all seems a little too compact with so many cupboards.

@KrooopJarn yes my sister said the same thing when I showed her

I'm still unclear what is in the spot where the photo was taken from? Is there a breakfast bar, island or wall?
If you don't have space for a permanent island, you can get smaller ones on wheels. My in-laws have a plain wood one where they do most of their meal prep. It also have some storage underneath and can be wheeled around to easily clean underneath.

www.robertdyas.co.uk/homcom-rolling-kitchen-island-cart-with-rubber-wood-top-spices-light-green?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=23538638137&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23533969853&gbraid=0AAAAACf0mw2n8neDyG9gL2NaieoLyVcdz&gclid=CjwKCAjwuobXBhBXEiwAYUaIlTUT3ACa1YKslhAEKPpbYyRWFU2gllOaJLGnPEhgznuogyDYx1YzqBoCY9UQAvD_BwE

Yes you have 1.1m but you cant use most of the surface to the right if the hob because it's mostly in the corner with little standing space and the raised edge of the sink will get in the way of your elbows.

Can you not extend the sink section towards the window using a splash back so you can a bit more space in the corner? 30cm would make a big difference.

It’s not everyone’s taste but would you consider a slot-in cooker so that you only had one full height unit in the LH corner? This would free you up another 60 cm of work surface. I’d put my fridge freezer in the left hand corner. A pullout larder in the form of fancy corner carousel could be in the other corner. I’d rethink the Belfast sink simply because it messes up smooth height lines.
Colour -two colours one contrast on top, one bottom?
If it’s very Matt then finger prints are an issue.
Drawers all the way.
Your designer could give you 10 solutions- make them do more to show you more options.

Thanks for all your suggestions. @Fortysix I like the idea of the pullout ladder in the corner and I’ll definitely go back to the designer to see more options.

I completely agree about the worktop space. I think that's something that can easily get overlooked when you're looking at kitchen design. I personally love having an island or just more space to lay everything out across the whole surface.

My uncle was talking to me about his kitchen the other week and he mentioned kemp kitchens gave him lots of ideas for layout and storage which might be useful for you.

We have something like this, a couple on etsy made it for us for £300 to match our kitchen and if we need extra space we can just roll it out of the way, its fab.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4577479172/lola-cashmere-painted-kitchen-island?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_-accessories&utm_custom1=k_CjwKCAiAqabXBhBUEiwAw_SQpZk4xA2sJUx68OmQ8X64Zh1aNWRF6I3ZGi4P1e2dszd6VFRuh-EjEBoCukEQAvD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_21619675320_167456383418_710839155061_aud-2465469875978:pla-294930372950_c__4577479172engb_102858184&utm_custom2=21619675320&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21619675320&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMcLBczb36LognNgsvxr0x0P8&gclid=CjwKCAiAqabXBhBUEiwAw_SQpZk4xA2sJUx68OmQ8X64Zh1aNWRF6I3ZGi4P1e2dszd6VFRuh-EjEBoCukEQAvD_BwE

Oh that's such a good idea! Especially being able to move it out of the way when you need more space. £300 sounds like a bargain too

Hi OP,

I have designed 5 kitchens for my homes over the years. Here is my advice

1. replace that extractor fan with a built in that looks like a continuation of you upper cupboards - this will leave you a seamless line and make it look more designed.
2. get rid of the white sink. Go max 600mm 1.5 stainless steel, under counter of your counter is stone.
3. Go to a paler neutral like Taupe/truffle.
4. put your oven down low - the full height cupboard is making your kitchen look smaller; increase your counter space.
5. what colour floor are you going? I would go either patterned tiles or darker laminate or wood, you need to make it look more coherent. Tell the designer to add in several flooring options and more designs (it takes them 10 minutes on their graphics package).