Regarding lighting, keep in mind that 99% of range hoods have lights, and it's important to match them to the overall lighting in the kitchen, to make sure that the cooking area illumination doesn't clash with the rest. Halogen, incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights have different color spectrums, and you would not want to end up with, for example, cool-white LED lighting all around the room and a yellowish light from halogen lights on the range hood.

Thanks for all the advice guys! that's awesome. Can't wait to get home from work and look through them all more thoroughly and try some ideas out. I hadn't thought about the fridge and larder making the room less open, thank you, I'll definitely try fix that! Unfortunately the space to the left of the window above the sink is only about 90cm, granted I probably haven't shown it that small on the model. The window at the end of the kitchen is just about high enough to fit a counter underneath so that is an interesting idea too. I did have a plan which did that so I think I'll try that again. I do quite like having the cooker facing out into the room on the island. I have had a kitchen island with and without a cooker before and i defininetly preferred having the cooker there. And thanks Lauren, I'm currently hoping to have an overhead extractor and channel out of the room, boxed up and painted on the ceiling. I've heard mixed reviews of the island mounted extractors too. I've had problems having to open windows due to inadequate extractors and it getting steamy everywhere. so many good ideas

Hi @whizzywig - this is the current layout: On the ground floor the lounge, small bedroom and main bedroom all look out onto the courtyard so the glass is in place but could do with an update eventually. We acutally viewed some Span estate houses with a view to buying - Field End, Cedar Chase, Weymede, The Plantation. But in the end we found this place on a small estate in SE London that fitted the bill.

Top 10 kitchen design tips: The kitchen’s function has changed in recent years. Once a space designed primarily with food preparation in mind, the modern kitchen has become the centrepiece of the family home. The evolution of this room means that it’s commonly the area of the home we spend most money on. So getting it right is crucial. 1) Talk to a designer or sketch out the units and layout including; depth of cabinets as well as worktop height. This is an important stage as it will influence location of supporting steel, windows and doors. 2) Visit showrooms, read reviews and think about what kitchen style you want- contemporary? Traditional?... Thinking about this in early stages will avoid taking rushed decisions and overpaying. 3) While designing the layout of the kitchen make sure that there will be enough space for people to pass comfortably (usually space of around 1-1.5m). 4) Do your homework! Search about different materials that your kitchen can be made from (e.g. Chipboard? MDF? Wood?). This will help to get the best value of money as you will know what to expect. 5) Think what cabinets you had in the past, what did you like and more importantly- dislike about them. Make sure that you tell this to your architect/designer. This is an important step as you will have to live years with the new kitchen. 6) Start thinking about your wall colours, ceiling colours and flooring. This will help to pick cabinet colours as well as worktop. 7) When it comes to cabinet finishes, think about the future. Spray paint finishes are more durable and easy to re-spray. Wood finished kitchen cabinets will discolour in direct sunlight and this should be considered at the design stage. 8). Leave lighting to the professionals. There are many ways to illuminate your space and even more ways to do it badly. 9) Start thinking about a splashback; glass? Tiles? Colour? Texture? 10) Relax and enjoy your kitchen. At A&S Kitchen Wardrobe we believe in putting quality first. Our range of Kitchens and Wardrobes are designed specifically with you, the customer in mind. We will call out and measure your available space, then discuss with you the best way to maximise it. Creating beautiful Kitchens and Wardrobes that will last and last. We never cut corners on quality. Our kitchen offer: -Professional measurements. -Designing the kitchen (any style, any finish- over 3500 colours). -Manufacturing the kitchen. -Fitting kitchen (including first and second fix). -Supplying and fitting worktops (over 120 stone worktops to choose from). -Supplying and fitting splashback. Are you thinking of having a kitchen or bedroom makeover? Why not contact us today! (last chance to have your project finished before Christmas). Award: Best of Houzz Service 2017 - Client Satisfaction Website: www.kitchenwardrobe.com Houzz: www.houzz.co.uk/pro/kitchen-wardrobe Facebook: www.facebook.com/askitchenwardrobe/ Please tell us what you think about those 10 tips! Your faithfully, Patryk, A&S Kitchen Wardrobe