Hi Marco, It’s big enough, depending on what you want to include. As a designer and concept planner we begin with a questionnaire which looks at all the details relating to your space. This includes, how many people you need to sit? A look at how big your kitchen needs to be. The style you are going for? And so on. From here we then create several options of layout for your space, allowing you to see what’s truly possible.. and all in a 3D format so you can see how it actually feels to navigate the space. It maybe worth you doing something like this with a concept planner, so you can get your head around how big the space is and what’s possible with in it. My clients find it invaluable. All the best, Gina

If it were me firstly I would have one switch for task lighting- I think your planned 4 spots in the island boxing is enough but would have them in a row. I would have an additional 4 in a row in the ceiling above the walkway between the island and the main run of kitchen cabinets plus an additional two behind the sofa (but put a softer bulb in these). I would have two in the ceiling above the sink as I think it is tidier than having a wall light. Don’t forget to put a few in the laundry cupboard too. Since your extension ceiling is sloped I would have inset spots that you can angle. Personally I think that when you use the desk you switch on a desk light. I would have a ring of 3amp sockets so that you can switch on two table lights in the sitting area and two standard lamps in the dining area (or two table lights on a console table) and the LEDs above the bookcases. In my opinion you specify more than you need as you don’t have to plug something into every socket but the flexibility is useful. Personally I don’t think you need the coving light in the sitting area and think the idea is odd in an area with sloping ceilings. Next I would have additional kitchen lighting - I would have a run of LEDs under the base cabinets near the plinth and around the base of the island- these are nice to have on at night when watching TV as the kitchen is not fully lit but is light enough to navigate. Additionally I would have lights above and below the wall cabinets. I also like your idea of the boxing above the island having a shadow gap to conceal further LED strip lighting. Pendant lights- I agree that you won’t want one in the sitting area. I think it is messy to have pendants over the island with the additional boxing. I would have one over the dining table and choose an oversized fixture later- ensure that this lighting flex is near somewhere strong enough to mount a ceiling light of some size. Additionally I would have walk over lights in the floor near the garden doors. Remember these will reduce the focus of the garden at night- you might prefer to put these on the outside of the door to reverse the effect. Don’t forget to specify at least one socket behind the cabinets/ under island should any of the kitchen cabinets include lighting- this is especially useful in pantry cabinets. Don’t forget that you will likely need additional sockets in the laundry cupboard as you might well have a charger in there for a vacuum or drill. Personally I would have extra sockets around the desk and contain the router, you home answer phone, etc etc all in the same place. Don’t forget you can also get sockets that include a USB charger inlet. Since you are doing a plan for electrics don’t forget tv/ satellite aerial points. You should also take this opportunity to consider outside lights and power- consider sockets outside for garden lights, outdoor heaters, awnings, water features, mowing the lawn etc. LEDs unless you like decorating in very dark colours choose warm white lighting- a lot of strip LEDs can be adjusted to color match other lights in the room. LEDs- Last time I sourced these I was disappointed with the quoted costs from the electrician- do your own research online about price. Pay attention to the lumen levels and consider if you want disable LEDs. Boxing over the island. Choose your extractor before specifying the size of the boxing- I think the shallower extractors are deeper than the 20cm you stated.

sometimes its good to take a breath and really think about how you live - rather than all focus being on the plans, which can seem immovable. For example, I have a largely open plan ground floor but on the advice of my sister whose kids were older at the time, I kept a small snug living room that is separate and as my kids have grown up through teenage years that has been a saving grace - we can all go to separate places,! I dont have to listen to video games whilst cooking etc :) Does one person often watch tv and the other like to read? Where do hobbies take place? Would it be a simple solution to just turn that dining table round to make more space for those doors? If you like to entertain would you like to hide the mess inthe kitchen to be cleared up later? I for example insisted that I could close my kitchen off from the front room and hall (and stairwell) because one of my pet hates is cooking smells lingering everywhere! Also consider if the doors could be retro fitted - and l ive in the space for 9 months first to see if you really need/want them?

Need advice on flooring ootions for new open plan kitchen, dinner and lounge area. Initially i was considering plain off white large tiles as it's a big space 6m x 9m. I am torn between the warm tones wood gives vs practicality of tiling and have considered wood effect tiling or luxury vinyl but i don't want it to look cheap as we are going for a high end look. We will also have underfloor heating. If anyone has used these any feedback would be very useful. We will also have a seperate lounge which will have double doors opening into the open plan area and I'm not sure if it should have the same flooring or different? Someone recommended engineered wood flooring for the front lounge...