Share your thoughts please on this kitchen

Comments (30)

Jonathan
7 years ago
Have you already had it fitted or is this a computer generated image and therefore the plan could be changed?
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Bio Fires
7 years ago
Currently it's quite cold with its complete white and clean look. How about some warmer lighting.
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Ikea Kitchens are excellent, the attention to quality is superb. Lots of suppliers only offer doors in particular sizes, which is why when you go to an appointment at Wickes for example and you then take it to Howdens, they often have to swap the cabinets around as they don't all do all the sizes. Factoring in that you may want to change the doors in a few years at this point is in my opinion daft. You buy a kitchen and it should last 10-15 years. Magnet and Howdens offer great kitchens too. However, I have personal experience of fitting an Ikea Kitchen last year and was very impressed. I've used Howdens several times too. There are many companies however, that offer custom sizes when ordering replacements such as Kitchen door workshop and Kitchen Door Outlet to name but two. Saying that you can't replace the doors, just simply isn't accurate.
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I think I’m struggling to see the usefulness of a peninsula personally. We are a family of 4 so wouldn’t all be able to sit at it, or even as a 3 while one is cooking. The other disadvantage I see is it doesn’t seem to offer an awful lot of additional counter space. We have a decent length to the room so could extend the counter further if we had to, rather than having a peninsula break the clean line......Personal preference I just can’t take to them. Jonathan - I do love the depth idea, gives a real sense of style and practicality, especially the first picture!.....Thank you. Sonia thank you for the image of your kitchen, as you say at 1.2m that does look snug still so it is hard to imagine less than that gap between a counter and an island! I think the only way I could achieve it is if I made sure things like fridge an oven we’re not in it’s direct path Again thanks for for the advice, keep it coming 👍🏻
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clevertricks
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for your comments. Its our first project; we are mindful that we may not have got it all right. but, just trying to refine it as much as we possibly can :-)

jonathandb1972, It has been fitted, but only partially. The splashbacks are yet to be fiited; the sink run also is to be refitted. We had planned to have some panelling going on the top bit of the tall
run of units; but, again, not sure, if its a good thing or bad thing?

Bio Fires, totally agree, it is very cold looking at the moment. we are going to change it to something warmer; The other thing being considered is also to put some pendant lights in place of a couple of those spotlights. just not sure where to.
Jonathan
7 years ago
Personally I think it is unusual to only having one oven in this large space, for my taste the breakfast bar is undersized and feels more so as it is reduced height, I can't tell from my picture if the wall cabinets either side of the tall bank have a gap or a dark filler, it seems strange to have the split in the room (where the breakfast bar is) in the middle of a window.
However this is your home so I don't need to like it just you.
I think you shouldn't put panels over the tall units which will highlight that there are few wall cabinets and merge the cabinets into the ceiling but instead paint the walls a deep colour to effectively frame the tall bank and disguise any gaps to the side.
I also think that you should put the spotlights on a dimmer. Instead of pendants add additional lighting such as a plinth light for softer evening light. I might also buy a big angle poise lamp in a funky colour for task lighting.
The room might feel less homely at the moment as you don't have any personal items or soft furnishings.
Lastly the window needs dressing- you could get vertical blinds in wood, roller blinds or Roman blinds.
clevertricks thanked Jonathan
clevertricks
Original Author
7 years ago
The hob had to be where it is as (1) I wanted the extractor to be vented outside and (2) its an open plan space (leading from the space of the breakfast bar) , I didn't want to face my back to the rest of the human presence while cooking/prepping; We have builders still working on other things in the house as it is a full refurbishment that we are doing. So, there is some limited scope for tweaking the design.

jonathandb1972, the breakfast bar was a last minute addition; it was meant as a homework space than a breakfast bar; but, with the dining table closeby, i don't see it being used; totally agree that the breakfast bar it is not working at all, neither visually nor functionally! I am considering taking it off; but the only snag is that the flooring went after the units were done :-( The reduced height units have fillers on either sides; not what we asked for; it was the kitchen fitter's own decision; its on the list of things he has to fix though. He chose to put the fillers as there was an extra 20cm !
clevertricks
Original Author
7 years ago
Daisy England, the 714mm units were a compromise as we didn't know what else to fill that space with. What do you think might have been an alternative for that space, to leave it open possibly? Which I am somewhat considering, except that I will lose valuable storage. We originally wanted to have full height tambour cupboards there. But, then wanted to keep the symmetry on both sides, and on the sink side, that would have meant water contact. And so that idea was dropped. The 714mm units are actualy shallow base units and so are not flush to the rest of the units in that run, which isn't helping the look anyway
PRO
The Wood Works
7 years ago
I believe that Jonathan above is correct and that a ceiling infill should be put in above the run of tall units on the back wall as this dark space above is causing some issues.

You could look to add a pop of colour with some breakfast stools behind the breakfast bar area as at the moment this looks sparse.

What are the ceiling heights? Pendant lights could definitely add a different dimension to the kitchen.
Daisy England
7 years ago
Hi. I'd have left it as open space either side of the tall units. Perhaps it's just me, but I personally think it looks strange. I presume you have a fridge freezer, the oven unit with dishwasher under and would it then be a larder unit? I too like the look of tambour doors, (which are expensive) but understand the need for symmetry. Can you reach to the far corners of the wall units over the worktop?

As Jonathan says the breakfast bar is undersized and if you already have a dining area alongside the kitchen is it really needed? If it was to be removed would it be possible to have more units instead?

It's a lovely space.
Jonathan
7 years ago
Just to be clear I think the infill above the tall cabinets is a bad idea
catherinehale7
7 years ago
Is there any way you could run the breakfast bar under the window if you need to keep it? This would remove the offset window. To me it feels a little disjointed with the step down to wall cupboards from full height units and step down again to breakfast bar.

Maybe introduce colour with glass splash back - the white and pale floor is a little clinical to feel homely
PRO
Bedrooms Plus
7 years ago
Are these all handleless doors? Some large and chunky modern handles could make a massive difference.
Juliet Docherty
7 years ago
Apart from some things being in odd places, it seems to lack warmth. I don't think adding bright colours will solve this, it would benefit from some texture. The palette is white and grey - which is a bit cold, and the materials are shiny and look cold too. Any kind of wood would improve the space and also a more sympathetic wall colour to tie it together could help. I would replace the breakfast bar with a longer one and raise it to the height of the rest of the kitchen, add wooden stools, a wooden blind and a round natural rug in the centre.
Liz
7 years ago
My kitchen is a similar colour scheme. I used marble tiles as a splash back and mid-century orange accessories. Be bold
Liz
7 years ago
Photos again
Aggy Lukte
7 years ago
Hi,

Layout wise I would've done tall units across the front wall, then sink where hob is and came round in U shape with a hob where breakfast bar is (you can still vent the cooker out by running a vent tube by or inside the ceiling if joists permit)

Stronger contrasting worktop may have been better option. But you can add colourfull small appliances, especially the window dressing and splashback.
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Hi ! Is there any way you could add a pot filler tap and small prep bowl on the same run as the hob - ie around the bananas - as the distance to fill and then drain heavy hot pots - coupled with the trip hazard of the dishwasher on that route now is an accident waiting to happen.

The large infills might look better if they were either the same colour as the wall units or if you replaced them with a deeper, ( same depth as tall units ) up over boxing from the worktop , that then goes over the tall units too ... add some lighting into the space in front of the wall units - and you bring back a sense of the same depth again. At the moment the wall cabinets look lost - this up and over boxing would bring it back together again I think ?
Hope that helps a bit ?!
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
Oh and I second loosing the inadequate breakfast /homework table - it's just isn't substantial enough - sorry !!
PRO
Design and Dreams
7 years ago
Designanddreams

I agree your kitchen needs warming up I agree with pendent lights over the ...'bar'/study area - can you fit a 'up and down' wall light to give warm glow and could the spotlights have an additional circuit so not all on at once and a couple of coloured ones, so you could choose mood - obviously an anglepoise style of some sort for study spot. If it is possible why not take of b bar top and fly a much bigger one with sweeping curves ( do not like corners to dash round!) even a contrast colour material to add some uniqueness.

How about a mirror above the sink - sort of neck height narrow in height 300- 400 and very long about 200m from wall units and up to end of units or just 100mm in (not a clear view at that spot)- so you do not stare at a blank wall - it would create more light and allow a more communicative fun element, if need be you could use a slither of the new colour study bb bar under to tie things in if necessary due to wall construction. I presume there is a tall splashback behind your hob!

Best of luck

P
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Quick sketch to go with comment ...
clevertricks thanked OnePlan
whippet girl
7 years ago
Yes it definitely needs warming up.
From a very quick look on blinds2go, this roller blind with a vertical pattern, to increase impression of height to wide window, grey background and orange highlights to work with existing decor.
Add a curved unit in the same range to the end of breakfast bar, to give it better proportions. The entrance to the kitchen is wide enough and a curve will give character and flow.
It's such a large space I think open shelving above the unit on the left, a bit like a modern dresser, would add character. Some framed pictures above sink would give the symmetry you wanted
Orange tiles behind the hob.
clevertricks thanked whippet girl
whippet girl
7 years ago
Oops, pressed the wrong button!
Pendant lights over breakfast bar too
minnie101
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi. I'd remove the breakfast bar. What may work is wooden shelves either side of your tall units using infills at the side so effectively a mix of these 2 pics. Use the shelves for stacking your bowls and plates etc with a couple of decorative accessories. I can't quite see though whether this gives enough space for the sink? Do you also have a row of plug sockets either side? If this isn't do'able what may possibly work is If you continue the worktop under those 2 cabinets. I'd get a tester of a similar colour paint and just paint underneath to see what you think. I'd then just a splashback behind the hob. I'd then add texture for accessories as colourhappy said. The lights don't appear to be placed suitably for a pendant so perhaps a swing arm or arc lamp over the dining table will add interest and height.
clevertricks thanked minnie101
zoelawrence
7 years ago
We had a bulk head with lights added to the ceiling - it really makes a difference to an all white kitchen, so you could do something like this.
clevertricks thanked zoelawrence
User
7 years ago
choosing a kitchen is such a big decision. well done for you have achieved so far. I think minnie101 idea of the shelving down to the countertop works well with the tall units in the middle...
PRO
Girl About The House
7 years ago
It sounds like there can be very little in the way of changing the basic kitchen design so I would use colour and texture to give it depth and warmth (which unfortunately is lacking). I suggest using citrus colours, perhaps orange (burnt or otherwise) and using copper effect accessories which are currently fashionable. This will lift it and make it look less clinical.
PRO
vandertouwdesign
6 years ago
It has no personality. An empty canvas.
PRO
Girl About The House
6 years ago
It looks very clinical (hospital comes to mind). cold feeling due to the high shine and white everything. Definitely not comfortable or welcoming which is what a kitchen should be
Daisy England
6 years ago
But don't you think it's a case of each to their own? Not everybody wants masses of colour. There's nothing wrong with the colours, it was the design that was wrong.
Clean and streamlined is how I'd phrase it.
A B
6 years ago
What did you end up doing OP? I'm sure with a few tweaks it ended up looking amazing

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Share your thoughts please on this kitchen

Daisy England

Comments (30)

Jonathan

Bio Fires

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Share your thoughts please on this kitchen

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