It was pricey but half of it was for planning. Yes I think my mum was hoping to get the whole kitchen done on the first quote ie including kitchen, floor and appliances! I haven't used the links no. Here's something that will help re finding an architect https://www.architecture.com/FindAnArchitect/Assets/Documents/Workingwithanarchitectforyourhome.pdf and another one on costs http://www.architect-yourhome.com/cost-estimator/ there's also an online architect service that a few people have recommended, will try and find the name of them. You can also look in the pro section on Houzz for architects in your area as hopefully they will also include reviews. It will also be key to have the kitchen and bathroom designed properly (and the overall space). The architect can probably do that or speak to someone like Karen at OnePlan ( above) who can probably also help with some cost saving ideas. I LOVE those first doors, would much rather have those than bifolds personally!

Hi. Is it a period property? I would add cornicing and then paint the cornicing and ceiling a darker shade than the walls to bring the ceiling down. I think if you did this you could get away with taller cabinets otherwise I think you're in danger of accentuating the ceiling height ( sorry to disagree on this and may well be wrong!) Go for either white units or a cool colour so grey, blue or green. I'd integrate the fridge freezer and maybe carry the units over the top of a cooker hood as pictured so it looks more streamlined. I'd do away with the serving hatch and have open shelves on this ŵall, Alternatively you could have the shelves either side of the cooker hood and units on the sink side as it may feel more spacious given the door position. I don't know if it's your thing but mirrored splashbacks would make the space feel bigger and also bounce more light. I'd also do away with the draining board so you have more worktop space if you have the space for a dishwasher. Do you use the microwave regularly?

Hi ! Thanks for the shout Boundsgreener ! With a room size like this - even with the obstacles you have - there's usually quite few different layout suggestions that could work ! (But if we were designing for you we'd need a lot more info about you, than is posted on here, to design this space optimally for you !) Some suppliers (European ones mostly ) do deeper than standard base drawer cabinets - that then allow wall unit storage to go from worktop to ceiling on the wall while still having a full depth worktop, and monster deep drawers, in front - can work well if you need extra storage, as long as you are tall /have a good reach! This, in addition to other fab suggestions above, could work on one side of this kitchen ... but I guess that also depends on your budget too ! re boiler placement - it's a good idea to start with that, by talking through the placement options first with a boiler installer ! Rather than designing the rest of the space first and then hoping where you place it will be ok ? The key things I'd suggest you reconsider on your plans posted here would be the DW placement - it's going to bang slap in the way when open here - and the worktop space between the hob and the oven housing - yes technically you could go as close as 150mm away from the tall cabinet - but in reality - it's always advisable to have a landing space for putting down hot things, either next to or directly opposite an oven - in this case you don't have that. Because your home needs to work well, not just now, but when you may have toddlers around your feet too - it's worth booking some quality time with a credible designer if you can - so if you have a supplier in mind - see if you can book some one to one time - to go through everything in fine detail with the designer, before you order ! Or if you are buying on a budget, from a warehouse type supplier - then there are a few of us totally independent designers around who can work with you ( I work remotely via email and calls etc) to get the design just right to tick all your boxes - then shop around with the plans ... (I know some people would say 'get a free plan done at a nice kitchen studio and then just use their plan' but that's not really fair on the studio and most are becoming wise to this now!!) Hope that helps a bit ?

A couple of thoughts on the design that may help you replan...... There seems to be very little counter space between your hob and sink, once you set dirty dishes on one side and clean on the other, where will you prep? Perhaps you could put the hob in your island? Or move it or the sink to the other wall? It’s worth considering a change from your wall oven to fitting one (or two) under the counter one. You’ll get back the worktop space, and thus could easily move your fridge next to the pantry. We opted for two full size Neff slide and hide door ovens under our counters , one regular oven, one steam oven, with our hob directly above them and it’s one of the best decisions I made. I have the ergonomic and space benefits of a range cooker, but superior capacity and functionality for my needs. An induction hob not only looks sleeker, but effectively gains you work space too. You can stick a cookbook / chopping board/ etc directly next to your pot while cooking and it will be fine. Karen from One Plan is terrific and will draw you a proper well thought out plan. Alternatively a virtual planning appointment with Ikea will also result in a plan, and unlike Howdens, an actual price, too. Both companies work in standard cm dimensions....a 40cm wide cabinet is a 40cm cabinet is a 40cm cabinet. (One difference is depth and height.... Ikea units are a little bit deeper, and a little bit taller, so they have a little bit more capacity). Hope that helps.