Small kitchen island design advice please, two-tone or single

3 years ago

Hi everyone,

I’m struggling selecting finishes for my kitchen. I’ve attached pic of what the layout will be. It’s a for a small flat. I thought to do modern linear in gloss white to try to make the room look bigger, countertops are Quartz arabesque white where veining is very slight. (I prefer shaker style, but 1) out of budget 2) I’ve been seeing linear look is v popular esp in flats, so in case of a re-sale/tenancy i want to keep that aesthetic. I don’t love white on white as I don’t want it to look too clinical, however I’m afraid of putting in slate grey/navy in case i reduce the feel of the space. Would two-tone look ok when the unit length is so short 2000mom and island 1600mm x 900mm or will it look odd/ruin the flow of the space?

Many thanks for all your advice!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Nicola M
3 years ago
Hi @disha,

I think as long as the wall units are light, having a darker island shouldn't impact the feel of the space, especially seeing as you have a large window right there.

Another potential to consider is bringing in some warm with a wooden worktop which will help reduce the 'clinical feel' or go for a matt white rather than gloss?

From your comment, am I right in thinking the island is 400mm off the wall? Is there a reason it's not flush against the wall? You could fit another 400mm cupboard there and gain some extra storage.
Julie C
3 years ago
Hi Disha. Shaker should not be more expensive. Have you tried Diy kitchens? Also how about a u shape and you could get the sink at the window?

re colour two colours could work but don’t go dark
Related Discussions
Kitchen advice please
Q
Comments (36)
My kitchen was slightly larger but needed the light units. We went with a white gloss, a wood effect dark grey laminate worktop and teamed it with walnut effect laminate flooring. The flooring really warmed the look up In my experience ... I wish I'd have had full glass splashbacks as the amount of sauce that gets splattered on the painted wall would have been easier to wipe off glass! Worth the money in my opinion. I went for white/clear as didn't want to commit to a strong colour. If we had stayed (not sold it) I would have painted around the units a colour which could have easily been changed. You could also consider a clear glass splash back (above the oven) that can be screwed on. That way you can paint or paper behind it and change it when you fancy. Usually they glue them on so you are stuck with it (no pun intended) Definitely look around for a better quality gloss unit as they can chip (sister has high street ones and they always chip!)
...See More
two tone kitchen with island
Q
Comments (12)
This colour is rather Dark Brown, I feel adding a further Brown into the Mix will be a little too much, so if you are looking to create a brighter more inviting area. I would stick to a lighter stone or granite worktop with a 'flec', something more Vanilla-Pure White. But, not Brilliant white, you could have a brown flec, as this would be a nice contrast against the Brown Cupboards. I hope this helps! Kerry
...See More
Roof Lantern And Island Lighting Advice Please
Q
Comments (9)
Hi Jonathan, Thank you, it’s certainly worth giving your design some thought, I really want the extension to be shorter, so I like the idea of widening it a bit. it’s a Victorian house and we want to keep as many original features as possible and in keeping so we won’t be removing the chimney breast or putting in bi-fold doors, but we could move the french doors to the end of the extension to look over the garden. I really wasn’t keen on a peninsular but I agree it’s a good use of space and this does get round the issue of two ceiling heights and the problems that will pose with the lighting. We can’t have a pitched roof so are definitely going with a lantern, the dining room will be staying as it is (except open plan) as we have a separate living room so we don’t need another dining space, but the extension could house the larder (housekeepers cupboard) and a sofa opposite if the extension was wider. Lots to think about, we don’t want to make a very costly mistake so thanks very much, I really appreciate you input.
...See More
Advice on colour schemes for our new kitchen please
Q
Comments (8)
I have dove grey handleless doors in my kitchen but have the same colour all round and on the island too. I painted the walls in Wevet which is almost a white but with a mere hint of grey. You can only really tell the grey tone when it’s against the white ceiling join. On the wall at the far end where the dining table is I have wallpaper to add a bit of interest. Perhaps these are options for you?
...See More
Disha
Original Author
3 years ago
thanks so much Nicola and Julie!

the pic isn’t completely accurate, it’s a huge bay window with seating. So can’t put kitchen units against it unfortunately, so the only option was an island. The length where the wall/sink run units is to where the window starts is 1000mm.

do you think shaker is ok for a flat? I saw more linear modern looks in flats and shakers in bigger homes.

i was thinking to go Matt, i thought it looked more premium but kept seeing ‘gloss for small spaces‘ so didn’t want to make a design mistake.
annabellaamy
3 years ago
Im thinking if its got a bay window, shaker would suit better.... A contrast will look lovely on the island but go for a neutral colour if you'll be possibly renting out. A warm wooden look floor will make it feel warm and homely too but again not sure of style of flat ?
PRO
Ensign Accessories
3 years ago
To add to the mix - there was great discussion some time ago regarding matt and shiny surfaces - and I do have to warn you that shiny surfaces never stay shiny - there are always marks on them - the very fact that they are in the kitchen means that we are using these units with wet hands etc, and dribbles just appear out of no-where. Mind you matt are not much better. May I suggest that you talk to people who have either matt or shiny kitchens and get their opinion on the fact that they drive us to distraction - perhaps I am too picky, but I hate seeing finger marks etc everywhere.
minnie101
3 years ago
Normally i think islands in a small room work better if they’re in the same colour. Personally I prefer Matt and think shaker style would work. The kitchen will probably look bigger minus handles but I think shaker handleless are more expensive but might be wrong. You could have discreet handles anyway.

Have you considered an induction hob? It’s sleeker and will give you more worktops space when not in use. It also looks as if you could have a deeper than normal worktop on the back run (more storage space)?

i added some tiles for texture but you may hate the colour (Apologies for the bad photoshop!)
Mary Ketchley
3 years ago
I have had 2 gloss white kitchens. In my previous house, all the door fronts were north facing and never got direct light on them. They never looked marked or grubby. In my current house I have a large row of south facing gloss white doors and while they don’t look terrible, it is a lot easier to see smudgy finger marks.
User
3 years ago
I have gloss white kitchen units and find them easy to clean. I have handles, so they don't get covered in finger marks, just the occasional splash of dirt which is simply wiped away.

Small kitchen island design advice please, two-tone or single

Comments (8)

Nicola M

Julie C

Related Discussions

Disha
Original Author

annabellaamy

Ensign Accessories

minnie101

Mary Ketchley

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Small kitchen island design advice please, two-tone or single

Comments (8)

Nicola M

Julie C

Related Discussions

DishaOriginal Author

annabellaamy

Ensign Accessories

minnie101

Mary Ketchley

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Disha
Original Author