I like the photo you gave as an example. He smaller 1x1 tiles on the floor are a good idea, it will make the space look larger with the contrast of the larger white subway tile. The stripes in the shower curtain are good too pushing the eye out creating width. Kids are messy so having appropriate storage for all their goodies is important, keeping the room organized will make it feel bigger.

Happy to help. Your kitchen planner or interior designer will work from industry standard measurements for the height of the counter and where the cupboards should be positioned for the reach of an average person. The gap should be approx 450mm. In kitchens that are already built sometimes it isn't - because the person who built it was crazy or very tall or both. As yours will be from scratch you have the chance to build it so it works ergonomically as well as visually. Something you can check with your designer or planner and take it from there.

Tiles are one way to introduce some pops of colour in your kitchen. If you are worried about the grout discolouring, use epoxy grout which is more resilient to liquid staining. Also, if you use a coloured grout, discolouration will be less noticeable. If you choose textured tiles with rectilinear edges, grout lines are almost invisible. Using tiles can look more traditional compared to glass or stainless steel. The problem with stainless steel is keeping it looking good. Drip marks and grease are instantly noticeable. Glass is less obvious when splashed. They are both more industrial and modern looking. What about using the same material that makes up your worktop as the splashback? Most manufacturers of manmade worktops also do an 11mm thick splashback and upstand.

Thanks Monica! I am going to pop up a new post with close up pics of the colour of the awful laminate ( sucha mid tone sluggish shade!) that is such a handy picture thank you!! Melissa- hello!! lovely to see a fellow weege. definitely helps to hear that taking it out would have been the big undertaking we fearwed ( and cant afford!) sorry for you though, bet it is starting to look amazing!! are there pics? Ruth thank you I do so appreciate that and you are right once primed we might have better idea, didnt think of that. and will be keeping the idea a room needs finished in mine. and the fun part I am determined to try and maintain.... adventure starts here....!