Best kitchen tips please !

blessings3

Putting a new L shaped Kitchen in - house is a 70's bungalow and the kitchen is big but dark. Any tips to make it look as light as possible and any clever things you have done storage wise. Thinking of white either gloss or shaker just to make it as light as possible. Any tips ideas welcome as really clueless.

akitchendesigner

There are several things to factor into kitchen planning.

First and foremost, the location of the room, direction of natural light, times of the day the room has most natural light and time of the day when the kitchen is used most.

If its a room that suffers from low levels of natural light, consider light colours, possibly glossy ones but remember, smears and fingerprints always show on glossy surfaces with the darker glossy colours being less forgiving than the lighter ones.

Light shiny worktops (quartz) help reflect light too. Dont be afraid to use light worktops with light units - as long as you mix the colours properly, you will get a good end result. Glass splashbacks in light colours help too.

Good task lighting on worktops is important as is ambient lighting in the room.

Storage wise, larders are always a good place for food storage. I am personally not a big fan of pullout larders wider then 45cm. If you have wider units, think about tall units with internal pullouts. They are far more efficient.

Look into pan drawers for storage of pots, pans, crockery and small appliances.

Your kitchen designer should take all of these factors into account before coming up with a good design that works for the space and your lifestyle/desires.

blessings3

Wasnt going to use a kitchen designer to be honest was going to buy units from howdens/wicks and buy ex display appliances off ebay. I have just lost my husband and have 3 kids - was going to move before he dies but no w staying here so need a practical kitchen. Does a smaller kitchen table make a ktchen look bigger ?

blessings3

Is quartz durable? was going to have good worktops

akitchendesigner

Without looking into the kitchen dimensions and relative size of the kitchen, its impossible to comment.

Quartz worktops are possibly the best and most durable (I am someone is going to come along and disagree in a moment) worktops available if you are seeking a solid surface worktop. Good heat, stain and scratch resistance, wide choice of colours and textures all contribute to make it an excellent choice.

blessings3

Would you go for white or cream ? Nothing really needs moving as am happy with the lay out. Thanks re the larder units !

akitchendesigner

Thats really a matter of personal preference. I prefer white but shades of cream (we offer about 4) are more popular.

CKdesigner

Dear Blessings3

I would really recommend that you do use a kitchen designer, someone that properly knows what they are doing, it shouldn't cost that much relative to the hole project but should be worth every penny.

Designing and purchasing a new kitchen is such an important process. If you consider generally a new kitchen would cost the same as a new car but it is far more important to get the kitchen right as generally its going to be there for 15 to 20 years, whereas if you don't like your new car you can always trade it in after a couple of years.

Good luck

CK

Moss5

I improved the light in our kitchen by fitting patio doors opening onto decking/external dining.
Removed an internal stud wall and created an arch to get light from dining room.
Units are gloss white. Worktops light marble formica.
Lighting: -
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MDEC258.html

The ceiling lamp is seldom used. Prefer strips under wall units

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LLM30W.html