Kitchen too dark, looking for ideas.

Artytarty

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83997722@N03/7829794934/in/photostream/

Hi, this is my first post in this area on the site!
I have a very dark kitchen, basically I made an expensive mistake and have been living with it for the past 12 years.
The kitchen units are very unusual and in good condition, It was a German kitchen, Nobilia. Stupidly we put in black tiles to complete the look . One small north faacing window.
Anyway, time for a change, I a, am thinking about glass splashbacks in cream,maybe painting the top board that si black and hold lights, white, and/or getting the cupboard doors spraypainted cream, maybe not all of them.
Any thoughts from you creative folks most welcome please.

cyclonebri1

Is this single storey or the bottom deck or a conventional house?
Only ask as it is possible to gain an awful lot of light through light tubes and cathedral roof lights etc. if the exterior is available.;)

Artytarty

Thanks,I had brieflythought of that. It is the bottom storey of a traditional 1930s detached house. I cant see that working.
The "big" plan was to knock through into the utility room and sunlounge and open up the back of the house to create a new large bright kitchen living space overlooking the garden. We can no longer justify that amount of expenditure .

Barneysmom

It is a beautiful kitchen!
I think I'd change the lightshade for a shiny chrome or stainless steel one.
also, see the wall cupboard that is next to the window, I'd cover the side of it with a mirror to let what light is coming in be reflected a bit more onto the room.

I'd leave painting to cupboard doors till last as I don't think you'll need to once you have your splashbacks done.

Artytarty

Thanks, thats an idea. We have already put some mirrors in elsewhere, above the oven and above the tall cupboard with the glass cupboards to either side, Im not sure if you can pick them out in the photos.
I think the black tile have to go, but to be replaced by what> White would be too stark.

floopnoodle

I wouldn't paint the doors, that usually looks cheap.

I'd change the splashbacks and add some downlighters beneath the top cupboards then maybe look at doing something with the floor to make it lighter

ic

I would have thought the best thing would be re-tiling in a lighter colour, and installing under-cupboard lights. I have these: http://www.screwfix.com/p/halolite-white-t4-cabinet-light-20w-593mm/84170 - they come in a variety of lengths and can be chained together to all come on and off together. They're cheap and reasonably efficient, and cast a good bright even light under the cabinets.

I agree with the earlier comment too about painting the cupboard doors - you'll live to regret that!

bazster

Artytarty wrote: »

I think the black tile have to go, but to be replaced by what> White would be too stark.

We just installed a swathe of bright pink glass splashbacks (Telemagenta is the name of the colour). Everyone said we were mad, but we think they're great!

cyclonebri1

Hi, just opened the link, should have done earlier.

Like the look, but as to help?, I'm unsure.

It needs reflectors, either in the lighting or by mirrors.

Can't see the floor colour, could be retiled in cream porcelain with plinth lighting, that would lift it?

Black wall tiles?, too Gothic for me, this is one remote instance when I would say over tiling is the answer,

Artytarty

We do have undercupboard lighting, I just dont usually have it on during the day, we have loads of lights, in the black pelmet-shining down, suspended on fancy wires-above table, undercupboard , and also a few years back we installed flourescent tubes right back where the ceiling meets the walls, you cant see them but they light up the ceiling.
Its STILL too dark.Plus my OH says I must have the wee men working at the power station stripped to wasit, shovelling coal in like demons, trying to keep the power running to meet my demands!
The floor is lighter laminate strips, Karndean, looks like T&G wood, it's ok.
The bottom plinth or kickboards are black too. Oh my word, how did I ever let this happen? To think I chose it!

cyclonebri1

Artytarty wrote: »

We do have undercupboard lighting, I just dont usually have it on during the day, we have loads of lights, in the black pelmet-shining down, suspended on fancy wires-above table, undercupboard , and also a few years back we installed flourescent tubes right back where the ceiling meets the walls, you cant see them but they light up the ceiling.
Its STILL too dark.Plus my OH says I must have the wee men working at the power station stripped to wasit, shovelling coal in like demons, trying to keep the power running to meet my demands!
The floor is lighter laminate strips, Karndean, looks like T&G wood, it's ok.
The bottom plinth or kickboards are black too. Oh my word, how did I ever let this happen? To think I chose it!

No, floor level under plinth lighting, yep fairly new to me but my kids, 30 something all have it. Truth is it does work, take a look.

For me the black tiles go, sorry just an opinion, ;)