Knocking through the old kitchen / diner and Building an extension

6 years ago

My new kitchen/ diner extension is facing north east, it will have 3 velux roof Windows and bi fold doors but I still feel it won't have a lot of sunlight. my original plan was to decorate using pale mushroom for floors to reflect light, pale kitchen cabinets with darker mushroom quartz work surface. My dilema is should I go instead for dark grey/ blue cabinets and richer tones to work with the light rather than my first plan?

Featured Answer

Jonathan

6 years ago

It does actually sound like there should be plenty of light but you know your house best. Some mushroom colors are a brown grey which could look a little drab in poor light. Some mushroom colours are nearly white with yellow tones with could be exaggerated by electric light.

I think would choose nearly white wall cabinets and worktop and perhaps a subtly darker colour on the base cabinets such as a neutral putty color or a grey with green undertones. I would have a deep color on the walls as this will frame the cabinets. Alternatively very pale walls but charcoal grey cabinets and white worktops.
Then add warmth with wood. A wood floor and shelves are likely enough but I also like to see painted glass fronted cabinets with a wooden interior. If you add interior lights the light will be a warm glow at night.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Chester & Morris Ltd - Bespoke Kitchens
6 years ago
I think given the description above I would look at maybe going somewhere between. A pallete of light greys or pale neutrals for the majority of the cabinetry, with a strong feature colour in a selected area. Have you started planning the layout yet? An island or tall pantry or appliance cupboards may be the perfect place to do this. It is amazing how a bold dark tone against a crisp white wall can create the illusion of extra light, adding a bright feel to the space. In terms of the worktop, I think I would look at a reflective surface such as a white quartz, the light reflective surface will help to throw the light coming down from the velux windows back up to the walls. If an island was part of the deisgn I would maybe consider a warmer wood tone for the tops here, depending on your preferred style of cabinetry. With more traditional cabinets oak is an obvious choice (although I like Ash as a less common alternative, with fantastic character). For a more contemporary space walnut or wedge could create some of the contrast you are looking for, and compliment the darker tones in the feature cabinets. Obviously this is a bolder choice, and you may feel more comfortable carrying the same surfaces right through. As a final note if you really do think the area will be a little dark, bear in mind that mushroom tones can often end up looking very brown in subdued lighting, so consider where you want to use them carefully. Hope this is some help.
Chester & Morris.
evelyndavern thanked Chester & Morris Ltd - Bespoke Kitchens
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Carolina
6 years ago
I have a north west facing kitchen with two Velux skylights and a lot of smaller windows. We put in the skylights at a later date and it added an amazing amount of light. We used to have an oak kitchen with black granite worktops, recently put in a white kitchen with white worktops and that made it even lighter. Even thought one wall has tall cupboards in black wood.
So I agree with the above comments, doesn’t sound too dark and light worktops make a difference too.
evelyndavern thanked Carolina
PRO
Opun
6 years ago
Completely agree with comments made above. You should not feel scared about the North East angle. You might not catch a lot of direct sunshine, but the VELUX will draw in masses of light. Carolina is right that light materials will help you ensure a bright feeling. The Opun Team
evelyndavern thanked Opun
Emily
6 years ago
And north facing does mean that your garden viewed from the house will have the sun highlighting all your plants or garden features. There’s always a plus in any situation!
evelyndavern thanked Emily
3crans
6 years ago
Use Ivory White paint on walls and kitchen units. Its timeless and classic.
evelyndavern thanked 3crans
Andy C
last year
Hey how did this turn out? Have you got any pictures I can see? I’m interested in buying a property with NE facing kitchen

Knocking through the old kitchen / diner and Building an extension

Jonathan

Comments (7)

Chester & Morris Ltd - Bespoke Kitchens

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