Situated centrally on the ground floor level, was a kitchen/diner space that, whilst functional, was in need of some updating. With the idea of a kitchen renovation fresh in our clients’ minds, there was soon additional elements creeping into this (namely a complete reshuffle of the layout at the back of the house, including the incorporation of an extension, which would soon house the kitchen/diner area.)

 

With architects drawings produced and clear intentions being issued, (most importantly the desire for an abundance of natural light), we set to work in designing a layout that would be most reflective of our clients’ needs, including ample storage facilities and a sociable kitchen arrangement.

 

The ground floor, already housed one set of stairs for access to the back of the house, but with the opening of the space to accommodate the extension, it was necessary for another set to be installed. Whilst they were necessary, their impingement into the space was throwing the kitchen design array, eating into crucial storage space that would leave the fridge and ovens quite a distance from the main workstation. With the stair position being immovable, it was time for us to consider how the space could truly work, seeing the stairs as a feature rather than a nuisance.

 

Among other immovable objects was two large roof lights and a large picture window that, although would provide a picturesque snapshot into the garden, was also dictating the layout and structure of the kitchen area. Although being a great source of natural light, the roof lights ultimately limited the scope for tall units as they would block out the light falling through. This was an issue as, without them, we were losing the additional storage units that the kitchen desperately required. Alongside this, the stairs at one end of the worktop run and picture window at the other, was preventing our ability to form an effective and cohesive design.

 

With this in mind, and with a little persuasion, we were able to talk the clients into relocating the kitchen to the other, pre-existing side of the room.

 

In order to maximise on storage space, we built units upwards, providing space above the fridge/freezer and oven housing and installing on-worktop units that whilst they were useful for storage, stopped the kitchen a feeling of being overcrowded and dark - something our clients’ were keen to avoid.