Through-Room Kitchen Makeover

Before: The old room had been a small living room and back room, but the rooms were knocked together to create one large space. The old fireplace (right) now houses the hob.

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Before

Knocking through has created a large but quirky space

After

After: Now a swish, contemporary kitchen, how did they create it?

Converting Old To New

A small kitchen island makes a space for a breakfast bar, while the alcoves either side of the old chimney breast house the sink and dishwasher. The old fireplace has been remodelled to house both the hob and extractor fan. A false wall houses floor to ceiling units which hold the fridge freezer and plenty of storage space for food and cooking equipment. For more about creating a conversion kitchen, see our guide.

Using Flooring To Reflect Light

Pale flooring tiles help reflect light around the room and contrast handsomely with the dark wood of the units. For inspiring ways to make a dark space lighter, see our gallery.

Using Lighting As A Design Feature

Stainless steel-effect lights hanging above the island unit aren’t just decorative at night - their gleaming presence gives the kitchen a design boost during the day, too.

Linking The Colour Scheme

At the far end of the room, a dining table and chairs in pale colours and a dark wood sideboard pick up the colour scheme at the kitchen end of the room. Eye-catching accessories make this end of the room look much more relaxed. An integral TV saves worktop space by being wall-hung. For advice and ideas about linking spaces with colour, browse our gallery.

To see more kitchens like this, go to our contemporary kitchens gallery.

Pictures: Colin Poole