This is a really awkward space! What about trying to build a unit into the corner which seems to be dead space. This could house the television and other bits like dvr,amp etc. The unit could then extend out towards the door in length and in height either up to the start of the window or up to the start of the blinds. I would suggest drawers for toy storage and books above. In this way you leave the windows clear for light plus it looks like you have a pull down screen so the tv would be out of the way of that. This arrangement would also hide all those wires and cables! Ikea have some good examples of storage which you could adapt or copy, such as Besta which illustrates the extended toy storage. http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S39927155/

Looks like you have several things to consider in the layout. What the view out the window ? Do you really want to see more of whats outside? Cooking is always best on the outside wall to get it vented, island cooking is a last resort, downdraft dont work well at all and the island hood is typically obstructive. Looks like the wall should come out to open the space up. Best advice is to have a designer come to your home and see it in person. There are costs associated with every change and it is very difficult to judge just from photos.The design phase is the most important part of any kitchen remodel the builder is only going to install it as the plans layout. Find a great designer that makes house calls :)

Your layout for you kitchen looks really good and would fit well with the mixture of black and white cabinetry. With the lament bench top, we would suggest melamine (entry level cabinetry) or acrylic bench top, which can come in high gloss feature or matt. The matt surface would go lovely with your choice of bench top, and acrylic is also a affordable cabinetry material. Below are some examples of how Reno4u has incorporated both black and white cabinetry together, without making it to dominantly dark. We feel as if these examples would be perfect for your layout, and depending on if you want more black cabinetry or white you can go either way. This design above is an example with more black than white, can be made matt or gloss with different handles/splash back and wallpaper. With a u shaped kitchen similar to yours, however from the pictures you provided your style may include different design below the island bench. Another kitchen designed by us which shows more white than black, with a bar built in which may suit your design better. We hope this helps you, please feel free to call us on 03 423 9067 and we can provide a free quote for materials and kitchen design, and help you finalise your design further. :)

Eh ? You want white or off-white or similar ? Your kitchen is white and off-white , with quite a light wood . And a nice red toaster . I have noticed the toaster , and commented on it . You have purchased the toaster . Other people will notice the toaster , and comment on it . Because it is the only mildly interesting thing in the kitchen . Dark grey doesn't sound interesting , but charcoal does , so I am hoping it is closer to charcoal than dark grey . Am I overly optimistic ? Can you swap the dark grey for black gloss , because I suspect black gloss subways would look quite good there , and tie in the oven and cooktop too . Now what would happen if you were stuck with the grey or charcoal , and went out and bought a dozen crisp white subways , and a dozen Red subways . Get your 30 or so charcoal subways , and lay them out in a rectangle on the floor . Take 6 out in a reasonably random way , and put white ones there . Then take out another 6 , and put red ones there . Depending on the grey/charcoal , it may look crap , or it may look okay . If it looks okay , put the dozen grey ones on the top , take a few more away , add more red and white . Overdone ? Underdone ? Have a play . Don't like it ? Get all the grey ones , and 'stand them up' ( lay them vertically ) . Lay a line of red ones horizontally across the top , another line of white ones horizontally across middle . Swap them . Don't like any of them ? Get some brownish Tavertine Tiles , or an Orange ( or red or yellow or citrus green or your favourite colour ) glass splashback . Experiment . Put the on the bench and imagine . Thats what I'd do anyway . But I wouldn't do only dark grey , and I probably wouldn't do charcoal on its own , but I'd see first .