Struggling to design a narrow, north-facing kitchen? Discover how to transform a dark, cramped space into a bold, mid-century modern masterpiece without the cost of an extension. In this episode, we reveal smart layout hacks for galley kitchens, how to hide an ugly boiler, and the perfect colour palettes to warm up a dark room.

In this episode of Love Your Kitchen, sponsored by Blum, host Faye Newman details the design journey of a mid-century bold contemporary kitchen for clients in London. She explores the transformation of a narrow, north-facing space into a highly functional heart of the home, proving that you don’t always need an extension to create a dream kitchen. Faye breaks down how brave colour choices, exposed materials, and meticulous space planning can solve the challenges of a dark galley layout while hiding unsightly utilities like boilers and wiring.

Work With Faye

Looking to start your own kitchen renovation journey but not sure where to begin? We would love to help you bring your vision to life. Book a Kitchen Discovery Call with Faye today to discuss your project: 👉 www.fayenewmandesign.com

Key Takeaways

No extension needed: Keeping the original footprint avoided creating a dark central dining room and saved budget for higher-quality materials.

Warming up a north-facing room: Using earthy colour tones and introducing exposed wood brings an element of warmth within the space along with clever lighting combats the common cooler natural light from a north facing property.

Mid-century aesthetics: Achieving a lived-in, modernist look using exposed veneered oak interiors, push-to-open doors, and durable Calacatta Borghini Quartz.

Space-saving galley kitchen hacks: Why a traditional canopy hood was chosen over a venting hob to maximise crucial walkway width in a narrow space.

Best Moments

“Sometimes the best decision is not to extend. We avoided the ‘dark middle room’ syndrome and focused the budget on quality.”

“We managed to hide a boiler, the bins, and even a cat flap all in one unit without it looking like a utility cupboard.”

“We used exposed veneered cabinet interiors to give it that stripped-back, mid-century construction feel.”

About the Host

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Her dedication to client satisfaction and love for her craft shines through in every project she undertakes.

Connect with Faye Newman Design:

Visit: www.fayenewmandesign.com for kitchen inspiration and design resources.

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