I agree, a unified floor will help with the feeling of a bigger, uninterrupted floor. I think the white on walls is fine, although I also think a soft but warmer tone might be suitable so the ambience is still warm and inviting. I can see an angled wall that appears lighter than the left of kitchen, I would hang a large mirror on this wall, to create a false room beyond, the angle will help reinforce this idea, and is a nice touch to a dining area, however informal. I would also take your lounge and try to position it facing your window. I assumes there's one in the far end we cannot see, the sofa could be away from the island back creating a walkway, and consider relocating your sideboard below it elsewhere. I can imagine it even along the back of the sofa as a console table, a lamp on top would create the perfect scenario for night reading and ambient light.

Running with your second floor plan (and ignore the glass sliding doors in this image) but would you consider changing your 3m narrow splash to a full sized fixed window on half the side and the remaining side create as the cooking area with cupboards, oven etc.? You mentioned you have stacker doors in the direction of the lounge, but in terms of space, from these doors, it's living area no windows at a room length of around 7m, followed by 4m kitchen room length including a 3m narrow glass splash to provide natural light for the kitchen area (cupboards noted above)? From your drawings there seems to be no windows on the opposite wall, is that right? I feel you will need to bring additional natural light into the kitchen area possibly bigger than the 3m glass panels if only 0.6m tall (or similar) especially with cupboards on top. If you're not keen on swapping out the narrow splash here's another example with your second floor plan (and also ignore glass sliding doors in this image) but possibly a tall window or fixed glass panel before your kitchen bench starts - even if <1m wide. Or greater than 1m if you're OK to encroach on your 3m glass splash and make it shorter. If the island bench is not a "must" you could create similar to this image and have a L-shape bench so it encloses the kitchen a bit more. This will help create the next room of your house ie. Kitchen - and you'll gain a few more cupboards if you're really wanting additional. Then have the big fixed window adjoining the L-shape next to the seating bench. You could still have your narrow glass splash with cupboards above, possibly just shorter (only referencing the L-shape and large door in this image - imagine fixed glass full-size wall panel in lieu of door next to the seats. Ignore the remainder of the kitchen). Is this an existing dwelling or new home build? For either of your options, are you impacting your roof-line as your first floor plan suggests you're widening the kitchen by 1m? The first plan I'm guessing will cost more; light wells and extra bricks vs straight wall. As mentioned by the other posts, there's plenty of storage options. You still have a decent amount of room for cupboards including a full-sized pantry next to your fridge space. I also agree with jbantick's of balancing space indoors and out (not knowing surroundings).

There are no strict rules here, but I do have an opinion (and I'm sure many fellow Houzzers will too)! I don't think you need to have the light fittings all match or purchase them from the same series, but I do find it feels nice when there are elements of the designs that compliment the others. This way you can choose the best lamp for the rooms without worrying too much about the other spaces. You can do this by selecting a colour, material or shape that you marry/echo in the next space. All the best, Sophie

Oh my goodness Kate! How did you do that??? Photo magic. Thank you so so much. Ok looks like the two it is bigreader. And yes Kate, I did not realise that the range hood is silver! Yikes. That will compete with the gold. And I have a silver fridge too!!! Eeek.