I think the colour used on these cabinets is great. This is a colour which is unlikely to unsettle anyone who sees it and is teamed with very neutral walls and furnishings. This room looks modern, with a little retro or Scandinavian twist.I believe that if you really love a particular colour, why not use it as a colour block on cabinets. Just keep the main elements in the room neutral and the accent colours to a minimum, like the orange accent used here.

hmmm not a fan and definitely not in a bedroom. Experts say for a restful nights sleep no computers, phone chargers, led lights from a clock, in the bedroom. So i reckon they would say neon lights a no no for cellular health.

Thanks for the good ideas. Val - yes we are planning a moveable island/table - didn't put it in the diagram as we are planning to get it after the reno but perhaps should have it there to give better picture of our plan. We are thinking a timber topped bar style table, 900 high, 1200 long and 800 wide. It'll be dual purpose - flush with benchtops for extra prep space, and a snug table for 4 (on bar chairs). Louie and Kate - thanks for the fridge tip. I was playing with this and preferred the look of the fridge inside which seemed more 'built in', but can see the point about a slight blocking of the pantry with its greater depth. One related question - if the fridge was on the outside, do you think an end panel (as in Louie's pic) is essential? With every mm literally counting, it would help save 16mm or so to not have this, but would it be an issue to have the side of the fridge exposed? Kate - re micro height, it's another good point. We chucked our current micro and were waiting to reno to replace...and have found that we hardly miss it. So we aren't even sure we need one, but thought a compromise was to have the shelving about 650 above the benchtop to allow for micro but not effect benchtop space. This would be at a similar height to ones that people sometimes have over cooktops. But agree that it would be a bit impractical for regular use of the microwave. Perhaps it's worth lowering at least 100-150mm? One final question - perhaps should be separate post. What is the thinking on minimum width next to cooktop? Of course ideally you would have 400 or 500 or more.....but in our small space, we have a reasonable space to the right of the cooktop, but only 200mm to the left. Then again have seen kitchens, especially with freestanding stoves, that have no space on one side (ie cooktop at end). In some ways this would be better for us as we could have 800 wide drawers, rather than 600 wide, then oven, then 200 wide mini drawers.....but thought it might be better to have the small 200 benchtop space on the other side of cooktop than none at all. Thoughts? Thanks again for the good ideas!

Thanks everyone for all your feedback and tips. Below is the plan I have come up with. Not sure how clearly it will show up. Have wrestled with the position of the ovens and sink - thought about swapping them and about having them centred but then think there would be too far between fridge and cooktop/ovens. Cooktop is 600m gas, then two below bench 600mm electric ovens, 900mm rangehood. Sink is double drain, double sink (1550mm in all). I know this seems excessive and against trend but I could not live without my double drain as always defrosting meat, bottles of milk etc and like to have one clean side and one dirty side of the sink. I love the idea of a bi-fold door appliance cupboard for toaster, kettle, microwave but not sure how practical it really is. Will the doors when open be painful and stick out near the fridge???? Do like the idea of having all that stuff tucked away though. What do you think of dishwasher position? Think I will make that gap between island and bench with dishwasher 1300mm as suggested. The only drawers I'm planning on having are a bank of 3 x 3 800mm in the island. I know that are more economical space wise but trying to keep costs down. Should add that behind the L-shaped benches will be windows as much as possible. Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks greatly.