Thanks everyone. Would have liked pendant lights but we have fans, so no room. Think I will start with a pot pant and stools. Thanks again.

doors and an adjustable shelf above the fridge can make better use of that space and would love to see an extension to the depth of the island to allow for knee/stool space and extra counter space on your island with room for a big flat bowl for some colourful fruit or a plant

It looks like you have plenty of space for a wider bench. Hang the cost, that is the first thing that I would do. Then it's just about styling as per the suggestions above.

Thanks for the suggestions. Fridge is completely wrong, but only moved in 8 weeks ago and fridge isn't in the budget, but love the idea of storage above.

Hey Deanne Scott,

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You could give some textural interest to the splash-back by swapping out the white grout and replacing it with charcoal coloured grout which will make all the accessories as mentioned above pop :)

A wider bench top for stools would have been excellent if you have the space, you could also just add a 300 deep piece of bench top along the front dropped down to table height that could have stools chairs. Storage above the fridge would finish the kitchen off, it looks like a lovely space to work in. Are you able to show the position of the fans. Some of those lovely very affordable black metal with wooden seats stools from Kmart would look beautiful

I think if you're asking that question you already know the answer. Yes in my opinion it is lacking personality and you could put a bit more of yourself into it. It's just black and white in a fairly dimly-lit space. For example, some colour in the splashback, or the front of the island. Because it's a pallette of black and white, I'd suggest soft/mid grey tiles for a splashback. Also perhaps some LED lights under the cupboards, plus some pendants over the island. Could yu lash out with a feature wall colour on the whole wall where the fridge is? Take a risk on a hue of that feature wall colour for the front of the island? BTW if you purchase a bowl mixer etc purely for display purposes in your kitchen, you are really in trouble IMHO...

I agree with some colour on the splashback, perhaps the fridge wall and the blank side of the island. I’m not a fan of the black appliances but perhaps pick that colour up in whatever you do on those surfaces. I don’t mean paint them black, but perhaps something like a marble splashback with a strong vein.

Line the blank side of island with the same material or a rustic grade Aussie timber - there are so many to choose from - as the grain will appear as black lines. I also like the drop style island bench with chairs or stools. I dislike being perched on a high stool and who needs more chairs that can’t be double-purposed?!

And change the Deer picture to something with more colour and life in it. Either vibrant colours or something green and natural that builds on your timber theme.

Good luck.

This is quite subtle shows the grain effect of marble in a splashback

The kmart stool is only $25 and what I love about them is the warmth of the timber with the metal, PLUS a place to put your feet up

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/black-industrial-stool/943801

I agree with daf Marie, that you could add interest by placing coloured items in the overhead cupboards.

You could change the upper cabinet doors for coloured doors and / or change the backside of the island with a colour?

While you try and discover what you 'completes' your space, start by doing it without spending too much or anything at all. Place a bowl of lemons and limes on a corner of your bench against the wall. Add a succulent plant (like an open bowl arrangement of mini succulents) on the island bench.

I love basic colour foundations that you have - it allows you to bring yourself and your family into the space and change it as you grow. I always add colour and I love having a bare bench-top so I can have fresh flowers or a plant arrangement. It lifts everything.

Even if you just play a bit while you figure out what works for you. Enjoy it.

For me it needs a huge injection of some dramatic colour, be it a groovy set of retro cannisters or a large bright fruit bowl. It will give it a huge boost of energy! Keep it simple and dramatic. In one of my kitchens past, I found displaying the lovely bright vegetables I would cook over the week was a good way of injecting a bit of life. Purple egg plants, orange pumpkins, red capsicum purple and white onions, any vegetable that will store well in a big display basket! I love your glass cabinet doors. Great to show off nice glasses, china, jugs and casseroles. Tea pot collections or coffee gear too, display well. Funk it up!

Great kitchen, you just need to bring life to it with plants, flowers or herbs

Several good comments -- my first thoughts ( like Lynette Ludbrook and others ) was some colour .

Personally , I would swap that mono-tone deer head picture for something with colour -- I have seen a similar picture done in bright colours , and done with a knife -- the colours have texture that really stands out -- for around $200-250 . That alone would lift the room 1000% IMO .

The toaster and jug I'd change to the 1960's pale teal ones that are currently on trend , and quite possibly the fridge to match . The 60's style radio is fine as it is , and on the right track IMO , but the jug and picture just dull it down too much .

I'm a great fan of colourful stools , but probably surprisingly , I'd only go with 1 ( maybe an industrial metal style one that is also on trend , in that pale teal ? ) under the overhang at the end of the island bench -- your dinig table and chairs looks to be only 1 1/2 metres away , and stools along the bench would look cluttered , again just my opinion .

And it looks like there is space above the cupboards -- I must be lazy , as I would have gotten ones up to the ceiling , to make cleaning easier haha -- but as you have it , use it . I'm a male who loves cars -- I'd have 3 or 4 1950's and 60's musle cars , but my partner may have a small say in that too haha -- maybe she'd want shoes ! Just joking . . . . . . . .

And how about a small copper pot with a cactus on the end of the bench -- a living thing and a bit out of the ordinary , easy to move if you need the space , and not leafy or quick growing .

Here's another idea . I did up a staff kitchen in a commercial building I own . It was a lot plainer than the one in the pictures -- real , real basic white cubboard doors , a long stainless steel bench , white range hood , white stove , white fridge , white cupboard , and 1970's lino in swirls of 10 diiferent shades of red . Just horrible .

I did all the work myself in about a week of evenings .

Repaint the roof in semi-gloss white , changing the double flourescent tubes to 2 black 'rod' rhombus shaped designer shades with teardrop clear LED bulbs with visible filaments . Paint 1 smaller wall in an orangy red earth tone . Afix a 40" flat screen ( the staff loved me for that ! ) . The other 3 walls in a red and off-white brick wallpaper . Above the stainless bench , I did 1 row of 100mm x 100mm mid grey tiles , with 1 row of black subway tiles horizontally above that -- probably less than $200 including adhesive and grout ! Of course , some of that fake brick wallpaper above that , then the white cupboards and rangehood above that .

Add a stainless microwave at the far end of the bench , and a stainless 6 outlet powerboard mounted to the wall ; a candy apple red and stainless jug , matching 4 slice toaster and a milk shake machine -- brand new but made to look like 1950's .

Add a black glass dining table and 6 distressed red low metal stools , and a $200 DIY fake aged self adhesive timber-look strips on the floor .

The new tenants ( an established business ) could hardly believe that I had done that for them , and also seem ( after 3 years ) happy with the result . My cost all up -- just a bit more than 1 weeks rent ( not counting my labour ) !

Hi Deanne

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Thank you everyone for you ideas. It really helped and is much appreciated. We are on a tight budget so couldn't do anything that cost too much (just built on a very tight budget). Had to just accessorise mainly from Kmart! Our theme throughout the whole house was white, black and wood with a pop of green. We still desperately want a new fridge and to add shelving, and it will happen, but just down the track. Thanks again and I thought i would share some photos. Have included the rest of the room this time to show how it sits in the rest of the house.

Thank you!

Great job Deanne.

You know working on a budget gets you creative. I think everyone needs the experience for appreciation sake............. enjoy your space and be proud of the simple fact you have your own home and it looks fab. It's a great achievement.

Hi Deanne My idea is to get some coloured glass items to put into your beautiful upper glass fronted cabinets. You could try looking in Op shops. You will be surprised what you can find.

I love that. I nearly went with the marble jar.

Love the colour palette of your rooms and julie H Kmart bits and pieces work beautifully

Thanks Julie, it's from ikea