Contemporary Black Kitchen Renovation - Haslemere, Surrey

When Rich and Zara decided to renovate and extend part of the ground floor of their Haslemere home, they had a clear vision for the space. They wanted a well designed kitchen that would make an impact, somewhere that felt contemporary and confident. At the same time, it needed to work just as hard and be a practical space, with plenty of storage to support the realities of everyday family life.

The project involved reconfiguring and extending part of the ground floor to create a new kitchen and dining room, alongside a walk-in pantry and utility room. Elsewhere in the house, we also designed and built storage for their home gym combined with a bespoke media wall.

The contemporary kitchen centres around a large island fitted with a Siemens venting hob. By incorporating the extraction into the hob itself, views remain open across the room and towards the dining area, allowing the kitchen to feel connected to the rest of the space.

Behind the island, a seating area creates a natural place for family and friends to gather, whether it's breakfast before school, homework at the end of the day or simply keeping the cook company whilst dinner is being prepared.

Rich and Zara opted instead for a combination of matt black cabinetry and walnut-effect finishes. The contrast between the two materials gives the room its character. The black cabinetry provides a strong architectural feel, while the warmth of the walnut prevents the scheme from feeling too stark. Large windows and glazed doors bring plenty of natural light into the room, allowing the darker palette to work beautifully.

The walnut detailing appears throughout the space, from the cabinetry interiors to the striking slatted feature wall behind the dining table. Together with the black-framed glazing, it creates a contemporary look that feels considered without trying too hard.

Storage was a major part of the brief and a great deal of thought went into making sure everything had its place. The breakfast larder keeps everyday essentials together and within easy reach, while a bi-fold dresser allows smaller appliances to disappear from view when they're not being used. Additional internal drawer systems make larger cupboards far more practical, and a Le Mans corner mechanism ensures that valuable storage space isn't lost in difficult-to-access corners.

One of the standout features of the project is the walk-in pantry. Rather than acting as an oversized cupboard, it functions as an extension of the kitchen itself. Open shelving provides organised storage for dry goods and everyday essentials, while a bespoke framed cabinet was designed specifically to house wine and smaller appliances. It's the sort of addition that makes a noticeable difference to daily life, helping to keep worktops clear and the main kitchen free from clutter.

The worktops are finished in 20mm Cloudy Gris, introducing a lighter tone that balances the darker cabinetry. Siemens appliances are integrated throughout, including a full-height larder fridge, while a black Quooker Flex tap complements the overall palette. Lighting plays a significant role in the overall feel of the kitchen. Beneath the wall units, warm task lighting illuminates the work surfaces, while concealed lighting beneath the worktop edges creates a fine line of light around the island and perimeter cabinetry. It's a relatively subtle feature, but one that adds depth to the darker finishes and helps emphasise the clean lines that run throughout the design.

The adjoining utility room follows the same design principles but takes on its own identity. Kashmir Grey cabinetry is paired with framed walnut-effect units, creating a softer feel whilst maintaining continuity with the kitchen. As with the pantry, the emphasis is on practicality, providing a dedicated space for laundry, cleaning equipment and household storage away from the main living areas.

As part of the wider renovation, we also created a home gym featuring a bespoke media wall. Open shelving incorporates subtle uplighting to the rear, adding depth and interest, while low-level storage provides a place to keep equipment neatly organised. The joinery mirrors details found elsewhere in the house, helping the room feel connected to the overall scheme rather than treated as a separate space.

What works particularly well about this project is how each room supports the next. The pantry takes pressure off the kitchen, the utility room provides valuable back-of-house storage, and the island creates a natural focal point for family life. Every element was designed around the way Rich and Zara and their children use their home, resulting in spaces that are practical, comfortable and built to stand the test of time.

For a house originally built in the late 1990s, the transformation is significant. The new layout feels more open, more useful and far better suited to modern family living, while the combination of dark cabinetry, walnut detailing and carefully considered storage gives the home a character that feels entirely its own.

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Charter Walk designs, handcrafts and installs bespoke kitchens, walk-in pantries, utility rooms, home gyms, media walls and fitted furniture throughout Haslemere, Surrey and the surrounding areas. Every project is individually designed around the architecture of the home and the way our clients live, resulting in cabinetry that is both beautiful and practical.

Working from our showrooms in Haslemere and Eashing, and supported by our own joinery workshop, we create kitchens and interiors that combine thoughtful design, carefully selected materials and exceptional craftsmanship. From contemporary black kitchens and statement kitchen islands to bespoke storage solutions, fitted home gyms and handcrafted cabinetry, each project is made to order and built to last.

We regularly work with clients across Haslemere, Godalming, Guildford, Farnham, Liphook, Midhurst, Petworth, Churt, Grayshott and the surrounding towns and villages throughout Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.