Dublin Kitchens
Forest Green Shaker Kitchen Renovation in Killiney, Dublin
This Killiney kitchen renovation was completed for Siobhán Murphy, who wanted to replace an older cream kitchen with something more organised, more comfortable to cook in and much more in keeping with the rest of the home.The room had plenty of potential from the start. It was wider than the old kitchen made it feel, with a good window position and enough floor space for a proper island. The original layout, however, left too much of the room unused. Freestanding appliances broke up the working wall, storage was limited, and the cream units and tiled splashback had started to make the whole space feel dated. Kitchens4U redesigned the room as a forest green Shaker kitchen with a central island, white quartz worktops, a full-height storage wall, integrated oven housing and warm brass details. The result is still practical and easy to live with, but it now has the depth and presence the room deserved.Project Overview
| Location | Killiney, Dublin |
|---|---|
| Project Type | Modern Shaker kitchen renovation |
| Layout | L-shaped fitted kitchen with central island and tall storage wall |
| Budget Range | €30,000–€35,000 |
| Project Duration | 4 weeks |
| Cabinetry Range | Bastille Natural Woodgrain Shaker |
| Sink | Cesaro Large Undermount Ceramic Sink 1.0 Bowl |
| Tap | Galroo Twin Lever Mixer Tap – Brushed Brass |
| Service | Design, supply & installation |
The Brief
The client was not looking for a small cosmetic refresh. The old kitchen had done its job for years, but the room was ready for a more complete rethink. There was generous floor space, yet the main working area was pushed into a modest run of older units. The fridge, cooker and loose storage pieces felt separate from the cabinetry rather than part of one fitted design.
The wish list was clear: more closed storage, a stronger cooking area, a proper island, a brighter worktop surface and a colour choice with character. Forest green was the right direction because the room could take a richer cabinet colour, especially with the natural light from the window and the pale floor already in place.
Just as important, the kitchen needed to feel planned from wall to wall. That meant bringing appliances, storage, preparation space and the sink run into one layout instead of treating them as separate pieces.
Before & After
Before the renovation, the kitchen felt bigger than it was useful. The left side of the room had very little fitted storage, while the main kitchen run relied on older cream cabinets, freestanding appliances and a dated tile splashback. The room had space, but it did not have rhythm.
After the renovation, the same room feels much more balanced. The tall storage wall gives the left side a clear purpose, the island turns the middle of the kitchen into useful working space, and the sink run by the window now feels clean and finished. The forest green cabinetry adds depth without making the room feel heavy.
What Changed
| Before | Design Response |
|---|---|
| Older cream units and a tired tiled splashback | Replaced with forest green Shaker cabinetry and a clean white quartz splashback/worktop finish |
| Large floor area with no useful centrepiece | Added a central island for preparation, storage and a more sociable working layout |
| Freestanding appliances breaking up the room | Created a full-height storage and appliance wall with integrated oven housing |
| Limited enclosed storage | Used tall cabinets, wide drawers and a slim open shelving/wine rack detail beside the storage run |
| Sink area felt functional but unfinished | Upgraded to a large undermount ceramic sink, brushed brass mixer tap and continuous quartz surface |
The Design Solution
The main design decision was to stop treating the kitchen as a single back-wall run. The room had enough width for a central island, so the layout was rebuilt around three clear zones: tall storage and appliances on the left, cooking and preparation across the back wall, and washing-up along the window side.
The island is important because it gives the room a centre. It provides a generous preparation surface, helps connect the different work zones and makes the kitchen feel more social without blocking movement. It was sized to suit the room rather than being made too large for effect.
The tall storage wall also makes a noticeable difference. By grouping full-height cabinets, the fridge area, oven housing and slim open shelving together, the kitchen gains much more storage while keeping the rest of the room visually calmer.
Considering a green Shaker kitchen for your Dublin home? Explore our shaker kitchens →
Layout
This is best described as an L-shaped fitted kitchen with a central island and a full-height storage wall. The sink remains under the window, which makes sense for both daylight and day-to-day use. The hob sits on the main working wall, while the tall units bring the oven, fridge area and pantry storage into one organised zone.
For many Dublin homes, the biggest question is whether an island is genuinely useful or just attractive in photographs. In this project, the island earned its place. There is still comfortable circulation around it, and it improves the way the client moves between the sink, hob, oven and fridge.
The slim open shelving detail beside the tall units is a small but effective touch. It breaks up a large green run, gives the design a little warmth, and provides a place for bottles or display items without making the kitchen look busy.
Installation Process
The installation began with a full strip-out of the old kitchen, including the worn units, worktops and dated splashback tiles. Once the room was cleared, the team could check the walls and floor properly before setting out the new cabinetry.
The tall storage side needed careful fitting because full-height units quickly show any unevenness in walls or ceilings. The cabinet run had to be aligned cleanly around the integrated oven housing, fridge area and the narrow open shelving section. This stage is where good site measurement matters; a few millimetres can affect door gaps, end panels and the final built-in look.
The island was then positioned to keep the working routes comfortable. With an island kitchen, the important measurement is not only the size of the island itself, but the space left around it. The team checked the clearance around the tall units, sink run and cooking area before the worktops were templated.
The quartz stage required accurate templating, particularly around the undermount sink and the waterfall-free island edges. Once the worktops were fitted, the final work focused on handle alignment, door adjustment, sink and tap fitting, plinths, and the small finishing details that make a fitted kitchen feel properly complete.
Need help with the installation stage? Read our Kitchen Installation Ireland guide to understand what to expect from a professional fitted kitchen installation →
Materials & Finishes
The cabinetry uses the Bastille Natural Woodgrain Shaker door in a rich Forest Green finish. This was a good choice for the room because the 5-piece Shaker detail gives the doors more depth than a flat slab style, while the woodgrain texture keeps the green from looking too plain.
The cabinets are built with an 18mm MFC structure, giving the tall units, base cabinets and island a solid, practical feel for everyday use. The cabinet colour is strong, so the surrounding finishes were kept light and calm.
The white quartz worktops with subtle veining are used across the perimeter run and the island. They lift the darker cabinetry, reflect light back into the room and give the kitchen a cleaner, more premium finish. Using the same quartz on the island and the sink run also helps the room feel connected.
At the sink area, the Cesaro Large Undermount Ceramic Sink 1.0 Bowl was paired with the Galroo Twin Lever Mixer Tap in brushed brass. The brass tap and matching handle finish warm up the forest green cabinetry, giving the kitchen a polished look without making it feel overly formal.
See quartz worktop options at our showroom →
Kitchen Renovation Advice from This Project
This project is a good example of why layout should be considered before colour. The forest green finish is what people notice first, but the kitchen works because the storage, appliance positions and island were planned carefully before the final finishes were chosen.
If you are planning a similar kitchen renovation in Dublin, be honest about how much space an island needs. A smaller island with comfortable clearance is usually better than a large island that makes the room awkward. You should be able to open appliance doors, pass another person and move from sink to hob without feeling squeezed.
Dark green cabinetry can work beautifully, especially in rooms with natural light, pale flooring or white worktops. The key is balance. In this kitchen, the quartz, window light and brass details stop the green from feeling too heavy.
Tall storage is often one of the best upgrades in a renovation. It reduces clutter on worktops, gives appliances a more built-in look and makes better use of full wall height. For homes where dry food, cookware and small appliances are always competing for space, a tall storage wall can be more useful than adding extra wall cabinets everywhere.
Finally, choose your sink, tap, handles and worktop together. These details sit close to each other visually, so they should feel intentional. Here, the ceramic sink, quartz worktop and brushed brass tap give the wet area a clean but warm finish.
Planning your own kitchen renovation? Read our Kitchen Renovation Dublin guide for practical advice before starting your project →
The Result
The finished kitchen feels far more confident, but still practical. The old room had floor area that was not being used properly; the new design turns that space into a central island, a stronger storage wall and a better daily working layout.
The forest green Shaker cabinetry gives the kitchen a strong identity, while the white quartz surfaces, brass details and large window keep the overall look bright. It is a good fit for a Killiney home: considered, durable and distinctive without being overdesigned.
Planning a similar kitchen renovation in Dublin? Kitchens4U can help with kitchen design, supply and installation, from layout planning and cabinet specification to worktops, sinks, taps and the final fitted finish. Explore our recent kitchen projects or book a free consultation to start planning your own kitchen.
FAQ
Can Kitchens4U design a similar forest green Shaker kitchen in Dublin?
Yes. Kitchens4U can design, supply and install a similar Shaker-style fitted kitchen based on your room size, storage needs, preferred worktop and appliance requirements.
How much did this Killiney kitchen renovation cost?
This project was in the €30,000–€35,000 range. The final price for any kitchen renovation depends on the room size, cabinet specification, worktops, appliances, accessories and installation details.
How long did the project take?
The full project duration was around 4 weeks. This included removal of the old kitchen, fitting the new cabinetry, coordinating the worktop stage and completing the final installation details.
Is a dark green kitchen too bold for a Dublin home?
Not when it is balanced properly. In this kitchen, the forest green cabinetry works because the room has good natural light, pale flooring, white quartz worktops and warm brass details.
Does every kitchen with this amount of space need an island?
No. An island only works well when there is enough clearance around it. In this Killiney project, the room had the width to take a central island while still leaving comfortable movement between the sink, hob, fridge and tall units.
Are quartz worktops a good choice for a kitchen island?
Quartz is a strong option for islands because it gives a durable, easy-to-clean surface and helps the island feel like a proper working area rather than just an added piece of furniture.
Why use an undermount ceramic sink?
An undermount sink gives a cleaner worktop line and makes the sink area easier to wipe down. The large single bowl also suits bigger pans, trays and everyday kitchen use.
Does Kitchens4U handle the full kitchen installation?
Yes. Kitchens4U can manage the design, supply and installation, from layout planning and cabinet specification through to worktops, sink, tap and final fitting details.
