Marine Blue & White Slab Door Kitchen for a Dublin Office
Dublin
Project Overview
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Project Type: Office Staff Kitchen Renovation
Kitchen Door Style: Modern Slab Door
Cabinetry Range: Tribeca Marine Blue Superior Matt & Tribeca White Grey Superior Matt
Handles: Mallorca Bar Handle
Service Level: Design, Supply & Installation
The Brief
This Dublin office kitchen was used daily for coffee breaks, lunches and washing up, but the old space had started to feel tired and overcrowded.
The original kitchen had a short run of older white units, a freestanding fridge, open counter space and several appliances sitting out. Cups, cleaning items, food supplies and the coffee area all competed for the same surfaces, so the room looked busy even when it was tidy.
The client wanted a fitted staff kitchen that looked more professional, but still worked for everyday office use. The main requirements were better enclosed storage, clearer worktop space and finishes that would be easy to maintain.
Before & After
Before the renovation, the kitchen felt more like a back-room utility area than a finished staff space. The freestanding appliances and exposed items made the room feel busier than it needed to be.
After the renovation, the space has a much more organised layout. The main sink run now has fitted base and wall cabinets, the microwave sits below the counter, and the tall marine blue cabinet gives the office a proper place for shared supplies.
Visually, the two-tone cabinetry made the biggest difference: marine blue grounds the lower units, while the white grey wall cabinets keep the upper part of the room light.
The Design Solution
The design kept the kitchen practical for daily office use while making better use of the room’s existing shape.
The main kitchen was planned around the original sink wall, so there was no need for major plumbing changes. Marine blue was used on the lower kitchen cabinets and tall storage to give the room a stronger, more modern look, while Tribeca White Grey Superior Matt was used on the wall cabinets to keep the upper section light.
A separate coffee station was also added near the entrance, using the same marine blue cabinetry and Snow White worktop. This gave the coffee machine its own dedicated area instead of taking up space on the main kitchen counter.
The slab door style kept the whole design simple and clean, which suited the office setting better than a more decorative kitchen style.
Layout
This office kitchen uses an L-shaped layout, with the main sink run along the left-hand wall and the worktop continuing around the corner onto the back wall.
The microwave is built into the lower cabinetry on the right side of the main run, while the tall marine blue cabinet sits at the end as the main storage area. The centre of the room stays open for the staff table and chairs, so the kitchen still works as a break space as well as a food preparation area.
There is also a small separate coffee station near the entrance. This helps keep the coffee machine away from the sink and lunch prep area, so staff can make drinks without crowding the main kitchen run.
Installation Process
We kept the new kitchen in roughly the same position as the old one, so the office did not need major changes to the room.
After the old units and worktop were removed, we checked the wall, plumbing and socket positions before fitting the new cabinets. The main issue was that the existing sockets were mostly around the old counter area. If we placed every appliance there again, the coffee machine and microwave would still take over the main worktop, which was one of the problems the client wanted to solve.
Instead of moving everything around the room, we adjusted the cabinet layout around the available power points. The microwave was built into a lower cabinet section, so it no longer sat on the worktop. The coffee machine was moved to a small separate coffee station near the entrance, where it could be used without crowding the sink and prep area.
The base units were fitted first, followed by the wall units and the tall storage cabinet. Once the cabinets were levelled and secured, the Snow White worktop was fitted around the sink side and return section.
At the end, the sink, handles and final trims were fitted, then the doors, drawers and appliance areas were checked so the kitchen was ready for everyday staff use.
Materials & Finishes
The cabinetry combines Tribeca Marine Blue Superior Matt with Tribeca White Grey Superior Matt, both in a modern slab door style. The flat matt doors suit an office kitchen because they are simple, easy to wipe down and not overly decorative.
The kitchen cabinets are made from 18mm MFC, giving the kitchen a solid structure for regular staff use. A 38mm Snow White laminate worktop was chosen to brighten the room and provide a durable, low-maintenance surface.
The Sicilia Irene 1.0 Bowl Large Sink gives enough space for mugs, lunch containers and general washing up, while brushed steel Mallorca Bar Handles keep the finish simple and practical.
Looking for a similar finish? Explore our recommended worktops for office and staff kitchens.
Design Advice
For an office kitchen, the first thing to check is not the colour or door style, but how the space becomes messy during the day. In many staff kitchens, the problem starts when drinks, washing up, food prep and storage all happen in the same small area.
Once that is clear, the layout should be planned by function. The sink needs enough space beside it for mugs and lunch containers. The coffee area should be close enough to use easily, but not so close that it blocks the sink or main worktop. Bulk supplies, cleaning products and spare mugs should also have one proper storage area, instead of being spread across the counter or small cupboards.
Only after these zones are clear does it make sense to finalise the cabinet layout. Appliance positions are especially important in an office kitchen, because several people may use the kettle, coffee machine or microwave within the same short break. If these items are placed in the wrong spot, the kitchen can feel crowded even when the room is not small.
That is why a small staff kitchen often works better with a simple fitted layout than with separate loose units. The design does not need to be complicated, but each area should have a clear job.
The Result
This Dublin office kitchen renovation turned a dated staff area into a more organised and professional break space.
The L-shaped layout keeps the sink, storage and preparation areas close together, while still leaving room for the staff table and chairs. The separate coffee station also makes the kitchen easier to use when more than one person is in the room.
With marine blue base and tall units, white grey wall cabinets and a Snow White worktop, the finished kitchen feels cleaner, brighter and better suited to a modern office environment.
Planning an office kitchen renovation in Dublin? Our team can help with kitchen design, supply, and installation. Explore recent kitchen projects or Book a Free Consultation to start planning a fitted staff kitchen for your workplace.
FAQ
Is an L-shaped layout good for an office kitchen?
Yes. An L-shaped layout works well for this office kitchen because it keeps the main worktop, sink and storage close together while leaving the centre of the room open for staff seating and movement.
Why were two cabinet colours used?
Marine blue was used to give the kitchen more depth, while white grey was used on the wall cabinets to keep the upper part of the room lighter.
Are slab doors suitable for an office kitchen?
Yes. Slab doors are a practical choice for office kitchens because the flat surface is easy to wipe down, and the simple design gives the space a clean, modern look without feeling too decorative.
Can you design similar office kitchen cabinets for other Dublin workplaces?
Yes. This style can be adapted for other Dublin offices, especially where the staff kitchen needs more fitted storage, a practical layout and a more professional finish.
