North facing kitchen and garden

I worked with a person who actually moved house within the same housing estate, from a north facing garden to a south facing garden, he hated it so much.
 
I think it depends on how much light will enter it. You can increase with more and larger glass openings, roof lights, windows on another facade, Potentially removing internal wall to let more light in. It also depends on how 'open' the view is. E.g. other buildings, nearby trees, that obstruct your view of sky reduce the amount of light.

North facing kitchen with one small window I would never buy.