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As one of the most used and popular rooms in our homes, creating a stylish kitchen that feels welcoming yet is practical and well-fitted for today’s busy lifestyles can be harder to achieve than might seem.
This article offers inspiring kitchen designs if you’re planning to remodel, invest or personalise your cooking zone with a brand new layout or interior look. Whether you’re adding a dash of paint or potted herbs to add character, here are some creative ideas to ensure your kitchen becomes a stylish, nurturing, functional and inviting space to cook in.
Many homeowners like to upgrade and personalise their kitchens when they move in, as cooking and having guests over to dine with is a massive part of everyday living. Likewise, while moving into a new home is exciting, as you settle in and get to know your home better, you'll likely start thinking about ways to put your personal stamp on each room.
The kitchen - the heart of the home - is one space that will often get attention early on, as soon as you move in. If you want ideas on how to personalise your own cooking zone, there are plenty of inspiring kitchen designs online to help you choose your personal favourite. Meanwhile, even if your existing kitchen is fairly stylish and functional, you still might be keen to upgrade or refresh a few areas to make it more attractive, unique and homely.
For many, the top motivation for investing in a new kitchen comes down to personal choice and timing. Perhaps you want to improve your existing kitchen because you have outgrown it and lived with it for a while. You may also have quietly admired luxury kitchen designs whilst being entertained at other people’s dinner parties or home visits. The time may simply have come for you to choose a kitchen of your own, rather than the one that came with the house when you bought the property.
Tired decor, outdated fixtures and finishes can leave any kitchen looking drab and uninspiring so upgrading the surfaces, fittings and overall style, can transform a kitchen quite quickly. Whether your taste leans more towards the traditional or contemporary, a kitchen renovation provides the perfect opportunity to realise your ideal look.
If the existing appliances and fittings in your kitchen have seen better days, this can prompt a full upgrade. Replacing the sinks, oven, fridge and taps will help to create a cohesive new look. Going for matching appliances and fixtures in a contemporary style is a quick way to modernise a dated kitchen. Even if you want to keep your current kitchen appliances, refresher jobs can go a long way. Opt for new floor and wall tiles, lighting, accessories and fresh paint that gives your kitchen a new lease of life at a more affordable cost. Focus on the elements that will make the biggest impact for your budget.
When tackling a kitchen renovation, carefully consider how you will remodel your kitchen and create the right layout that caters to your ideal design so you’ll be happy to cook there for years to come.
Kitchen designs come in many shapes and sizes and adding the right one to a property can reportedly increase the value of your home by 10%. With this in mind, when you’re renovating your kitchen, one of the first steps is to decide on the look and style you want to achieve and preferably one that suits your property’s age and character.
Kitchen trends vary, from minimalist designs to the popular shaker styles or even the more unique or outlandish. Whether you’re settling into a new space or improving your kitchen in order to sell up more quickly in the near future, here are some of the most popular contemporary kitchen styles to consider:
Modern and minimalist - For a crisp, understated look, the modern minimalist kitchen sticks to a muted palette and clean lines.
Urban industrial - Exposed pipes, unfinished brick and concrete lend an urban edge to this warehouse-inspired style. Metallic finishes like stainless steel and blackened metal mix with neutrals and wood for an edgy, industrial feel. Vintage or reclaimed lighting and factory-style windows push the industrial design theme.
Farmhouse - Characterised by wood countertops for that popular Shaker design, apron-front sinks, exposed beams and touches of distressed paint, farmhouse style kitchens are charming and timeless. The emphasis is on natural materials and craftsman details for a cosy, lived-in feel that's perfect for family gatherings.
Contemporary and modern kitchens can also be custom-made to order so you’re able to match wood veneers on tall cabinets to plinth drawers, creating a bespoke design that pays attention to details to create that one-of-a-kind kitchen.
A beautifully designed kitchen should be comfortable and functional. When planning your kitchen design or upgrade, it's important to think about how you can combine aesthetic appeal with practical and sustainable solutions. This ensures your new kitchen suits both your lifestyle and available space.
There are several ways you can maximise comfort and functionality even in a small kitchen. Opting for space-saving wall-hung cabinetry and built-in storage helps free up valuable floor area space, plus zoning the room into prep areas, worktops and gadget surfaces helps. It’s great to really think about where you’ll be chopping, storing items and cleaning-up to boost practicality. For increased accessibility, incorporate universal design elements such as pull-down shelving, easy-to-reach work areas and toe-kick drawers.
Selecting energy-efficient and smart appliances makes the space more environmentally friendly. Proper lighting, heating, and ventilation improves everyday comfort. It’s sensible to consider the perfect balance between style and function and with careful planning, like a good meal, you can create a kitchen that is beautiful, practical and tasteful.
One of the most effective ways to put your personal stamp on a newly fitted kitchen or a renovation is through colour. It’s easy to look for what’s currently hot when it comes to on-trend kitchen colours and what’s not tasteful any more. While all-white kitchens have a classic, airy appeal, a splash of colour can inject personality and style into the space.
Paint is an easy and affordable way to incorporate vibrant colour. Opt for moody hues like deep blue or green on the walls for a cocooning effect. Or make a statement with a bold colour like red or orange on an accent wall or island. Colourful backsplash tile and appliances are another option for infusing colour.
Modern graphic tiles in funky patterns or retro colour combinations make a fun focal point. Vintage subway tiles also come in varied colourful hues. Don't be afraid to mix and match colours for added character. Contrasting colours used for the cabinets, tiles, walls and accessories create an eclectic look. Tie the scheme together with your choice of countertops and metals. Introduce pops of colour through kitchen furnishings like stools, shelves and artwork. With the right use of colour, you can create a kitchen that is personalised and attractive.
Likewise, you can also inject personality with the right furnishings and decor. Add greenery with potted herb gardens and plants. Use black and white artwork and ceramic vessels for a minimalist look. The key to a successful neutral kitchen is in the details. Focus on high-quality fixtures, lighting and hardware to craft a luxurious feel.
With the winter ahead, our minds turn to the comfort of home-cooked comfort food and soup pans boiling in a cosy kitchen. If now is the right time, there are a number of impressive and practical kitchen designs to suit every flavour and fit every space. Whatever style you’re after from the charm of a cosy cottage kitchen to sleek modern spaces, upgrading and designing a kitchen to suit your own individual tastes, home and lifestyle is key.
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