Kitchen Design

2020 is the year of the 'living kitchen' where function, aesthetic and technology combine to make day-to-day life a little easier and unify the rest of the home. 'Irrespective of trends, when it comes to kitchen design, people still set out with the same objectives: they want an efficient and comfortable workspace that looks good and is nice to cook in. What has changed dramatically - and will continue to do so - is the amount of technology we now have at our fingertips,' says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. 'This not only influences the performance of materials but also what we can achieve with the final design.' There are, of course, some strong key themes this year. Storage is, and will continue to be, a big part of the kitchen space, especially for smaller kitchens. We're looking at ways to conceal storage, maximise space and improve user convenience, and we'll be utilising corner units more than ever before. There's also an increas...

Decades ago, the kitchen was hidden in the back of the house. It was a place where meals were prepared and dirty dishes were washed. Fast forward to 2020 and the kitchen has a much different role.  Today, the kitchen is the focal point of the home, the place that brings everyone together at the start of the day or after a long day way.  Now instead, the kitchen is paraded in all its beauty and warmth at the very center of the house. Kitchens have changed a lot over the decades and planning for your kitchen remodel is very important. Technology advances and changing social dynamics have contributed greatly to the rise of the modern kitchen. There is a far bigger focus on open concept homes that revolve around the kitchen so everyone can be together. As with any modern design trend, clean and simple styles have become favorites for homeowners with natural light becoming an essential aspect of the overall look and function of the kitchen space. With advice from design experts, he...

Brighten Things Up With Natural, Ambient, and Task Lighting Lighting is setting the tone for kitchens in 2020. In this cooking space by Charbonneau Interiors, a combination of natural, ambient, and task lighting all make this place ideal for both cooking and entertaining both day and night. Note the smart use of LED light in the upper cabinets on the far right. It throws focus on the cabinetry while adding a dramatic lighting effect. Here is a handy tip, battery operated LED lighting is easy to install anywhere in a home. Butler's Pantries are Becoming a Must-Have Feature in Large Spaces For most kitchens, storage is everything, especially solutions that make it a cinch to eliminate counter clutter. Cabinetry in a kitchen island can offer an excellent area for storage, as can a large pantry with organized compartments so that everything has its place. Pieces like pull-out shelves and multi-level rises also optimize storage. If you have the square footage, a butler’s pantry is the u...

Many of our home activities - cooking, cleaning, eating, drinking, socializing - take place in the kitchen. Which is why a beautiful and functional kitchen is so important. Regardless of your kitchen design style, organization and layout are key components. Take a look at these 10 renovation mistakes you should avoid and design tips to try, so you’ll end up with a practical and elegant kitchen design. Before you get started, if you’re looking for a loan to create your dream kitchen, check out these personal loan options for nearly every credit type. Kitchen Triangle Obstructions Kitchen design professionals refer to the sink, stove and refrigerator as the kitchen triangle. It’s the area of greatest activity, so designing a kitchen triangle requires careful planning and unobstructed access. Of the three, the sink typically sees the most action, though your triangle should also have easy access to the stove and refrigerator, as well as your countertop workstations. Obviously, your sink n...

New York–based interior designer Jenny Wolf is known for refined interiors that have relaxing qualities and offer a sense of calm in the bustling city. When involved in a full renovation, Wolf often finds that she is tasked with creating kitchens for everyone from amateur chefs to seasoned entertainers—and space is usually the element that it is lacking.  “I believe people love to congregate in the kitchen, even if it is tiny,” she says. “But I only design what is right for each area while always keeping in mind my client’s needs. You can work wonders in a small space with the proper balance of functionality and materials.” Because of her tried-and-true design tips, and because she delights in tricking the eye, it might be more accurate to call her a master of kitchen illusion. Read on for some of Wolf’s ideas for creating a dream kitchen in a less than desirable amount of space. Consider a Mirrored Backsplash “Mirrors are especially useful when there is no, or minimal, natural lig...

Starting your new kitchen design is a very exciting time; all the mood boards and the never ending paint samples, but there's no denying it can get a little stressful if you aren't really sure what you are doing. But, whatever your remodelling plans may be, we are here to help you when it comes to how to design a kitchen like a professional. Whatever your budget, and whatever your style. So, if your current kitchen is outdated and needs a drastic revamp or if you have a blank canvas to design your new kitchen from scratch, read on for expert advice, ideas and, of course, inspiration. In this three page feature, we cover every aspect of kitchen design. On this page, we take you through all the stages of designing a kitchen, from choosing cabinetry style to material types; on page two, we cover the more practical elements of planning a kitchen, such as room layout, choosing flooring, working out lighting schemes and picking worktops; and on page three, there's a chance to rev...