When it comes to redesigning your kitchen, what style would you go for? It’s a difficult one isn’t it. With so many different styles, how can you know exactly what you want until you’ve seen it in action? The first thing most of us feel when it comes to choosing a new kitchen is excitement. After spending one too many years putting up with a kitchen you don’t love spending time in, it’s a great feeling to know there are so many beautiful styles out there that could soon be yours.
After that initial feeling though, it’s natural to feel slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available. That’s when you need to stop and take a deep breath. Instead of getting caught up in all the different fixtures and finishes, first off it’s important to take a moment to consider how your new kitchen will fit within the rest of your home. By choosing a style that complements the rest of your house or apartment, you’ll ensure a consistent feel and avoid ending up with a kitchen that doesn’t quite feel like home.
So with that in mind, we’re here to help you take that first big leap towards choosing your new kitchen by narrowing down the selection to three main kitchen styles.
Modern
Due to the fact that kitchen design trends are constantly changing, it is interesting that today’s idea of a modern kitchen is one that has a relatively simply design, and it easy to maintain. Putting forethought into your planning and storage means you can easily create a modern kitchen which is not only a lovely place to cook, but also to socialise and host guests, dine and even enjoy just hanging out. The trend of open plan kitchens allows a perfect place to chill during evenings or weekends. This style of kitchen may include furnishings such as breakfast bars, kitchen islands and breakfast stools. Modern kitchen designs work well with frameless cabinets, strong lines, sleek and simple hardware, and very few accessories. It is important to use quality materials which then come through and are the main focal points of the room. Modern kitchen designs are glamorous and celebrate advancements in material engineering, creativity and skill. They are ideal if you want to subtly divide your kitchen and give it a confident, sleek look. Modern kitchen doors have a flat panel design that give a horizontal and simple line. This increases the appearance of space and offers an uncluttered look. A carefully considered kitchen layout that provides an efficient work space is vital for achieving a modern kitchen design.
Modern kitchen lighting is also something worth considering, from cabinet lighting, which can add a great ambiance, to overhead pendant lights, there are so many options to explore, and it is definitely worth deciding before you begin! Kitchen lighting should also be bright and natural. Thinking about surfaces and the materials which you would like to use before you begin is useful for future reference. Do you prefer stainless steel worktops, wooden boards, or brick walls? Are good looks important to you or do you want to focus on having something which is low maintenance and durable?
The colour for the walls is important, but another feature to keep in mind is the splashback behind the cooker – which colour is best for the messy meals you may create? Black, grey or white all work well for a modern kitchen, however, here may be a great place to inject that colour! Injecting your own personality and playing with the style is important for keeping the whole process fun. Keeping a calm colour scheme will keep everything clean and fresh in your modern kitchen design, which is then an inviting place for family and friends to hang out.
Shaker
Looking for a timeless design for your kitchen? Shaker kitchens never date, look wonderful in both contemporary and traditional homes and are easy to decorate. Any kitchen planner will tell you that the meeting point between traditional and modern design, is a Shaker kitchen. They have a distinctive style and innovative feel. Inspired by the Shakers, a religious sect renowned for their craftsmanship and high quality, homespun furniture (amongst other things), modern Shaker style kitchens tend to be simple, functional and easy to live with, making them a popular option for those looking to design a kitchen that will stand the test of time. Shakers are fresh, mixing different colour tones with stylish wood and vinyl. The most important feature of a Shaker kitchen is functionality – every feature needs to serve a purpose in the kitchen. Paired with stylish and unique furniture, a Shaker kitchen is an ideal addition to any home.
Wood is the dominant material in Shaker kitchens but be careful not to tip the scale to ‘vintage’ or ‘country’ style. Choose a simple design with square doors with an inset panel and, if you have it painted, go for a matte finish. There is no doubt that the Shaker style’s mostly neutral colour palette is a big part of its staying power, but we are starting seeing slightly bolder colours creep in. The Shaker palette of muted deep blues, dark greens and inky blacks is a striking contrast to the neutral tones. If this look is a bit too Tim Burton for you, try combining darker cabinets with a light worktop like quartz or a pale wood, choosing knobs and handles in chrome will also give the look a lift.
You could also add interest to a Shaker kitchen by using different worktop materials. In traditional Shaker kitchens worktops were always wooden, but more modern materials such as granite or quartz are often more practical and hardwearing, and will give the kitchen a contemporary edge. So, get the best of both worlds by combining the two – this would work especially well if you wanted to have an island. A kitchen island is a great way to add a bit of extra storage, more prep space and you can always use them to tag on some extra seating. But practicalities aside, they also give you the opportunity to be bolder in the finish or colour you choose, or perhaps allow you to choose a more expensive worktop material that you wouldn’t have dared to use for the whole kitchen. To create a real show-stopping centrepiece, choose a luxurious material for the worktop such as marble or a bespoke rustic wood and pick a colour that stands out against the cabinets.
Functionality is king so choose chunky chopping boards and display in stacks or hang from pegs above the worktop. For a really authentic look, hunt through junk shops for antique cake trays and stoneware flour jars to display. Any furniture should follow these lines too – spindle-back wooden chairs – keep cushion-free for an authentic Shaker look and a simple square or round table are what you’re looking for, you’ll even find you can get bar stools that fit this look.
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to follow the Shaker style bible to the letter; in today’s kitchens, an element of the classic design lends a heritage feel, but also creates a scheme neutral enough for you to put your own style stamp on a space.
Classic
Prefer a homely and traditional feel? Classic kitchens are warm, welcoming and filled with wood. Wood flooring, wood fixtures, and wood furniture – you name it! You can bring a rustic feel to your urban home with a classic kitchen. Subtle colours and beautiful finishes, Classic kitchens are for taking it back to the basics with a definitive look and feel. With stated handles for cupboards, Classic kitchens are effortlessly timeless. They convey an elegant but relaxing nature. Giving off countryside vibes, natural elements convey a British countryside feel. The wood featured in a classic kitchen can range between oaks and walnut, creating a warmth and original feel to your home. Soft English heritage colours add a certain mood to your home, softening the light making it cosier. A classic kitchen radiates style and elegance with a refreshing palette of light pastels, creams and whites. Characterised by their neutral tones, light wood effect, and smooth finish, the style truly has a timeless appeal. The light tones produce a warmth that projects a spacious and homely atmosphere making it perfect for family and friends.
The classic style kitchen, whilst being conservative in its statement, will showcase quality in hardware and appliances. Customers will ensure they select quality drawer systems, corner solutions and appliances that best suit their individual needs, as it is expected that this style of kitchen is a long-term investment that will continue to be stylish over many years.
An organised classic kitchen is the ultimate dream for most of us, but the reality is often quite different when family life takes over and everyday ingredients are shoved chaotically into bulging cupboards. If you have space for one, a walk-in larder or pantry dedicated to dried and tinned goods is the first step to organisational heaven.
A Belfast sink will add a touch of class to your kitchen. The traditional Belfast kitchen sink has been around for centuries and its sturdy, heavy and robust ceramic structure appeals greatly in these days of cheap and lightweight alternatives made of plastic and other lesser materials. Their timeless charm and elegance, hard-wearing ceramic construction, and variety of size and design options makes them an easy choice for many people. A Belfast kitchen sink is a great way to add a traditional touch to your kitchen.
You don’t have to be the best or most regular of cooks to take advantage of the style a range cooker brings to any kitchen. They are the central point of any country feel, and no farmhouse kitchen is complete without one. The good news is that you aren’t just limited to Agars and top-of-the-range cookers costing over £1000. There are great budget models available which emulate the style and come without all of the fancy extras such as baking compartments and wok burners. Perfect if you just want a bog-standard oven that does the job but looks the part. Styles vary – you can go for the classic look, ultra-modern or somewhere in the middle. For the ultimate classic look though, the only way forward is a cream or pastel colour, which will do a great job of standing out yet staying muted so you can work other finishing touches around it.
No matter what your style, here at JDC Kitchens Bathrooms & Interiors we have an amazing showroom showcasing our kitchen designs. Sourced and manufactured in the UK by Omega our Mackintosh and English Rose brands offer an exciting range of modern and classic kitchens providing superb quality and design combining tried and tested cabinet making skills with modern manufacturing techniques. Our team have a wealth of experience in design and installation and as well as bringing your design ideas to life with a 360 design of your room, we can take you through a wide range of cabinet options, handles, worktops and other important considerations. We can also help you make the most of the space with creative design ideas and layout options. Whatever your requirements we offer a full bespoke supply and fit service or for any DIY enthusiasts a supply only service. Call to book your appointment on 0151 420 0705
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