A single shelf above the sink is painted in Yves Klein blue that matches color accents found throughout the open space. Interior designer Alvin Wayne made the most of this compact New York City kitchen by using cabinetry and countertops in a mix of matte black and bright white lacquer finishes. In this small Parisian kitchen designed by Space Factory, a custom-built fold-down burnt-wood table creates a place for dining that can be neatly stowed away when not in use to open up the space.

• Adding color to a kitchen can feel a bit intimidating at first, especially if you’re used to working with neutrals.
• While built-in islands can be a nice feature, not every kitchen is going to have one or need to be renovated to add one.
• Custom wood cabinets stained black set the tone for this contemporary kitchen by Space Craft Joinery.
• With their unique, ribbed texture, fluted tiles add depth and shadow, making your kitchen wall tactile and visually appealing.

If the kitchen has become a home study area or is doubling up as an office, whisper quiet appliances are a must. Look for professional features such as programmable profiles and a full range of hot drink capabilities. With more than 100 customizable recipes to choose from and the facility to store 64 of your own, it takes the hassle out of dinner. Connectivity to the SmegConnect smart App means you can start cooking before you get home too. It looks smart by day and recedes by night, only coming to prominence when you choose to light it.

Choose Your Appliances Wisely

Never one to shy away from color, Danielle Nagel of Dazey Den makes a case for rethinking the all-white kitchen. Choose your favorite color and decorate in tones, shades, and tints of that hue for a one-of-a-kind room. Colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel give a room a dynamic feel. Whittney Parkinson Design used this color theory to bring in opposite shades of blue and copper and add some visual excitement to the space. If you’re looking for a stove top that’s as gorgeous as it is functional, take a note from Pure Salt Interiors and invest in a true stunner.

Skip bar-style seating at your kitchen island and enjoy quality conversations with your loved ones where everyone feels involved. “Conversational islands are definitely back versus looking at the cook doing all the work or feeding you island-side,” says Swanson. I love to install under mount lighting as its a good way to add luminosity to areas that can be dimmed spot in my kitchen. The lighting is very good to accent my kitchen’s glassware or tile backsplash.

Add shine with modern metallics

Copper is a welcome metal choice for the faucet and wall sconces as it brings out the warmth of the wood and adds an elevated look. While some stick to a specific kitchen design style throughout their entire space, we love when a single room boasts a variety of décor elements. This traditional kitchen in a modern color, looks unique with contemporary clear stools and rustic wooden touches. In tune with general kitchen trends towards creating homely spaces, rustic kitchen ideas are more popular than ever.

• ‘It’s amazing how a change of paint color or some new tiles can give a kitchen a completely fresh look, picking up on different accents within the home,’ adds Rob Whitaker, creative director, Fired Earth.
• This open kitchen features sleek seating, splashes of blue, and natural wood elements that flow from the cooking zone to the dining area.
• If you have the right structural support, opening up one side of your galley kitchen could be an option.
• In 2023, interior designer Emily Henderson is loving blue and green kitchens — especially when paired with natural woods and hardware.