In an open-plan kitchen diner, wood can take centre stage, for a country kitchen vibe in a contemporary setting. You could use different shades of the same colour, or use complimentary colours, but pairing light and dark will create a dramatic impact. You can also paint gloss kitchen cabinets, so don’t worry if your design isn’t solid wood. When it comes to looking for window dressing ideas for your kitchen, you want to opt for the most simple and sleek option, to ensure a modern kitchen. Shutters are ideal for controlling privacy and light levels, as well as giving your space the perfect, contemporary finish.

They add texture and interest and personality to a space that can otherwise be quite void of stuff that isn’t, well… Use open shelving ideas to display your nicest crockery, but add prints and photos and house plants too. Maybe pick a few key colors and use them to start a new color scheme in your kitchen – it could be all your kitchen needs to feel refreshed. When your kitchen is predominantly white and sleek to boot, choosing a wallpaper is actually a dream. Because a white kitchen is a blank canvas and therefore pretty much anything goes.

Choose a classic all white kitchen that’ll never date

For designer Liz Carroll, each portion of her once-abandoned Wilmington ranch needed to suit her family’s needs. “After we opened up the kitchen, we had room to add a bar long enough to seat our family. We can now see the backyard from the kitchen sink, which is a must for a mom of three,” says Carroll. Floating wood shelves, quartz countertops, glass sconces , shiplap walls, and lower cabinets painted Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain ( ) contribute to a light and airy feel. This kitchen’s pale blue walls and ornate island are unexpected against white traditional cabinets.

As a result, today’s kitchens require just as much form as function, and cookie-cutter kitchens simply don’t cut it. Looks, layout, lifestyle – there’s a lot to consider when planning a new remodel. Our design service means our designers do the hard work for you, while the online kitchen visualiser tool allows you to experiment with products at home. Whichever option you choose, we can help your kitchen get off to a great start. This Victorian farmhouse in the Oxfordshire, England, digs of Toast CEO Suzie de Rohan Willner may be on the small side, but it sings with country charm. Bright green lower cabinets help the eye to zip around the space, while open shelving allows for smart storage and display of chic knickknacks.