How easy it is to clean – tiles require more maintenance than other materials; a single block colour will show dirt more easily; and very shiny surfaces streak very easily. Small kitchens are particularly tricky to design as you need enough space for appliances, food storage, and room to move around with ease. Once you have an idea of the colours and materials you like, consider how you use your kitchen, what you’ll need easy access to and where the busy spots are most likely to be. This will help you decide where your appliances should go and how much storage you’ll need. One of the key Japandi design rules is a color palette that stems from nature, so of course the Japandi kitchen is characterized by a soothing color palette and the use of organic materials. Wine-inspired kitchens are a warm, bold choice, especially for non-wallflowers looking to make a statement.

• With a palette of warm sand, wood, and beige tones, the designers at Decus Interiors brought a fresh sea breeze into a fashion blogger’s apartment in Sydney.
• This kitchen uses dark textured wooden cabinet doors mixed with concrete-looking quartz worktops with an exposed brick wall section to give it that industrial nod.
• The trick is to try to leave the areas around the windows as clear as possible.
• If your kitchen suffers from a lack of light, then mirrors are a must.

When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, one of many important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right kitchen style. A ceiling mounted extractor, fitted flush, is the best choice for easy, efficient extraction. Downdraught extractors built into the hob are also discreet, but are more likely to offer air recirculation than true extraction. The hob on this double island design by Woodworks Brighton has a discreet ceiling mounted extractor fitted above.

Pops of Colours

Ditching the splashback, the design opted for a plain white wall, wood cabinetry and strategic lighting. This small apartment kitchen gets a lot of boost from creative lighting and light-toned interiors. To avoid the cramped look, lighten up dark spaces like under the cabinets and make cabinetry as seamless as possible. Nothing makes a space feel more open than a crisp coat of white paint. Lean into the expansive nature of a great room by grounding it in a barely there palette of whites and creams. Here, designer Laura Hodges illuminated every corner with a soft and subtle hue, save for the kitchen island, which she anchored in a nautical blue.

As the layout develops, start thinking about the lighting, not only for wiring purposes, but also so that you can problem-solve as the plans unfold, says Jamie Blake, creative director of Blakes London. ‘We’ve even started hanging pendants in front of the sink area in lieu of sconces over top or to the side for something a bit more European feeling,’ she adds. You can converse, eat a meal, or even use it as a WFH set-up when needed.

Kitchens

This stunning kitchen seamlessly merges style and functionality, resulting in a contemporary masterpiece. The combination of green and white cabinetry effortlessly delivers a refreshing burst of color that captures the essence of modernity while staying timeless. With ceramic tiles in identical hues as the cabinets creating a harmonious flow, the space is visually consistent. The white countertop’s addition highlights a crisp and polished feel, and the L-shaped layout allows maximum space utility. With the focal point squarely on the design elements, the white appliances complement and tie everything together flawlessly.

• Dark, woodsy hues, such as the bark brown stain on interior walls and trim and driftwood gray on the cabinetry, set the mood.
• Reflective surfaces can work wonders in tight quarters, especially if you also have windows.
• It’s also worth taking shape into account – U-shaped kitchens for example, can work really well in a small space.
• We specialise in the sale of complete kitchens but previous customers may add some of our inclusions to their kitchen.