Chances are your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where we connect with family and friends over a lovingly made supper and where grazed knees are healed with a plaster and a hug. It’s where a morning coffee is brewed to kick start the day and the first place hungry kids head to after school. We spend hours every day in our kitchens so it makes sense to ensure this is a space that makes you smile.
Fitting out a kitchen is an investment and so you need to be confident that you’ll love the result for many years to come. From a practical point of view, you need a kitchen that can stand up to daily rough and tumble with surfaces you know can resist the odd spill and dropped plate, even a party or two. But your kitchen should also be a welcoming space that reflects your personality.
@ruffordhome57 featuring our small plank herringbone Washed Scandi Pine also available in a full length plank gluedown format.
We look at the key steps to designing your perfect kitchen:
1. Choose your style
From minimalist industrial and eclectic vintage to coastal or dark gothic, whether you prefer a modern twist on a traditional style or love to experiment with bold contemporary design, opt for a style you know you can live with for a long time. Find inspiration on Instagram or Pinterest, product websites or magazines and collect a folder of your favourite images. There are sure to be themes in the kitchens that appealed to you that will help you pin down your personal style.
@Homeontheclose featuring our small plank herringbone Lime Washed Oak also available in a full length plank gluedown or rigid core format.
2. Get the layout right
It can be a bit of a science to arrange your kitchen so that it’s easy to use from morning to night and there’s lots to consider, from working triangles and kitchen units with plenty of the right kind of storage to task and internet connected mood lighting and somewhere to sit and eat. For a kitchen that’s unique to you, why not get creative with off the shelf pieces. For example, blend fitted units in different colours, add in freestanding furniture or create an island with vintage cupboards.
3. Choose colours that make you happy
The latest kitchen trends are all about the relaxing colours of nature – neutral shades of white, blues from pale sky blue to rich teal, greens from soft sage green to emerald and forest green, and warm dusky pink and peach. You might feel able to commit to colour on kitchen units or maybe you prefer to keep the main structure of your kitchen neutral and add colour in elements that can be updated such as walls, blinds and accessories.
@ourgreenbankhome featuring Texas White Ash in a rigid core format.
4. Introduce pattern and texture
You need a kitchen that is easy to keep clean but there are still plenty of options to add interest and depth. Consider using tactile materials for upholstery, blinds and curtains and add pattern with backsplash tiles and flooring. It’s good to know that all our floors are suitable for kitchens. With our special protection treatment, which gives hard wearing, waterproof surface that’s super easy to clean, you can be confident that your favourite design will be a great choice. Whether you want to introduce natural vibes with an authentic wood design, create a bold statement with geometric tiles or combine designs and laying patterns, there are endless design options that will set off your individual style to perfection.
@makeahausahome featuring our small plank herringbone Pale Limed Oak also available in a full-length plank gluedown or rigid core format.
5. Add personal touches
For the final finishing touches, add a few cherished items that tell your story. Create a gallery of the children’s artwork (or yours), display inherited china on open shelving or collect beachcombing finds that bring back great holiday memories. Then put the kettle on, cut a slice of cake and relax!
Find more kitchen inspiration on our Instagram.
