Help us stop our new kitchen from going clinical!

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We're in the middle of giving out kitchen a massive refurbishment, and whilst we've picked the kitchen, we still need to chose the wall colour, floor tiles and worktops.

This weekend we finished skimming the walls, and we got caught in our tracks, realising that our kitchen may well turn into a clinical room if we're not careful, so please help!

We absolutely love these modern kitchens which span into the gardens. Unfortunately we don't have bi-fold door money, and we are where we are structurally.

The kitchen we've gone for is a Crown Imperial Rialto in White:
http://www.crown-imperial.co.uk/rialto/
In the middle of the room, we've got a bulkhead where our extractor is going as you can see in the renders, and our lighting is in as per the render.

Everything else though, wall colours/textures, worktops (laminate only - not enough £), upstands, tiles are all open for choice.
We're looking for any pointers, tips or suggestions anyone can give us to stop this from becoming a whitewash, and to give it the real wow factor.

The first 2 photos were taken at dusk, the 3rd was taken at around mid day

Featured Answer

PRO

LWK London Kitchens

9 years ago

Good morning,

Your kitchen design is really sleek and modern, very cool!
Clients can worry that when they go for a very modern kitchen it can make the space look too cold and uninviting.
I agree with Three Interiors that by adding some textures and matt finishes this will help soften the room. Would you consider painting your walls a warm grey colour? This would help bring warmth to the room and will let the white kitchen units stand out. A wooden effect floor would really warm up the space too.
When it comes to adding chairs or stools to the kitchen maybe a wood finish or a warm colour will add some warmth and some texture.
I have attached some of our recently installed projects to give you some ideas of how our clients have tackled this situation.

Hope this helps you.
Keep us updated on how your project progresses.

The team at LWK

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Comments (43)

PRO
Three Interiors
9 years ago
Hi there, wow well it's certainly coming on isn't it?! It's a little hard to give actual examples as I'm not entirely sure of your likes/dislikes and what the rest of the house looks like however I can give you some pointers as to how to "warm it up" and stop it feeling "clinical" as you mentioned. Texture will be key. You've got a lot of glossy white going on, so look for things that are matt/textured to provide a contrast. For example, slate tiles on the floor will give more contrast than a polished porcelain. You could also look at a flooring like Karndean or Amtico - using their "wood" range. It looks like wood and has texture but is actually a vinyl, so great for a kitchen. Have you thought about wallpaper in the dining area? A colourful pattern or a texture such as woven grass (sounds weird - looks amazing!) could look great - you can then pick up that colour in paint/tiling. Alternatively go for a patterned/textured tile. "Patchwork" tiling where you mix patterns, could work really well against the glossy white and you could be as bold as you liked with the colour. I hope this helps - let me know if you want any more advice/assistance and good luck with it!
ghesp thanked Three Interiors
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ghesp
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks both, designed it all ourselves so far, first time in doing something like this! Everything from the layout to the plumbing and electrics/lighting!

I quite like the wood effect tiles such as the Madeira range, however unfortunately I can't convince my girlfriend.

I noticed in your photos LWK, you have used light tiles which I also like, however we went with the white plinth, and I don't think that there would be enough distinction between floor and units. We're looking at a matte/semi-polished grey, although I am concerned it would make the room too dark. Any thoughts on this?

Painting the walls seems that white is the way forward, however I don't want an all white kitchen, so yes, we're open to any suggestion of colour or texture. Warm grey would be fine, although I'm concerned we're only working with white and grey then.
Any examples of the woven grass wallpaper? I assume this is something like linen?

Dining table wise, we're looking at a natural light wood table, with some sort of chair to go with it.

Our taste is modern, clean and probably contemporary? Around the rest of the house, we're going for warm neutral colours, or clean modern wallpapers. No bright stand out colours, or anything quirky. Photos of master and bed 3 attached.

LWK - What are the lights used under the cabinets as I can see they're recessed?
0
PRO
User
9 years ago
Hi. I understand your worry. A cold hard kitchen just isn't very inviting. To retain a modern look, you must keep they colours and surfaces plain and simple.

A laminate is absolutely fine. A grey matt laminate with a birch ply edging is great and very 'original Baulthaup'. Many contemporary designers use laminate in their designs http://hay.dk/#/site/furniture/tables/cph25 Don't try to emulate a marble or granite with a laminate, always use the materials true characteristics, choose plain and matt. Don't have a roll edge either.

The key to stopping the whole space being too clinical is to mix textures. Where your kitchen cabinets are gloss, offset them with a natural floor. This could be stone (not polished), if you have grey laminate, a grey slate perhaps. Or a wood floor. Engineered if fitting underfloor heating. There are some wonderful contemporary finishes available. See - http://www.reevewood.com/finishes/ You can keep a bight white feel with 'Apollo' or introduce a wood colour with DC smoke.

Walls I would keep simple. Less is more in a contemporary interior (and can be added to later if you feel its necessary). A designer white/grey, like Little Greene Cool Arbour232 (warm) or Inox224 (cool) are beautiful. Finish with an industrial pendant over the table. It will give an amazing focus when looking across from the kitchen to the dining table and add another texture, shiny, rusty, painted… try http://www.lightingmatters.co.uk Brass is really fashionable now so would give a fantastic hit of rich warm colour in a cool clean space.

Adding an older piece of furniture, perhaps for the dining table, can give the space an established feel. Have a look at my Kitchen ideas book on Houzz
http://www.houzz.co.uk/ideabooks/35295818/thumbs/kitchens

Finally, soften the bay windows with a lightweight linen curtain. It will give an airy informality.

You may find my blog post about GREY useful. http://www.mayawilsoninteriors.co.uk/#!How-many-shades-of-grey/cph5/2

Hope that helps, have a great day. Good luck with your exciting project.

Maya
ghesp thanked User
PRO
Three Interiors
9 years ago
Wallpaper examples can be found at Harlequin- https://www.harlequin.uk.com/shop/wallpaper under plains and structures or textures and plains or look at Stereo to get an idea http://www.stereointeriors.co.uk/products-grass.php
I don't think that going for a dark flooring will make the room look dark at all it will be a great contrast- most of your walls will be a glossy white with the kitchen, which will reflect and bounce light around.
ghesp thanked Three Interiors
PRO
LWK London Kitchens
9 years ago
The lights we use are from our kitchen manufacturer, these are recessed LED spot lights.
As for the floor I would agree with some of the comments above. Try to use a light but warm colour and preferably in a mat finish rather than a gloss. Possible try to use a tile that has a very slight vein or mottling to break up the colour.
For your main colours, I would try to stick to one or two colour palettes, so white and grey, and then add pops of colour by using items which "dress" the room, ie appliances and jars, containers etc. On your windows I would use light materials and something which would let the light through without blocking it. These soft furnishings will help make the room feel less clinical.
Have you considered possibly adding a splash back, this is another way of introducing a colour.

Hopefully this helps.

The team at LWK
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ghesp thanked LWK London Kitchens
ghesp
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks all!

I like the idea of colour pops rather than big chunks of bold colours. I'm not too keen on the idea of splash backs though as they're not "modern" in my opinion, and our kitchen isn't right for these.

I do quite like the thought of maybe a soft grey on the walls, with one of those woven wallpapers behind the TV in the dining area. Tiles perhaps a matt grey in a slightly darker colour, finished off with a natural wood table with a coloured "tin light" above it.

Worktop wise, the idea of not faking a stone is music to my ears since I hate that look. A square edge laminate with a texture on it sounds good, although I haven't seen any with a ply trim around the edges?

LWK - They're not Sensio SLS lights by any chance are they, which fit into the space between the unit base and the bottom of the inside above the handle trim?
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PRO
LWK London Kitchens
9 years ago
The Sensio SLS, I believe don't finish flush to the bottom of the unit, I think they sit proud of the unit.
As we get them from our German manufactures I'm unsure where you might find them in the UK. The LED's we use have the carcass of the unit routed out and they sit in to the hole made, giving the finish a seamless feel. So if you were to find something similar you may need to do some amendments to your wall units.
Sorry we can't be more helpful.

The team at LWK.
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PRO
User
9 years ago
Hi ghesp. For a very cost effective laminate with (fake) ply trim, try IKEA http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20274367/
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turquoisetree53
9 years ago
Yes, you need some curvy bits !....Something which is going to date a 'modern' kitchen so quickly, is all the sharp edges and rectangles. (Looks good in a diagram, or show photo, but soon palls, when you bang yourself, as you move around and work in it.). Not to forget hard unforgiving (real) surfaces for putting plates and precious dishes down on. Hurray for laminate work-surfaces. And, I mourn the increasing difficulty in getting really thick roll-top edged laminate. Actually, listen to the trends on the forums in US among kitchen cooks, particularly women, and you will find a rebellion against granite and marble, and the old fifties-style use of laminate is coming right back into favour. Particularly the scorned (above), marble ones-look ones.
PRO
Mounts Hill Woodcraft & Design Ltd
9 years ago
Good morning! The lights we use in the kitchens we design are recessed LED's and they're fitted into the bottom of the wall units. The company we get them from is Simple Lighting and they come top in a Google search if you put those two words into a search. They're very reasonable and pretty easy to fit.
Good luck! Jo at Mounts Hill Woodcraft & Design.
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June Fletcher
9 years ago
We have just opened our kitchen, dining room and lounge up and added a splash of colour to take the plain look of white and grey away. Walls are just painted with yellow washable paint behind the splash back so can be washed or changed to another colour any time.
sizzlinghot
9 years ago
Kitchen wise I regret granite worktops my husband chose. Dishes break easily if they fall on granite, and lemon juice or any acid leaves pitted marks on granite. I like low maintenance so would go for corian. I had tiled worktops and the tiles broke. Had to change this. Try and eliminate what you don't like and more likely to find out what you do like.
Do you want low maintenance? Do you like wallpaper? Would you feel happy stripping wallpaper and re-papering in the future? Would you be happier with paint? where you could change the color in the future? or are you content to live with what you do for years. I want a feature wall and considering a feature wall with the new Stratus tile which has a nice texture. Looks embossed, and painting everything around this to enhance the look. Paint can be changed more easily. Papering a feature wall more easy. Tease out these ideas and you may come to some agreement about what you like and what you can't tolerate. Visualize your room. Draw pictures. See what works. Take time to dream. This way you avoid costly mistakes.
PRO
Karolina Barnes
9 years ago
I agree with Maya Wilson Interiors. To prevent your kitchen from looking too clinical you need to introduce colours and textures. I also agree with the last comment from sizzlinghot. You can get some great advice here for sure but at the end of the day, you need to find your style and colours, textures and patterns that reflect you as a person because you are the one who will live with it for years and years. I think before you make your final decisions you need to go through some inspirational images, either here on Houzz or Pinterest to find out what makes you tick. What material or colour gets you excited? Kitchens are sadly one of those rooms in our homes that can end up looking and feeling quite sterile or showroom-like.

But injecting your personality into it doesn't have to be that hard. When planning your kitchen collect all materials together - from paint finish, wallpaper, cabinet and worktop but also don't forget window treatment and art (I know this may sound bonkers) plays a major role as well. Get samples so you have several options to play with. Lay them next to each other and create your own mix. Experiment! There is no right and wrong. People think they have to follow rules in design but there are no rules if you are happy with it.

In terms of worktop materials, there are endless options. Choosing the right one will depend on your needs, requirements and lifestyle. Before you head into showrooms I suggest you do a research online first and learn little bit about them. Most kitchen salesmen can give you advice but you don't want to get something which you were convinced by and then find out later on that it's not practical for your daily routine or lifestyle. For example natural materials like stone and wood generally need more maintenance and care than manmade materials.

My final advice would be research, plan and have a clear idea of how you want your kitchen to look like before you go out and get it. The worst thing you can do is rely on someone else's opinion or latest trends. Take advice from various places, learn from it and use it to your advantage. You have a clean slate and white kitchen. That's already a great advantage. White goes well with everything. So be confident and don't be afraid to build a scheme around it! Good luck!
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ghesp thanked Karolina Barnes
lozariah
9 years ago
We have just finished our kitchen extension and chose white gloss units too (see attached pictures). We used oak effect laminate worktops and a similar oak coloured Karndean flooring to soften the look. Our tiles are 'glacier blue' to give a hint of colour but we didn't want anything too overpowering. I think it all works well together and its a nice bright space. We are yet to paint the walls but I think we'll just be going for simple white as we have the other colours elsewhere. I'm sure whatever you do with yours it will look great-you've got a fab space and you can always add pops of colour with accessories/appliances/window dressing if you wanted to change the look from time to time. Good luck!! It's stressful but worth it :-)
ghesp
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks again all.

I think with the coloured splashback, the issue we have is that there is no real space for a splashback. Out hob is on the peninsula, and the rear wall has tall units on it.

This leaves us with the wall by the sink, however this spans right through to the dining area so wouldn't be suitable
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sizzlinghot
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have white units dark grey laminate side panels and plinth in dark grey with blue lights in the plinth. Above hob and below cooker hood which has lights in it, is navy blue and magical shades in mosaic from Topps Tiles either side under units is painted lime green above units is light grey paint ( about to change.) Window Wall is light grey. If you Use color e.g. Blazing yellow etc in accents in vertical Blinds to Wow the grey can look good. (Just suggestions.)
I have mid grey tiles on the floor to finish the look but a disaster as the shiny grey tiles leaves bad water marks. I have had to cover up the whole area with rugs. BIG MISTAKE in choice of shiny tiles.
I went to Inspire my home online, and bought decor ends and long decor strips and then I drew a line all around each wall where I wanted this, leaving 10cm around the wall edges to frame the wall. creating a FRAMED LOOK, above a dado rail.. Below the dado rail is painted eaudi nil dark and eaudi nil light around edges in top half of room. I put Laura Ashley wallpaper inside each framed wall, and painted all around the room edges in light eaudi nil.. You can do this also on just one wall you want to highlight. I am having fun with this space. Change just the inside of the frame look each time you want a change whilst leaving the outer walls simple and neutral. Changing the look is easy and lower maintenance than changing the whole room. Having just one feature wall done like this can create a stunning look you can have fun with in years to come.
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Emmanuelle
9 years ago
Great kitchen! To add warmth , I would:
- add an old/ antique wooden table
- add a blackboard wall ( or rather bit of a wall) somewhere, especially if you have kids
- add splash back of brick tiles
- cover the island or a small wall with wood paneling
- cover a wall with local map- £180
- add upholstered armchair with a light in a corner, maybe add a sheep skin on it
- add wood, wood & wood! The antidote to clinical!
Good luck!

-
June Fletcher
9 years ago
Sizzlinghot- I know what you mean about the high gloss floor tiles, big mistake. They look gorgeous when you have just cleaned them but we need to Hoover them every morning as you can see the dust then wash them every 3 days. If you just wash and leave to dry you can see water marks so you need to dry them and polish with a soft dry towel. If anyone knows an easier way to keep them clean please let me know.
turquoisetree53
9 years ago
Hiding/Painting Radiators; Location of Electric Switches on walls; and Circular tables:-
Having lived in quite a few different places, in different countries - I find I want to conceal/radiators - with one of the easiest ways being just to paint them the same colour as the wall? Most 'experts' resist this.
Also, leave electrics artisan to his own devices - and, (psychologically proud of his work), he/she will want to make the (functional) switches and thermostats, a big 'feature' virtually in the centre of the wall - so be very prescriptive about this, if you like using your walls for hanging paintings etc.
Agree with other contributor about wood, softening things - but surely also roundish tables also really help to humanise a (potentially hard minimalised) space.
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sizzlinghot
9 years ago
Junefletcher the only other way is to get a floor polisher to take the hard work out of this job. But bearing in mind the tiles may be in a kitchen the floor gets dirty and wet all the time and this becomes a constant job. Which is why I have three rugs around the island on all three sides and this eliminates the problem to some degree. But it alters the look that one wants in a kitchen. I want low maintenance and do the basics each day without becoming a slave to a kitchen floor just to maintain the look.
I will in time find a tile that works better and do Tile on Tile.
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turquoisetree53
9 years ago
Sizzling Hot and JuneFletcher - with regards to kitchen floors - currently inherited a lovely pale oak floor; but just have to put functional mats down at cooking and sink areas, to protect it from grease, cooking stains etc. Which does seem to defeat the point of the look.
Am just about to upgrade another small flat (where we were planning all one wood floor) but now am agonising on the flooring.
So, what are your views on Amtica, Karndeen, rubber floors etc. (I had an attractive Amtica floor off cut in small kitchen, when I was a student, and remember it fondly as warm and cushioned underfoot, and no bother with cleaning.
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PRO
User
9 years ago
Don't be afraid to limit your unit and wall colours to white and grey. It creates a really good base on which to layer your furniture and accessories with which you can be either restrained and subtle or extravagant and bright.
If you have a kitchen photo you admire, try and break down the essential elements. Some of the most stunning are surprisingly limited.
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sizzlinghot
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
turquoisetree53 not a bad idea to put a small rug near the sink to absorb water, and by the hob/cooker to catch the grease. But to cover large areas of floor with rugs, I agree defeats the purpose of maintaining the look.
Regards Amtico and Kardean I researched this years ago, and my husband didn't want this so I ditched the idea. Will go back to the drawing board and research and read reviews. I have a decision to make as to what I put on the bathroom floor. I had Ceramic tiles and they broke. I paid a lot of money to get a builder to put down wood grain porcelain tiles ( lovely look ) on top of a built up floor using Ditra Mat where you are supposed to never have a leak through the floor. Well I did have a leak from the shower waste which has damaged the floor, and ceiling below so two new bathrooms are being ripped out, due to water damage. Bottom shower room is what my husband had done months before he died of terminal cancer so I am unhappy about this as the whole room is in Marble. I have to get it right this time so I am researching this. Sorry I couldn't be of more help
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turquoisetree53
9 years ago
Sizzling: I am very sorry to hear of your husband's death, and hope you are Ok. My husband is also rather ill and will get more immobile. I hope you don't mind but your reference to a marble bathroom made me smile. It's a boy thing! , My husband too has just had a marble wet room bathroom installed as he hates the idea of a step up and over, into the shower. The marble is stately and magnificent, but wet everywhere on the floor is not my preferred thing. Whatever. I am now convinced by the wonders of underfloor heating particularly in bathrooms but elsewhere if it gets rid of my hated radiators; also, I am now very interested in non-slip, or textured, surfaces, as it just makes sense and is so lovely to the bare feet. By the way, can't you do some simple adjustments to the shower room, maybe mirrors, just to 'lighten' the effect a bit?
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sizzlinghot
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Turquoisetree53 My husband had MESOTHELIOMA caused by working with ASBESTOS. It takes 40yrs to develop into a terminal cancer from first exposure. My husband being a carpenter cut asbestos in his workplace in his early 20's and died just before retirement. I mention this here because this is when I first became discontent with the new extension being all white. Due to the grief I had to change the white. I found it unbearable to live with. I hated all those white sterile walls. This is when I needed some color in the house. I became discontent with the house and made many changes. Some good. Some I will live with till I feel able to move forward better.
I am sorry also to hear about your husband's illness/lack of mobility, and the difficulties of being a carer. If you need support anytime you can email me doreen_1948@hotmail.co.uk
ghesp
Original Author
9 years ago
What are people's thoughts on this combination?

The tiles are Urban Grey from Tile Mountain, and the worktop is a Duropal Natural Messina.

I'm not sure if they go?
Tryphic
9 years ago
We went for a laminate walnut worktop, looks fab! Keeps things a bit warmer looking. Don't forget that walls can be painted, so don't panic about those too much. By the time you get herbs, flowers (real or fake!), fruit bowls, tea towels, blinds etc you'll have a less clinical looking kitchen anyway. Good luck and have fun!
PRO
Bellissimo Tiles & Tools
9 years ago
Hi,

I agree with some of the earlier posts about maybe bringing in a bit of texture. We recently supplied a grey wood effect floor tile for someone with a modern kitchen and it looked great. You have got contrast and texture but still leaves you plenty of options for bringing in other colours with accessories and furnishings. The benefit of tiles is they are pretty much maintenance free and highly durable so they will look like new for many years to some.
I think they give a bit more contrast than the tile sample you have already got.

These are available to buy on our website.

Hope to of been of some help.
lspendl 828
9 years ago
Looks fantastic! Really interested in the comments from Three Interiors. Have just had a new high gloss cashmere kitchen and had warm oak Karndean flooring put down - love it lots! I'm in a quandary about wall colour. Don't want to end up with total white wash although that's exactly what I've got right now!! Any help appreciated. See my earlier post.
PRO
Three Interiors
9 years ago
Hi Lorraine, thanks for your comment. What about olive, or maybe a deep teal? Have you got any tiling and what work surface did you go for? They'll help with a colour choice too.
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lspendl 828
9 years ago
Hi, decided not to tile because we've got a quartz worktop (white mirror chip) with matching up-stand and splashback behind the hob. There's not actually much wall remaining below the cabinets- hence my thought about painting the hob wall and the wall adjoining it. Thanks.
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tamp75
9 years ago
@ spendlove - your kitchen sounds very similar to what we're planning for ours - would love to see photos of you have any!
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bookworm987
9 years ago
I have an oak-look laminate worktop - chose it as cheap, thought I might replace it when I had money. Six years on, it's still in perfect condition. It is really practical and easy to clean. With cream units and pale yellow walls, it warms up the whole room.
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lspendl 828
9 years ago
Still WIP but here they are......
PRO
Three Interiors
9 years ago
Hi there. I can see why you're having a bit if difficulty with a colour choice for the walls, the white work top and warm cashmere of the units is quite a contrast. I think I'd go for a warm grey with pink undertones or a pale smoky olive colour. Try out tester pots both near the window and on the furthest wall to see what they're like in different lights, and check at different times of the day. Good luck!
ghesp
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm just going to hijack my own thread for a second ;)

We've started on the tiles, and have gone for a textured, yet subtle matt grey tile. These are flat porcelain, but reflect light, just not at a mirror finish.

Wall colour wise, we're thinking about going for Little Greene French Pale Grey, and then a slightly darker grey Quartz worktops.

The paint is the one of the far left
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PRO
Three Interiors
9 years ago
Hi ghesp, you've started a very popular discussion! Being honest I think the paint shade on the far left is too pale and too blue. The one next to it I feel is better. given that you've said you're trying to warm things up and not have a clinical looking space. However, it's always harder to say from photos. Have you got a sample of the quartz, and have you based your paint colours on this? The paint is obviously going to be right next to the worktop.
bijhal
8 years ago
Hi, Really liked your ideas three interiors. My problem is worktops. We have selected gloss handle-less cashmere units with moon nano polished porcelain tiles for the new extension (both are light shades). We were very keen about modern kitchen reflecting loads of light as . Hence the above choice. Please advice - should we look at white worktops or grey or brown? but preserve the modern look and also want the kitchen units to be the hero as spending 4k on just the kitchen units. Any advice highly appreciated.
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ghesp
Original Author
8 years ago
I thought I'd update everyone as to what we settled on as most of you won't have seen the finished post.

Went went for Little Greene French Pale Grey on the walls and then a Grey Quartz worktop which had worked quite well.

To stop it from being clinical, we opted for some textured wallpaper in the dining area which is Bala Storm (I think) from John Lewis.
We then added some natural tones using a wooden table, and then Vitra chairs. Along with wooden fruit bowl etc.

The main window will have wooden venetian blinds, and the bay windows will probably be done in a darker grey material as the perfect fit style blinds you find in conservatories
Lorna Adamson
8 years ago
what colour of walls will go with beach units, cream with brown speckles worktop and tiny brown tiles around sink area and cooker. have Bright green on one wall just now, other walls are white but wanting a change.
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Doirin Duggan
8 years ago
Hi Lorna, probably best to start a thread yourself and include pictures
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User
6 years ago
Steam mop then buff with cloth
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