Kitchen
A hob cover This is such an easy way to gain an extra slice of worktop. A simple cover, whether for a conventional hob or a specialist one, like this teppanyaki hot plate, will instantly buy you extra prep space. This one is bespoke, but there are plenty of off-the-shelf designs on the market for all types of hob. Of course, it goes without saying: only put the cover on when the surface is totally cold.
A fold-out larder The downside of wall cupboards in any kitchen is that their depth means whatever’s lurking at the back tends to stay there until well past its use-by date. Slide-out units above eye level are similarly impractical. This genius, concertina-effect larder, on the other hand, jumps all those hurdles like a pro, its layout allowing everything to be visible.
Think sink An existing drawer under a sink could easily be remodelled to house bins, as seen here.
Place it where you work Rather than siting rubbish bins under the sink, this neat bin drawer pulls out from under the food preparation area, making it super-easy to sweep away peel and trimmings ready for recycling or composting.
Tuck it away An even smaller solution for space-strapped kitchens is a mini drop-down hatch like this, to provide a neat spot for charging a phone. Keeping it off the worktop means there’s no unsightly tangle of wires on display, it won’t get splattered while you cook, and, if you always charge it in the same place, you’ll always know where you’ve left it!
Store in a drawer Gadgets, gadgets everywhere. Sound familiar? A slimline drawer incorporated into the kitchen island provides the perfect place to stash them out of sight. And the addition of cable storage slots and built-in charging points should spell the end of frantic searching for the right charger when the power is about to give out.
Try a new pop-up If you don’t fancy having an extractor fan hanging down from the ceiling over an island cooking area, how about installing a pop-up version? This downdraft extractor has been teamed with a gas hob, and not only does it whisk away cooking smells, it acts as a safety barrier for people sitting on the other side of the island, chatting to the chef. When the cooking is done, it can be pushed tidily back into the recess again.
There are more possibilities… What’s the next step for pantry cupboard fans? The walk-in larder, of course. While an entire walk-in space dedicated to food storage might seem like a pipe dream for those of us working with modest kitchen dimensions, our previously mentioned Kitchen Trends Study 2017 revealed that nearly one in 10 of respondents had made space in their new kitchen for a full, walk-in pantry.
Go up and over If you want to form a boundary between two areas of your open-plan space, consider adding a small divider. Here, a glass arch defines the living room and kitchen zones while still keeping the open feel of the whole space. If you’re keen on this idea, bear in mind the height of your room. A low ceiling might make the archway drop down too far, in which case you could either use a narrower pane of glass or just fit the side sections.
The white kitchen has a streamlined, sleek finish with a Calacatta marble splashback, which has an artwork-like quality. Sliding cupboard doors neatly conceal the toaster and coffee machine.
A dark blue breakfast bar, illuminated by a trio of pendant lights, contrasts with the rest of the pale kitchen. “The owners had a lot of ideas about interior finishes and layout, and I was confident of what would work both in terms of materials and overall form,” explains Diffley. “The development of the design was very much an ongoing conversation.”
Include tall cupboards on one wall If you’re designing a galley kitchen as described above, it’s preferable to go for a wall length of at least 3600mm in order that the sink and hob can be placed far enough away from each other. For safety, these should be a minimum of 300mm apart, but since this wouldn’t leave any working space, we always try to site them 1000mm apart. In this arrangement, a run of 3600mm would allow sufficient sink capacity, and cupboards or drawers beneath the hob (occasionally adaptation is required for top drawers in this position), plus it ensures all principle appliances will fit, such as your dishwasher and washing machine. Finally, 3600mm will enable tall housing on the opposite run – a tall fridge, oven housing and larder storage, for example. This arrangement provides ample storage space, helping keep the kitchen tidy and worktops clear of clutter.
Curtians Stick to one side Sometimes a wall of glazed doors has an empty space at only one side, which means if you don’t want your curtains taking up space on the glass you’ll need to go for a single drape. That’s OK. Here, the asymmetrical position of the single curtain actually helps to define the seating area in the open-plan space.
Curtains Use double-width fabric This track is also curved, but this time it’s to accommodate bifold doors that continue around a corner. A design like this is stunning, but bear in mind that it would require more fabric. The designer who fitted these curtains used the nifty trick of choosing a double-width fabric so that she got as much material as possible at a cost-effective price.
Curtains Go round the bend Don’t want curtains hanging out on your doors and blocking light? How about this clever design? Here, the designers have fitted a curved track that bends round the corners at either side and goes onto the adjacent walls. Rather than a pile of bunched up fabric taking up space on the doors, the curtains can be pulled back completely out of the way.
One big automated blind
Transition out of kitchen
The two-sided glass cabinet creates additional storage as well as a nice openness with good light from both sides. It’s a really nice idea, and a good way to display beautiful crockery, cookbooks and other kitchen pieces.
Above-worktop corners This photo really got my attention. The dual-access corner cabinet is an excellent idea. Great access and easy cleaning; it’s also a really good place to hide the bulky appliances that you might not want to leave on display. The corner section of this kitchen has been thoughtfully considered to provide great access from top to bottom.
The blind corners These cabinets are rectangular in shape and have only one door. They have the most limited access and require some sort of slide-out mechanism. Some people choose to close the back part off completely and add shelves, drawers or other pull-out mechanism. If this back space is essential there are several slide-out systems to choose from, depending on your cabinet dimensions and budget. The kidney-shaped trays pictured here certainly fix this access issue and are one of the most popular. Other types of pull-out systems include ‘moving corners’ and half lazy Susans.
The corner drawer: Any corner drawer will give you great access, and these drawers are very flexible in terms of size and features. Most corner storage solutions don’t use all the space and unfortunately this is the trade-off. Corner drawers can be pricey and are generally a better solution for full renovations rather than trying to convert existing spaces.
Save Email Base corner cabinets Most kitchens will have these corner cabinets and the storage options are broad. Each has its pro and cons as well as budget constraints. Here’s a range of options to help make this space more accessible.
Let a lantern be your light Another option for those leaning towards a more classic style is to have a large roof lantern. People who want to avoid too much modernity often recoil at the idea of a flat roof despite the cost savings (flat roofs are almost always cheaper, though glazing makes both flat and pitched roofs more expensive). However, a flat roof can be concealed behind a parapet wall and also have a huge opening for a roof lantern (either a pitched or a flat one), and this arrangement is an entirely different matter: daylight will pour in, even if the rest of the extension is not heavily glazed. The other big benefit of a roof lantern is that it can become something of a centrepiece, particularly if stationed above a table or island.
LOVE THIS CEILING Be dynamic… By using exposed brick and full-height bifold doors, this essentially simple extension to a terrace house also brings the outside space in. However the project – which is in basic terms a simple box – cleverly defies its simplicity with a really funky ceiling-scape that’s full of exciting changes of slope and angle and interesting triangular roof lights. It all equates to a dynamic space.
clever Court your exterior space Here’s another beautifully detailed example of tall glazing across the rear, which allows in light from a high angle. But there’s another clever feature. The extension is actually connected to the house with a glazed roof, and in one corner of the extension a mini courtyard between the house and add-on has been created. Devices like this can be very effective in ensuring not only that original rooms retain the windows and daylight they had before, but also in creating a sense of bringing the outside in.
Choose a magic slot This example also keeps the kitchen just outside of the extension, which again has been used for the dining table. But where three simple roof windows were used in the previous example, here a ‘slot’ roof light creates a swathe of daylight over the kitchen and lifts the whole effect.
Let your kitchen ‘float’ Another striking design option that you might not have considered is floating end panels. These can be introduced into handleless kitchens on the exposed ends of a run of units or an island, and create a softer look in place of square edges. The look is achieved by continuing the handleless channel around the corner of the units, or all the way around the island, as shown here. Once the worktop is lowered onto the top of the units it creates the impression of elegantly floating just above the furniture.
Welcome a waterfall edge worktop A waterfall worktop edge on an island, as seen here, can be a striking statement. It’s easily achieved by continuing the island worktop surface down either one or usually both sides of the island, so it ‘cascades’ to the floor. Waterfall islands make a sleek and clean statement so are best suited for modern kitchens, though they can work for traditional spaces too – search Houzz photos for ideas. Your waterfall edge could incorporate a similar colour palette to your island furniture, or opt for a striking contrast to really establish it as the focal point of the room. As well as being easy on the eye, waterfall edges are practical too. A simple overhang allows your island to also be used as a breakfast bar, with space for chairs to be tucked neatly underneath.
Add internal cabinet pull-outs There are many kitchen pull-outs and inserts available, which offer easy access and help to organise the inside of your units. Standard kitchen cupboards can make it difficult to locate the item you need – you often have to pull everything out first, or find yourself straining to reach into the back. Internal pull-out options eliminate this problem by bringing the contents of your cupboard directly to you. They’re available for base units (including corner ones), wall units and tall cabinets, as seen here, and have options for shelves, trays, wire or baskets. Some base unit and pull-out larder options can even rotate outwards, doubling the capacity of your cupboard and making it even easier to find what you need.
Include secret drawers and organisers Ensuring sufficient storage is a primary kitchen design consideration, but being able to organise your storage is also important for making the space easier, more efficient and safer to use.
This trick can be used to disguise other features too. Here, the large overhead extractor appears far less intrusive because of its reflective, mirrored disguise.
Reach for reflective pendants If you really want to make a statement, consider having a mirrored kitchen ceiling. This isn’t a look that will appeal to everyone, but a softer alternative can be achieved using stylish mirrored light fixtures and fittings. Oversized lights, such as these classic copper pendants, look fantastic above an island or dining table, grabbing attention and creating bright and interesting reflections. Similarly, fittings with mirrored details or chandelier crystals will also reflect the light and make soft patterns across your kitchen walls, creating instant ambience in the evenings.
Reflective colored splashback Choose the right finish Getting the right type of mirror is key. For a traditional kitchen or one in a period home, consider an antiqued or ‘foxed’ design, which has a mottled appearance and creates a lovely soft, vintage look (it can also work well in a modern kitchen). If you want to go ultra contemporary, a tinted mirror is a good option. Tinted designs come in a choice of colours, including smoked black glass and bronze, as shown here.
Transition from kitchen to round dinning room via framed door and wine wall
Hanging plant baskets in cedar
AFTER Over the island a significant new light fitting adds shine. “We had to look hard for just the right light because the ceiling isn’t high and the island is long,” Giese says. “This one really does it all, with its beautiful brass that works so well with the blue and lots of bulbs to brighten things up, and it doesn’t block the view across the kitchen.” The layout of the kitchen suited the family well, except for an unused corner. Redesigned as a cosy breakfast nook, the corner is now the most popular spot in the house.
A hanging storage wall The simplest, most affordable of ideas, this might be the best yet. Design your wall so only the things you use all the time, whether glassware or tea towels, knives or spices, are on hand. If you have young kids, it’s best to put glasses and knives up high, cloths and wooden utensils down low.
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