Kitchen Ideas and Designs
What kind of kitchen design should I go for?
With so many kitchen ideas and photos to look at you might be a bit overwhelmed when it comes to picking your own kitchen design. If you are updating your kitchen you know what a big and important decision it is to get the design right – the kitchen can be the hub and heart of the home, and it’s unlikely that you would invest in renovating your kitchen again in a few years. But fear not, focusing first on the important elements like layout, cabinet style, worktops and appliances will help you to bring together your dream kitchen design. Additional elements like kitchen lighting, cupboard storage and decor can come after in the kitchen planning process.
A kitchen designer or fitter can help you to decide the layout of your kitchen in terms of where to place your kitchen units, appliances and island (if you’re having one), but if you prefer to handle this yourself you can focus on where you want your key elements of your kitchen to be – the oven, hob, sink and fridge. Of course you might be constricted by space, but try to envisage the easiest and most efficient layout based on how you usually like to cook and prepare your food. If you’re fed up of always having to carry dirty pans and pots across the room to the sink, place the sink closer to your oven and hob. Once you have the core elements sorted, consider extra layout considerations, such as where your bins will be stored, where the cutlery draw should be and where small kitchen appliances can be installed.
Should I include a kitchen island?
Kitchen island ideas are abundant these days; it seems most kitchen designs include a kitchen island, if not multiple islands. However, if the layout doesn’t work, especially if you have a small kitchen, then there’s no necessity to add in a kitchen island. You can add a breakfast bar or counter to your existing kitchen units, or stick with a good old-fashioned dining table if you don’t need the extra work surfaces.
That said, if you do have the room, take a look at some kitchen island ideas to see if the designs inspire you for your kitchen. There are a huge variety of island designs to cater to different needs – you can have sinks, ovens, hobs, wine storage and all sorts of drawers and organisers built-in, you can have separate bars and counters that extend from your island, or you could go for a kitchen island on wheels to make your kitchen layout more versatile.
How do I choose my kitchen units and cabinets?
When picking out kitchen units and cupboard styles for a fitted kitchen, you’ll first want to consider the more practical questions – how many units do you need? How many cupboards and drawers do you need? Do you need extra kitchen storage built into your units? It’s always best to overestimate how much kitchen storage you’ll need as we all tend to have a habit of filling up whatever current space we have to the maximum.
Next you can consider kitchen cabinet style and colour. Shaker style cabinets and raised and recessed panel cabinets offer a more traditional kitchen cabinet look, while flat panel cabinet doors tend to lend more to the modern and contemporary style. However, going for raised or recessed panel work in a striking colour such as dark blue, green or black can still work with contemporary kitchen ideas. White kitchens can give a sleek and clean feel, but remember you may have to do a bit more cleaning of those cupboard doors if you want everything to stay shiny and fresh. Of course, grey kitchens are the neutral colour choice du jour and can be paired with pale and rich shades alike if you want your fitted kitchen cupboards to contrast with your worktop, splashback, floor, or all of the above. Exposed shelving and storage is also popular for eclectic, Scandi and industrial-inspired looks, so you could opt for glass-fronted cabinets or no wall-mounted cabinets at all. Remember that this will require more restraint in what you can store and more effort in keeping it looking presentable compared to what is stored away hastily behind cupboard doors.
The kitchen cupboard handles are also another element to decide upon – do you want traditional round knobs, modern metal bars, country kitchen cup handles or maybe to go ultra sleek with a completely handleless kitchen?
What kitchen storage ideas should I consider?
If you want to keep your kitchen well-stocked and well-equipped but don’t want it spilling over with clutter, then you’ll need to rely on good kitchen storage. Apart from the usual fitted kitchen cupboards and drawer space, there are many other ways of keeping your kitchen tidy. Whilst a large kitchen pantry is the dream of most homeowners, it can’t always be a reality. However, there are now lots of pull out compartments and drawers with trays and shelving that can act as mini kitchen pantries, and you can install handy cupboard organisers that fit onto the inside of the door to make the most of your cupboard space. You can also look at corner drawers and cupboards that open up to reveal lots of extra storage. Rails or small shelves along your kitchen walls or splashback can help with hanging utensils or pans, or storing small items like herbs and spices in an usually empty space.
Buy extra kitchen storage products for your home on Houzz
Are there small kitchen ideas for small spaces?
If you’re working with a galley kitchen, a one-wall kitchen in an open plan space or just a pretty small kitchen, there are some small kitchen ideas that can help you get the most out of your cooking and dining area. If you find that you don’t utilise the back of your cupboards (maybe they become the graveyard for out-of-date tin cans), you could decide to go with shallower kitchen units to free up some extra floor space in front of your cabinets. As mentioned, open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets are a popular trend and they should make the space feel more open and less boxed-in. However, if you have the capacity for it, cupboards and kitchen units that maximise the floor-to-ceiling space you have will mean you can use all of that for valuable kitchen storage. Wall or ceiling racks could be a useful solution for hanging pans and pots if you’ve run out of cupboards in which to store them. Kitchen ideas and accessories such as baskets, trolleys and storage jars are both aesthetically pleasing and practical as they give you extra storage space. Kitchen appliances like a fridge or dishwasher can be tucked away in built-in units in fitted kitchens so they blend into your layout and don’t make the space look crowded.
Discover all the small kitchen ideas you could need by taking a look at photos of compact kitchens.
What sort of kitchen lighting should I go for?
In the kitchen you need to have practical lighting – no one wants to chop, cut and cook in a dingy room. Kitchen ceiling lights are probably the best way to go, but should you opt for recessed spotlights or traditional hanging ceiling lights? While spotlight LED kitchen lighting will give you excellent light, they may not fit with a design that’s not contemporary. Traditional chandelier lights could work for other kitchen styles, and of course, kitchen pendant lighting comes in all sorts of styles, colours and designs. While the popular choice is to go with one or two pendant lights over your kitchen island, you could also opt for a single pendant light over your dining space, or a few spaced out across your kitchen. Of course, if you want good lighting for your worktops, under-cabinet lighting is the way forward. Speak to your kitchen supplier about having this pre-installed, or there are a number of easy-install options you can fit yourself or with the help of a lighting expert or electrician.
In the market for your kitchen lighting today? Once you’ve found some inspiring kitchen lighting ideas here, take a look at our kitchen lighting products to find the new lights for your kitchen project.
Check out these popular kitchen pages below:
- Ceramic Tile (145696)
- Metro Tile (118916)
- Stone Tile (82402)
- Glass Tile (76389)
- Stone Slab (48009)
- Mosaic Tile (46412)
- Porcelain Tile (45393)
- Glass Sheet (38360)
- Marble (24883)
- Matchstick Tile (13883)
- Metal Tile (8239)
- Cement Tile (7697)
- Mirror (6368)
- Wood (5591)
- Brick (5549)
- Travertine (4220)
- Terracotta Tile (2998)
- Window (2524)
- Limestone (1739)
- Slate (1268)
- Medium Hardwood (245625)
- Light Hardwood (141052)
- Dark Hardwood (137173)
- Porcelain Tile (84802)
- Ceramic Tile (77773)
- Concrete (17409)
- Vinyl (17041)
- Travertine (16770)
- Laminate (10809)
- Marble (9170)
- Limestone (8990)
- Slate (8393)
- Terracotta Tile (6334)
- Lino (5372)
- Cement Tile (4412)
- Bamboo (4266)
- Cork (3280)
- Painted Wood (2929)
- Brick (1521)
- Plywood (1112)
- Terrazzo (502)
- Carpet (299)
Kirstin Prisk
Contemporary kitchen in Cornwall with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble worktops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, an island, white floors and grey worktops.
This beautiful space reflects a modern vision as well as glorious light, with gorgeous white washed oak, glazed cabinetry and glass splash back. An open plan layout provides for a practical cooking space, with ample seating around the island and a spectacular view of the garden reflected throughout this bright captivating kitchen.
Thinking breaking up back wall with tall cabinets and display - bholdena
Bespoke storage cabinet in vertical Walnut random veneer by Roundhouse. Roundhouse matt lacquer Urbo handleless bespoke kitchen. Bespoke colourblocked glass splashback. Worksurfaces in polished Silestone Altair. Siemens appliances. Westins extractor. Dornbracht single-lever mixer tap in polished chrome. Blanco stainless steel undermount sink.
Creative storage for entry / kitchen - kristen_dj
Try using a different colour or texture on your island to create a focal point in your kitchen.
Contemporary kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, black appliances, an island, beige floors and grey cabinets.
Island - jontycowan
Styled for The Plumguide; Photographer - Billy Bolton
Medium sized victorian galley kitchen/diner in London with a double-bowl sink, black cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, metro tiled splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood flooring, shaker cabinets and no island.
shaker peg rail above panneling - edzhoy
Inspiration for a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete worktops and stainless steel appliances.
Alternative door / overhang design to my drawing.. - nicanderson2000
Popular Filters to Try:
Unique Home Stays
Vintage enclosed kitchen in Other with glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors, grey worktops and a belfast sink.
Island cabinet doors - ng_thecomductor
Photo of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in London with a submerged sink, grey cabinets, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood flooring, an island, brown floors and white worktops.
floor and the neat look - rachna_jhunjhunwala73
James Pickard
Design ideas for a medium sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in London with a built-in sink, shaker cabinets, quartz worktops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and white worktops.
The colours of cupboards island and surfaces
Floor colouring is similar to what I have in my kitchen
Useful idea for my kitchen renewal - askkim
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary single-wall kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, orange splashback, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.
Raised eating area - kevin_anderson_danvers
Contemporary kitchen in London with a submerged sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, grey floors and black worktops.
White units with dark worktops. Also Wood coloured contrast. - webuser_6413109953821
Photo of a medium sized traditional single-wall kitchen in London with a submerged sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue splashback, metro tiled splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island, beige floors and white worktops.
space, lights and colour - webuser_687717
Photographer: Matt Clayton
Lazenby’s Light Natural polished concrete is a creative addition to Sommer Pyne’s brainchild, House Curious. Designed to be a perfect environment for regular use and to add to the homeowners desire to “create magic for lovely people”.
Lazenby’s Light Natural polished concrete floors have been installed 100mm deep over underfloor heating. Inside and out, House Curious comprises 207m² of Lazenby’s mottled, satin finished, iconic concrete floors creating elegant architectural lines throughout.
Due to logistics and project programme the internal and external areas were installed at 2 different times. Four external steps were installed at a separate time due to their size at approx. 8m long and all shutters were stripped so that the faces could be rendered. This technique ensured that the steps were as close a match as possible to the connecting patio, forming a sleek architectural space.
interesting for the feel of the skylight and the garden coming in - pke432
Alex Maguire
Photo of a medium sized contemporary l-shaped kitchen in London with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.
living area - webuser_804375355
Classic l-shaped kitchen in London with a submerged sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, an island and white floors.
I want to share the color ideas with a person who has black appliances. I think this would love look good in her kitchen.. - allann79
Caitlin Mogridge
Design ideas for a small eclectic single-wall open plan kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood flooring, no island, a built-in sink, black appliances, black floors and orange worktops.
Bright nooks, use of mirrors - jessie_vanbeck
Medium sized industrial u-shaped enclosed kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, wood worktops, black appliances, an island and ceramic flooring.
doors between kitchen and living room - rlsadegh