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Here at Kettle Co, we've had the privilege of designing some truly stunning grey kitchens, leveraging the versatility of this shade to create everything from two-tone elegance to dark, sultry atmospheres. In this guide, we're thrilled to share our top grey kitchen ideas that celebrate this timeless colour in all its stylish versatility.
This misunderstood shade, sometimes considered dull, can become the source of true inspiration for your kitchen, blending effortlessly with your existing décor and enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.
Its ability to transition between different styles - from contemporary cool to rustic warmth - makes it an excellent choice for any kitchen. Whether you're dreaming of a sleek, modern cooking space, or a cosy space for family gatherings, grey can pave the way for your ideal kitchen design.
One of the most striking design ideas is employing a two-tone grey colour scheme. This approach uses two varying shades of grey together, like a soft dove grey with a deeper charcoal, creating depth and dynamism within your kitchen space.
Light grey cabinets against dark granite countertops or charcoal grey cabinets paired with light marble surfaces can add a unique personality to your kitchen. Kitchen islands are also the perfect opportunity to add a darker tone that contrasts with the rest of your kitchen.
The power of contrasts can result in striking visual interest, making your kitchen a sight to behold. This tactic not only elevates the sophistication of the design but also adds an element of visual intrigue.
Grey is an accommodating color, harmonising perfectly with vibrant pops of colour. Accent your grey kitchen with a bright red or orange mixer or a set of calming blue pottery. These touches of colour can bring warmth and energy into your space, creating a unique style statement.
Brass and copper accents in a grey kitchen introduce a touch of metallic warmth and luxurious elegance, creating a stunning contrast that accentuates the sophistication and timeless appeal of the grey palette.
In a grey kitchen, a colourful splashback can also act as the perfect accent piece, adding a dash of vibrancy and personality to your space. It becomes a focal point, drawing the eye and creating visual interest.
Blue is also a classic choice that works harmoniously with grey. Whether you choose a serene sky blue, a vibrant turquoise, or a rich navy, a blue splashback can add depth and interest to your grey kitchen. For a more calming and natural look, consider a splashback in a soft shade of green. Paired with grey, it can create a soothing and harmonious space.
Despite its reputation as a somewhat cool and industrial shade, grey holds immense potential to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere in your kitchen. By incorporating natural materials and textures, you can strike a balance between the modern sophistication of grey and the homely comfort of rustic elements.
Wooden Features
One of the most effective ways to infuse warmth into a grey kitchen is through wooden accents. Hardwood flooring is an enduring classic, capable of beautifully complementing grey tones. The inherent warmth and texture of wood offer a delightful contrast to the cooler grey hues, creating a balanced and inviting space.
The beauty of wood extends beyond just flooring - consider welcoming wooden countertops into your kitchen to sprinkle a cozy, rustic charm throughout your space. Open wooden shelving can also provide an opportunity to display vibrant dishes or treasured cookware, adding splashes of color against the grey backdrop.
Stone Surfaces
The natural beauty of stone can also pair wonderfully with grey. Granite or marble countertops in shades of white, cream, or even contrasting black can add an organic touch to your kitchen. The unique patterns and textures inherent in each slab of stone make them a piece of art in their own right, contributing to the aesthetic appeal of your space.
Textile Textures
Incorporating natural textiles is another way to add warmth to a grey kitchen. Consider a jute or sisal rug to add texture underfoot. Linen window treatments or tea towels can introduce softness, and woven baskets can serve both as storage and as a source of natural texture.
Greenery Galore
Don't forget about the power of plants! A touch of greenery can breathe life into a grey kitchen. Potted herbs on a windowsill or a trailing plant on an open shelf can create a sense of freshness and vibrancy.
The appeal of grey extends beyond aesthetics. It's a colour that's easy to maintain and doesn’t show dirt or stains as quickly as lighter colours do. This makes grey not just a visually appealing choice, but a practical one too.
Grey transcends fleeting trends to remain a popular choice in kitchen design. It's timeless, ensuring your kitchen continues to charm and impress for years to come.
Grey's enduring popularity and timeless appeal are rooted in its inherent versatility and neutrality. As a color, grey sits between the extremes of black and white, making it a perfect balance that can blend with virtually any other color or design trend. This adaptability enables it to stay current regardless of changing fashions.
Lastly, grey has a classic and sophisticated quality that lends itself well to high-end, luxury design, as well as more understated, minimalist aesthetics. It's this ability to traverse styles and trends, providing a backdrop that enhances other elements rather than overpowering them, that ensures its longevity. A grey kitchen is unlikely to ever feel dated or out of fashion.
Creating a grey kitchen is not just about adopting a colour; it's about crafting a space that reflects your style and meets your needs. With the plethora of design possibilities, your dream kitchen is well within your reach.
So, why wait? Start your kitchen transformation today. Book a design appointment with one of our kitchen designers to dive into the world of grey and bring the timeless charm of this versatile colour into your home.
Brass kitchen handles are one of our top design trends for 2023, and it's easy to see why. Brass is a warm and sophisticated material that adds a touch of luxury to any kitchen. It's also incredibly versatile, and can work in a variety of styles, from classic shaker kitchens to more contemporary kitchen designs.
Brass is a durable and low-maintenance material that can withstand daily wear and tear. It's also easy to clean and maintain, making it a practical choice for busy kitchens.
Created using our Signature St Mawes door, this stunning kitchen features brushed brass cup handles and metro tiles.
If you're considering adding brass handles to your kitchen, you'll want to choose cabinets that complement the warm, golden tones of the brass. There are a few options to consider, each of which can create a unique and stylish look in your kitchen.
White cabinets: White cabinets are a classic choice that provides a clean and fresh canvas for brass handles to really stand out. This combination creates a crisp and modern look that works well in both traditional and modern kitchen styles.
Dark cabinets: Dark cabinets, such as navy blue, black or emerald green, are the perfect match for brass. They provide a bold contrast to brass handles which results in a modern and sophisticated look. This combination is perfect for those who want to make a statement in their kitchen.
Wood cabinets: Wood cabinets, especially in a natural or warm finish, can pair well with brass handles to create a cohesive and rustic feel. This combination works well in more traditional or farmhouse-style kitchens.
Sage green cabinets: Sage green is one of the most popular kitchen colours right now. This colour works really well with brass handles and creates a calming and sophisticated look. This combination is perfect if you want to create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere in your kitchen.
Light blue cabinets: Light blue cabinets provide a light and airy canvas for brass handles to really stand out. The combination of cool and warm tones creates a balanced and harmonious look that is perfect for both modern and traditional kitchens.
Overall, the key is to choose cabinets that allow the brass handles to really shine. Whether you go with white, dark, wood, or sage green cabinets, brass handles are a stylish and sophisticated choice that can elevate the look of your kitchen.
This two-toned traditional style kitchen radiates elegance as it beautifully blends a naturally calming colour scheme with subtle brass accents to achieve a truly classic look!
Just be sure to consider the overall style and aesthetic of your kitchen when choosing the right combination for you. If you are looking for more ideas then check out our top kitchen trends to discover the hottest design trends for 2023.
Navy blue is a tried and tested colour for kitchens that's unlikely to date or go out of fashion. It’s also versatile colour that works in both contemporary and traditional kitchens. In this guide, we look at our top navy blue kitchen ideas.
What colours should you choose when designing a navy blue kitchen? There are many different colour combinations that look great with navy blue.
For example, navy blue works beautifully with white or cream and keeps a kitchen feeling light and spacious. So this is a great option if you have a smaller kitchen and want to make it feel more open. It's also the timeless two-tone colour option. Try a navy blue kitchen island paired with white or cream cabinetry for a striking contrast.
However, if you want a darker feel in your kitchen, pairing navy with black is a great option that will create a luxurious vibe to your kitchen space.
Light grey and navy pair together to create a cool calming vibe. The contrast between the light grey and dark navy plays well in more traditional kitchens. In a similar way, sage green also creates a relaxed feel in a kitchen. This colour pairing works best in a contemporary kitchen design.
Whatever colour you chose to pair with navy, a matte finish is a good way to go. Matte finishes will give your navy kitchen a sleek cohesive look. It's also a popular finish for contemporary handleless kitchens.
Adding wooden features to your navy blue kitchen will add more warmth and create a homely feel. One of our favourite ideas is to include wooden shelving and countertops. This combination is perfect for a traditional-style kitchen but can also work well alongside more modern designs.
Gold or brass features will create a luxurious feel in your kitchen. You can play around with how to incorporate these colours, but a good way to do this is with handles, sinks and taps.
When choosing your accessories, there are a couple of ways you can go. Copper pots and pans can give a very rustic feel, displaying these on the countertops is a perfect way to add this colour.
You could also choose navy accessories to help enhance the main colour scheme. These will look great on white or cream countertops where they will stand out more. This idea also works well with a secondary colour choice like light grey, sage or black. Buying appliances like toasters or kettles in your accent colour is a great way to add contrast and interest to your kitchen décor.
The flooring you choose for your kitchen will make a big impact on the overall design so it’s important to give it plenty of thought.
For a darker earthy feeling kitchen, real wood flooring helps to bring out the warmth of navy and is perfect for a traditional style kitchen.
If you want to keep your kitchen light and bright, white or cream flooring works best and is excellent for a contemporary-style kitchen. Tile, stone and laminate flooring are all great options here.
Pendant lighting is a classic design choice and works well in many colour choices. Silver pendant lighting works well for an industrial look whereas gold and copper lighting can create a more homely warm feel.
The colour of your pendant lighting is a good way to bring in an accent colour to your overall decor. Alternatively, you can match your lighting with other aspects of your kitchen to create a theme. For example, choosing white or cream lighting that matches countertops and walls will always work well.
If you want a more traditional-style kitchen, wooden elements are a great way to go. This could be in the form of cabinets, shelving or making the most of exposed wooden beams. Wooden features will always look excellent alongside a navy colour scheme.
Patterned tiles are also a good option if you want to add a bit of a statement to your navy blue kitchen. Whether this is throughout your kitchen or purely on a statement wall, adding these tiles will contrast well with the classic look of navy.
We hope this article has shown you many ways you could design a navy kitchen and given you some inspiration. If you’d like to explore these ideas further, come and have a chat with one of our kitchen designers. We can help you get the design right and bring your new kitchen to life!
Sage green is a popular colour choice for many different types of kitchen whether it’s a traditional shaker style or a more contemporary handleless design. In this guide we look at our top sage green kitchen ideas and how you can get the most out of this versatile colour.
Sage green has been having a renaissance in the last couple of years and is popular with interior designers and homeowners. It’s organic, soft and calming qualities make it a great choice for walls, kitchen cabinets and kitchen accessories.
Let’s look at our top sage green kitchen ideas and design tips.
If you're designing a contemporary kitchen then use a secondary, darker green to create a two-tone effect. If you have a large kitchen, then a great choice is to paint the kitchen island a bold shade of dark green. It will contrast beautifully with the light green kitchen units and create the illusion of a bigger kitchen.
Let’s look at what colours go with sage green and how you can incorporate them into your kitchen design.
Whites & Creams
Sage green will always work well with white or cream as it creates a classic clean look to a kitchen. If you like shaker kitchen doors then we recommend pairing sage green kitchen cabinets with a white quartz worktops for a traditional look.
Grey
Sage green also works well with grey. This will create a warmer and more organic feel to your kitchen and is a great alternative to white. This is an ideal colour pairing for more contemporary kitchen designs. You can also opt for a two-tone kitchen design which uses both grey and sage kitchen cabinets.
Navy Blue
Navy blue is another great choice for pairing with sage green. It will create a relaxed calming vibe to your kitchen. Again, you can use this secondary colour to create a two-tone kitchen colour scheme, paint a feature wall with navy blue or use it as accent colour in appliances and accessories.
Red & Burgundy
If you’re after a bolder colour choice then red goes surprisingly well with sage green. Red is on the opposite side of the colour wheel which makes it a good contrast colour for lighter greens. Burgundy is a great choice as are darker muted reds. Try using red on a feature wall, splashback, or as the main colour for a standalone kitchen dresser or island.
Orange & Terracotta
Finally, orange and terracotta make wonderful warm accent colours for feature walls, kitchen accessories and soft furnishings.
Matt finishes work well with the soothing feel of sage green so whether it’s navy blue, grey or even red, focusing on matt colours will give the best results.
Wooden features will enhance the homely feel of your kitchen. If you have an older property with exposed beams or a vaulted wooden ceiling, then this is definitely something you’ll want to play with. Try oak butchers block worktops to create a warm contrast. You can extend this to the shelving in pantry units, bespoke drawers and kitchen islands to create a wonderful farmhouse style kitchen.
Brass also works well with sage green kitchens and although vintage in look, works well in both contemporary and traditional kitchen settings. Brass handles come in all types of modern, classic and retro designs so you have plenty of options. Choose Victorian designs for brass taps if you are designing a classic kitchen and single lever mixer taps if you are going for a more modern design.
Copper pots and pans are the perfect way to complement the rustic feel of sage green. Show them off on a utensil rail above your stove or use them as a focal point above your kitchen island.
Having sage green appliances is also a good way of strengthening the main colour scheme of your kitchen. They will look great with white or cream worktops. Alternatively you can buy toasters, kettles and bread bins in a matching accent colour such as navy blue, burgundy or terracotta.
The flooring you choose for your kitchen will make a big impact on the overall design so it’s important to give it plenty of thought.
If you’re after a light and airy feel, then opt for light wood, white tile or a cream stone. This will complement the sage green kitchen cabinets.
Natural wooden flooring will add an earthy feel that will complement the sage green colour scheme. Opt for dark wood to create a warm cosy vibe. Dark stone flooring will also have a similar look and create a more dramatic contrast in your kitchen.
Because sage is such a neutral tone, it will also allow you to be more creative with your flooring choices. Try geometric tile patterns for a bolder flooring choice.
Cream and white pendant lights will always compliment sage green kitchens, especially if you use similar colours for worktops, walls and splashbacks.
Warm pendant lighting can create a homely feel and works with the natural feel of sage green. You can use accent colours for painted lights such as navy blue, orange and black. Or use copper, brass and antique bronze to create a more vintage look.
Industrial style lights will always work well over kitchen islands. Wicker, rattan and bamboo pendant lights are also becoming a key lighting trend and will complement sage green kitchen cabinets.
Alternatively, a bright white set of downlights will always create a light, airy and social space.
If you are designing a farmhouse or cottage-style kitchen then opt for rustic elements throughout your kitchen decor. Open storage and wooden shelving will work particularly well against sage green kitchen cabinets. Wooden fruit bowls, wicker baskets and vintage clocks will all add some ‘old-world’ charm.
Woven rugs in neutral colours will work well especially if you have a dark wood floor or stone tiles. They are particularly suited to large kitchens where you might want to define a dining area more clearly. Using a rug underneath bar stools or a Persian runner will add some warmth and help turn your kitchen into a living space.
Use floral wallpaper prints for more of a statement. Bold patterns and floral designs with matching colours will give you kitchen depth and add to its charm. You can use this across your kitchen walls or limit it to a feature wall.
Add houseplants throughout your kitchen. They’ll bring a peaceful and natural vibe to your living space and the greens will look great against the sage green kitchen cabinets. Think English Ivy, Aloe Vera, Spider plants and palms. Even some herbs like basil and mint will look great and provide some delicious ingredients for summer recipes.
We hope you have found some inspiration with these sage green kitchen ideas. If you’d like to explore these ideas further, come and have a chat with our kitchen designers. We can help you get the design right and bring your new kitchen to life!
Not every cottage kitchen needs to be traditional in design. Our designers are always looking to put a unique twist on a classic design and this charming cottage kitchen is no exception.
This traditional kitchen features our Signature Cary kitchen door and is painted in a brooding Indigo blue. The contemporary twist is in the truly handleless door design, which is a wonderfully unique choice in such a traditional setting.
Read our case study: Contemporary Cottage Kitchen
This handmade cottage kitchen, hand-painted in the shade 'looking glass' offers a truly elegant and traditional British style. It has plenty of practicality with ample storage fitted throughout, including characterful bespoke bench seating.
Discover more about this delightful bespoke cottage kitchen on Williams & Sons
This stunning country style shaker kitchen has been painted in Sage Green and features Colonial white granite worktops. The kitchen oozes charm and fits beautifully with the wooden features and vaulted ceiling. This is one of our favourites!
This rustic woodgrain kitchen in Holm Oak Tobacco features vertical slab doors with dark rustic handles and cups. This gives the kitchen a classic style, warmth and effortless elegance that creates an inviting space for cooking, dining and entertaining.
This large cottage kitchen combines classic cream shaker doors with colourful walls to create a distinct and warm living space.
This generously proportioned country cottage kitchen in Cornwall was designed by Williams & Sons founder Dale Williams. It’s a great example of how a traditional handmade kitchen – in a traditional farmhouse setting – can embrace modern materials and design ideas yet keep all its integrity.
Read more about this handmade country kitchen by Williams & Sons.
Set in the beautiful rolling hills of Devon, this large family kitchen needed to be both stylish and practical to suit the needs of the family. The blue shaker cabinets work so well in this setting and the Quartz work surfaces and tile flooring are both incredibly durable. The large island at the centre of the kitchen makes a great space for the whole family. Perfect for farm life.
Discover more about this large shaker kitchen on our Williams & Sons website.
This light and airy modern country style open-plan kitchen shows how beauty can blend perfectly with practicality. The two-toned décor is definitely on trend for 2022. The elegant twist of a contrasting island creates depth and character, whilst the traditional bursts of real oak add warmth and colour to the room!
Discover more about this handmade kitchen on our Williams & Sons website
Do you love the timeless style of these cottage kitchens? Check out our farmhouse kitchen guide and find out what you need to get that classic farmhouse kitchen look in your home.
Splashbacks are traditionally used behind your cooker or hob to protect the wall from cooking spills. However, splashbacks have become a popular way of adding a final flourish to your kitchen décor. We look at some of the most popular kitchen splashback ideas to help inspire your new kitchen.
Metallics can add a unique touch to your kitchen. And we're not just talking about stainless steel. Materials such as Copper and Anthracite can create a wonderful feature that lifts your kitchen décor to another level.
Metallic splashbacks can also be affordable. You can achieve this look on a budget with laminate. Laminate panels come in everything from gold, and marble to rustic metal and tile patterns. Furthermore, they are easy to clean and make a practical surface. Laminate is not suitable for fitting behind a hob or cooker though so be careful.
Try pairing metal finishes with white to create a high-end luxury feel in your kitchen.
Colourful splashbacks can be used to create a statement and add a splash of colour to an otherwise neutral kitchen. Coloured glass and tiles are perfect and give you an almost unlimited range of colours to work with.
However, this is where a bit of colour theory comes in handy. You’ll want to make sure your accent colour contrasts well with the rest of the kitchen, especially the kitchen units.
Bold colours such as electric blue, red, and burgundy work superbly in contemporary kitchens.
This remains one of our favourite kitchen splashback ideas!
Embracing patterns and geometric shapes is also a great idea. Tiles, laminate and printed glass can create a virtually unlimited number of patterns and designs. From hexagonal and herringbone patterns to rustic Moroccan and Tuscan designs. You can have a lot of fun choosing the perfect design for your kitchen.
Rounded shapes will create a softer more organic feel, whilst more angular shapes will work better in a contemporary kitchen.
Be careful though, less is more with patterns. Make sure the rest of your kitchen décor doesn’t compete or clash with your splashback. Think about matching the colours as well as the pattern to get the best contrast!
Tie everything together by matching your kitchen splashback with your countertops. This is a top design tip and will make the kitchen flow better.
Stone and quartz worktops are particularly good materials for this approach as their hard-wearing nature makes them perfect for work surfaces. Quartz is a non-porous stone and won't absorb water. This makes it easy to clean and more hygienic. Furthermore, you can get some stunning patterns and colours.
Why not make the splashback a much larger feature in your kitchen. You don't have to be restricted to the area around your cooker or hob. The space above your worktops can be used to make it a central part of your kitchen design.
Glass is well suited for this purpose. You can also use quartz, tiles and laminate to create large splashbacks that flow through your kitchen. These large splashbacks work particularly well in galley kitchens as well as modern and contemporary kitchens.
Your splashback can be used creatively when it comes to colour. Again, some knowledge of colour theory will come in handy. But this is also where working closely with one of our kitchen designers will help. They are experts in pairing colours and have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest kitchen colour trends.’
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Pinks and reds can add a bold contrast to grey kitchens whether light or dark. Darker tile or ceramic splashbacks can pair well with darker greens or even a cream kitchen.
If you’re going for a more contemporary look then try hot pink with light blue. This works surprisingly well. Pair these colours with handleless kitchen cabinets to complete the look.
If you’re after something more neutral, then stone and quartz will always work well with white. Perfect for a classic or contemporary shaker kitchen.
If you’re looking to create a more rustic cottage kitchen, then don’t be afraid to use natural stone walls as your splashback. Paired with a range cooker or Aga, this can create an organic and lived-in appearance. You may need to seal stonework to protect them against cooking spills.
You can perfect this rustic look by adding racks of utensils and cookware. Wooden shelving also works well against stone. If you’d like a more practical splashback, then opt for a stone surround that can also frame a glass or tile splashback to provide a natural contrast.
We hope these kitchen splashback ideas have helped you understand what can be achieved in your new kitchen. Your splashback is not just about adding a practical aspect to your kitchen but a design feature that makes your kitchen look unique to your home.
Ready to get started? Book a design appointment with one of our expert designers to discover how we can transform your kitchen.
Updated for 2022. Here are our top kitchen island ideas for what has become an essential component in many kitchens.
We know that every kitchen island is different. We also know that it needs to be more than just good looks; it needs to be functional too. With our background in design and years of experience, we have developed some fantastic kitchen island ideas that are sure to inspire your new kitchen.
Big or small – every kitchen is unique and so is your island.
The most vital aspect of designing your own kitchen island is to first understand what works best for your kitchen. It needs to be the right size for the space in your kitchen and you’ll need to decide what you really want to use it for.
Does your island need to double as a breakfast (or cocktail) bar, or do you want additional storage space that helps keep things nice and tidy? Your island must complement and complete your kitchen. Not only will this give you the best result possible, but it will also streamline the choices you need to make.
You’ll need to have space between your island and the rest of your kitchen. You’ll need aisles that let you move around comfortably, but not so much that you can’t reach for essential items from other parts of your kitchen.
Remember that your island must be a working part of your kitchen, it isn’t just there for effect. Typically, you need a gap of 42 inches between the counters. However, if you have a small kitchen, then an aisle minimum of 36 inches is usually best.
It’s important that you work within the existing space constraints of your kitchen. We’ve often heard customers say they wished they had larger kitchens because of the available space that they offer, however, huge kitchens can create some unique design challenges of their own.
Any island that you choose must always be proportional to the size of your kitchen. If it is too big, then it will overpower the room and possibly make you feel ‘hemmed in’.
Conversely, a small but ultimately impractical island, just for the sake of having one, is both ungainly and a waste of precious space. This is where our experts come in – we’ll get to work on designing an island that works perfectly within the proportions of your kitchen.
The island in this stunning shaker kitchen fits beautifully within the kitchen space and provides both seating and a place to cook.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ island – every kitchen is different, and we often have to think outside the box to find a solution to a potential design problem. The image of a square kitchen island is so popular that it’s easy to automatically gravitate towards this textbook shape.
Yet there are lots of options. It might well be that an L-shaped or T-shaped island will work best in your kitchen, or a lovely circular or cool elliptical installation, to match the curves in your kitchen. Curved kitchen islands are becoming a popular design trend and work well in virtually all styles of kitchen.
We’ll find the right solution, letting your kitchen dictate the shape and size of the island.
What makes this kitchen so special is that the shape of the curved island is then followed throughout the ceiling design and kitchen cabinetry. The curves complement this stunning open-plan living space by giving a real feel for smoothness and comfort in the flow of the kitchen space.
This is one of our favourite kitchen island ideas! Adding a theme can add character and style to any size of kitchen and you’ll want to make sure your island complements the rest of the kitchen.
This large nautical kitchen island is utterly unique, featuring a bold beach scene splashback and a large kitchen island that contrasts dramatically against the neutral cabinetry and worktops.
Storage units and clever cabinets are an essential part of the modern kitchen island. They allow you to tuck away the mess, and organise your kitchen more efficiently, yet still make sure that everything you need is handy.
We’ll make suggestions on what you need in terms of shelving units and cabinets to ensure it all works well with the rest of your kitchen. Small kitchens with limited shelving will benefit from extra-deep drawers and large fold-away inserts that will provide you with ample storage.
Islands in larger kitchens could incorporate the latest trend – a double island! They can also feature display cabinets and stylish shelves with glass doors. Many of our kitchen islands are also used to showcase wine collections, cookery books, artwork and holiday memorabilia.
Islands are for getting together. As the kitchen is now considered to be the heart of the home, it’s a gathering place for family and friends. An island provides the perfect spot for a quick breakfast, mid-morning snack or a family ‘kitchen supper’ in the evening, so make sure to incorporate some seating space.
We just love this unique seating area that creates both a practical working space - with up-lifting storage beneath, but a beautiful social space to spend quality time with family and friends!
Our designer Myya said "My favourite part of this kitchen was the island, the planning of this was so well thought through. A good example of this is the raised area at the back of the seating as the hob is infront. The seating area also combines lift-up storage so it added so much more to the space".
Many modern islands come with a design that places the countertop for food and drinks a bit higher than the one used for preparing and serving meals. This also allows you to choose a wider range of kitchen bar stools or chairs. Also, make sure you take into account the required knee clearance space for sitting comfortably at the island.
We just love the seamless finish of this waterfall Quartz worktop!
Adding small details such as waterfalling your island worktops is a great way to create a prominent feature within your kitchen as well as creating practical benefits of protecting your cabinetry from damage.
Whether you intend to cook at your kitchen island or not is a decision that you’ll need to make pretty early in the planning stage. If you plan on adding equipment for cooking, then make sure you allow for some extra costs and design constraints that come into play because of the additional electricity and/or gas line and possibly also plumbing.
A kitchen island that doubles as your cooking space will also need a few smart appliances incorporated into its design. You might have to forgo a bit of storage space for that oven, dishwasher and maybe even a small fridge, but it will be well worth it!
A stunning example of a recently completed kitchen from our Padstow range that has been perfectly designed to create a lavish living space where both style and practicality were key!
The large anthracite metal rock island offers both a social and functional space with its vast amounts of under-counter storage to create a sleek modern aesthetic.
Choosing the right lighting for your kitchen island can completely transform its appearance and make a bold statement. Kitchen lights can certainly add the wow factor to your kitchen. Don’t overlook them!
We love designing kitchens that are highly personalised and unique to our customers. Kitchens are more than a place to cook.
Adding bespoke elements to your kitchen can make it truly unique. One area we focus on a lot is creating bespoke and handmade aspects to kitchen islands. This could be anything from a custom end panel that matches the rest of the kitchen cabinets or something more spectacular like an integrated cocktail bar.
This beautifully hand-crafted kitchen has the perfect showcase island for entertaining guests, preparing food, or even just a place to relax with a glass of wine.
Creating a space for entertaining family and friends is a popular kitchen trend! So, with that in mind, don't be afraid to experiment and be bold!
You can enhance your kitchen island with bespoke elements such as coffee stations, audio/visual equipment, or even a cocktail bar!
This modern kitchen below is a showcase for what can be achieved with some imagination and ingenious design.
We hope these kitchen island ideas have inspired you. Kitchen islands are one of our favourite aspects of designing a new kitchen.
At Kettle Co. Kitchens, we’re experts in kitchen design so if you’re planning a new kitchen, come and talk to our friendly team about how we can help you create your dream kitchen. All you need do is visit us in your local store or book a free virtual design appointment.
Not everyone is blessed with a stupendous amount of space in their kitchen area to fit a kitchen island, dinner table or even a range cooker. This doesn't mean your kitchen can't look just as impressive and stylish!
The key to designing a small kitchen is maximising the space with smart and efficient storage. Opting for things such as corner cupboards, pull out larders and integrated appliances will transform your kitchen to help it appear less cluttered and more spacious.
We asked our expert design team about some of their favourite small kitchen design ideas and here’s what they said.
Clever storage will be a key factor in making your small kitchen functional and avoiding clutter. This is probably the most important part of your kitchen design and will require some clever ideas and great design skills.
Make the most out of corner cupboards so that they house plenty of pull-out storage.
Consider introducing some bespoke elements to give your small kitchen character and function. This bespoke breakfast cupboard is a particular nice feature that saves space and declutters the kitchen worktop.
This bespoke wall-mounted plate rack makes the most of the wall space in this kitchen and also adds a nice two-tone look in the process.
Integrated appliances will allow you to streamline your kitchen and make it flow much better. A built-in oven, for example will typically create a cleaner look especially combined with a tall wall units.
Think about whether you can relocate your washing machine to another space or room in your house.
Corners of kitchens can often be wasted space but here at Kettle Co, we see these as creative design opportunities. This bespoke shelving at the back of a built-in cupboard adds practical storage and character to this traditional stylish space.
Make the most of the height of your kitchen space and use tall wall units to maximise your space. Tall wall units are particularly suited to narrow galley-style kitchens.
Smaller kitchens can be dark if you don’t get the décor and materials right. Use a lighter kitchen colour scheme throughout your kitchen and choose woods or other materials that open the space up. This doesn’t always mean cream or white though. Grey is a popular colour choice right now, so are mint green or sage.
Try pairing these colours with light stone worktops or light oak to really brighten up your kitchen space.
As you can see from the kitchen above, a dash of colour in the form of a statement range cooker or splashback can still work really well in a small kitchen. Don't be afraid to experiment with bold colours - just keep your overall kitchen décor light and airy.
As you can see, designing a small kitchen doesn’t have to be difficult and you’d be surprised at just how amazing you can make a small kitchen space look. We hope these small kitchen design ideas inspire you to create an amazing kitchen in your home.
Do you love the timeless style of a Farmhouse Kitchen? Check out our farmhouse kitchen ideas and find out what you need to get that classic farmhouse kitchen look in your home.
The charming style of a farmhouse or cottage kitchen sits beautifully in so many homes due to its naturally solace and warming qualities. No matter the size, age or location of your home it is easy to translate that traditional country style into your kitchen when the right ingredients are used!
Our designers recommend the backbone of any country style kitchen should be a shaker or panel style door such as our St Mawes, Fowey or Killerton ranges.
These kitchen doors also include an added touch of detail which is really important – a delicate beading mould surrounding its centre panel adds a real sense of character and skilled craftsmanship that beautifully reflects the authenticity of traditional living.
Finish off your doors with Iron cup handles or antique knobs to really personalise your cabinetry and exhibit the that traditional rustic style.
Classic kitchen cabinetry is traditionally finished in real oak or a soft neutral palette to exemplify the simplistic lifestyle that is associated with country living. Whites , creams and soft yellows have always been popular colours and match beautifully with natural woods.
In recent years Farmhouse kitchens have been modernised by being painted in bolder or darker shades. These colours help create more interest and depth to the room whilst still successfully carrying the personality of a Farmhouse! Colourful kitchen cabinets can often work really well with natural wooden worktops.
Don’t shy away from colour. Used sparingly, a bold colour choice can work really well and draw people’s eye to a key point in the kitchen. A red AGA, two tone colour scheme or feature wall can all add interest to an otherwise neutral kitchen décor.
To top your kitchen cabinets, a natural granite worktop is recommended to meet the practical demands of a typical farmhouse kitchen.
The structure of a farmhouse kitchen communicates strong traditional methods and serves as a place for lots of cooking and family activity, hence the need for the worktops to be durable and easy to clean.
The smaller elements needed to harmonise the finished look are details such as kitchen appliances and storage. The addition of a traditional AGA is often seen as the heart of any farmhouse style kitchen due to its enduring reliability. Introduced to Britain in 1929, the AGA has been successfully feeding families with its large cooking capacity for almost a century … and it doesn’t look like it’ll be going out of fashion any time soon!
A Belfast sink and bridging style tap also add a stunning contribution to help you create a timeless design for a classic kitchen setting.
You don’t have to compromise or be forced to choose traditional appliances. By using integrated appliances that can be easily covered with classic kitchen doors or cabinetry, you retain the distinctive look of your kitchen.
Farmhouse lighting plays a hugely important role in helping to create a cosy and warming ambience. When choosing lighting for your country kitchen, the first consideration should be whether you have the option to fit downlights into your ceiling.
Multifunctional rooms such as kitchens need a more even spread of light which can be achieved with high CRI downlights. The Soho Lighting Company supply a beautiful range of high CRI downlights
With downlights installed, you have the choice of layering your lighting scheme with decorative pendant lights over a kitchen island, if the height is available to you. Enamelled pendants will add design interest without overpowering the space. As they cast the light down, this makes them highly practical for task lighting.
If you aren’t able to utilise downlights in your farmhouse kitchen, it is preferable to opt for lights with glass shades as they will cast light down, washing the whole room with swathes of lights.
Natural stone flooring is super practical, easy to clean and will stand the test of time. It also looks great with almost any colour scheme or finish.
This is an obvious choice and can be seen in many rustic kitchens. You can opt for real oak flooring or choose a contemporary wood effect laminate that suits your colour scheme.
Showcasing kitchen utensils, knifes and pots and pans can be a great way to add character to your kitchen. They also give you an opportunity to make a unique statement.
These knives on a magnetised strip over reclaimed work are a perfect example of how you can turn utensils into a design feature to give your classic kitchen more character.
Copper pots and pans can look fantastic in any kitchen. Don't be afraid to show them off to get that perfect country kitchen look!
Adding plants such as herbs to your kitchen are a great way of adding subtle earthy tones to your kitchen and are great to have on hand to season your cooking.
Flowers are another great addition to your kitchen so that you can soak up those sweet spring aromas. Daffodils, Orchids or Peace lilies will all add a natural touch to your kitchen space.
Want to step it up a notch? Why not consider including some unique bespoke elements to your kitchen?
Why not feature a bespoke free standing glass dresser unit to further personalise your space. A glass dresser proudly displays your collection of utensils, appliances and kitchenware whilst also maintaining a clutter free kitchen!
Pantries have become incredibly popular over the last couple of years and offer a practical storage
Old beams or bespoke shelving can put a unique stamp and help create a focal point around your AGA or kitchen entrance.
If you’re lucky and have some original features already in your kitchen then make the most of them and have your kitchen design work them into the overall kitchen layout.
Discover more about how bespoke kitchen cabinetry can transform your country kitchen on our Williams & Sons website.
We hope you've enjoyed exploring these farmhouse kitchen ideas. If you’d like to explore these ideas further, come and have a chat with our kitchen designers. We can help you get the design right and bring your new kitchen to life!
With spring just around the corner, we have put together our top tips to help you spring-clean your winter kitchen for the new season!
As the weather gets warmer and the outside world begins to flourish, it’s time the perfect time to start bringing the outside in, so that we feel more refreshed and connected with nature after the winter months.
Adding plants such as herbs to your kitchen are a great way of adding subtle earthy tones to your kitchen and are great to have on hand to season your cooking.
Flowers are another great addition to your kitchen so that you can soak up those sweet spring aromas. Daffodils, Orchids or Peace lilies will all add a natural touch to your kitchen space.
Start by keeping your surfaces clear of any mess so that the kitchen doesn’t look overwhelmed, and the flow of the kitchen doesn’t get interrupted.
As the mornings get brighter it is essential to wake up to a clean and clear kitchen as this can have a truly positive influence on the way you live!
We are all guilty of having one so use Spring as the perfect opportunity to tidy it by using organising tools such as storage dividers to systemise the mess. This will take a big weight off your shoulders and inspire you to further transform your kitchen as we head into the summer months.
Inject some colour into your kitchen whether it's painting the walls a brighter colour or replacing those dull and tatted bar stools with more vibrant seating!
We recommend adding earthy colour palettes such as sage green and pantry blues to create both a soothing space and luxe aesthetic … not to mention these colours are right on trend for 2021!
Can you remember the last time you gave your oven a proper deep clean? Why not get your oven looking like new in time for spring so that it is ready for quality time to spend eating BBQ's with friends and baking with the family!
Besides your everyday cleaning products, an oven can sometimes need that little bit extra to soak off the dirt. At Kettle we recommend using Baking Soda, White Vinegar and Lemon juice as a great solution to really scrape away the built-up dirt from your oven using a sponge or microfibre cloth!
After months of being cooped up in our homes and many of us putting our time to good use by making cocktail cupboards and mini bars, it’s time to say goodbye to the Baileys and other winter warmers and swap them with our more refreshing liqueurs. Nothing says spring like an ice cool gin and tonic or a fruity Pimms and lemonade whilst sitting out on the patio with the family.
Want to transform your kitchen even more? Maybe it’s time to think about a new kitchen? Book a safe and free virtual design appointment today with one of our designers and fall in love with a new kitchen.
