Replacing your tatty wood with shiny new granite worktops is a great way to give your kitchen an instant boost. And even if you’re changing your whole kitchen, it seems relatively simple: kitchen out, kitchen in. So why are these 5 interior design principles so critical to creating a successful kitchen?
1. Choose something you love
Obviously, professional interior designers will push this one down the list but if you’re making a change to your family home in Swindon or installing granite worktops in your Brighton flat then don’t go for second best. You don’t have to choose the most expensive option – in fact we’ll often recommend something that saves you money – but if you can find a stone or a paint colour that makes your heart sing you’ll get a little boost of joyful energy every time you use the room.
2. Think about the light
Few rooms in British houses are so large and light that they need to be made to feel smaller and darker. That doesn’t mean you need to choose light wood cabinets, white marble worktops at paint the walls with gloss. A black granite worktop paired with on-trend grey cabinets can still give a room a light, airy feel.
3. Be brutally practical
When you’re rushing to work, feeding the kids or looking for a glass of water late at night you won’t have time to fully appreciate the gorgeous design elements you’ve chosen for your kitchen. You will, however, appreciate how easy it is to put everything away, that there’s ample space for a highchair or that you left enough space to not only fit a dishwasher but open it fully. If you find yourself swayed by a good looking gadget or a handsome fabric ask if it will really pull its weight.
4. Consider your environment
From the number of kids and pets you have to the character of a period property, it’s important to remember that you’re installing your new kitchen cupboards or granite worktop in an existing environment. Choose elements that are sympathetic with the social and physical structure of the house and you’ll create a valuable addition to your home. As an example, you can take inspiration from the local stone colours – dark slate hues on the Yorkshire moors, perhaps, or lighter pebble-coloured granite worktops for a Brighton home.
5. Factor in your appliances and working space
As more and more kitchens have exposed appliances, they have increasingly become part of the décor. Don’t forget to consider the colour, style and finish of the appliances you’re considering and ensure it matches the rest of your look. If you’re keeping your stainless steel oven and your retro red fridge, you might want to shape the design of the space around these key pieces. Likewise, if you’ve got an open plan kitchen your granite worktop becomes a stage as well as a cooking area with all preparations on display to your guests.
