Kitchen Guides
10 Ways to a Showstopper Kitchen
What's common between the best kitchen design styles across the world? Some of these must-haves...
Home is where the heart is … and kitchen is where the soul is. Alright, I made that up … but I think we can all agree that there is much more to kitchens than being mere cook spaces. For a place where much time is spent and love expended, it goes without saying that apart from being handy and functional (which is a given), it should be warm and inviting. So, for all ye folks who enjoy your time in the kitchen, here are some ideas to transfigure your favourite space … and for all those who don’t, these tips should persuade you to cross that Lakshman rekha and rustle up a meal now and then.
2. Stage manage
If there’s one place in your home that deserves to be on a stage, it is the kitchen. This works best in open-plan, modern kitchens for obvious reasons. A raised platform serves to mark boundaries and define space – and, of course, set the stage for a cooking session.
Browse more modern kitchen design styles
If there’s one place in your home that deserves to be on a stage, it is the kitchen. This works best in open-plan, modern kitchens for obvious reasons. A raised platform serves to mark boundaries and define space – and, of course, set the stage for a cooking session.
Browse more modern kitchen design styles
3. Use an accent colour in bits and places
Accents do to a kitchen what they do to any space – add punch and visual interest. A fool-proof method to introduce accents in a kitchen is to work on a neutral foundation (floors, cabinets, countertops) and add a small, but punchy dose of colour via less expensive elements such as lighting, shelves or a backsplash. Here, open shelves in bright orange provide the focal interest in a clear white kitchen.
Accents do to a kitchen what they do to any space – add punch and visual interest. A fool-proof method to introduce accents in a kitchen is to work on a neutral foundation (floors, cabinets, countertops) and add a small, but punchy dose of colour via less expensive elements such as lighting, shelves or a backsplash. Here, open shelves in bright orange provide the focal interest in a clear white kitchen.
4. Put a dinette in your kitchenette
Who says you can’t fit a dining spot into your small kitchen? Take inspiration from the owners of this kitchen and opt for space-saving built-in seating and a round table that takes up minimal room. A starry floor is the perfect grounding that this tiny kitchen needed.
Who says you can’t fit a dining spot into your small kitchen? Take inspiration from the owners of this kitchen and opt for space-saving built-in seating and a round table that takes up minimal room. A starry floor is the perfect grounding that this tiny kitchen needed.
5. Get statement lighting
Whether placed over an island or in the middle of the room, an attention-grabbing lighting fixture is just what the doctor ordered, to make a statement. Here, one may be forgiven if one were to reach up and try to get a wine glass off the overhead rack, till you realise that it’s a light fixture.
Whether placed over an island or in the middle of the room, an attention-grabbing lighting fixture is just what the doctor ordered, to make a statement. Here, one may be forgiven if one were to reach up and try to get a wine glass off the overhead rack, till you realise that it’s a light fixture.
6. Show off your hardware (or potware)
A pot rack suspended over the island adds to your storage options whilst providing a visual point of interest at the same time.
Tip: A pot rail can be attached over the sink, too, where utensils can be hung up after washing. A similar rack can be used to hang a vast variety of cups which would otherwise take up precious shelf space.
A pot rack suspended over the island adds to your storage options whilst providing a visual point of interest at the same time.
Tip: A pot rail can be attached over the sink, too, where utensils can be hung up after washing. A similar rack can be used to hang a vast variety of cups which would otherwise take up precious shelf space.
7. Create an art gallery
The juxtaposition of industrial and rustic elements in this kitchen is the sign of a truly personalised space. The bench, fashioned out of a log of wood, is complemented by the foot rail made out of a plumbing pipe. The modern lines of the glass-and-stainless-steel hood and the white laminate cabinetry are clean and minimal, while the textural island and uppers above the sink create a rustic look. Of course, the art-covered wall serves as the pièce
de résistance, lending the kitchen a truly eclectic character.
The juxtaposition of industrial and rustic elements in this kitchen is the sign of a truly personalised space. The bench, fashioned out of a log of wood, is complemented by the foot rail made out of a plumbing pipe. The modern lines of the glass-and-stainless-steel hood and the white laminate cabinetry are clean and minimal, while the textural island and uppers above the sink create a rustic look. Of course, the art-covered wall serves as the pièce
de résistance, lending the kitchen a truly eclectic character.
8. Try an open island cart
Rather than a typical kitchen cabinet island, try using a cart-style island with open sides. An island cart has a barely-there look that makes the kitchen appear spacious while still providing added counter space and useful storage you can access from all sides; plus, it can go wherever you need it to.
Rather than a typical kitchen cabinet island, try using a cart-style island with open sides. An island cart has a barely-there look that makes the kitchen appear spacious while still providing added counter space and useful storage you can access from all sides; plus, it can go wherever you need it to.
9. Install open shelves
When drawer and cabinet space is running short – but your kitchenware isn’t – turn to the wall. It’s economical, compared to cabinets, and you can show off your kitchenware. This kitchen makes use of the space above the sink area for open shelves; a mix of knick-knacks and plants make it visually interesting. Note the clever insertion of a rail between the shelves to hang cups.
When drawer and cabinet space is running short – but your kitchenware isn’t – turn to the wall. It’s economical, compared to cabinets, and you can show off your kitchenware. This kitchen makes use of the space above the sink area for open shelves; a mix of knick-knacks and plants make it visually interesting. Note the clever insertion of a rail between the shelves to hang cups.
Using the wall for storage gives you the flexibility to customise it with rails, hooks and shelves that make everything accessible.
10. Insert a surprise element
Nothing like introducing an unexpected detail where least expected, to stop the roving eye in its tracks. This marine-blue china cabinet placed smack bang in the middle of a regular kitchen counter is an unexpected affair, in terms of colour, style and utility.
Read more:
Fresh Design Ideas From 20 Urban Indian Kitchens
Want to Make Your Small Kitchen Feel Bigger?
Tell us:
What do you think can be borrowed from the best kitchen designs? Share in Comments below.
Nothing like introducing an unexpected detail where least expected, to stop the roving eye in its tracks. This marine-blue china cabinet placed smack bang in the middle of a regular kitchen counter is an unexpected affair, in terms of colour, style and utility.
Read more:
Fresh Design Ideas From 20 Urban Indian Kitchens
Want to Make Your Small Kitchen Feel Bigger?
Tell us:
What do you think can be borrowed from the best kitchen designs? Share in Comments below.
A mix of inspirations gives this Indian style kitchen design an eclectic look. One would expect wooden drawers in this ecological, exposed-brick cooking space, drawers that go with the storage cupboard, but instead we see modish white glossy laminates that come as a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one. It helps the kitchen look more light and spacious.