blue kitchen

4 fun ideas to add some extra personality to your designer kitchen

Sometimes, you might decide that your perfect kitchen just needs that little something extra to get it exactly the way you want it – feeling like truly the heart of the home. To be honest, there’s no shortage of design ideas you could consider, and writing an exhaustive list would take forever! Instead, we’ve just summed up one or two of our favourite ideas. Some you might have considered already, whereas others might be just the dose of design inspiration you need. So, let’s dive right in!

1. Vibrant splashbacks or accent walls

We’ve spoken plenty before about the incredible level of influence that colour has on a space – blue is naturally calming, for example, whereas using a bold red is a great way to energise an area. If you feel your space could be elevated further by a healthy dose of colour, a splashback is an easy and effective way to achieve it. You can opt for a single, solid colour to get the look you want, or get creative with patterned tiles and similar design pieces. If you want, you can go even bigger with an entire accent wall – but it’s a big job, so make sure you’re certain of the colour you want before you go ahead!

2. Beautiful artwork or happy memories

Another wonderful way to express your creative side is through some beautiful artwork, which can be carefully chosen to match the mood and aesthetic of your kitchen. A restrained contemporary style kitchen can be enhanced by a quietly beautiful monochome piece, for example, whereas a more vibrant space might demand something bursting with colour and energy.

family kitchen

On the other hand, you could take the same approach as some of our customers did in Rochdale, in their traditional kitchen with a sophisticated style. A happy family picture has pride of place above the hobs, emphasising the kitchen’s function as a family space. If the idea of placing it above the hobs appeals to you though, it’s worth making sure that the picture and frame are sufficiently protected against moisture, as steam can wreak havoc otherwise!

3. Open shelving for elegant displays

Open shelving is a particularly versatile addition to a kitchen, used as a practical home for crockery just as much as a proud display area. Floating shelves in particular can help emphasise the pared-back appearance of a minimalist contemporary kitchen. If you’re thinking about using open shelving, it’s worth thinking about your favourite items that you’ll want to display, and how often you’ll likely want to access them. Family heirlooms can be ideal for this sort of thing, whereas the salt and pepper shakers perhaps less so!

4. Spruce up your kitchen island

Perhaps one of the more unorthodox ideas, some customers have enjoyed fantastic results from painting their kitchen island in a different shade to the rest of the units. As it’s quite a self-contained area of the kitchen, you can often afford to choose a bolder shade than you’d normally be able to elsewhere in the kitchen. The result is a functional, beautiful space which makes a stunning impression on your visitors – the perfect space to entertain!

These are just a few ideas of course – you might well have plenty of your own! Whatever your vision for your dream kitchen, our talented designers have the skills, experience and the passion to help you achieve it. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can take a trip to your nearest designer kitchen showroom in Manchester, Blackburn or Barrowford, where one of our designers will be only too happy to sit down for a coffee and a chat!

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TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM

In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living. 

The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.

Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM

Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall. 

This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!

Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY

In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.

One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!

Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE

Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.

One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.

Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time. 

Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment 

#kitchendesign #kitchenremodel #kitchenrenovation #kitchendesignideas #kitchendesigner #teambuilding
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