At Kitchen Design Centre, you’ve probably heard us talk a lot about the feel of our kitchens. And quite right too! But how do we define the ‘feel’ of a room? Well, there are a whole lot of factors in play, but out of all those factors, materials is definitely one of the biggest.
As a designer kitchen company, we know that when it comes to evoking emotions about our kitchens, a material’s texture is at least as important as its colour. You don’t need to have physical contact with a room to feel the power of textures in it. Glass, wood, stainless steel, stone and ceramic each has its own very distinct feel, and so each has a different set of characteristics associated with it. Stone feels hard to the touch, raw and unyielding, which is why it’s so often used in industrial kitchens, which feel powerful and hardwearing. Meanwhile the colour and tone of wood is well-known for its sense of warmth, making itself and its surroundings feel cosier and more intimate, a common characteristic of traditional kitchens. Then there’s the smooth curves and glossy shine of a contemporary kitchen – and again, it’s all to do with materials.
Picture a contemporary kitchen in your head, and then imagine instead of glossy kitchen cabinetry, it uses a rich, warm wood species instead. It would bring a completely different feel to the space. Different, we hasten to add, but not ‘wrong’! Some of the most fascinating and successful movements in kitchen design have been the results of experimenting with materials. Transitional kitchens are just one example of a kitchen design that’s largely reliant on innovative mixing of materials.
Here’s an interesting tidbit – studies have shown that our tactile senses have a dramatic effect on how we interact with people. One of these studies found that people who held warm drinks in their hands when interacting with others perceived others as warmer and friendlier. It’s just another demonstration of how the ‘feel’ of a space can affect how we interact with others in it. Soft or warm textures like wood make us feel cosy and emotionally safe, while rougher textures like stone can make a kitchen feel intimate and grounded.
This means that you can mix and match your materials to make a space that’s truly ‘you’. If you want some of the raw power of an industrial kitchen but blended with the impressive visual aesthetics of a contemporary kitchen, you can! All it takes is a bit of creative thinking and some experimentation with the materials. So you could have the functional, workhorse aesthetic embodied by your appliances and range hood, for example, while your glossy kitchen cabinetry represents the more contemporary element. Textured materials can also serve as the focal point in your kitchen – a traditional kitchen can be transformed into something new and exciting with the addition of a vibrant contemporary backsplash. It’s all up to you!
At Kitchen Design Centre, we’re all about creating kitchens that are truly a reflection of you. If you want to find out how, just pop into one of our designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Colne or Blackburn, where our expert staff are always happy to help.
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A brilliant trip to London with our showroom managers @kitchen_design_centre, as we joined Blanco in celebrating an incredible milestone — 100 years of manufacturing sinks and taps!
A century of innovation, design, and quality craftsmanship.
#craftmanship #sinks #taps #kitchendesign @blanco_uk
Your vision, our expertise.
At Kitchen Design Centre, we don’t just supply kitchens; we help you create a total vision for your home. Our team specialises in reimagining your space, ensuring the new design isn’t just beautiful, but perfectly functional.
From the very first spark of an idea to the final, streamlined installation, we guide you through every step of the process. Whether that be offering structural tips and big-picture design ideas that go beyond the kitchen footprint, or ensuring every corner is utilised to its best potential whilst maintaining flow, function and light.
George Clarke once said, “If you don’t get the layout right nothing else feels right. If your space flows and works properly it just makes you feel better, happier.” We at Kitchen Design Centre strive to get this right and draw from decades of experience, specialist skill and expertise to help each of you realise your vision for your dream kitchen.
Start your journey with us today at our Barrowford showroom. We can help you with projects ranging from small kitchen makeovers to large-scale renovations. While we don’t supply the trades, we can confidently direct you to the perfect trusted professionals to fulfil your dreams.
#kitchendesigncentre #kitchensbarrowford #dreamkitchen #design #lifestyle #renovations #kitchendesignideas”
There’s just something magical about a kitchen at Christmastime — the warm glow of the oven and the scent of cinnamon drifting through the air.
Here’s to the heart of the home — where recipes turn into traditions and simple moments become the ones we never forget.
#christmaskitchen #christmaskitchendecor
#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenrenovation #kitcheninspiration #kitcheninspo
It’s getting chilly outside — pop into one of our showrooms for a hot coffee and to discuss your Christmas kitchen wish list.
Winner’s Announcement!
To mark Kitchen Design Centre’s 40th Anniversary, we wanted to celebrate by giving something meaningful back to our loyal customers. Every person who purchased a new kitchen from us during the qualifying period was automatically entered into a special prize draw to win £4,000 back from the cost of their kitchen.
We’re excited to reveal that the winner of this fantastic prize is Mrs M from Colne!
We had the pleasure of visiting her last week to share the news in person — and she was over the moon.
A heartfelt thank-you to all our customers for celebrating this milestone year with us. Your continued support means everything.
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