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.
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter: @modernkitchens
Little kitchen decisions that make everyday life SO much easier 🙌🏼
We positioned the dishwasher right beside the drawers where we keep our plates, bowls and cutlery, and honestly… it’s made unloading so much quicker!
It might seem like a small detail when planning your kitchen, but getting the layout right can make such a difference to how your kitchen works day to day.
One to remember if you’re planning a kitchen 👀
#kitchendesign #KitchenLayout #KitchenIdeas #KitchenHacks #kitcheninspo
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Book A Free Design Appointment
