Aesthetics is obviously a crucial element in kitchen design. But efficiency and economy of movement should always be equally key philosophies. By following key design principles, however, you can have it all; a good-looking kitchen that’s efficient and functional too. In today’s blog, we’re showing you a few ways to balance aesthetics and functionality – ensuring you get the most out of your kitchen space.
Whatever style ideas you have in mind, don’t forget the kitchen triangle. Otherwise referred to as the work triangle, it ensures efficiency in the kitchen – keeping all major work stations near the cooking and minimising traffic in the kitchen.
If you’re looking to enhance your kitchen space by introducing furniture that’s both aesthetic and functional, we recommend a kitchen island. A kitchen island is a great focal point while being multi-functional too. It can serve as a breakfast bar, food preparation space and can offer up plenty of storage – all while looking great!
We all need appliances – but sometimes they don’t do the aesthetics of our kitchen space any favours. Standalone appliances are often bulky and don’t fit with the sleek lines of a kitchen. What’s more, it can be difficult to colour match all your appliances too. Integrated appliances, however, do the job and look fantastic too!
An open plan kitchen tends to be the most functional choice for all homes and families. Whether you like to watch over your children while you prepare food or you enjoy throwing dinner parties, an open plan kitchen is a winning choice. Open plan kitchens are stylish and welcoming – but best of all, they’re functional too. In fact, for many homeowners, the open plan kitchen has become the heart of the home.
Minimalism is a huge trend right now – which is no surprise considering it meets both aesthetic and functional criteria. A minimalist kitchen looks good, oozing modern charm with its clean, crisp appearance, and puts functionality first too. In a minimalist kitchen, you’ll find design features like understated handles and hidden storage that tick all the boxes.
Natural light is the best kind of light. It helps make a space feel larger and brighter while creating a feel of openness too. While you’ll always need task lighting, we always advise making the most of natural light. It makes cooking and working in the kitchen more enjoyable and enhances the look and feel of your kitchen too.
Why not browse our top kitchen styles to get some inspiration? All of our designs perfectly combine good looks with functionality for a kitchen that meets all your needs.
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
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