With Christmas Day now done for this year, you’re probably already planning the next annual family gathering for 2018, and how you’re going to use your kitchen. Or, you might be thinking about redesigning your kitchen to become more of a social space – a common vision for many of our customers here at Kitchen Design Centre. Whatever the case, you’re sure to find this week’s blog equally useful, as we delve into the best ways to make your kitchen a true social space.
Humans are daylight creatures; put simply, natural light makes us happy. It also helps us to feel more energised, so it’s no wonder it’s such a common requirement for customers who plan to have spend a lot of quality social time in their kitchen. Lots of natural light not only makes us happy, but it also gives the illusion of more space (we’ll come to that in a moment). If you have the option, designing larger windows into your kitchen will create a noticeable vitality and energy in your finished kitchen. Our recent case study featuring a contemporary family kitchen is a brilliant example of this principle in action!
Central islands and tables (such as the one featured in another of our recent case studies) fulfil many roles for your kitchen. As well as being fantastically useful when cooking, storing and preparing food, they also provide a brilliant ‘anchor’ for your kitchen. In other words, a place for you and your family or friends to gather round, chat and spend quality time as you eat or drink. And that’s just everyday living – they really come into their own in a party scenario! They’re great for showcasing nibbles or hors d’oeuvres, and people can introduce each other or chat as they collect and enjoy their food.
All of the kitchens we design here at Kitchen Design Centre are open plan, blurring the boundaries between cooking and living. Giving people the space to move around goes a long way towards making them feel comfortable, and the seamless transition from cooking to dining helps people to think of your kitchen as a true social space. This traditional shaker style kitchen with a modern twist is an excellent example; its spacious feel makes it a fantastic place to settle into and spend quality time, whether with family or visitors.
Designing your kitchen to showcase one or several unique focal points is a brilliant idea – not only does it help you express your style and personality, but in social situations it can even provide an icebreaker for your guests! In this case study, aptly named a Quirky Social Space Unlike Any Other, a colourful chair provides a fascinating focal point – at the customer’s request, it served as the bedrock for the rest of the design!
At Kitchen Design Centre, our mission is to help you make your dream kitchen a reality. If you want your kitchen to be a true social space, you can count on our talented designers to come up with creative, beautiful solutions, sure to be the envy of everyone who attends your next Christmas party! Feel free to pop into any one of our designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Barrowford or Blackburn, where one of our designers will be only too happy to sit down with you to discuss your ideal kitchen.
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A STUNNING CLASSICAL KITCHEN FOR A LUXURY APARTMENT
When Karen and Peter downsized from their farm, they opted for a luxurious apartment in a historic hall in Holmfirth, Yorkshire. For their dream kitchen, they turned to Lauren Couperthwaite at Kitchen Design Centre, Housing Units, Failsworth.
Initially considering a local bespoke kitchen company, Karen found they couldn’t match the extensive product range and expert design skills of Kitchen Design Centre.
The brief was to celebrate the apartment’s grand architectural features—high ceilings, natural light, and intricate coving—while crafting a kitchen that blended seamlessly with the home’s traditional aesthetic. Lauren’s choice of a pale sage green ash-effect eucalyptus finish brought timeless charm, perfectly paired with classic handles.
ARE YOU READY TO MAKE YOUR DREAM KITCHEN A REALITY?
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This year, the kitchen will take on even more significance in home design. It’s now more than just a place for meals; it’s a space that reflects your tastes and individuality, much like your living room, and so it deserves the same forethought and planning. With bespoke kitchens on the rise in 2025, we’ve found that lots of customers are moving away from generic designs and one-size-fits-all solutions in favour of kitchens that cater to their unique needs, personalities, and lifestyles.
Whether you’re designing a space for a large family, a multifunctional area to work and eat, or simply a stylish place to enjoy your meals, a bespoke kitchen offers the perfect blend of style and function, so that your dream kitchen is everything you need it to be and more.
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The clock is ticking on these exclusive offers – so don’t wait too long!
We’ve got some brilliant offers in store for you this year, so you can take your pick of ways to transform your kitchen for the New Year. You can Buy Now, Pay 2026 for your dream kitchen, so our designers can get started sooner on making your vision a reality! What’s more, you can claim up to £1,750 cashback with a range of further selected Neff appliances.
Our Winter Sale also gives you a chance to get your hands on our incredible ex-display kitchens, each one of which has a long history of wowing people in our showrooms, and now available at truly unbeatable prices.
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Another busy day yesterday for Simon at our Barrowford showroom. Starting off with a photo shoot - here’s a sneak peek! How cute was the company too. Their cat was helping Mark out get the shots right.
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